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Resolved Question

No Display after Ubuntu install

Jul 31, 2011 9:30PM PDT

My Hardware -
Intel Core i5-750
Gigabyte GA-P55m-UD2
Zotac GeForce 9600GT
BenQ G2420HD

I am using Windows 7 64 bit(Home Premium). I wanted to dual-boot with
Ubuntu(latest-version of the 64bit variant).I booted from the USB-stick.
I created 2 separate partitions for Ubuntu - One with the ext4 file
system for the / and another 12GB swap partition -from an app called
G-parted inside the Live booted Ubuntu. I then installed Ubuntu.
Didn't allow Ubuntu to download updates for codecs and all as I feel
more can go wrong while installing the OS than installing the codecs
after the OS install.
Ubuntu install finished successfully.
But after the restart, in the boot menu I selected the first option
Ubuntu generic...(it was auto-selected though, I just pressed Enter),
then some dots appeared on the screen, then the monitor went into the
power-saving mode. Windows is still running fine though.
I doubt some driver issues. But why could I boot into the Live CD mode,
if there is no driver available? Is there anyway I can run Ubuntu?
Should I download and try out the 32 bit version of Ubuntu?

Discussion is locked

Vignesh92 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Your card is new and problematic...
Aug 1, 2011 6:03AM PDT

Your card is new and problematic...
More info here:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=4892694#post4892694

>But why could I boot into the Live CD mode?
Probably because LiveCD uses generic vesa video drivers and full install tries to use other drivers with 3D acceleration and ends up in errors. If you do not need 3D in Linux you can try this.
Force vesa driver usage with Editing /etc/X11/xorg.conf with lines (3D will be disabled!!!):
Section "Device"
Driver "vesa"

EndSection

You can edit it without GUI by ctrl+alt+f2 and login and:
sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf

I do not advice to use Wubi which mentioned in other post.

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Thnaks, but
Aug 1, 2011 1:32PM PDT

Ok, I don't need the 3d in Linux, but where should I enter the commands you have mentioned. The screen goes blank after the OS selection menu(I think it is called the GRUB menu).
Sorry, to make the question more lengthy, if I do need 3D then where should I enter those commands give in the other forum?
Am a newbie to the Linux world.
And why don't you advice to use Wubi? Is there really a big performance drop there?

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Explanation very detailed
Aug 1, 2011 8:29PM PDT

After boot try to press CTR, ALT and F2 buttons together. This should give you text only Linux login. Something like "save mode + cmd prompt" on windows just even no need to reboot.
And after login you need just one command:
sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf
First command is not necessary, but it generates that xorg.conf with some default values and lass chance it will be wrong.
Full meaning of second command is: sudo - do it as superuser (root), nano edit text file with program nano, /etc/X11/xorg.conf - file location and name.
Then find part about you video card and change Driver "something" into Driver "vesa".
Or if empty so just fill in with:
Section "Device"
Identifier "Card0"
BoardName "Generic Geforce"
Driver "vesa"
EndSection
Do not forget to save with CTRL and o buttons together and then ENTER.
This text will tell system to use vesa drivers, also you may wint try nv, nvidia, and nouveau. That many different drivers are for Linux and Nvidia cards. (some of them probably even not installed by default).
Then there are commands to restart just X server (GUI), but simple restart with button on box should work just fine.

If you look web search with /etc/X11/xorg.conf you will find many examples and even howtos very similar to this my post.

>And why don't you advice to use Wubi? Is there really a big performance drop there?
There are know and very serious issues with Wubi on Win7. And if you use Wubi you Linux install will be dependant on Windows. And yes there will be performance drop too.

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Thanks a lot :)
Aug 2, 2011 12:29AM PDT

This solved the problem.
And also thanks for the patience you showed in making me understand the commands.

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Answer
Ubuntu
Aug 1, 2011 1:34AM PDT

Hmm, sounds strange to me. The easiest way to install Ubuntu is by using the WUBI installer, just go to your browser, punch in WUBI installer and follow the instructions, it is very easy to do. Before I did that I would go into Windows and get rid of the Ubuntu loads that you have done, to save confusion. Best of luck!!