Blank screen after installation of openSUSE 11.3

English Install/Boot/Login
1

Hi Everyone,

I’ve decided to do a completey fresh installation of my computer (Intel DG41RQ Motherboard, Intel Dual Core 2.5 CPU, NVidia 8400GS Display Card, 2GB Ram and 250GB Seagate hard drive).

I have been running openSUSE 11.2 on my computer and it worked like a breeze. Since openSUSE 11.3 came out I wanted to install it, so this morning I deleted all my partitions and installed openSUSE 11.3.

It installs perfectly fine, but with the first reboot after installation, it displays the boot menu, then I boot the operating system. After the splash screen, it gives me a blank black screen with only the mouse poiner showing and there it sits (I can move the mouse pointer around though). Ive restarted the system but the same problem persists.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Even though with a slight problem like this, openSUSE still remail the best OS in the world!!

Thanks

Henk

2

Start in Failsafe
Then follow this
nVidia Driver via Repo in 11.3 - Guide

3

Hi caf4926,

I’ve done exactly as the guide explained, I’ve done all this:

* Install openSUSE 11.3 and boot to the desktop
* Edit /boot/grub/menu.lst and add nomodeset to the boot arguments in the default boot.
* In Yast > System > etc/Sysconfig editor go to System > Kernel > NO_KMS_IN_INTRID and change the default no to yes
* Add the nVidia repo for 11.3: http://download.nvidia.com/opensuse/11.3/
* Now open Yast > Software > Software Management and you will find the driver is automatically added to install - Accept the install
* Reboot

It successfully installed, but after the restart I get the splash screen and it switches of my screen as if it looses signal. Maybe ive edited the menu.lst at the wrong place?

Any suggestions?

Thanks

4

I have to go out

But tell me, can you boot failsafe?

Then as su -
Get me the results of

cat /boot/grub/menu.lst

and lets check

cat /boot/grub/menu.lst.old
5

Thanks,

Yes I can boot failsafe.

menu.lst:

Modified by YaST2. Last modification on Tue Nov 16 11:20:32 SAST 2010

THIS FILE WILL BE PARTIALLY OVERWRITTEN by perl-Bootloader

Configure custom boot parameters for updated kernels in /etc/sysconfig/bootloader

default 0
timeout 8
gfxmenu (hd0,1)/boot/message
##YaST - activate

###Don’t change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: linux###
title Desktop – openSUSE 11.3 - 2.6.34-12
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.34-12-desktop root=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-ST3250318AS_9VY22ZMY-part2 resume=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-ST3250318AS_9VY22ZMY-part1 splash=silent quiet showopts vga=0x317
initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.34-12-desktop
nomodeset

###Don’t change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: failsafe###
title Failsafe – openSUSE 11.3 - 2.6.34-12
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.34-12-desktop root=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-ST3250318AS_9VY22ZMY-part2 showopts apm=off noresume nosmp maxcpus=0 edd=off powersaved=off nohz=off highres=off processor.max_cstate=1 nomodeset x11failsafe vga=0x317
initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.34-12-desktop

###Don’t change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: windows###
title Windows
map (hd1) (hd0)
map (hd0) (hd1)
rootnoverify (hd1,1)
makeactive
chainloader +1

Unfortunately Ive deleted menu.lst.old :frowning:

6

yes, that is in the wrong place.

Also, my view is it is important to keep a backup copy of old menu.lst files. I keep all my old menu.lst files under /home/oldcpu/backups (plus old copies of fstab … etc … ie I keep old copies of EVERY config file that I edit - IMHO its only common sense to do so).

Try this in your menu.lst:

# Modified by YaST2. Last modification on Tue Nov 16 11:20:32 SAST 2010
# THIS FILE WILL BE PARTIALLY OVERWRITTEN by perl-Bootloader
# Configure custom boot parameters for updated kernels in /etc/sysconfig/bootloader

default 0
timeout 8
gfxmenu (hd0,1)/boot/message
##YaST - activate

###Don't change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: linux###
title Desktop -- openSUSE 11.3 - 2.6.34-12
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.34-12-desktop root=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-ST3250318AS_9VY22ZMY-part2 resume=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-ST3250318AS_9VY22ZMY-part1 splash=silent quiet showopts vga=0x317 **nomodeset**
initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.34-12-desktop

###Don't change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: failsafe###
title Failsafe -- openSUSE 11.3 - 2.6.34-12
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.34-12-desktop root=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-ST3250318AS_9VY22ZMY-part2 showopts apm=off noresume nosmp maxcpus=0 edd=off powersaved=off nohz=off highres=off processor.max_cstate=1 nomodeset x11failsafe vga=0x317
initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.34-12-desktop

###Don't change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: windows###
title Windows
map (hd1) (hd0)
map (hd0) (hd1)
rootnoverify (hd1,1)
makeactive
chainloader +1

Note, because you are doing hand edits (as opposed to doing this edit via yast) there is a good chance that the ‘nomodeset’ parameter will be lost during every kernel update, and you will need to readd it.

7

I believe this image shows the Yast way
ImageBam - Fast, Free Image Hosting and Photo Sharing

You did say you followed the guide exactly?!

As shown by @oldcpu
You need to correct this

8

Thanks for the screenshot, when I went to the bootloader settings via yast it did have the nomodeset there also.

Yes, I did follow the guide exactly. Somehow it still does not work. Failsafe works 100%. Booting normally goes past the splash screen and then my monitor goes off as if there is no signal.

I appreciate your help, any other suggestions?

Thanks

9

Post your menu.lst again

I take it you made the edit as outlined by @oldcpu?

10

THanks, it was per @oldcpu.

I did a reinstall so I now have both files.

menu.lst:

Modified by YaST2. Last modification on Tue Nov 16 14:51:38 SAST 2010

THIS FILE WILL BE PARTIALLY OVERWRITTEN by perl-Bootloader

Configure custom boot parameters for updated kernels in /etc/sysconfig/bootloader

default 0
timeout 8
gfxmenu (hd0,1)/boot/message
##YaST - activate

###Don’t change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: linux###
title Desktop – openSUSE 11.3 - 2.6.34-12
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.34-12-desktop root=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-ST3250318AS_9VY22ZMY-part2 resume=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-ST3250318AS_9VY22ZMY-part1 splash=silent quiet showopts nomodeset vga=0x317
initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.34-12-desktop

###Don’t change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: failsafe###
title Failsafe – openSUSE 11.3 - 2.6.34-12
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.34-12-desktop root=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-ST3250318AS_9VY22ZMY-part2 showopts apm=off noresume nosmp maxcpus=0 edd=off powersaved=off nohz=off highres=off processor.max_cstate=1 nomodeset x11failsafe vga=0x317
initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.34-12-desktop

###Don’t change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: windows###
title Windows
map (hd1) (hd0)
map (hd0) (hd1)
rootnoverify (hd1,1)
makeactive
chainloader +1

menu.lst.old:

Modified by YaST2. Last modification on Tue Nov 16 13:55:57 SAST 2010

THIS FILE WILL BE PARTIALLY OVERWRITTEN by perl-Bootloader

Configure custom boot parameters for updated kernels in /etc/sysconfig/bootloader

default 0
timeout 8
gfxmenu (hd0,1)/boot/message
##YaST - activate

###Don’t change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: linux###
title openSUSE 11.3
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz root=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-ST3250318AS_9VY22ZMY-part2 resume=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-ST3250318AS_9VY22ZMY-part1 splash=silent quiet showopts vga=0x317
initrd /boot/initrd

###Don’t change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: windows###
title Windows
map (hd1) (hd0)
map (hd0) (hd1)
rootnoverify (hd1,1)
makeactive
chainloader +1

###Don’t change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: failsafe###
title Failsafe – openSUSE 11.3
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz root=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-ST3250318AS_9VY22ZMY-part2 showopts apm=off noresume nosmp maxcpus=0 edd=off powersaved=off nohz=off highres=off processor.max_cstate=1 nomodeset x11failsafe vga=0x317
initrd /boot/initrd

11

But with a complete re-install you changed your OS configuration ! Our previous advice was given based on what you had implemented BEFORE the re-install. Now you have changed this.

Did you install the proprietary nVidia driver ? Did you change the NO_KMS_IN_INITRD setting?

Note with a nVidia 8400GS, if you do not want to use the nouveau nor proprietary nvidia driver, then in addition to ‘nomodeset’ to use the ‘nv’ driver you may need to also in Yast > System > etc/Sysconfig editor go to System > Kernel > NO_KMS_IN_INITRD and change the default no to yes.

and to use the ‘nv’ driver you may need to change the settinging for ‘device’ in /etc/X11/xorg.conf to ‘nv’ or the setting in /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-device.conf to ‘nv’. (Its hard for me to be precise not knowing what files you have setup on your PC).

12

Thank you very much oldcpu for your assistance.

I am sorry to have made a different OS configuration. Its just that I expected to have a 11.3 system up and running just as fast as I did with 11.2 but to my surprise, I had alot of difficulty. I suppose its because of a lack of sax2. It was so easy to install the proprietary driver in 11.2. Now it is a problem.

The output I gave you was after I ran the one click installer for the proprietary driver. (I usually install the driver the long way) At first I did install as the guide suggested but it didnt work.

Let me explain.

1st, I tried installing the driver as per my old knowledge as by downloading the proprietary driver and installing it in runlevel 3 via sh filename. It didnt work because sax2 was dropped in 11.3

2nd, I tried installing via Yast as per the guide that was recommended to me earlier

3rd, I tried the one click install

Each time with a fresh install of 11.3.

I am sure I am missing something.

I will be reinstalling the system afresh and then I will set it up as per the guide. Then I will post it again for you.

Many thanks

13

My recommendation is you do not use your previous approaches. Instead follow this guide after a fresh install: SDB:Configuring graphics cards - openSUSE

14

Hi oldcpu,

Okay, so I just did my fresh install of openSUSE 11.3. Please keep in mind that after the first reboot the screen goes blank after the splash screen. So I needed to boot to desktop with the nomodeset option.

From there, I followed the guide exactly, doing each of the following steps:

  • Edit /boot/grub/menu.lst and add nomodeset to the boot arguments in the default boot.
  • In Yast > System > etc/Sysconfig editor go to System > Kernel > NO_KMS_IN_INTRID and change the default no to yes
  • Add the nVidia repo for 11.3: http://download.nvidia.com/opensuse/11.3/
  • Now open Yast > Software > Software Management and you will find the driver is automatically added to install - Accept the install
  • Reboot

So after the reboot, my system does the same just as after I installed openSUSE afresh but now after the splash screen the screen goes off as if it looses signal.

Here is my menu.lst file content:

menu.lst

Modified by YaST2. Last modification on Wed Nov 17 08:44:48 SAST 2010

THIS FILE WILL BE PARTIALLY OVERWRITTEN by perl-Bootloader

Configure custom boot parameters for updated kernels in /etc/sysconfig/bootloader

default 0
timeout 8
gfxmenu (hd0,1)/boot/message
##YaST - activate

###Don’t change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: linux###
title Desktop – openSUSE 11.3 - 2.6.34-12
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.34-12-desktop root=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-ST3250318AS_9VY22ZMY-part2 resume=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-ST3250318AS_9VY22ZMY-part1 splash=silent quiet showopts nomodeset vga=0x317
initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.34-12-desktop

###Don’t change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: failsafe###
title Failsafe – openSUSE 11.3 - 2.6.34-12
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.34-12-desktop root=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-ST3250318AS_9VY22ZMY-part2 showopts apm=off noresume nosmp maxcpus=0 edd=off powersaved=off nohz=off highres=off processor.max_cstate=1 nomodeset x11failsafe vga=0x317
initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.34-12-desktop

Here is menu.lst.old

menu.lst.old

Modified by YaST2. Last modification on Wed Nov 17 08:24:13 SAST 2010

THIS FILE WILL BE PARTIALLY OVERWRITTEN by perl-Bootloader

Configure custom boot parameters for updated kernels in /etc/sysconfig/bootloader

default 0
timeout 8
gfxmenu (hd0,1)/boot/message
##YaST - activate

###Don’t change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: linux###
title openSUSE 11.3
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz root=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-ST3250318AS_9VY22ZMY-part2 resume=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-ST3250318AS_9VY22ZMY-part1 splash=silent quiet showopts vga=0x317
initrd /boot/initrd

###Don’t change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: failsafe###
title Failsafe – openSUSE 11.3
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz root=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-ST3250318AS_9VY22ZMY-part2 showopts apm=off noresume nosmp maxcpus=0 edd=off powersaved=off nohz=off highres=off processor.max_cstate=1 nomodeset x11failsafe vga=0x317
initrd /boot/initrd

I hope you can help me. I’ve done exactly as per the guide, nothing else.

Im considering reverting back to opensuse 11.2 :frowning:

15

So
You are saying:

  1. Installs and semi-reboots after sysconfig to working desktop > Then full reboot you get dead screen?

  2. Do all the nVidia stuff, reboot and it’s still dead?

Did you try the belt and braces approach:

echo "blacklist nouveau" >> /etc/modprobe.d/50-blacklist.conf

I defer to @oldcpu on any advice he offers though

16

Hi caf4926,

Thank you very much for your reply!

Well yes, I followed that guide exactly and it ends in a dead screen. So I am forced to use failsafe if i need to go to desktop. I now see that after the dead screen it swithces back on after about 2 minutes with only a non flickering cursor to the top left of the screen.

I have tried the belt and braces approach, but same problem persists. :frowning:

17

Hi guys,

Thanks for your help, but in the mean time I will be reverting back to openSUSE 11.2 as cant get my problem resolved. Im loosing to much time. Maybe the you guys can still think about my issue and I will do some more research on it to see if there is a solution too. My menu.lst and menu.lst.old is listed above. I have tried this command ( echo “blacklist nouveau” >> /etc/modprobe.d/50-blacklist.conf ) as well but it does not work. I really miss Sax2 in openSUSE 11.3.

Hope we find a soloution soon.

henk

18

Wait, it might be a BIOS issue on my motherboard, because I recently upgraded my BIOS. I’m going to downgrade my BIOS to see if it works.

Will keep you updated.

Thanks

19

Hi Everyone,

It works now with the older BIOS version.

Thanks

20

WOW
Thanks for letting us know