Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Blank screen when installing Ubuntu


Several co-workers and I run encrypted Ubuntu Desktop on our work laptops. Specifically I have an HP Compaq 6710b and they have all had monitor issues when installing Ubuntu. If you run the default "Install Ubuntu" option, the next screen will just be a blank screen. I need to get this documented because I always forget how to fix it.

While at the Ubuntu Splash screen do the following:

  • Press the F1 key for "Help"
  • Press the F6 key for "Special boot parameters for special machines"
There you will see an option in the middle described as:
Laptops with screen display problems vga=771. We need to append this to the Boot Options.
  • Press the ESC key to get back to the Splash page
  • Press F6 for "Other Options" and then Press ESC
Now the Boot Options should be visible. It should look something like this:

Boot Options file=/cdrom/preseed/ubuntu.see initrd=/install/initrd.gz quiest --

Delete the trailing -- and add in vga=771. You should have the following:

Boot Options file=/cdrom/preseed/ubuntu.see initrd=/install/initrd.gz quiest vga-771

Press the enter key and you should now be able to successfully install Ubuntu.