Linux Mint Forums

This issue has become a real problem with the release of linuxmint-debian-201012-gnome-dvd-i386

If you have that version of lmde it is strongly suggested you don't attempt an install. A newer version has been released. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Here is the link to the newer 201101 release LMDE 201101 32-bit re-spin to read all about it, and also has the link to the iso.

Below is some tips for the adventurous to attempt an install, not recommended for linux beginners as the possibility of destroying grub is likely.


Thanks to Eric Jones, for his hard work in helping solve this issue
And to Justin for refining the fix as the original didn't work for me .


Place cd in computer, switch on, at the grub prompt:-

Down arrow to "Compatibility mode"
Hit Tab key to edit
the line will read something like this

/casper/vmlinuz boot=live xforcevesa initrd=/casper/initrd.lz and a heap more , NOTE the word "xforcevesa" after that insert the word "nomodeset" , without the quote. Hit enter to boot the dvd. It will be very sluggish, but you will be able to install.

then boot it , this is only a temporary fix in order to boot.


Once you have install lmde , (here my installer stalled on installing grub, so the rest is untested, except that Eric managed it)
On the first boot up, you must edit grub again, hit the letter 'e' to do it.
with the above code, at the line that ends with "ro quiet", affix " -- nouveau.setmode=0"

When you have booted the install, open a terminal and That will permanently get rid of Nouveau from lmde. Reboot if you wish to install a nvidia driver


Installing your Nvidia driver ,

For nvidia drivers visit http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx , enter your card into the search and click search.
Then download the driver.

Then open a terminal in the directory the driver is in. This is tricky, as a few errors popup that can throw you right off, treat it as a game, and try to get to the next level by answering the ?'s right, it's not a simple yes yes install

Then reboot and your new driver should be working

Looks good.. If I had a nVidia card available I would try it myself. Good initiative, keep it up buddy =)

I'm trying to install from a USB thumb drive, and this workaround does NOT work for me... Haven't tried it yet with a DVD...

In addition to the screen still going black--I now get repeated system beeps until I reboot or shutdown!

I posted this in another thread. I was able to test this successfully on an nvidia card. Boot up using nomodeset as a boot option and in compatibility mode. Please test and get back to me. I had massive address errors in nouveau when booting up which was tainting the kernel.

Gazza I'm guessing this is the guy I asked to tell you the info if my fix worked?

Please let us know if this fixes the issue - I've been almost feverish working on it.

I have this problem. I removed nvidia card and plugged ATI Radeon x1650. The same black screen and no boot

it doesn't work

I ran into the same problem with my Compaq nc 8000 laptop, which sports an ATI Mobility Radeon 9600. Just adding "nomodeset" before the "--" in the boot line didn't help. However, in compatibility mode the "/var/log/Xorg.0.log" file yielded a clue:

(EE) VESA: Kernel modesetting driver in use, refusing to load

It turned out the "radeon" driver was being loaded as well as the "vesa" one (you could see it happening as the font of the terminal changed). So this enabled me to start the installation process: edit the compatibility mode boot line to add both "nomodeset" and "radeon.modeset=0".

The installer is running now. Let's see what the fun will be after the reboot.