Black Screen on Maya

[bird2010]

I have been using Linux Mint 12 with no problems. I really like the OS. I upgraded to Linux Mint Maya. At first, everything ran even better than Mint 12! I have been telling everyone to try it out. Today, all of a sudden, the OS booted to a black screen. I googled like crazy and all of the suggestions did not work until I hit a post that stated that I have to hit the ctrl-alt-F8 key combination on the black screen to get the GUI. WTH????? Is this a "feature" or a bug? How do I fix it?

[kc1di]

I have been using Linux Mint 12 with no problems. I really like the OS. I upgraded to Linux Mint Maya. At first, everything ran even better than Mint 12! I have been telling everyone to try it out. Today, all of a sudden, the OS booted to a black screen. I googled like crazy and all of the suggestions did not work until I hit a post that stated that I have to hit the ctrl-alt-F8 key combination on the black screen to get the GUI. WTH????? Is this a "feature" or a bug? How do I fix it?

it's not a feature so it's a bug.

did you do any updates since your install of 13?
Which version are you using? Cinnamon?

it's likely a video card problem. I'm guessing because of an update so that being said.
let us know what your video card is.

[keghn]

Do have a cusor. Or is the screen solid black?
Do have another linux, or window on another partition?
Can you boot into bios and read it?
I can boot into bios by holding hiting f2 key on boot up.
Do you have any live dvd, or usb drive with linux, or windows on
them like windows recovery disk.

[bird2010]

it's not a feature so it's a bug.

did you do any updates since your install of 13?
Which version are you using? Cinnamon?

it's likely a video card problem. I'm guessing because of an update so that being said.
let us know what your video card is.

@kc1di: you are correct. It is definitely an update that is messing up my system. I am running Linux Mint Maya (13) in VirtualBox 4.2.0 r80737. I clicked the Snapshots button and restored my "Fresh Installation" snapshot. Everything works perfectly. I can turn off the system and restart it and the GUI launches perfectly. I clicked the Update Manager and the following items are trying to update:

* Level 1: mint-translations 2012.10.18
* Level 2: thunderbird 16.0.2+build1-0ubuntu0.12.04.1
* Level 2: firefox 16.0.2+build1+0ubuntu0.12.04.1
* Level 2: firefox-locale.en 16.0.2+build1-0ubuntu0.12.04.1
* Level 2 firefox-gnome-support 16.0.2+build1-0ubuntu0.12.04.1

I'm going to install one update at a time and see if I can isolate the update that is causing the problem. By the way, my graphics card is ATI Radeon HD 5670 (ver 8.850.0.0).

Thanks for the help/advice!

[bird2010]

I'm going to install one update at a time and see if I can isolate the update that is causing the problem. By the way, my graphics card is ATI Radeon HD 5670 (ver 8.850.0.0).

Thanks for the help/advice!

I spoke too soon! I rebooted the system a few times before my last post and everything worked perfectly. Then, I made my post. Then, I booted back into Linux Mint 13 to start the first update and, BAM, the screen doesn't work! All I see is the black screen - no GUI. I hold down the ctrl-alt-F8 keys and then the GUI appears. I did NOT do any updates at all. This is a fresh install.

Any ideas? I'm going to the graphics card manufacturer (Power Color) to make certain that I have the latest driver.

Frustrating.

[bird2010]

I was able to get a slighly newer driver from Power Color's website (ver 8.911.0.0). However, I still have the same problem.

Here is a clue to help us: After a minute or so, I can hit the ctrl-alt-F8 key combination and the GUI appears. Is there a way to add this keyboard combination to the boot sequence? What needs to be fixed so I do not have to do this keyboard sequence? When I googled this problem, I got a lot of hits so this issue is causing problems for a lot of people. The worst part is that I did not have this issue with Linux Mint 12.

[eanfrid]

I am running Linux Mint Maya (13) in VirtualBox 4.2.0 r80737.

then you don't need any video card driver other than the (already running) virtualbox display driver inside your VM.

[bird2010]

I am running Linux Mint Maya (13) in VirtualBox 4.2.0 r80737.

then you don't need any video card driver other than the (already running) virtualbox display driver inside your VM.

In that case, how do I make it so the Mint GUI opens automatically so I don't have to hit ctrl-alt-F8 every time I use Linux Mint Maya (13)?

[eanfrid]

This is probably a problem with the MDM session manager. Either try another one like lightdm or reinstall it. I run a LM13 in VB too - since 6 months - and I didn't ever have this kind of issue, so it is a problem with what you installed inside the VM. However I only use the Xorg radeon driver on the host, not the proprietary AMD/fglrx one.

BTW you did't tell us which OS is running on your host: mine is Debian Wheezy with a custom 3.5 kernel. If your host is a Windows OS, VB has different bugs than those met on a Linux platform.

[bird2010]

BTW you did't tell us which OS is running on your host: mine is Debian Wheezy with a custom 3.5 kernel. If your host is a Windows OS, VB has different bugs than those met on a Linux platform.

I am running Windows 7 64-bit on the host machine. I will download the installation ISO again and then attempt to reinstall Linux Mint 13 tonight. However, I took Linux Mint 13 back to a "Fresh Install". So, unless the installation ISO has been updated, I do not see anything changing.

Any other ideas? It seems like it would be easy to tell Linux Mint to run the ctrl-alt-F8 key sequence at the end of boot-up. This would be a simple work-around. I am concerned for all of the other users, though. Since they will see the black screen and not know that they can hit ctrl-alt-F8 to make the GUI start.

[eanfrid]

X starts and switches to VT8 since the first VT available for X sessions (should be tty7) is unavailable at that time for some obscure reason. It is something that occurs later than at boot time. The GUI starts indeed: your screen only displays the gone-wrong terminal. /var/log/Xorg log files should tell you what is going wrong.

[bird2010]

The GUI starts indeed: your screen only displays the gone-wrong terminal. /var/log/Xorg log files should tell you what is going wrong.

I do not see anything wrong. Any advice?

Here is the Xorg.0.log file:

[ 14.358]
X.Org X Server 1.11.3
Release Date: 2011-12-16
[ 14.358] X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0
[ 14.358] Build Operating System: Linux 2.6.24-29-server x86_64 Ubuntu
[ 14.358] Current Operating System: Linux rick-VirtualBox 3.2.0-23-generic #36-Ubuntu SMP Tue Apr 10 20:39:51 UTC 2012 x86_64
[ 14.358] Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-23-generic root=UUID=5919ee3f-d5bb-4e5d-8ba1-6bea24f3ef79 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
[ 14.358] Build Date: 05 April 2012 04:32:37AM
[ 14.358] xorg-server 2:1.11.4-0ubuntu10 (For technical support please see http://www.ubuntu.com/support)
[ 14.358] Current version of pixman: 0.24.4
[ 14.358] Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.x.org
to make sure that you have the latest version.
[ 14.358] Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
(++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
(WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
[ 14.358] (==) Log file: "/var/log/Xorg.0.log", Time: Sun Nov 4 08:46:47 2012
[ 14.359] (==) Using system config directory "/usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d"
[ 14.359] (==) No Layout section. Using the first Screen section.
[ 14.359] (==) No screen section available. Using defaults.
[ 14.359] (**) |-->Screen "Default Screen Section" (0)
[ 14.359] (**) | |-->Monitor "<default monitor>"
[ 14.359] (==) No monitor specified for screen "Default Screen Section".
Using a default monitor configuration.
[ 14.359] (==) Automatically adding devices
[ 14.359] (==) Automatically enabling devices
[ 14.359] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/cyrillic" does not exist.
[ 14.359] Entry deleted from font path.
[ 14.359] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi/" does not exist.
[ 14.359] Entry deleted from font path.
[ 14.359] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi/" does not exist.
[ 14.359] Entry deleted from font path.
[ 14.359] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi" does not exist.
[ 14.359] Entry deleted from font path.
[ 14.359] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi" does not exist.
[ 14.359] Entry deleted from font path.
[ 14.359] (WW) The directory "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType" does not exist.
[ 14.359] Entry deleted from font path.
[ 14.359] (==) FontPath set to:
/usr/share/fonts/X11/misc,
/usr/share/fonts/X11/Type1,
built-ins
[ 14.359] (==) ModulePath set to "/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/xorg/extra-modules,/usr/lib/xorg/extra-modules,/usr/lib/xorg/modules"
[ 14.359] (II) The server relies on udev to provide the list of input devices.
If no devices become available, reconfigure udev or disable AutoAddDevices.
[ 14.359] (II) Loader magic: 0x7f96f14e9b00
[ 14.359] (II) Module ABI versions:
[ 14.359] X.Org ANSI C Emulation: 0.4
[ 14.359] X.Org Video Driver: 11.0
[ 14.359] X.Org XInput driver : 16.0
[ 14.359] X.Org Server Extension : 6.0
[ 14.361] (--) PCI:*(0:0:2:0) 80ee:beef:0000:0000 rev 0, Mem @ 0xe0000000/134217728
[ 14.361] (II) Open ACPI successful (/var/run/acpid.socket)
[ 14.361] (II) LoadModule: "extmod"
[ 14.362] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libextmod.so
[ 14.362] (II) Module extmod: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[ 14.362] compiled for 1.11.3, module version = 1.0.0
[ 14.362] Module class: X.Org Server Extension
[ 14.362] ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 6.0
[ 14.362] (II) Loading extension MIT-SCREEN-SAVER
[ 14.362] (II) Loading extension XFree86-VidModeExtension
[ 14.362] (II) Loading extension XFree86-DGA
[ 14.362] (II) Loading extension DPMS
[ 14.362] (II) Loading extension XVideo
[ 14.362] (II) Loading extension XVideo-MotionCompensation
[ 14.362] (II) Loading extension X-Resource
[ 14.362] (II) LoadModule: "dbe"
[ 14.363] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libdbe.so
[ 14.363] (II) Module dbe: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[ 14.363] compiled for 1.11.3, module version = 1.0.0
[ 14.363] Module class: X.Org Server Extension
[ 14.363] ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 6.0
[ 14.363] (II) Loading extension DOUBLE-BUFFER
[ 14.363] (II) LoadModule: "glx"
[ 14.363] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libglx.so
[ 14.363] (II) Module glx: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[ 14.363] compiled for 1.11.3, module version = 1.0.0
[ 14.363] ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 6.0
[ 14.363] (==) AIGLX enabled
[ 14.363] (II) Loading extension GLX
[ 14.363] (II) LoadModule: "record"
[ 14.363] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/librecord.so
[ 14.363] (II) Module record: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[ 14.363] compiled for 1.11.3, module version = 1.13.0
[ 14.363] Module class: X.Org Server Extension
[ 14.363] ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 6.0
[ 14.363] (II) Loading extension RECORD
[ 14.363] (II) LoadModule: "dri"
[ 14.363] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libdri.so
[ 14.363] (II) Module dri: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[ 14.363] compiled for 1.11.3, module version = 1.0.0
[ 14.363] ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 6.0
[ 14.363] (II) Loading extension XFree86-DRI
[ 14.363] (II) LoadModule: "dri2"
[ 14.364] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libdri2.so
[ 14.364] (II) Module dri2: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[ 14.364] compiled for 1.11.3, module version = 1.2.0
[ 14.364] ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 6.0
[ 14.364] (II) Loading extension DRI2
[ 14.364] (==) Matched vboxvideo as autoconfigured driver 0
[ 14.364] (==) Matched vesa as autoconfigured driver 1
[ 14.364] (==) Matched fbdev as autoconfigured driver 2
[ 14.364] (==) Assigned the driver to the xf86ConfigLayout
[ 14.364] (II) LoadModule: "vboxvideo"
[ 14.364] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/vboxvideo_drv.so
[ 14.364] (II) Module vboxvideo: vendor="Oracle Corporation"
[ 14.364] compiled for 10.11.0, module version = 1.0.1
[ 14.364] Module class: X.Org Video Driver
[ 14.364] ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 11.0
[ 14.364] (**) Load address of symbol "VBOXVIDEO" is 0x7f96f108d260
[ 14.364] (II) LoadModule: "vesa"
[ 14.364] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/vesa_drv.so
[ 14.364] (II) Module vesa: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[ 14.364] compiled for 1.11.3, module version = 2.3.0
[ 14.364] Module class: X.Org Video Driver
[ 14.364] ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 11.0
[ 14.364] (II) LoadModule: "fbdev"
[ 14.364] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/fbdev_drv.so
[ 14.364] (II) Module fbdev: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[ 14.364] compiled for 1.11.3, module version = 0.4.2
[ 14.364] ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 11.0
[ 14.364] (II) VBoxVideo: guest driver for VirtualBox: vbox
[ 14.364] (II) VESA: driver for VESA chipsets: vesa
[ 14.364] (II) FBDEV: driver for framebuffer: fbdev
[ 14.364] (++) using VT number 8

[ 14.365] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/vboxvideo_drv.so
[ 14.365] (WW) Falling back to old probe method for vesa
[ 14.365] (WW) Falling back to old probe method for fbdev
[ 14.365] (II) Loading sub module "fbdevhw"
[ 14.365] (II) LoadModule: "fbdevhw"
[ 14.365] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/libfbdevhw.so
[ 14.365] (II) Module fbdevhw: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[ 14.365] compiled for 1.11.3, module version = 0.0.2
[ 14.365] ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 11.0
[ 14.365] (EE) open /dev/fb0: No such file or directory
[ 14.365] (II) VBoxVideo(0): VirtualBox guest additions video driver version 4.2.0
[ 14.365] (II) Loading sub module "ramdac"
[ 14.365] (II) LoadModule: "ramdac"
[ 14.365] (II) Module "ramdac" already built-in
[ 14.365] (II) Loading sub module "fb"
[ 14.365] (II) LoadModule: "fb"
[ 14.365] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/libfb.so
[ 14.365] (II) Module fb: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[ 14.365] compiled for 1.11.3, module version = 1.0.0
[ 14.365] ABI class: X.Org ANSI C Emulation, version 0.4
[ 14.365] (II) Loading sub module "shadowfb"
[ 14.365] (II) LoadModule: "shadowfb"
[ 14.365] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/libshadowfb.so
[ 14.365] (II) Module shadowfb: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[ 14.365] compiled for 1.11.3, module version = 1.0.0
[ 14.365] ABI class: X.Org ANSI C Emulation, version 0.4
[ 14.365] (II) Loading sub module "vgahw"
[ 14.365] (II) LoadModule: "vgahw"
[ 14.365] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/libvgahw.so
[ 14.365] (II) Module vgahw: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[ 14.365] compiled for 1.11.3, module version = 0.1.0
[ 14.365] ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 11.0
[ 14.365] (II) Loading sub module "dri"
[ 14.365] (II) LoadModule: "dri"
[ 14.366] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libdri.so
[ 14.366] (II) Module dri: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[ 14.366] compiled for 1.11.3, module version = 1.0.0
[ 14.366] ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 6.0
[ 14.366] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Creating default Display subsection in Screen section
"Default Screen Section" for depth/fbbpp 24/32
[ 14.366] (==) VBoxVideo(0): Depth 24, (--) framebuffer bpp 32
[ 14.366] (--) VBoxVideo(0): Virtual size is 32000x32000 (pitch 32000)
[ 14.366] (**) VBoxVideo(0): Built-in mode "VBoxInitialMode": 125.5 MHz (scaled from 0.0 MHz), 65.2 kHz, 60.0 Hz
[ 14.366] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Modeline "VBoxInitialMode"x0.0 125.50 1920 1922 1924 1926 1080 1082 1084 1086 (65.2 kHz)
[ 14.366] (**) VBoxVideo(0): Built-in mode "VBoxDynamicMode": 125.5 MHz (scaled from 0.0 MHz), 65.2 kHz, 60.0 Hz
[ 14.366] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Modeline "VBoxDynamicMode"x0.0 125.50 1920 1922 1924 1926 1080 1082 1084 1086 (65.2 kHz)
[ 14.366] (**) VBoxVideo(0): Built-in mode "VBoxDynamicMode": 125.5 MHz (scaled from 0.0 MHz), 65.2 kHz, 60.0 Hz
[ 14.366] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Modeline "VBoxDynamicMode"x0.0 125.50 1920 1922 1924 1926 1080 1082 1084 1086 (65.2 kHz)
[ 14.366] (**) VBoxVideo(0): Built-in mode "VBox-1600x1200": 116.2 MHz (scaled from 0.0 MHz), 72.4 kHz, 60.0 Hz
[ 14.366] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Modeline "VBox-1600x1200"x0.0 116.21 1600 1602 1604 1606 1200 1202 1204 1206 (72.4 kHz)
[ 14.366] (**) VBoxVideo(0): Built-in mode "VBox-1440x1050": 91.6 MHz (scaled from 0.0 MHz), 63.4 kHz, 60.0 Hz
[ 14.366] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Modeline "VBox-1440x1050"x0.0 91.62 1440 1442 1444 1446 1050 1052 1054 1056 (63.4 kHz)
[ 14.366] (**) VBoxVideo(0): Built-in mode "VBox-1280x960": 74.5 MHz (scaled from 0.0 MHz), 58.0 kHz, 60.0 Hz
[ 14.366] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Modeline "VBox-1280x960"x0.0 74.54 1280 1282 1284 1286 960 962 964 966 (58.0 kHz)
[ 14.366] (**) VBoxVideo(0): Built-in mode "VBox-1024x768": 47.8 MHz (scaled from 0.0 MHz), 46.4 kHz, 60.0 Hz
[ 14.366] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Modeline "VBox-1024x768"x0.0 47.83 1024 1026 1028 1030 768 770 772 774 (46.4 kHz)
[ 14.366] (**) VBoxVideo(0): Built-in mode "VBox-800x600": 29.3 MHz (scaled from 0.0 MHz), 36.4 kHz, 60.0 Hz
[ 14.366] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Modeline "VBox-800x600"x0.0 29.31 800 802 804 806 600 602 604 606 (36.4 kHz)
[ 14.366] (**) VBoxVideo(0): Built-in mode "VBox-640x480": 18.8 MHz (scaled from 0.0 MHz), 29.2 kHz, 60.0 Hz
[ 14.366] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Modeline "VBox-640x480"x0.0 18.84 640 642 644 646 480 482 484 486 (29.2 kHz)
[ 14.366] (II) VBoxVideo(0): vgaHWGetIOBase: hwp->IOBase is 0x03d0, hwp->PIOOffset is 0x0000
[ 14.366] (==) VBoxVideo(0): RGB weight 888
[ 14.366] (==) VBoxVideo(0): Default visual is TrueColor
[ 14.366] (==) VBoxVideo(0): Using gamma correction (1.0, 1.0, 1.0)
[ 14.366] (==) VBoxVideo(0): DPI set to (96, 96)
[ 14.366] (II) UnloadModule: "vesa"
[ 14.366] (II) Unloading vesa
[ 14.366] (II) UnloadModule: "fbdev"
[ 14.366] (II) Unloading fbdev
[ 14.366] (II) UnloadModule: "fbdevhw"
[ 14.366] (II) Unloading fbdevhw
[ 14.366] (--) Depth 24 pixmap format is 32 bpp
[ 14.387] drmOpenDevice: node name is /dev/dri/card0
[ 14.394] drmOpenDevice: node name is /dev/dri/card0
[ 14.435] drmOpenByBusid: Searching for BusID pci:0000:00:02.0
[ 14.435] drmOpenDevice: node name is /dev/dri/card0
[ 14.435] drmOpenDevice: open result is 12, (OK)
[ 14.435] drmOpenByBusid: drmOpenMinor returns 12
[ 14.435] drmOpenByBusid: drmGetBusid reports pci:0000:00:02.0
[ 14.435] (II) [drm] loaded kernel module for "vboxvideo" driver.
[ 14.435] (II) [drm] DRM interface version 1.4
[ 14.435] (II) [drm] DRM open master succeeded.
[ 14.435] (II) VBoxVideo(0): [drm] Using the DRM lock SAREA also for drawables.
[ 14.435] (II) VBoxVideo(0): [drm] framebuffer handle = 0xe0000000
[ 14.435] (II) VBoxVideo(0): [drm] added 1 reserved context for kernel
[ 14.435] (II) VBoxVideo(0): X context handle = 0x1
[ 14.435] (II) VBoxVideo(0): [drm] installed DRM signal handler
[ 14.435] (II) VBoxVideo(0): visual configurations initialized
[ 14.435] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Requested monitor count: 1
[ 14.436] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Output VBOX0 has no monitor section
[ 14.436] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Output VBOX0 has no monitor section
[ 14.436] (II) VBoxVideo(0): EDID for output VBOX0
[ 14.436] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Manufacturer: VBX Model: 0 Serial#: 70780800
[ 14.436] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Year: 1990 Week: 1
[ 14.436] (II) VBoxVideo(0): EDID Version: 1.3
[ 14.436] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Digital Display Input
[ 14.436] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Indeterminate output size
[ 14.436] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Gamma: 2.20
[ 14.436] (II) VBoxVideo(0): DPMS capabilities: StandBy Suspend Off
[ 14.436] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Supported color encodings: RGB 4:4:4 YCrCb 4:4:4
[ 14.436] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Default color space is primary color space
[ 14.436] (II) VBoxVideo(0): First detailed timing is preferred mode
[ 14.436] (II) VBoxVideo(0): redX: 0.640 redY: 0.330 greenX: 0.300 greenY: 0.600
[ 14.436] (II) VBoxVideo(0): blueX: 0.150 blueY: 0.060 whiteX: 0.312 whiteY: 0.329
[ 14.436] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Manufacturer's mask: 0
[ 14.436] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Supported detailed timing:
[ 14.436] (II) VBoxVideo(0): clock: 125.5 MHz Image Size: 0 x 0 mm
[ 14.436] (II) VBoxVideo(0): h_active: 1920 h_sync: 1922 h_sync_end 1924 h_blank_end 1926 h_border: 0
[ 14.436] (II) VBoxVideo(0): v_active: 1080 v_sync: 1082 v_sync_end 1084 v_blanking: 1086 v_border: 0
[ 14.436] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Ranges: V min: 0 V max: 200 Hz, H min: 0 H max: 200 kHz, PixClock max 1005 MHz
[ 14.436] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Monitor name: VBOX monitor
[ 14.436] (II) VBoxVideo(0): EDID (in hex):
[ 14.436] (II) VBoxVideo(0): 00ffffffffffff005858000080073804
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): 0100010380000078eeee91a3544c9926
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): 0f505400000001010101010101010101
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): 01010101010105318006703806400202
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): 2200000000000000000000fd0000c800
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): c864000a202020202020000000fc0056
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): 424f58206d6f6e69746f720a00000010
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): 000a20202020202020202020202000d2
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): EDID vendor "VBX", prod id 0
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): DDCModeFromDetailedTiming: 1920x1080 Warning: We only handle separate sync.
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Using hsync ranges from config file
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Using vrefresh ranges from config file
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Printing DDC gathered Modelines:
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Modeline "1920x1080"x0.0 125.49 1920 1922 1924 1926 1080 1082 1084 1086 -hsync -vsync (65.2 kHz)
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Printing probed modes for output VBOX0
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Modeline "1920x1080"x60.0 125.50 1920 1922 1924 1926 1080 1082 1084 1086 (65.2 kHz)
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Modeline "1600x1200"x60.0 116.21 1600 1602 1604 1606 1200 1202 1204 1206 (72.4 kHz)
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Modeline "1440x1050"x60.0 91.62 1440 1442 1444 1446 1050 1052 1054 1056 (63.4 kHz)
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Modeline "1280x960"x60.0 74.54 1280 1282 1284 1286 960 962 964 966 (58.0 kHz)
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Modeline "1024x768"x60.0 47.83 1024 1026 1028 1030 768 770 772 774 (46.4 kHz)
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Modeline "800x600"x60.0 29.31 800 802 804 806 600 602 604 606 (36.4 kHz)
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Modeline "640x480"x60.0 18.84 640 642 644 646 480 482 484 486 (29.2 kHz)
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Output VBOX0 connected
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Using exact sizes for initial modes
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Output VBOX0 using initial mode 1920x1080
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Using default gamma of (1.0, 1.0, 1.0) unless otherwise stated.
[ 14.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): RandR 1.2 enabled, ignore the following RandR disabled message.
[ 14.438] (==) VBoxVideo(0): DPMS enabled
[ 14.438] (II) VBoxVideo(0): [DRI] installation complete
[ 14.438] (--) RandR disabled
[ 14.438] (II) Initializing built-in extension Generic Event Extension
[ 14.438] (II) Initializing built-in extension SHAPE
[ 14.438] (II) Initializing built-in extension MIT-SHM
[ 14.438] (II) Initializing built-in extension XInputExtension
[ 14.438] (II) Initializing built-in extension XTEST
[ 14.438] (II) Initializing built-in extension BIG-REQUESTS
[ 14.438] (II) Initializing built-in extension SYNC
[ 14.438] (II) Initializing built-in extension XKEYBOARD
[ 14.438] (II) Initializing built-in extension XC-MISC
[ 14.438] (II) Initializing built-in extension SECURITY
[ 14.438] (II) Initializing built-in extension XINERAMA
[ 14.438] (II) Initializing built-in extension XFIXES
[ 14.438] (II) Initializing built-in extension RENDER
[ 14.438] (II) Initializing built-in extension RANDR
[ 14.438] (II) Initializing built-in extension COMPOSITE
[ 14.438] (II) Initializing built-in extension DAMAGE
[ 14.442] (II) AIGLX: Screen 0 is not DRI2 capable
[ 14.442] drmOpenDevice: node name is /dev/dri/card0
[ 14.442] drmOpenDevice: open result is 13, (OK)
[ 14.442] drmOpenByBusid: Searching for BusID pci:0000:00:02.0
[ 14.442] drmOpenDevice: node name is /dev/dri/card0
[ 14.442] drmOpenDevice: open result is 13, (OK)
[ 14.442] drmOpenByBusid: drmOpenMinor returns 13
[ 14.442] drmOpenByBusid: Interface 1.4 failed, trying 1.1
[ 14.442] drmOpenByBusid: drmGetBusid reports pci:0000:00:02.0
[ 14.442] (II) Next line is added to allow vboxvideo_drv.so to appear as whitelisted driver
[ 14.442] (II) The file referenced, is *NOT* loaded
[ 14.442] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers//ati_drv.so
[ 14.442] (EE) AIGLX error: vboxvideo does not export required DRI extension
[ 14.443] (EE) AIGLX: reverting to software rendering
[ 14.451] (II) AIGLX: Loaded and initialized swrast
[ 14.451] (II) GLX: Initialized DRISWRAST GL provider for screen 0
[ 14.451] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Setting screen physical size to 508 x 285
[ 14.473] (II) XKB: reuse xkmfile /var/lib/xkb/server-B20D7FC79C7F597315E3E501AEF10E0D866E8E92.xkm
[ 14.474] (II) config/udev: Adding input device Power Button (/dev/input/event0)
[ 14.474] (**) Power Button: Applying InputClass "evdev keyboard catchall"
[ 14.474] (II) LoadModule: "evdev"
[ 14.475] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/input/evdev_drv.so
[ 14.475] (II) Module evdev: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[ 14.475] compiled for 1.11.3, module version = 2.7.0
[ 14.475] Module class: X.Org XInput Driver
[ 14.475] ABI class: X.Org XInput driver, version 16.0
[ 14.475] (II) Using input driver 'evdev' for 'Power Button'
[ 14.475] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/input/evdev_drv.so
[ 14.475] (**) Power Button: always reports core events
[ 14.475] (**) evdev: Power Button: Device: "/dev/input/event0"
[ 14.475] (--) evdev: Power Button: Vendor 0 Product 0x1
[ 14.475] (--) evdev: Power Button: Found keys
[ 14.475] (II) evdev: Power Button: Configuring as keyboard
[ 14.475] (**) Option "config_info" "udev:/sys/devices/LNXSYSTM:00/LNXPWRBN:00/input/input0/event0"
[ 14.475] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "Power Button" (type: KEYBOARD, id 6)
[ 14.475] (**) Option "xkb_rules" "evdev"
[ 14.475] (**) Option "xkb_model" "pc105"
[ 14.475] (**) Option "xkb_layout" "us"
[ 14.475] (II) config/udev: Adding input device Sleep Button (/dev/input/event1)
[ 14.475] (**) Sleep Button: Applying InputClass "evdev keyboard catchall"
[ 14.475] (II) Using input driver 'evdev' for 'Sleep Button'
[ 14.475] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/input/evdev_drv.so
[ 14.475] (**) Sleep Button: always reports core events
[ 14.475] (**) evdev: Sleep Button: Device: "/dev/input/event1"
[ 14.476] (--) evdev: Sleep Button: Vendor 0 Product 0x3
[ 14.476] (--) evdev: Sleep Button: Found keys
[ 14.476] (II) evdev: Sleep Button: Configuring as keyboard
[ 14.476] (**) Option "config_info" "udev:/sys/devices/LNXSYSTM:00/LNXSLPBN:00/input/input1/event1"
[ 14.476] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "Sleep Button" (type: KEYBOARD, id 7)
[ 14.476] (**) Option "xkb_rules" "evdev"
[ 14.476] (**) Option "xkb_model" "pc105"
[ 14.476] (**) Option "xkb_layout" "us"
[ 14.476] (II) config/udev: Adding input device VirtualBox mouse integration (/dev/input/event3)
[ 14.476] (**) VirtualBox mouse integration: Applying InputClass "evdev pointer catchall"
[ 14.476] (II) Using input driver 'evdev' for 'VirtualBox mouse integration'
[ 14.476] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/input/evdev_drv.so
[ 14.476] (**) VirtualBox mouse integration: always reports core events
[ 14.476] (**) evdev: VirtualBox mouse integration: Device: "/dev/input/event3"
[ 14.476] (--) evdev: VirtualBox mouse integration: Vendor 0x80ee Product 0xcafe
[ 14.476] (--) evdev: VirtualBox mouse integration: Found 1 mouse buttons
[ 14.476] (--) evdev: VirtualBox mouse integration: Found absolute axes
[ 14.476] (--) evdev: VirtualBox mouse integration: Found x and y absolute axes
[ 14.476] (--) evdev: VirtualBox mouse integration: Found absolute touchscreen
[ 14.476] (II) evdev: VirtualBox mouse integration: Configuring as touchscreen
[ 14.476] (**) evdev: VirtualBox mouse integration: YAxisMapping: buttons 4 and 5
[ 14.476] (**) evdev: VirtualBox mouse integration: EmulateWheelButton: 4, EmulateWheelInertia: 10, EmulateWheelTimeout: 200
[ 14.476] (**) Option "config_info" "udev:/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:04.0/input/input3/event3"
[ 14.476] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "VirtualBox mouse integration" (type: TOUCHSCREEN, id
[ 14.476] (II) evdev: VirtualBox mouse integration: initialized for absolute axes.
[ 14.476] (**) VirtualBox mouse integration: (accel) keeping acceleration scheme 1
[ 14.476] (**) VirtualBox mouse integration: (accel) acceleration profile 0
[ 14.476] (**) VirtualBox mouse integration: (accel) acceleration factor: 2.000
[ 14.476] (**) VirtualBox mouse integration: (accel) acceleration threshold: 4
[ 14.477] (II) config/udev: Adding input device VirtualBox mouse integration (/dev/input/js0)
[ 14.477] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.
[ 14.477] (II) This device may have been added with another device file.
[ 14.477] (II) config/udev: Adding input device VirtualBox USB Tablet (/dev/input/event5)
[ 14.477] (**) VirtualBox USB Tablet: Applying InputClass "evdev pointer catchall"
[ 14.477] (II) Using input driver 'evdev' for 'VirtualBox USB Tablet'
[ 14.477] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/input/evdev_drv.so
[ 14.477] (**) VirtualBox USB Tablet: always reports core events
[ 14.477] (**) evdev: VirtualBox USB Tablet: Device: "/dev/input/event5"
[ 14.477] (--) evdev: VirtualBox USB Tablet: Vendor 0x80ee Product 0x21
[ 14.477] (--) evdev: VirtualBox USB Tablet: Found 9 mouse buttons
[ 14.477] (--) evdev: VirtualBox USB Tablet: Found scroll wheel(s)
[ 14.477] (--) evdev: VirtualBox USB Tablet: Found relative axes
[ 14.477] (--) evdev: VirtualBox USB Tablet: Found absolute axes
[ 14.477] (--) evdev: VirtualBox USB Tablet: Found x and y absolute axes
[ 14.477] (--) evdev: VirtualBox USB Tablet: Found absolute touchscreen
[ 14.477] (II) evdev: VirtualBox USB Tablet: Configuring as touchscreen
[ 14.477] (II) evdev: VirtualBox USB Tablet: Adding scrollwheel support
[ 14.477] (**) evdev: VirtualBox USB Tablet: YAxisMapping: buttons 4 and 5
[ 14.477] (**) evdev: VirtualBox USB Tablet: EmulateWheelButton: 4, EmulateWheelInertia: 10, EmulateWheelTimeout: 200
[ 14.477] (**) Option "config_info" "udev:/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:06.0/usb1/1-1/1-1:1.0/input/input5/event5"
[ 14.477] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "VirtualBox USB Tablet" (type: TOUCHSCREEN, id 9)
[ 14.477] (WW) evdev: VirtualBox USB Tablet: touchpads, tablets and touchscreens ignore relative axes.
[ 14.477] (II) evdev: VirtualBox USB Tablet: initialized for absolute axes.
[ 14.477] (**) VirtualBox USB Tablet: (accel) keeping acceleration scheme 1
[ 14.477] (**) VirtualBox USB Tablet: (accel) acceleration profile 0
[ 14.477] (**) VirtualBox USB Tablet: (accel) acceleration factor: 2.000
[ 14.477] (**) VirtualBox USB Tablet: (accel) acceleration threshold: 4
[ 14.477] (II) config/udev: Adding input device VirtualBox USB Tablet (/dev/input/js1)
[ 14.477] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.
[ 14.477] (II) This device may have been added with another device file.
[ 14.478] (II) config/udev: Adding input device VirtualBox USB Tablet (/dev/input/mouse1)
[ 14.478] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.
[ 14.478] (II) This device may have been added with another device file.
[ 14.478] (II) config/udev: Adding input device AT Translated Set 2 keyboard (/dev/input/event2)
[ 14.478] (**) AT Translated Set 2 keyboard: Applying InputClass "evdev keyboard catchall"
[ 14.478] (II) Using input driver 'evdev' for 'AT Translated Set 2 keyboard'
[ 14.478] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/input/evdev_drv.so
[ 14.478] (**) AT Translated Set 2 keyboard: always reports core events
[ 14.478] (**) evdev: AT Translated Set 2 keyboard: Device: "/dev/input/event2"
[ 14.478] (--) evdev: AT Translated Set 2 keyboard: Vendor 0x1 Product 0x1
[ 14.478] (--) evdev: AT Translated Set 2 keyboard: Found keys
[ 14.478] (II) evdev: AT Translated Set 2 keyboard: Configuring as keyboard
[ 14.478] (**) Option "config_info" "udev:/sys/devices/platform/i8042/serio0/input/input2/event2"
[ 14.478] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "AT Translated Set 2 keyboard" (type: KEYBOARD, id 10)
[ 14.478] (**) Option "xkb_rules" "evdev"
[ 14.478] (**) Option "xkb_model" "pc105"
[ 14.478] (**) Option "xkb_layout" "us"
[ 14.478] (II) config/udev: Adding input device ImExPS/2 Generic Explorer Mouse (/dev/input/event4)
[ 14.478] (**) ImExPS/2 Generic Explorer Mouse: Applying InputClass "evdev pointer catchall"
[ 14.478] (II) Using input driver 'evdev' for 'ImExPS/2 Generic Explorer Mouse'
[ 14.478] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/input/evdev_drv.so
[ 14.478] (**) ImExPS/2 Generic Explorer Mouse: always reports core events
[ 14.478] (**) evdev: ImExPS/2 Generic Explorer Mouse: Device: "/dev/input/event4"
[ 14.478] (--) evdev: ImExPS/2 Generic Explorer Mouse: Vendor 0x2 Product 0x6
[ 14.478] (--) evdev: ImExPS/2 Generic Explorer Mouse: Found 9 mouse buttons
[ 14.478] (--) evdev: ImExPS/2 Generic Explorer Mouse: Found scroll wheel(s)
[ 14.478] (--) evdev: ImExPS/2 Generic Explorer Mouse: Found relative axes
[ 14.478] (--) evdev: ImExPS/2 Generic Explorer Mouse: Found x and y relative axes
[ 14.478] (II) evdev: ImExPS/2 Generic Explorer Mouse: Configuring as mouse
[ 14.478] (II) evdev: ImExPS/2 Generic Explorer Mouse: Adding scrollwheel support
[ 14.478] (**) evdev: ImExPS/2 Generic Explorer Mouse: YAxisMapping: buttons 4 and 5
[ 14.478] (**) evdev: ImExPS/2 Generic Explorer Mouse: EmulateWheelButton: 4, EmulateWheelInertia: 10, EmulateWheelTimeout: 200
[ 14.478] (**) Option "config_info" "udev:/sys/devices/platform/i8042/serio1/input/input4/event4"
[ 14.478] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "ImExPS/2 Generic Explorer Mouse" (type: MOUSE, id 11)
[ 14.478] (II) evdev: ImExPS/2 Generic Explorer Mouse: initialized for relative axes.
[ 14.479] (**) ImExPS/2 Generic Explorer Mouse: (accel) keeping acceleration scheme 1
[ 14.479] (**) ImExPS/2 Generic Explorer Mouse: (accel) acceleration profile 0
[ 14.479] (**) ImExPS/2 Generic Explorer Mouse: (accel) acceleration factor: 2.000
[ 14.479] (**) ImExPS/2 Generic Explorer Mouse: (accel) acceleration threshold: 4
[ 14.479] (II) config/udev: Adding input device ImExPS/2 Generic Explorer Mouse (/dev/input/mouse0)
[ 14.479] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.
[ 14.479] (II) This device may have been added with another device file.
[ 15.979] (II) XKB: reuse xkmfile /var/lib/xkb/server-8AA988DD479FAABEC4FC3CCCF4CC29B4948840B4.xkm
[ 27.393] (II) Open ACPI successful (/var/run/acpid.socket)
[ 27.437] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Requested monitor count: 1
[ 27.438] (II) VBoxVideo(0): EDID vendor "VBX", prod id 0
[ 27.438] (II) VBoxVideo(0): DDCModeFromDetailedTiming: 1920x1080 Warning: We only handle separate sync.
[ 27.438] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Using hsync ranges from config file
[ 27.438] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Using vrefresh ranges from config file
[ 27.438] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Printing DDC gathered Modelines:
[ 27.438] (II) VBoxVideo(0): Modeline "1920x1080"x0.0 125.49 1920 1922 1924 1926 1080 1082 1084 1086 -hsync -vsync (65.2 kHz)

[eanfrid]

The GUI starts indeed: your screen only displays the gone-wrong terminal. /var/log/Xorg log files should tell you what is going wrong.

I do not see anything wrong. Any advice?

Here is the Xorg.0.log file:

Code: Select all

[    14.358] Current Operating System: Linux rick-VirtualBox 3.2.0-23-generic #36-Ubuntu SMP Tue Apr 10 20:39:51 UTC 2012 x86_64
[    14.358] Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-23-generic root=UUID=5919ee3f-d5bb-4e5d-8ba1-6bea24f3ef79 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7


I see that you are not using a kernel optimized for virtual machines. Regarding this, you should rather install a more recent kernel revision than -23 (it is -32 today) and use a more adequate kernel. Open synaptic and look for "virtual" labelled kernels and headers. Mine are listed below:




Regarding the use of VT8 instead of VT7, I didn't check my Xorg logs before but I saw that X runs on VT8 on my VM, too. However everything runs fine here since many months... Then the kernel parameter "vt.handoff=7" is very probably the root of the problem: I don't have this and I don't know where it comes from. Did you add it yourself ? If not, check and modify your grub configuration to remove this kernel boot option.

[bird2010]

I see that you are not using a kernel optimized for virtual machines. Regarding this, you should rather install a more recent kernel revision than -23 (it is -32 today) and use a more adequate kernel. Open synaptic and look for "virtual" labelled kernels and headers. Mine are listed below:

I installed kernel revision -32 (3.2.0.32.35) using the Synaptic Package Manager (System | Package Manager). I used the Quick Filter at the top and searched for "kernel". Then, I right-clicked the following items and checked the "Mark for Installation" box.

* linux-headers-generic
* linux-image-generic
* linux-generic

After these items installed, I rebooted Linux Mint. My screen size was very small so I re-installed the Guest Additions. Everything seems to be working perfectly. I have re-booted several times. I have turned my computer completely off for a while. Every time, the Linux Mint 13 GUI opens up properly now.

How do we tell the Linux Mint 13 developers to start using the 3.2.0.32.35 version of the kernel? As I was trying to fix this problem, I hit a LOT of posts where people were getting the black screen like me. The "solutions" provided did not work. The Linux Mint 13 developers need to make this kernel update a Level 1 update for everyone.

eanfrid, thank you so much for your help.

[bird2010]

After these items installed, I rebooted Linux Mint. My screen size was very small so I re-installed the Guest Additions. Everything seems to be working perfectly. I have re-booted several times. I have turned my computer completely off for a while. Every time, the Linux Mint 13 GUI opens up properly now.

Nope! I was wrong. I just booted up Linux Mint 13 after being away from the computer for a few hours. The computer boots up into a black screen and stays black. I sat there for awhile until I finally hit the ctrl-alt-F8 key and it switched immediately to the GUI. I still get a black screen on boot-up. Urg.

[eanfrid]

Can you be more specific ? Do you run your VM fullscreen ? Was your computer in hibernation, suspend state or did you reboot ? If you didn't reboot your Windows host, what exactly does mean "booted up Linux Mint" - that you really opened the VirtualBox GUI and then started your LM13 VM from there or not ? Did you previously completely shutdown the VM or did you close it in hibernate or suspend before restarting it ?

For what I understand now, it may be a simple DPMS screen state and then all you have to do to wake up your VM is to hit any key on the keyboard and wait a few second for the computer to be ready.

[bird2010]

Can you be more specific ? Do you run your VM fullscreen ? Was your computer in hibernation, suspend state or did you reboot ? If you didn't reboot your Windows host, what exactly does mean "booted up Linux Mint" - that you really opened the VirtualBox GUI and then started your LM13 VM from there or not ? Did you previously completely shutdown the VM or did you close it in hibernate or suspend before restarting it ?

For what I understand now, it may be a simple DPMS screen state and then all you have to do to wake up your VM is to hit any key on the keyboard and wait a few second for the computer to be ready.

It is definitely not an issue of sleep mode. I turn on my computer and I work in Windows 7. Then, I open VirtualBox and Launch the Linux Mint 13 VM. I still work in Windows 7 because every time I get on the verge of formatting the hard drive and installing Linux Mint directly on the hardware, I run into a bug that makes it very annoying. For example, for my life, I could not get my Epson Artisan 725 printer to work with LInux Mint 12. I installed Linux Mint 13 and, BAM!, my Epson Artisan 730 (new printer) installs and prints perfectly! I consider installing Linux Mint 13 on the hardware and, now, I get this annoying black screen. When I turn on my computer, Windows 7 boots up. Then, I open Chrome browser and start reading/responding to my email. Then, I open VirtualBox and start the Linux Mint 13 VM. The Linux Mint 13 VM boots up -- I never put it to sleep. I always shut it down completely (Quit then Shut Down while in Mint). The screen stays black. I can start typing and the letters that I type appear on the black mode. It is not Terminal because the Terminal commands do not work (eg: ls, exit). Then, I press ctrl-alt-F8 and the Mint GUI appears. Then, I start working in Mint. I open Chrome and continue reading/answering emails, etc.

[eanfrid]

Quite weird indeed. Do you use autologin on the LM 13 VM ?

Edit: did you enable video accel for this VM in VirtualBox and which version of VirtualBox do you run on your host ?

Edit: starting from now I will be of little help regarding VirtualBox issues since I finally ended this morning all my VM migrations from VB to Linux KVM.

[eMcE]

@bird2010..

First thing:
[ 14.442] (EE) AIGLX error: vboxvideo does not export required DRI extension
[ 14.443] (EE) AIGLX: reverting to software rendering
ABI + new xorg serwer = problems

Second thing:
"guest additions" are installed from Mint repo, or from VirtualBox menu?
Don't use those from Mint repos! - first try version from VB menu.

--
Install the guest additions:
Focus the machine and from the VirtualBox menu select Devices -> Install Guest Additions, then a popup should show up in the machine -> click "Run".
If the guest additions that VirtualBox comes with don't work with the current kernel/xserver (that might be the case with Mint), install the guest additions from the repository:
sudo apt-get install virtualbox-guest-additions
And then restart the Vbox machine.
--

Third:
Your "black screen" is terminal. Is VT - virtual terminal. A little messed up, but is still VT.

[Rebecca_D]

Can I join in this discussion please? I am a complete newbie to both Linux and Mint so any replies in 'newbie speak' please.

I am trying to install Mint (3 times already) and have found that after installation I get the black screen on restart. I tried Maya in the Compatibility Mode before I installed and was impressed how easy it picked up all aspects of the machine without fault, so I don't think there is a hardware problem here. My motherboard is an ASUS P6T SE and I am trying to load Linux onto a 750Gb hard disk. My BIOS is fine and I have changed it to (a) accomplish install from DVD and (b) to recognise the hard disk.

I note from the above posts that this is not something new and although I do not understand all the issues mentioned, I get the feeling that there is no easy workaround. I would really like to have Mint as my Linux OS, but my patience is starting to run out. Any suggestions would be welcomed.