Problem I've Been Having

[Garro]

Hey guys, first time posting here. I've been having a problem with Linux Mint for a while now. I keep getting a flashing black screen at random times. When this happens, my only option is to shut down and start over. I also had this problem in Ubuntu and OpenSuse too. I also noticed that trying to set the screen saver preferences will trigger the black screen. I have no idea how to stop this problem from happening and any help would be appreciated.

[revdjenk]

Garro,

Welcome to Mint!

One of the expectations of coming to a Linux forum is that you have done some homework... meaning you have sought out Google and a search through the Mint threads for people with similar problems. (I am stating this in case you haven't done this ... if you have, please ignore this.)

Second, it helps to know more about your manufacturer, model and problem hardware details, and Mint version. Goto Menu > System Tools > System Profiler. You can find the information to cut & paste here. (I know there are command line tools for this... but I am pretending you are a newcomer.)

Third, and this is really basic, if you have a desktop, have you checked all your connections?

God Bless
Doug

[phd7]

I wonder is it random or is there a common denominator???

regarding screen saver settings, are you trying to switch on 3D when your graphics card wont support it?

[Garro]

Sorry for the delay. I have looked on google and elsewhere for answers, but so far have found none.

Phd7, yes it does happen randomly, although it seems to happen more frequently when I leave the computer doing nothing, and opening the screen saver settings produces the error every time.

Rev, I have checked my connections, they're good. I'm not exactly sure which information you want sent, so I uploaded a file with all my information in it.

[revdjenk]

Garro,

I might be persuaded to agree with Phd7, and wonder if you have compiz running? Even though Mint should run fine on this Pentium4, you have "only" 1 gig of ram memory and have a rather high resolution/large monitor (I am guessing 19 or 20") and an older Intel video chip family which might be taxing your system, causing the random blank screen.

If you have compiz running, you might try using the Simple Compiz Config and change the profile to a less strenuous setting, i.e. from Advanced to Medium. This will knock out some features, but it might fix the larger issue.

God Bless
Doug

[Garro]

Hey Doug. My Compiz setting is currently on Default, I'm going to try putting it on minimal and see what happens.

Another thing, the screen saver and clicking on screen save preferences causes the flashing black screen crash too. How do I turn the screen saver off without going into screen saver preferences?

[revdjenk]

Garro,

Since we think there may be a conflict with compiz causing this flashing, you may not have to do anything to screensaver settings. Let's see what that configurations does, first.

God Bless
Doug

[Garro]

Hey Doug, still got the random flashing black screen problem.
The screen saver thing is still an issue too, although I've found something weird. Certain screen savers will cause the crash and certain ones my computer has no problem with.

[revdjenk]

ahhhh,

Then you may not have your video optimized, or some of the screensavers are requiring more than your video setup can handle.

I am not a hardware or video specialist. You may want to go to the Hardware Support section of the Forum and search (and then ask) for help with your hardware which is: VGA compatible controller - Intel Corporation 82845G/GL[Brookdale-G]/GE Chipset Integrated Graphics Device (rev 03)
and for OpenGL
Tungsten Graphics, Inc
Mesa DRI Intel(R) 845G GEM 20091221 2009Q4 x86/MMX/SSE2
Version
1.3 Mesa 7.7.1
Direct Rendering
Yes

Hope this helps:

God Bless
Doug