Black Screen between GRUB and Ubuntu loading screen

**john newbuntu** · May 7th, 2010

Code:

sudo update-alternatives --config default.plymouth
sudo update-initramfs -u

should take care of it. See the sticky thread for more details.

**Xorlathor** · May 7th, 2010

Originally Posted by antitoxic

Hello,
I found something out:
After GRUB main monitor is black, as if no output is fed to it (no active pixels), but the laptop monitor shows a blinking white underscore cursor?

Does any of this helps ?
My graphic card is the built in the DELL laptop: Intel 945GM

I'm having the exactly same problem as you - after I choose the GRUB option there's a black screen with a white underscore cursor that blinks for 10~15 secs...

**Xorlathor** · May 7th, 2010

Originally Posted by john newbuntu

Code:

sudo update-alternatives --config default.plymouth
sudo update-initramfs -u

should take care of it. See the sticky thread for more details.

Running that code results in the following output:

Code:

robert@robert-laptop:~$ sudo update-alternatives --config default.plymouth
There is only one alternative in link group default.plymouth: /lib/plymouth/themes/ubuntu-logo/ubuntu-logo.plymouth
Nothing to configure.
robert@robert-laptop:~$ sudo update-initramfs -u
update-initramfs: Generating /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-22-generic
robert@robert-laptop:~$

I'm going to restart and see if there's a new kernel and if it does anything...

UPDATE:

Rebooted and that code had no effect whatsoever - same white underscore cursor that blinked, and same ~15 second pause between the GRUB menu and my desktop.

**birdmanuk** · May 7th, 2010

I too have the same problem, from grub, I have 30 seconds of flashing - in the top left corner.

As soon as I see the ubuntu logo, it's 7 seconds till the login window.

Wish that was how fast it was from poweron.

I also see the same problem on my Lenovo T61p

**sgage** · May 7th, 2010

I have 15 seconds of black screen from grub until the ubuntu splash, but then only 3-4 seconds until complete desktop (autologin). Bootchart shows 18-19 seconds boot time.

The ubuntu splash (the thing with the dots) shows only for about 1 second, and then a second or two more and I'm at my desktop.

So I am very happy with my boot time, but still, that black 15 seconds is strange...

This is with latest proprietary nvidia drivers/GeForce 8500 GT.

**john newbuntu** · May 8th, 2010

Ok, try this:

Code:

gksu gedit  /etc/initramfs-tools/conf.d/splash

In the file that opens up, add:
FRAMEBUFFER=y
and save it. Then run:

Code:

sudo update-initramfs -u

This is from:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1469475

**antitoxic** · May 8th, 2010

Thank you, John,
The last snippet worked.

However I read in the bug comments it is a bit dirty workaround and it might bring some performance overhead.
Some people also suggested adding some extra parameters to kernel start in GRUB:

Code:

video=uvesafb:mode_option=1280x1024-32

Originally Posted by fireandfuel

After the update to lucid beta2 vga16fb was set per default. (nvidia driver 195.36.15)
But vga16fb only support low resolutions with 16 colors.

I hope this helps other users for a smooth booting experience.

It is odd that it was supposed to be fixed in the RC of 10.04 and some suggestions were made that video drivers must be loaded first.

**woodyg** · November 1st, 2011

Originally Posted by john newbuntu

Ok, try this:

Code:

gksu gedit  /etc/initramfs-tools/conf.d/splash

In the file that opens up, add:
FRAMEBUFFER=y
and save it. Then run:

Code:

sudo update-initramfs -u

This is from:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1469475

I'm on Xubuntu 11.10 and I used to have 20 sec of black screen after the grub menu and 3 sec of splash before the login. This fix cut the black screen to about 10 sec... so a nice little improvement. I still have 10 sec of black screen though. Any idea how that can be sorted?

What will

Code:

video=uvesafb:mode_option=1280x1024-32

do? (antitoxic's suggestion)

**casey-jones** · December 22nd, 2011

Originally Posted by woodyg

I'm on Xubuntu 11.10 and I used to have 20 sec of black screen after the grub menu and 3 sec of splash before the login. This fix cut the black screen to about 10 sec... so a nice little improvement. I still have 10 sec of black screen though. Any idea how that can be sorted?

What will

Code:

video=uvesafb:mode_option=1280x1024-32

do? (antitoxic's suggestion)

i have the same problem with xubuntu 11.10

**md2406** · February 6th, 2012

I am having the same problem with ubuntu 10.04. My black screen, between grub and Plymouth logo, takes more than a minute. I have followed many threads including this one and the one here http://idyllictux.wordpress.com/2010...ricted-driver/ but no luck for me.
I am open for any suggestion that helps to fix annoying splash problem.