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Brian
Asked: 2012-05-01 19:02:23 +0800 CST

Desktop distorted after installing Nvidia drivers

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I just started using Ubuntu for the first time about an hour ago so please bear with me. Prior to installing the Nvidia drivers the Ubuntu start-up screen is completely distorted(black screen with garbled graphical blocks). However, from the Log-in screen onward its perfect. Bright colors, crystal clear text, image fills the entire screen. Display is properly detected as an HP TV in Ubuntu Display settings.

Now, after installing the Nvidia drivers the Ubuntu boot screen shows up normally. Upon reaching the Log-in screen we run into trouble. The image only fills about 85% of the screen(doesn't reach the edges), colors are duller, and text is blurry with lines through it. Problem persists after logging in. Display is detected as Laptop in Ubuntu Display settings. Display is properly detected as an HP TV in the Nvidia-Settings but no setting changes seemed to fix the image.

I tried both the Recommended driver and the Post-Release driver, same problem. As soon as I uninstalled it goes back to garbled boot screen but perfect picture afterward.

Any ideas? I can provide screen shots if that will help.

System specs:

Asus P5P43TD Pro
Intel C2D E7500
Nvidia 8800GT 512mb
4gb DDR3 1066
Ubuntu 12.04 32-bit
HP md5880n
drivers nvidia 12.04

1 Answers

  1. Best Answer

    Ok, so apparently the new driver doesn't detect your monitor. Please take note of the version of the driver.. Then..

    Revert the changes: sudo apt-get purge nvidia-current Then remove unneeded depends (make sure ubuntu-desktop doesn't show up in this list) sudo apt-get autoremove

    Then remove the ppa:

    cd /etc/apt/sources.list.d

    ls #to see what's in the directory

    Remove any entries that have the form: ubuntu-x-swat-x-updates*

    sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ubuntu-x-swat-x-updates-*

    Then update and reinstall the original version

    sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install nvidia-current

    Then run the nvidia-settings util and take note of the version. It should be different than above.

    Then reboot for the reverted driver to take effect.

    Also, this TV is supposed to be 1920x1080p correct? If so, when you run the nvidia-settings utility and click to change the resolution (may be on auto), is there 1920x1080p there? Then click apply? Also, there may be a setting for scaling or stretch.

    Did you try clicking the Ubuntu icon and selecting "Ubuntu 2d" on login? Does it make any difference?

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