Ubuntu 10.04 install problem with Asus A8N-VM CSM (NVIDIA)
Submitted by esavard on Sat, 05/01/2010 - 11:22.
I reformatted my harddrive to install Ubuntu 10.04 this morning but I had a bad surprise thanks to my NVidia built-in video card...
The alternate CD (text) install went smoothly. After 30 minutes or so, I was ready to reboot my system in brand new Lucid Lynx... But, I found out that the Lynx was not Lucid at all : After the purple screen splash boot screen, my system froze with a scrambled screen ("scambled cable channel" kind, sorry no picture). I tried to go to the console using Ctrl+Alt+F1 but it was not working. Dead Lynx...
Damn!!!
Resurrecting the Lynx
First, we have to bypass Grub2 graphical splash screen and go straight to the text menu. Reboot your computer hold the SHIFT key until the text menu shows up.
Then, select the recovery mode option using the up-down arrow keys:
Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-21-generic (recovery mode)
You will see boot messages and then the Recovery Menu will show up after a while. In the menu, select :
failsafeX Run in failsafe graphic mode
Then hit TAB to highlight "OK" and press Enter.
This will bypass the current X.org setup and let you load proper driver. When asked, choose "For this session only" (sorry, I didn't write down the details...). You should normally end up in Ubuntu desktop but using a slow VESA display driver.
Install the proper NVidia driver
Go to the menu System|Administration and select Hardware Drivers. You should see a list of proprietary NVidia drivers. Highlight the one identified with [Recommended] and then press the Activate button.
After the driver installation is completed, reboot your computer.
Now, you should be able to experience Lucid Lynx at full speed and in all it's glory.
Good luck!