Comment 144 for bug 495553

This problem persists with the post-RC 07-oct-2010 build.
Linux distro/version and kernel version
Ubuntu 10.10
Linux ubuntu 2.6.35-22-generic #33-Ubuntu SMP Sun Sep 19 20:34:50 UTC 2010 i686 GNU/Linux
model name : Mobile AMD Sempron(tm) Processor 2800+
cpu MHz : 800.000

If I just boot the live CD, without trying to boot into text mode, eventually the screen for choosing 'trying Ubuntu' versus installing it shows, in 1600x1200 mode - so as before this dialog appears in the lower left-hand corner of the 1024x768 screen. If I then click on the 'trying' button, eventually the screen comes up in an unusual state - somewhat similar to an early 'split-screen' bug (shown in an early comment in this bug report) but completely unusable - nothing but purple horizontal lines, with a clear dividing line down the center.

However, if I hit ESC right after booting, and use F6 followed by ESC to get an editable command line, and end that with "-- text" (as in a couple of comments back), I eventually end up booting in text mode. At that point, I can create passwords for root and ubuntu, install openssh-server, copy an xorg.conf file from my Debian installation into /etc/X11, and start X with 'gdm start'. THEN the Gnome screen will eventually appear in 1024x768 mode. (The xorg.conf file is attached a few comments back).

(Note that Debian Lenny works fine on this computer, and the xorg.conf file is one I use under that distro).

However, trying to switch into text mode with ctrl-alt-F2 (for example) results in a screen with what looks like huge text characters. Switching back into X seems to require F8 rather than the usual F7, which is odd.

I have attached a tar file with (a) Xorg.0.log and Xorg.0.log.old before trying to switch into text mode, and (b) after trying this. (Having the openssh-server installed was helpful for doing this, so I could log in from another computer).