Arch Linux

TrevB

Member

Registered: 2020-10-08

Posts: 5

[SOLVED] No output on terminal (blank screen)

I boot Arch Linux to a terminal screen then use startx to run Cinnamon desktop.

After an upgrade a few weeks ago I lost all output on the terminal.

I can see the boot messages up to the point when the NVIDIA Persistence Daemon starts then the screen goes blank and my monitor displays a "No Signal" message.

From this point I can blind type my username, password and then startx whereupon the Cinnamon Desktop will start and display normally.

Any ideas what is going on?

Last edited by TrevB (2020-10-09 08:21:53)

V1del

Forum Moderator

Registered: 2012-10-16

Posts: 25,365

Re: [SOLVED] No output on terminal (blank screen)

Enable nvidia's own KMS integration: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/NV … de_setting

TrevB

Member

Registered: 2020-10-08

Posts: 5

Re: [SOLVED] No output on terminal (blank screen)

I've added the nvidia-drm.modeset=1 kernel parameter but it has made no difference.

seth

Member

From: Won't reply 2 private help req

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 77,707

Re: [SOLVED] No output on terminal (blank screen)

Also add the suggested modules to the initramfs (as described in the link V1del posted)

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How to upload text · How to boot w/o GUI · Disable Windows Fast-Start! · Fix your xinitrc

TrevB

Member

Registered: 2020-10-08

Posts: 5

Re: [SOLVED] No output on terminal (blank screen)

I've added the modules to initramfs.

Now on boot I can't see any messages at all.  There is no output on my my monitor.

I can still blind login and startx to my Cinnamon desktop.

seth

Member

From: Won't reply 2 private help req

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 77,707

Re: [SOLVED] No output on terminal (blank screen)

This is a dual GPU (optimus or otherwise) system?
How did you configure it and where is the monitor wired? The IGP, I assume?

(In doubt post the system journal and the xorg log…)

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How to upload text · How to boot w/o GUI · Disable Windows Fast-Start! · Fix your xinitrc

TrevB

Member

Registered: 2020-10-08

Posts: 5

Re: [SOLVED] No output on terminal (blank screen)

The PC has an old GeForce GTX 960 GPU card wired to a Dell S2716DG monitor with a DisplayPort lead.  There is no dual graphics.

The Arch installation has worked fine for over four years until a few weeks ago following an update when the boot messages on TTY1 blanked out when the NVIDIA Persistence Daemon started.

I've set nvidia-drm.modeset=0 kernel parameter and disabled the NVIDIA Persistence Daemon.  Now TTY1 doesn't blank out.

seth

Member

From: Won't reply 2 private help req

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 77,707

Re: [SOLVED] No output on terminal (blank screen)

Why was the persistence daemon enabled itfp?
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/NV … ersistence

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How to upload text · How to boot w/o GUI · Disable Windows Fast-Start! · Fix your xinitrc

TrevB

Member

Registered: 2020-10-08

Posts: 5

Re: [SOLVED] No output on terminal (blank screen)

AFAIU the NVIDIA Persistence Daemon was enabled when the driver was installed at installation years ago.  I guess it's never been a problem until a recent driver update.  Looks like the solution to my problem was to disable it!