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I'm currently using Ubuntu 12.04 64-bit. After installing all available updates for my system, and a reboot, the following error message shows up:

Starting load fallback graphics devices [fail]

I couldn't run any commands, and the system didn't respond to Ctrl + Alt + Del. But if I pressed the power button on my computer the system responded and shutdown the system successfully.

After powering up again, the only sign of life was a blinking underscore. Lucky me, I had a backup that I restored. I understand that it's probably the Nvidia drivers that's "broken". So, after restoring my backup, I'm willing to make a successful system update, and preferably without needing to restore my backup.

About a year ago or so when I installed Ubuntu on my computer, the Additional Drivers Windows looked like this:

enter image description here

I installed the Recommended version. Now, a year later, my Additional Drivers windows look like this: enter image description here

The bottom two is identical, while the top two are two different versions, 304.108 and
304.88. Here's the description of the four different drivers: http://pastebin.com/j2RD1mD4

The latest driver according to the description(s) is number 2.

What should I do? Or more like, what would you do?

Should I install all updated except the Nvidida ones, or should I try to install the latest one from the Additional Drivers, or what?

The ultimate would be to have the latest Nvidida drivers installed, together with a fully updated system.

The following Nvidia related updates is available in the Update Manager, and one/some of them is probably the reason why the graphics is malfunctioning.

enter image description here

Thanks in advance!

1 Answer 1

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  1. Download the Nvidia driver v 304.108 from here
  2. Install the driver manually This link will help you
  3. To install it manually

First press ctrl + alt +f1 This will open tty1

Now you are using the tty terminal console

log in with your user name and password

Now stop the lightdm(dgm or whatever) using the command

sudo stop lightdm

Then install the new driver with

sudo sh /path-to-the-driver
  • if something goes wrong close the installer and reboot then try again
  • still same problem the nvidia installer will make a black list in /etc/modprobe.d/
  • if this is not generated you have to make such file to black list nouveau
  • Run sudoedit /etc/modprobe.d/nvidia-graphics-drivers.conf and fill it with this: blacklist nouveau
  • If the problem is not solve you have to add the string "nomodeset" to your /etc/default/grub, in GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT= line
  • then update the grub

    sudo update-grub

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  • Can you please say what you mean with "In short to install it manually". And when should I press ctrl + alt + f1?
    – DevRandom
    Dec 21, 2013 at 13:30
  • @ThePhone I mean this is a simple fast steps to install driver if you don't want to read the tutorial in the link i gave you... you have to press ctrl+alt+f1 whenever you want to start installing the driver
    – Maythux
    Dec 21, 2013 at 13:32
  • Okey, so I install the driver manuallt without uninstalling my current driver. Then I just press ctrl + alt + f1, or should I reboot and assume that it will get stuck and then press ctrl alt f1? Sorry, I'm a little slow with linux stuff :)
    – DevRandom
    Dec 21, 2013 at 13:36
  • just press it now and you don't need to uninstall your driver
    – Maythux
    Dec 21, 2013 at 13:37
  • Nothing happens if I press the combination. Have I understood you right that after installing the .run file, I just press ctrl +alt +f1. In the tty1, you mean after rebooting? Please give more step by step so I understand more easily.
    – DevRandom
    Dec 21, 2013 at 13:41

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