Nvidia crashes after updating ubuntu

Question

I am using Ubuntu 14.04 64bit and Nvidia driver on my PC. After updating Ubuntu, Nvidia crashes and this is my new Ubuntu desktop:

When I enter to tty and run DISPLAY=:0 compiz --replace I see blank screen with mouse pointer and only can right click on the desktop and access right click options but no close, maximize, minimize buttons or shadows, only can move windows.

After that, I managed to switch to Nouveau and see no problem, Also Nvidia works with ubuntu-gnome desktop!

What I already did

I tested all these solutions but none of them works:

1. Followed all these solutions but none of them solved my problem:

   • https://askubuntu.com/a/451248
   • https://askubuntu.com/a/76951
   • https://askubuntu.com/a/290376

2. Updated system again.

3. Reinstalling (purging and then installing) nvidia-304, nvidia-prime, ubuntu-desktop, unity.

4. In grub menu, going to advanced options and load older kernel version then reinstalling Nvidia driver.

System information

Display adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 7300 SE/7200 GS

Processor: AMD athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual core Processor 4000+

Thank You.

UPDATE

Output of command lsmod | grep nvidia:

nvidia              11360265  36 
drm                   303102  1 nvidia

Content of file: Xorg.0.log: Click here.

Answer 1

I had the similar problem two months ago with ubuntu 14.04 after an update. My PC is running a nvidia geforce 7300 gs. Not exactly the same card as yours, but maybe the solution I applied will work for you as well. I uninstalled nvidia-304 driver and installed the nvidia-173. This is not a perfect solution, because I still encountered some minor issues, namely while switching to another account, and sometimes I need to login twice to enter my session.

Before login, go to a terminal (CTRL-ALT-F1), login and execute the following commands:

sudo apt-get remove nvidia-304
sudo apt-get install nvidia-173

Answer 2

I had a similar problem years ago. Solving it essentially required aggressively removing all nvidia program files. Please note that the use of "--purge" when uninstalling the nvidia package did not seem to remove the offending nvidia program(s). I had to do a subsequent file search using "nvidia" to locate residual nvidia packages(?).

Please see my post: Fixing/Repairing a Blank (Black) Screen in Ubuntu 13.04. Please note that this post is nearly two years old and I have not had a subsequent issue.

I see that you have a "AMD athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual core Processor". One of my computers is also an AMD athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual core Processor that utilizes an nvidia graphics card. Occasionally the text gets scrambled but this has been happening less frequently. I assume in response to bug fixes.

Have your tried using "X.ORGXserver - Nouveau display driver"? It now seems to work fairly reliably. It is located under "System Settings" --> "Software & Updates" --> "Additional Drivers". Also, my screen identifies, as a possible selection, the Nvidia binary driver version 331.113. As with the Nouveau drive, it occasionally scrambles text. The simple solution when that occurs, is to reboot.