Blank Screen (non Mac Mini)

[snotgiggle]

I've searched through several threads to find an answer and haven't found issues similar enough to mine to assist me in making any further educated steps further. I saw a thread regarding a blank screen for a bunch of people running Hardy on their mac mini. I have a similar issue on my custom PC running Hardy.

My Specs:
AMD Athon 64bit 3800+ (32 bit Hardy)
Nvidia 6800 GS

I have installed the nvidia-glx-new drivers by going through System-->Admininstration-->Hardware Drivers

When I click on Boxee the screen goes blank and nothing happens. No tabbing for non-fullscreen, no Esc keys work. Nothing short of a restart can fix the issue. I noticed that the "unofficial" HCL released recently only lists nvidia desktop gpu's of 7 or 8 series to be compatible. Since they mentioned that the HCL is not exhaustive and other hardware may be compatible, I thought it was worth a post.

Is there anyone having a similar or same issue? Does anyone have any suggestions?

[arobar]

Same problems on a standard x86/PC install of Hardy here. I'm running an NV18GL [Quadro4 380 XGL]. Glxgears works fine. I actually was able to launch Boxee once, poked around in the options, played a video or two... It was great. Tried it the next day, and it's a big, black screen on my primary monitor. Ctrl+Alt+Backspace kills the X session, and allows me to login again. I'm not sure which parts of the log file are relevant, so here's the last little bit below. Maybe your log looks similar?


21:46:57 T:3059402624 M:1418625024 ERROR: Load Error loading /home/arobar/.boxee/UserData/sources.xml: Line 0, Failed to open file
21:46:57 T:3059402624 M:1418625024 INFO: Checking skinpath existence, and existence of keymap.xml:Q:\skin...
21:46:57 T:3059402624 M:1413517312 INFO: GLX Info: NOT Using destination window
21:46:57 T:3059402624 M:1413517312 WARNING: GLX: No Multisample buffers available, FSAA disabled
21:46:57 T:3059402624 M:1413517312 INFO: GLX Info: Using parent window
21:46:57 T:3059402624 M:1413517312 INFO: GLX Info: Creating unshared context
21:46:57 T:3059402624 M:1407545344 INFO: GL_VENDOR = NVIDIA Corporation
21:46:57 T:3059402624 M:1407545344 INFO: GL_RENDERER = Quadro4 380 XGL/AGP/SSE2
21:46:57 T:3059402624 M:1407545344 INFO: GL_VERSION = 1.5.8 NVIDIA 96.43.05
21:46:57 T:3059402624 M:1407545344 INFO: GL_EXTENSIONS = GL_ARB_imaging GL_ARB_multitexture GL_ARB_pixel_buffer_object GL_ARB_point_parameters GL_ARB_poi$
21:46:57 T:3059402624 M:1407545344 INFO: GL: Enabling VSYNC
21:46:57 T:3059402624 M:1407545344 INFO: GL: Selected vsync mode 2

[snotgiggle]

sorry, it has been awhile since I've been on linux, which log is that?

[arobar]

Should be in /tmp/[your_username]-boxee.log. Mine is /tmp/arobar-boxee.log.

[arobar]

OK, just figured a few things out.



Scenario 1: ~/.boxee does not exist. Boxee launches, the directory is re-created. I can enter my username/password, and Boxee continues to load properly.
Scenario 2: Boxee has already loaded once. Launching Boxee causes a black screen.
Scenario 3: Boxee has already loaded once. I change the value of vsync from 2 to 0 in ~/.boxee/UserData/guisettings.xml. Boxee loads properly, but when I click my username, a segmentation fault occurs.
Scenario 4: I have loaded Boxee once properly, changed the vsync value, and launched Boxee again (at which point it crashed). Launching Boxee again at this point results in a black screen, I don't even get to the login prompt.


An odd problem, I suppose... Really, it seems like on a fresh install, it works OK once. After that, I get a black screen. If I change the value of vsync, it loads once more, but crashes when I try to login. If I load it again, I get a black screen. Confusing!

[snotgiggle]

This is the log file BEFORE i changed the vsync from 2 to 0 like you mentioned in your post.


21:29:09 T:3056330624 M:2446405632 NOTICE: Mapping drive Q to /opt/boxee
21:29:09 T:3056330624 M:2446405632 NOTICE: Mapping drive U to /home/amonsul/.boxee
21:29:09 T:3056330624 M:2446299136 NOTICE: Mapping drive T to /home/amonsul/.boxee/UserData
21:29:09 T:3056330624 M:2446299136 NOTICE: Mapping drive H to /home/amonsul
21:29:09 T:3056330624 M:2446299136 NOTICE: -----------------------------------------------------------------------
21:29:09 T:3056330624 M:2446299136 NOTICE: Starting XBMC, Platform: GNU/Linux. Built on Oct 23 2008 (SVN:3964)
21:29:09 T:3056330624 M:2446299136 NOTICE: Q is mapped to: /opt/boxee
21:29:09 T:3056330624 M:2446299136 NOTICE: The executable running is: /opt/boxee/Boxee
21:29:09 T:3056330624 M:2446299136 NOTICE: Log File is located: /tmp/amonsul-xbmc.log
21:29:09 T:3056330624 M:2446299136 NOTICE: -----------------------------------------------------------------------
21:29:09 T:3056330624 M:2446299136 NOTICE: Setup SDL
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2444857344 INFO: Available videomodes:
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2444857344 INFO: Found mode: 1440x900
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2444857344 INFO: Found mode: 1280x800
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2444857344 INFO: Found mode: 1280x768
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2444857344 INFO: Found mode: 1152x864
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2444857344 INFO: Found mode: 1024x768
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2444857344 INFO: Found mode: 960x600
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2444857344 INFO: Found mode: 840x525
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2444857344 INFO: Found mode: 832x624
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2444857344 INFO: Found mode: 800x600
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2444857344 INFO: Found mode: 800x512
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2444857344 INFO: Found mode: 720x450
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2444857344 INFO: Drives are mapped
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2444857344 NOTICE: load settings...
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2444857344 NOTICE: Mapping drive P to /home/amonsul/.boxee/UserData
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2444857344 NOTICE: loading /home/amonsul/.boxee/UserData/guisettings.xml
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2444750848 NOTICE: Getting hardware information now...
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2444750848 INFO: Using analog output
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2444750848 INFO: AC3 pass through is enabled
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2444750848 INFO: DTS pass through is enabled
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2444750848 NOTICE: Checking resolution 12
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2444750848 NOTICE: /home/amonsul/.boxee/UserData/sources.xml
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2444750848 ERROR: Load Error loading /home/amonsul/.boxee/UserData/sources.xml: Line 0, Failed to open file
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2444750848 INFO: Checking skinpath existence, and existence of keymap.xml:Q:\skin...
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2438852608 INFO: GLX Info: NOT Using destination window
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2438852608 INFO: GLX Info: Using parent window
21:29:10 T:3056330624 M:2438852608 INFO: GLX Info: Creating unshared context

[snotgiggle]

this is my new log file AFTER i changed the vsync from 2 to 0 like you mentioned in your post.

[QUOTE]21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337763328 NOTICE: Mapping drive Q to /opt/boxee
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337763328 NOTICE: Mapping drive U to /home/amonsul/.boxee
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337763328 NOTICE: Mapping drive T to /home/amonsul/.boxee/UserData
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337763328 NOTICE: Mapping drive H to /home/amonsul
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337763328 NOTICE: -----------------------------------------------------------------------
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337763328 NOTICE: Starting XBMC, Platform: GNU/Linux. Built on Oct 23 2008 (SVN:3964)
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337763328 NOTICE: Q is mapped to: /opt/boxee
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337763328 NOTICE: The executable running is: /opt/boxee/Boxee
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337763328 NOTICE: Log File is located: /tmp/amonsul-xbmc.log
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337763328 NOTICE: -----------------------------------------------------------------------
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337763328 NOTICE: Setup SDL
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337284096 INFO: Available videomodes:
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337284096 INFO: Found mode: 1440x900
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337284096 INFO: Found mode: 1280x800
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337284096 INFO: Found mode: 1280x768
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337284096 INFO: Found mode: 1152x864
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337284096 INFO: Found mode: 1024x768
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337284096 INFO: Found mode: 960x600
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337284096 INFO: Found mode: 840x525
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337284096 INFO: Found mode: 832x624
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337284096 INFO: Found mode: 800x600
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337284096 INFO: Found mode: 800x512
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337284096 INFO: Found mode: 720x450
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337284096 INFO: Drives are mapped
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337284096 NOTICE: load settings...
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337284096 NOTICE: Mapping drive P to /home/amonsul/.boxee/UserData
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337284096 NOTICE: loading /home/amonsul/.boxee/UserData/guisettings.xml
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337124352 NOTICE: Getting hardware information now...
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337124352 INFO: Using analog output
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337124352 INFO: AC3 pass through is enabled
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337124352 INFO: DTS pass through is enabled
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337124352 NOTICE: Checking resolution 12
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337124352 NOTICE: /home/amonsul/.boxee/UserData/sources.xml
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337124352 ERROR: Load Error loading /home/amonsul/.boxee/UserData/sources.xml: Line 0, Failed to open file
21:37:26 T:3056314240 M:2337124352 INFO: Checking skinpath existence, and existence of keymap.xml:Q:\skin...
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2331959296 INFO: GLX Info: NOT Using destination window
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2331799552 INFO: GLX Info: Using parent window
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2331799552 INFO: GLX Info: Creating unshared context
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2328969216 INFO: GL_VENDOR = NVIDIA Corporation
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2328969216 INFO: GL_RENDERER = GeForce 6800 GS/AGP/SSE2/3DNOW!
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2328969216 INFO: GL_VERSION = 2.1.2 NVIDIA 169.12
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2328969216 INFO: GL_EXTENSIONS = GL_ARB_color_buffer_float GL_ARB_depth_texture GL_ARB_draw_buffers GL_ARB_fragment_program GL_ARB_fragment_program_shadow GL_ARB_fragment_shader GL_ARB_half_float_pixel GL_ARB_imaging GL_ARB_multisample GL_ARB_multitexture GL_ARB_occlusion_query GL_ARB_pixel_buffer_object GL_ARB_point_parameters GL_ARB_point_sprite GL_ARB_shadow GL_ARB_shader_objects GL_ARB_shading_language_100 GL_ARB_texture_border_clamp GL_ARB_texture_compression GL_ARB_texture_cube_map GL_ARB_texture_env_add GL_ARB_texture_env_combine GL_ARB_texture_env_dot3 GL_ARB_texture_float GL_ARB_texture_mirrored_repeat GL_ARB_texture_non_power_of_two GL_ARB_texture_rectangle GL_ARB_transpose_matrix GL_ARB_vertex_buffer_object GL_ARB_vertex_program GL_ARB_vertex_shader GL_ARB_window_pos GL_ATI_draw_buffers GL_ATI_texture_float GL_ATI_texture_mirror_once GL_S3_s3tc GL_EXT_texture_env_add GL_EXT_abgr GL_EXT_bgra GL_EXT_blend_color GL_EXT_blend_equation_separate GL_EXT_blend_func_separate GL_EXT_blend_minmax GL_EXT_blend_subtract GL_EXT_compiled_vertex_
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2323697664 INFO: load language info file: /opt/boxee/language/English/langinfo.xml
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2323697664 INFO: load language file:/opt/boxee/language/English/strings.xml
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2323165184 INFO: load keymapping
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2323165184 INFO: Loading /opt/boxee/system/Keymap.xml
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2323058688 ERROR: Remote Translator: Can't find button home
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2323058688 ERROR: Window Translator: Can't find window xlinkkai
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2323058688 ERROR: Window Translator: Can't find window trainersettings
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2323058688 ERROR: Keyboard Translator: Can't find button info
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2323058688 ERROR: Keyboard Translator: Can't find button back
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2323058688 INFO: Loading /opt/boxee/system/Lircmap.xml
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2323058688 INFO: Loading /home/amonsul/.boxee/UserData/Lircmap.xml
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2323058688 INFO: LIRC Initialize: connect failed: No such file or directory
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2323058688 INFO: Checking skin version of: Boxee Skin NG
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2323058688 INFO: Skin version is: 2.1
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2323058688 INFO: GUI format 1440x900 1440x900 (Full Screen)
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2323058688 INFO: install unhandled exception filter
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2317733888 INFO: SMB: initializing package
21:37:27 T:3004930960 M:2315870208 INFO: WatchDog Process - starting
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2315870208 INFO: Successfuly initialized boxee library
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2315694080 INFO: creating subdirectories
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2315694080 INFO: userdata folder: /home/amonsul/.boxee/UserData/
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2315694080 INFO: recording folder:
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2315694080 INFO: screenshots folder:
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2315694080 INFO: thumbnails folder:/home/amonsul/.boxee/UserData/Thumbnails
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2315436032 WARNING: CreateDirectory, cant create dir </opt/boxee/boxee/tmp>. trying lower case.
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2315436032 WARNING: CreateDirectory, cant create dir </opt/boxee/boxee/cache>. trying lower case.
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2315436032 WARNING: CreateDirectory, cant create dir </opt/boxee/boxee/users>. trying lower case.
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2314346496 INFO: torrent client started
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2314346496 NOTICE: Checking the Date!
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2314346496 INFO: - Current Date is: 29-10-2008
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2314346496 NOTICE: start dvd mediatype detection
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2314293248 NOTICE: initializing playlistplayer
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2314293248 NOTICE: DONE initializing playlistplayer
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2314293248 NOTICE: load default skin:[Boxee Skin NG]
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2314293248 INFO: load skin from:/opt/boxee/skin/Boxee Skin NG

[snotgiggle]

21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2314293248 INFO: delete old skin...
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2314240000 INFO: Default 4:3 resolution directory is /opt/boxee/skin/Boxee Skin NG/720p
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2314240000 INFO: Default 16:9 resolution directory is /opt/boxee/skin/Boxee Skin NG/720p
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2314240000 INFO: Skin version is: 2.1
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2314240000 INFO: Loading skin includes from /opt/boxee/skin/Boxee Skin NG/720p/includes.xml
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2311630848 INFO: load fonts for skin...
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2311577600 INFO: Loading fonts from /opt/boxee/skin/Boxee Skin NG/720p/Font.xml
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2308702208 INFO: load new skin...
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2308702208 INFO: Skin version is: 2.1
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2308702208 INFO: Loading skin file: Home.xml
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2307637248 INFO: Loading user windows, path /opt/boxee/skin/Boxee Skin NG/720p
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2307637248 INFO: Loading skin file: /opt/boxee/skin/Boxee Skin NG/720p/custom_boxee_settings.xml
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2307637248 INFO: Loading skin file: /opt/boxee/skin/Boxee Skin NG/720p/custom_boxee_osd_settings.xml
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2307637248 INFO: Loading skin file: /opt/boxee/skin/Boxee Skin NG/720p/custom_boxee_credits.xml
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2307637248 INFO: Loading user windows, path /opt/boxee/skin/Boxee Skin NG/720p
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2307637248 INFO: Loading skin file: /opt/boxee/skin/Boxee Skin NG/720p/custom_boxee_settings.xml
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2307637248 INFO: Loading skin file: /opt/boxee/skin/Boxee Skin NG/720p/custom_boxee_osd_settings.xml
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2307637248 INFO: Loading skin file: /opt/boxee/skin/Boxee Skin NG/720p/custom_boxee_credits.xml
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2307637248 INFO: Loading user windows, path /opt/boxee/skin/Boxee Skin NG/720p
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2307637248 INFO: Loading skin file: /opt/boxee/skin/Boxee Skin NG/720p/custom_boxee_settings.xml
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2307637248 INFO: Loading skin file: /opt/boxee/skin/Boxee Skin NG/720p/custom_boxee_osd_settings.xml
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2307637248 INFO: Loading skin file: /opt/boxee/skin/Boxee Skin NG/720p/custom_boxee_credits.xml
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2307637248 INFO: initialize new skin...
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2307637248 INFO: Loading skin file: Pointer.xml
21:37:27 T:3056314240 M:2307584000 INFO: Loading skin file: DialogVolumeBar.xml
21:37:28 T:3056314240 M:2307584000 INFO: Loading skin file: DialogSeekBar.xml
21:37:28 T:3056314240 M:2307584000 WARNING: Skin has invalid include: OSD_Video_TVShow_Label
21:37:28 T:3056314240 M:2307584000 WARNING: Skin has invalid include: OSD_Video_TVShow_Label
21:37:28 T:3056314240 M:2307530752 INFO: Loading skin file: DialogKaiToast.xml
21:37:28 T:3056314240 M:2307530752 INFO: Loading skin file: DialogMuteBug.xml
21:37:28 T:3056314240 M:2306957312 INFO: Loading /opt/boxee/skin/Boxee Skin NG/sounds/sounds.xml
21:37:28 T:3056314240 M:2306957312 INFO: skin loaded...
21:37:28 T:3056314240 M:2306957312 INFO: Set page size
21:37:28 T:3056314240 M:2306957312 INFO: Set default cache size
21:37:28 T:3056314240 M:2306957312 INFO: creating version table
21:37:28 T:3056314240 M:2306883584 INFO: create view table
21:37:28 T:3056314240 M:2306883584 INFO: create view index
21:37:28 T:3056314240 M:2306883584 INFO: create view - window index
21:37:28 T:3056314240 M:2306830336 INFO: Loading skin file: LoginScreen.xml
21:37:28 T:3056314240 M:2306830336 NOTICE: Webserver: Starting...
21:37:28 T:2902600592 M:2306793472 INFO: WebServer: Server starting using /opt/boxee/web on 10.18.46.24:8800
21:37:28 T:2902600592 M:2306793472 NOTICE: Webserver: Started
21:37:28 T:3056314240 M:2306793472 NOTICE: ES: Starting event server
21:37:28 T:2885815184 M:2306793472 NOTICE: ES: Starting UDP Event server on 127.0.0.1:9770
21:37:28 T:2885815184 M:2306793472 NOTICE: UDP: Listening on port 9770[/QUOTE]

It appears to have gotten much farther along in the log after I changed the vsync, but it still got held up at trying to open the /home/snotgiggle/.boxee/UserData/sources.xml file in both instances. I checked that dir and found no sources.xml file at all. Do you have one of these files? If so, what do you find in it?

[snotgiggle]

oh and...both times it started up to a black screen, no login at all. had to ctrl+alt+backspace out of it both times and log back in to try again.

[snotgiggle]

Hey, try this:

Open the System Monitor found in System-->Administration

Go to the Processes tab and look for anything that starts with "compiz"...right-click it, Select "Kill Process"

Then look for anything that starts with "boxee" and do the same thing.

Close the system monitor and restart boxee. After I did this Boxee started up and let me login and I watched the beginning of a Systm episode. I then logged out and exited Boxee, went back into boxee and logged in a second time with no troubles!!

See, I know that you aren't supposed to be running compiz in order for Boxee to run, but the only place that I had found with instructions on how to disable compiz only mentioned to go to System-->Preferences-->Appearance and then find the Visual Effects tab and select "None". When I remembered that there is system monitor, I thought I'd check out what might be running that I didn't know about (compiz, openGL...) Sure enough, a nasty compiz process was still running, so I killed it. I'm not sure if it will start again if I relog or restart, but I don't do that too often so I should be mostly okay even if this is just a temporary fix.

Hope this helps!!!

PS - I also made sure the I had nvidia-settings installed in Synaptic Package Manager.