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I have compiled custom kernel for my Arch. It's not the first time i'm doing it, but this is the first time that i can't see any text output during boot. While compiling the kernel i have unchecked many "framebuffer" items and i think it's related to that. All i see during the boot is just "blob" of white dots on top of the screen, and that "blob" seems to change (like system is trying to output something but can't). I'm sure it's something trivial (like "turning off this / that module would cause that") but i can't really tell on my own. What is the problem, and what module is used for outputing boot text before my Nvidia driver loads up?

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    Does it boot successfully or is it stuck? Are the "blobs" text, or could this be a plymouth theme? Could you post a screenshot? What are your grub options? Are you setting quiet at the kernel's entry in grub.cfg?
    – terdon
    Jun 19, 2013 at 20:53
  • It's ok, it doesen't stuck. I don't have a plymouth and i can't tell if it's text or not, it's like "attempt" to form some text (judging by the fact that all dots are white). Regarding grub options - it's the same with or without "quiet" kernel parameter.
    – guest86
    Jun 19, 2013 at 22:54

2 Answers 2

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Maybe it's a framebuffer resolution problem, try this in the /etc/default/grub file to let GRUB detect the good framebuffer resolution 

GRUB_GFXPAYLOAD_LINUX=auto

Or try to force GRUB to use normal mode

GRUB_GFXPAYLOAD_LINUX=text

Or try to force GRUB to not use framebuffer

GRUB_TERMINAL_OUTPUT=console

Don't forget to generate the config file after changing GRUB options

grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg
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  • The "console" thing did the trick! Now, it's just a problem that resolution is too low but i guess that this information can tell you what module i have to bring back into kernel right? :)
    – guest86
    Jun 21, 2013 at 18:23
  • I will accept your post as it lead me to the cause: i had to re-enable "Vesa" kernel module :)
    – guest86
    Jun 21, 2013 at 20:20
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Have you tried the nomodeset kernel parameter?

I haven't compiled a custom kernel, but I've encountered similar-sounding symptoms on boot several times, and adding nomodeset has usually helped.

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  • Tried, no help :)
    – guest86
    Jun 20, 2013 at 16:28

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