What to do when Ubuntu has a whiteout
If you’ve updated to Ubuntu 7.04 you’ve likely noticed that you have the option of turning desktop effects on. Unfortunately, this leaves some users (myself included) with a plain white screen. The worst case scenario is if you do nothing and Ubuntu saves your settings and you’re never able to get back to your desktop (all you see is a blank white screen). Ubuntu does a pretty standard 15 second countdown with a generic “would you like to save these settings.” Some users (especially in our comments) noted that they got stuck and had to completely reinstall.
The quick (and only fix I’m aware of) is to hit “escape.” If you turn desktop effects on and your screen blanks out, quickly hit “escape” — this will cancel the dialog and roll back your desktop to the “pre-desktop effects” settings. Do any of you know a way to roll back if you get stuck with a whiteout?
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3 opinions for What to do when Ubuntu has a whiteout
Thor
May 2, 2007 at 11:31 pm
I tried the desktop effects too. I didn’t get a white screen, but after a while of doing nothing my computer went cold. All it showed was a black screen - no reaction on keyboard, mouse, no leds flashing or sounds, just a black screen and silence. After turning desktop effects off the problem has stopped. To bad, caus’ it was really cool!
Jeff
Jun 9, 2007 at 10:53 am
I just rebooted and then I updated my ati driver which Ubuntu found for me. Now it rocks.
bruckwine
Jul 19, 2007 at 4:16 pm
I tried this on Ubuntu feisty in parallels - whiteout..but interesting, I will try and update the drivers for the video card and see!
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