Black (or dark gray) screen.

[AlecWest]

I recently bought a brand new HP G7-1310us laptop running 64-bit Windows Home Premium. Specs are here:

http://www.cnet.com/laptops/hp-pavilion-g7-1310us/4507-3121_7-35118137.html

And, I was pleasantly surprised when I installed all my old XP-system programs and they all worked. But, I'm scratching my head over one thing.

When I attempt to use a boot CD (including 32 and 64 bit live media for Knoppix, Zorin, Ubuntu - as well as Parted Magic and Ultimate Boot CD), they seem to start OK but ultimately take me to either a black screen or dark gray screen with no visible text. Not even a blinking cursor. Anybody else encounter this problem?

Regards,
J. Alec West

[aedipuss]

a quick google says there is no open source driver for the vid card and you're not the only one with problems. some can type in password at dark screen and get it to boot. some use f2/f3 to increase brightness. some close and open lid.

for an install-
http://askubuntu.com/questions/105651/is-it-possible-to-install-ubuntu-11-10-oneiric-o...avilion-g7-not