Graphic freez while switching to text

From openSUSE

When switching from graphic to text only modes, the system freezes. Note: This probably only effects older versions of opensuse.

Situation

When you are switching from graphic mode to text only mode (Ctrl + Alt + F1), the system freezes.

Problem

Probably a vesa driver, depending on your system.

Solution

If the problem persists, try using the console program. If you still need text only mode, replace the vesa driver as documented below

Procedure

First, check to make sure you are using the vesa driver. Since you can't get to the text only mode, the console program must be used. Enter the following as root:

sax2 -p

If that does not work for you, try looking at the X configuration file, which is at /etc/X11/xorg.conf. Look for the following section

Section "Device"
BoardName   "yourBoard"
BusID       "0:2:0"
Driver	     "yourDriver"
Identifier  "Device[0]"

If the driver section is set to vesa, you will need to change your driver to something else. You can check if you have other drivers by checking in the X11 driver directory in a terminal like below (or in a file browser):

cd /usr/X11R6/lib/modules/drviers/
ls

You may have to look online to see exactly which driver you need. If it is not there, you will have to install the framebuffer driver. Run the following as root to do so:

sax2 -m 0=fbdev

Save the configuration if asked, and press Ctrl + Alt + Backspace to restart the X server.

Now you could switch between graphic and text modes without freezing!