I recently installed Debian 12 (upgrade from Debian 9). The install from the install disk works and completes. On system reboot, The 'grub boot' menu is displayed. I left the system boot into Debian Linux. (default). The system boot processes integrate on the display, all services are started and the network is active. The system then completes and should display the login screen. Instead, a grey screen is shown, a flashing cursor is shown in the upper-left corner of the display, but the login screen does not appear.

I can boot into TTY mode and ping outside (google, yahoo, etc) and can traverse the users home account. But the login screen simply doesn't appear. This wasn't never an issue until I made the move to Debian 12 (I have installed D-12 3 times to see if I missed a step).

Thank you for your help.

Have you tried updating && upgrading with apt?

or maybe a quick search for something like: blank grey screen for login on debian 12
e.g:
https://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?t=155011
https://www.reddit.com/r/linux4noobs...k_after_login/
https://forum.manjaro.org/t/stuck-on...-boot/113293/5 [Ctrl]+F NOUVEAU (maybe)
&c..

Defaults Gnome?

hope that helps?

At grub menu, press e for edit, add nomodset to the line that begins with linux, ctrl-x to boot

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being able to log in doesn't mean it's not a corrupt install disc (md5sum) but I'm guessing *firmware

@jamison20000e - My first attempt to upgrade my system was via apt-get. I reset the mirror I was pulling from to upgrade the complete set of pkgs that I had currently installed. This was when the first appearance of grey-screen from hades appeared. After pulling my hair out for 3-4 days (not that I have much to begin with), I finally broke down and purchased the D-12 install discs (all 21). The install was quick, but the problem remained.

@colorpurple21859 - that would have been a good option to try. Sadly I am unable to to that.

The final kicker on this is I thought 'wait a minute! I set Boot mode to Secure when I was poking around with the UEFI (aka the abortion that lived). I was able to halt and power the system up and go into the UEFI screen. After resetting the Secure-Boot mode to 'Disabled', I save the BIOS settings and restarted the system. The system powered up and returned to the grey screen of nothing, at which point I power-cycled the system from the front panel and attempted to power the system back on and... NOTHING! The on/off switch wouldn't light up, the system wouldn't power-on, I had essentially a large brick.

I am not saying that the login screen problem was the result of a pending system fail, or if it was anything I did (I have manually performed power on/off for several years as needed). Sadly, I am unable to go forward with any of the steps that were suggested here at this time. I need to look into a new desktop (providing I don't have to drive all over Portland to locate a new one in stock - I can't afford to wait for 2-3 weeks fro delivery from CDW or wherever the heck these things come from.

I won't mark this thread as solved just yet. When I purchase a new desktop and install the OS, if I see the same issue, then I am going to consider that perhaps there is an issue with the install itself (although this particular image has been successfully installed across myriad other systems, so I doubt that is the case, but one never knows). At the very least, I have another HDD to add to my network of storage drives.

So you never see the grub menu? What happens if you press and hold the shift key as it powers on?
In the bios boot menu do you have the option to boot from file?

Also on my system I think it's F12 to hold as it powers on then gives a boot menu to pick drives: like GRUB or windows rescue, maybe USBs is if plugged in or even my BIOS...

how do you get to the blank grey screen if not through GRUB?

I also have to point out if you go someplace like Debian, Fedora, Mint or https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File...n_Timeline.svg ...&c... you can download GNU\Linuces for free because most are, "as in freedom."

Yes this is a normal problem when installing Debian.
At the end of the install wizard - where do we install grub?

Basically - it's very complicated.
And that's why - although you installed a debian distro - you still can't use it.

Most people on LQ have no clue what it's like to install debian without a subsequent Grub menu disaster!
It's a Debian issue. There are not enough people to help you install. They just want to sound more special than you!

I am sorry. I have installed an M.2 ssd - but I can't install a linux distro onto it yet - because I am not confident I can get people who know how to install a distro properly. This is LQ today.

as long as you have your drive set up properly installing grub, the last step in installing goes without a hitch; but that wasn't constructive either

Do you see the grub menu or not?
How are you booting into tty mode? What happens if you type startx in tty mode?

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