I did a recent installation of Opensuse 13.2. It worked fine for a couple of days then the problem surfaced.

The computer is a desktop pc that lives underneath the tv and performs a PVR function, after returning it to it's normal place, I used a vnc connection to complete creating folders and copy back a heap of media files that were backed up from the old drive.

At the end of the night, I returned to the physical machine and all that I got was a black screen, no amount of mouse movement or keypressing would bring back a screen of any kind.

After a couple of reboots and trying to restart the graphics (init 3, init 5 ) manually, the problem remains.

Since then I have created a new user and everything is fine -- for now. However I still can't login as the original user. Actually, I think the log in is working, just cant see anything.

After logging in to the black screen , CTRL ALT BS a couple of times gets me back to the login screen where I can select a different user and login.

I am guessing that the problem arose because the computer was idle for a long time and some screen lock or suspend may have activated but I have no idea how to recover from it.

A few of questions,

1). Since this pc is connected to a TV, screen locking or blanking is an unwanted feature - is there a way to switch off all screensaver, lockscreens for good ?

2). If it is a screen lock, should it persist after a reboot?

3). Where do I need to look regarding the original login with a view to getting it back and to figure out what happened. ie any particular log file that may yield clues.

Best Regards
Dave

Generally you can disable power saving features and screen locks that might be locking it. Doubt it is locked right now.

I've never heard of linux doing that unless your system saved to a S state where it is like a hybrid sleep. Full power off or shutdown ought to have fixed it.

You say one user can access the system gui?




I'd think that errors may be recorded to /var logs. If you try to use startx what happens?

I wonder if renaming your /home/yourusername/.kde folder to .kde.backup and then logging back in with that user would let your kde start from fresh. worth a try. You could always rename it back to how it was if still doesnt work.

Yes other users can log in normally.

I'm still trying to figure out the logs, this version uses some kind of journal

I will try moving the .kde folder somewhere else and see what happens


it's 2am here and it's been a long day. Ill report back later in the week.


thanks
Dave

Further investigation has revealed the following. When trying to log in via the 'broken user' at the bottom left of the login screen there is a choice of desktops, choosing normal(default) replicated the problem where the desktop is black. Out of curiosity, I also clicked on the kodi desktop and was presented with a fully functional Kodi TV. Previously Kodi Tv was just another application window on the desktop. Exiting Kodi returns to the black desktop.

After that session there should be something in the logs. I will sort through the logs tonight after logging in through a working user login and see what clues there may be.

Regards
Dave

I was still able to remote in via vnc and the desktop looked as it should. I un-ticked the setting for restoring previous session and then renamed the .kde4 folder.

When logging in on the actual machine I was given a new desktop , just like the first time with the welcome dialog box.

Still don't have a clue what caused it other than the settings for the plasma desktop got messed up.


Thanks erik2282

Regards
Dave

You're welcome, glad it's working!