[gentoo-user] Console vanishes after X server is run

[Jim Burwell]

Hi,

I'm having an issue with text console of one of my gentoo boxes not 
coming back after the X server exits.  The console is there and works 
fine up to the point when the X server starts (for instance, when gdm 
comes up).  After this, using the key sequences to call up the text 
vtys, shutting down gdm, etc, results in a black screen. 

I've tried the various key combos, etc, and the screen just stays black 
until the system is rebooted (it stays black until the system warm boots 
and the BIOS screen pops up), or until an X server is started up again 
(gdm will start up and display the login screen normally).  It's as if 
the whatever is responsible for switching the video mode and/or FB 
address back to the console settings is not doing its job.

I run gensplash and the vesa-tng frame buffer drivers.  The graphics 
card I have is an old Nvidia GeForce 3, and I run the Nvidia binary 
drivers (x11-drivers/nvidia-drivers) under Xorg 7.0.  Here is my boot line:

    kernel (hd0,0)/kernel-genkernel-x86-2.6.16-gentoo-r12 root=/dev/ram0
    init=/linuxrc real_root=/dev/vg00/root dolvm2 lvmraid=/dev/md0
    lvmraid=/dev/md1 video=vesafb:1280x1024-16@75
    splash=verbose,fadein,mtrr,theme:livecd-2006.0 quiet CONSOLE=/dev/tty1
    initrd (hd0,0)/initramfs-genkernel-x86-2.6.16-gentoo-r12

(1280x1024-16 mode is listed in the /proc/fb0/modes file, so it's a 
valid BIOS mode)

Any ideas ?  Suggestions ?

- Jim