[weimeanz]

a shot in the dark: try disabling rc6:

add "i915_enable_rc6=0" to the kernel command line on boot

or in /etc/default/grub

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash i915.i915_enable_rc6=0"

This worked for me. Specifically, appending "i915.i915_enable_rc6=0" in /etc/default/grub (and then running sudo update-grub). Looks like RC6 has had issues with Sandy, so it makes sense.

I'm on an i3 2105 running the intel graphics.

That did the trick for me too on my Zotac Zbox-ID82

That worked for me too. Running on a Biostar NM70i-847 (Sandy Bridge).

[roman2025]

SOONERLATER

Big THANKS!

I wanted to add my own small contribution...

I was given a Dell Optiplex 990 (perfect for media center pc) with a Core I7 in it and ran into this exact issue! Black Screen and frozen cursor.

SoonerLater's tutorial was perfect except for one thing for me. On my unit, running the latest version of XBMCuntu as of today, the "ESC" key at bootup did nothing. I did some digging on ubuntu and found that normal Ubuntu builds can use the "SHIFT" key to interrupt boot.

That is what I did.

So if you are having trouble interrupting bootup, try using the SHIFT key (just keep tapping it).

Kind Regards and I hope this is useful!

Roman

[gollumscave]

I never ran into this issue until yesterday...

I have build dozens of machines all with the same config. Today however i suddenly got the black screen with the frozen mouse cursor... On identical hardware than the other builds!
addint the i915 solved it for me though....

I am using an asus P8H71I mainboard with an i3 3220. Odd to say the least...