blank screen after installing nvidia 96 driver

Ok do one thing... 1st uninstall that nvidia 96 drivers.. and install latest one
Nvidia binary X.Org drvier (Version 185 driver)

Hope they help.
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/102629
http://www.ubuntugeek.com/how-to-fix-ubuntu-10-04-lts-lucid-blank-screen-at-startup.html
Example file.
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/93787

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/X/Troubleshooting/
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/X/Troubleshooting/NvidiaDriverSwitching
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/X/Testing/NouveauEvaluation
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BinaryDriverHowto/Nvidia
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/X/KernelModeSetting

I removed the 96 driver but can't find the 185 driver. It's not in the synaptic package manger. can you direct me to find it?

Go to System->Administration->Proprietary Driver and switch to free driver if you have proprietary one or the opposite and check result.

It says
Nvidia (version current) a different version of this is in use
(96 recommended) not in use

earlier i went into terminal and typed sudo apt-get nvidia 185-glx and let it install

still getting same results.

I unistalled 10.04 and reinstalled with my Bios video set on system. Will now try the 185 driver and post my results. I don't think this is a BIOS issue I think it is a kernel issue, this type of problem has been ongoing for a number of years. I have tried 7 different distros with the same result. Talk to you soon.

"and install latest one Nvidia binary X.Org drvier (Version 185 driver)"
I have a look at synaptic, and the displayed latest free nvidia driver are:
   xserver-xorg-video-nv
and
   xserver-xorg-video-nouveau

The 185 driver is "transitionnal".

"that nvidia 96 drivers"
The 96 driver is also "transitionnal".

Could you try with packages (and driver):
   xserver-xorg-video-nv
and
   nvidia-current (proprietary driver).
Before could you remove Compiz desktop effects.

Maybe there is a conflict, is this package installed?
http://packages.ubuntu.com/lucid/nvidia-kernel-common

Since Ubuntu is supposed to recognize sys specs, did you immediately update after installation?
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get -f install

To answer Delance, I have tried 96 and Nvidia current with same results,
   xserver-xorg-video-nouveau package is installed, xserver-xorg-video-nv package is installed, but how do I active these? also the Compiz desktop effects packages are there but what should be done with them.

To answer Sam, nvidia-kernel-common is not installed, should it be, and the system is up to date.

I will install Nvidia current common and post results.

I just downloaded the newest nvidia 96.43.18 driver, it's a .run file, how do I install this?
thanks in advance!

1) Compiz
System->Preferences->Appearence Tab: Visual Effects "None"
2) Free driver
System->Administration->Hardware driver
check you use Nvidia driver
select driver and click on bottom right button "Remove" (I have a french IHM, not sure of word!)
else
select driver and click on bottom right button "Install"

Is your problem solved ? If not I can try to help, else, please, could you mark question "Solved".

Hi Steve Pyette,

Please go through this website may be it will solve your problem

http://newyork.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1500680

Sorry for late reply, Tried the previous fix with option"UseDisplayDevice" "DFP-0"
This sort of works, it boots and is usable but , the screen is split at the bottom (seeing two screens)
I also have multi colour vertical lines running down the right of the screen. I can also get the Nvidia tool box to work. Still not fixed but close I think.

Maybe modprobe and blacklisting helps.
http://ubuntuguide.net/install-nvidia-graphical-driver-in-ubuntu-lucid-10-04
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1496028
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1477923

You need to reboot after:
sudo nvidia-xconfig

I tried that, with the same results, split screen (small screen coming into view on the bottom and vertical lines running up the right of the screen.

It's fixed and this what I did.

Here is an extract of http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=79650&page=2 (I've attached the file, don't forget to put it in /etc/X11/ ). Note the 2 relevant lines are
Option "UseDisplayDevice" "DFP-0"
Option "CustomEDID" "DFP-0:/etc/X11/nvnew.raw"

Insert the nvnwe.raw into the x11 folder, restarted and works like a charm. All resolutions up to 1600x1200.

There is other info but it is for Fedora.

Thanks for the help and leading me in the right direction.