Can't see lower runtimes

Running Hardy 64 bit with the latest restricted nvidia driver from the repository, I cannot see lower runtimes than 7. When I switch down to 1-6 all there is is a black screen looking like it hasn't even been turned on. I can see command text just fine when I boot up (I disabled the splash screen) but after I'm cannot see and command line screens even when shuting down where I again am met with a completely black screen. I've tried typing blind in a lower runtime and running something to see if there was any life but the computer was unresponsive.