[x86-64] Blank screen when installed, live mode works fine

    I've been running LibreElec on an old Sandy Bridge machine for ages. Previously I posted here about an issue with newer (v12+) versions not working here. Rather than necro that thread I figured I'd post a new one.


    I tried the latest nightly versions of 12 and 13 as recommended in that thread and found that running Kodi live from those images on USB works fine. Display drivers are clearly working. But if I install either of these versions (anything later than 11.06 really) to a SATA drive I just get a blank screen. Kodi is clearly running, I can access it via SSH. But I get no display. I've tried installing to three different SSDs.


    Any ideas?

    Please provide a full debug log.

    How to post a log (wiki)

    1. Enable debugging in Settings>System Settings>Logging
    2. Restart Kodi
    3. Replicate the problem
    4. Generate a log URL (do not post/upload logs to the forum)

    use "Settings > LibreELEC > System > Paste system logs" or run "pastekodi" over SSH, then post the URL link

    How would it install if it can't write to the SSD? Also, why would previous versions work? Is there a config file somewhere that I can turn on verbose logging without going through the GUI?

    The /storage/logfiles directory is not a persistent log storage location. It maps to the \\LIBREELEC\Logfiles Samba share and a zip archive of logs will be auto-generated when the Samba share is accessed over the network. If you have not accessed the Samba share from the network there will (correctly) be no files in the directory.

    Run "journalctl | paste" and share the URL generated so we can see the system log (Kodi debug logs are unlikely to be useful).

    If installing again save the installation log to the stick (menu point 3) and post it.

    Some nitpicking:

    Quote from TheAmorphous

    I can access it via SSH.

    After a fresh install ssh is disabled by default. It must be enabled by the installation Wizard, LE Settings Addon or ssh kernel parameter. Did you do anything?

    Log file here. I had to boot to a live Linux from USB and edit the Kodi install's syslinux.cfg on the SSD to add ssh in order to get in since I couldn't enable it from the installation wizard with no GUI access.


    Edit: Here is a log running the same nightly in live version from the USB installer (where I actually get a display signal and everything works normally). Nothing is jumping out at me as different. GL-RENDERER detects the same correct GPU both ways...

    Edit 2: Found this in the install version:

    Code
    info <general>: GUI format 720x400, Display No Output: 720x400

    whereas the live version has this:

    Code
    info <general>: GUI format 1920x1080, Display HDMI3: 1920x1080 @ 60.00Hz


    What would cause the HDMI display to not be detected when installed but fine when run live?

    Edited 2 times, last by TheAmorphous (June 3, 2025 at 2:14 AM).

    Quote from mglae

    If installing again save the installation log to the stick (menu point 3) and post it.

    I tried doing this and it said to find the logs in /flash/logs, but don't see a logs directory in the install's /flash after doing so, nor any new files on the USB drive.

    Here is a log from LibreELEC-Generic.x86_64-13.0-nightly-20250602-2f1a31d. Oddly enough I can actually get a signal from this one and get into Kodi, BUT the colors are all funky and psychedelic looking. Like it's running in EGA or something.