LPIC-2 Linux Kernel and System Startup Practice Question
A data center administrator is troubleshooting a server that hangs during boot after a kernel update. The server uses UEFI and GRUB 2. The administrator observes that the server displays the GRUB menu, selects the new kernel entry, but then the screen goes blank and the system does not respond. The administrator can boot the previous kernel from the GRUB menu successfully. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this issue?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates assume a blank screen means the kernel didn't load at all, leading them to choose Secure Boot or initramfs issues, but the fact that the old kernel works and the new kernel is selected from GRUB points to a driver-level failure after kernel handoff.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The new kernel includes a graphics driver that conflicts with the hardware, causing the display to blank
The blank screen after selecting the new kernel, while the old kernel works, strongly indicates a graphics driver conflict. In GRUB 2 with UEFI, the kernel may switch from the UEFI framebuffer to a native graphics driver (e.g., nouveau, i915, amdgpu) that fails to initialize on the specific hardware, causing the display to go blank. The system is not truly hung; it continues booting without console output, which is a known issue with incompatible or buggy kernel graphics drivers.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The initramfs for the new kernel was not generated
Why it's wrong here
Missing initramfs typically results in a kernel panic with a VFS error, not a blank screen.
- ✗
Secure Boot is enabled and the new kernel is not signed
Why it's wrong here
Secure Boot signature issues prevent the kernel from loading altogether, usually with an error message.
- ✗
The new kernel's root= parameter points to an invalid device
Why it's wrong here
An invalid root parameter would cause a kernel panic with a mount error, not a blank screen.
- ✓
The new kernel includes a graphics driver that conflicts with the hardware, causing the display to blank
Why this is correct
A common cause of blank screen after GRUB is a framebuffer or graphics driver issue, often resolved by adding 'nomodeset' to the kernel command line.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This LPIC-2 practice question is part of Courseiva's free LPI certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the LPIC-2 exam.