A black screen is indicative of an X server crash rather than a Compiz/Unity crash (which will leave windows open and functional on the desktop, but without decorations).
It is possible there is a bug in the current Intel driver for the X server triggered by something in the control center module. Certainly, I can reproduce the hang between tabs, since the control center modules are performing synchronous interprocess communication with other parts of the system, but that looks like an entirely unrelated problem to crashing the X server. We're going to need more information to analyse this bug further. I suggest we start with running "apport-collect --package=unity 1243297" from a terminal to get updated information on the desktop Unity state, and go from there. ** Changed in: unity (Ubuntu) Status: New => Incomplete -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of DX Packages, which is subscribed to unity in Ubuntu. Matching subscriptions: dx-packages https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1243297 Title: Security and Privacy crashes Compiz and Unity on open Status in “unity” package in Ubuntu: Incomplete Bug description: On a couple of occasions now opening Security and Privacy from the Dash has crashed Compiz and Unity giving black screens, followed by an unresponsive desktop before eventually returning to normal. Also, the Security and Privacy app is often unresponsive and grey screens between tabs. I'm using 13.10 recently upgraded from 13.04. ProblemType: Bug DistroRelease: Ubuntu 13.10 Package: gnome-control-center 1:3.6.3-0ubuntu44 ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.8.0-30.44-generic 3.8.13.6 Uname: Linux 3.8.0-30-generic x86_64 ApportVersion: 2.12.5-0ubuntu2 Architecture: amd64 Date: Tue Oct 22 17:30:44 2013 ExecutablePath: /usr/bin/gnome-control-center InstallationDate: Installed on 2013-02-07 (257 days ago) InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 12.10 "Quantal Quetzal" - Release amd64 (20121017.5) MarkForUpload: True ProcEnviron: LANGUAGE=en_GB:en PATH=(custom, no user) XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=<set> LANG=en_GB.UTF-8 SHELL=/bin/bash SourcePackage: gnome-control-center UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to saucy on 2013-10-19 (3 days ago) usr_lib_gnome-control-center: activity-log-manager 0.9.7-0ubuntu4 deja-dup 27.3.1-0ubuntu1 gnome-control-center-datetime 13.10.0+13.10.20131016.2-0ubuntu1 gnome-control-center-signon 0.1.7~+13.10.20130724.1-0ubuntu1 gnome-control-center-unity 1.3+13.10.20131004-0ubuntu1 To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/unity/+bug/1243297/+subscriptions -- Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~dx-packages Post to : dx-packages@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~dx-packages More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp