I have exactly the same problem, including the need for VESA drivers. I've been documenting my rather noobish, and totally unsuccessful, attempts to resolve the issue here
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1912002 -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu-X, which is subscribed to xserver-xorg-video-intel in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/887756 Title: Black screen on boot with sandy bridge processor To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-video-intel/+bug/887756/+subscriptions _______________________________________________ Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~ubuntu-x-swat Post to : ubuntu-x-swat@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~ubuntu-x-swat More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp