http://www.ubuntugeek.com/known-ubuntu-10-04lucid-lynx-issuesbugs-with-workarounds.html
Problem:
The logo looks fine when you install Ubuntu, but, after you install the proprietary Nvidia and ATI video drivers, the logo gets bigger and ugly! Below, we provide two fixes for this issue: the first one will fix the resolution of the Ubuntu logo, pretty much like it was when you installed Ubuntu; and the second one will remove the logo, showing only a dark screen until the login manager appears.
Workaround:
sudo apt-get install v86d
sudo vi /etc/default/grub
Replace the following line:
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash"
with this one:
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="nomodeset video=uvesafb:mode_option=1024x768-16,mtrr=3,scroll=ywrap"
Replace the following line:
#GRUB_GFXMODE=640x480
with this one:
GRUB_GFXMODE=1024x768
sudo vi /etc/initramfs-tools/modules
When the text window appears, add the following line at the end of the file:
uvesafb mode_option=1024×768-16 mtrr=3 scroll=ywrap
sudo echo FRAMEBUFFER=y | sudo tee /etc/initramfs-tools/conf.d/splash
sudo update-grub2 sudo update-initramfs -u
Reboot your computer. When the system starts, you should see a better looking Ubuntu logo!
The commands will only work for Grub2, not legacy.If you are using legacy bootloader use the following instructions to install grub2 and follow the above instructions
To install Grub2 before following the instructions on how to fix Plymoth screen.
sudo apt-get remove grub sudo apt-get install grub-pc sudo grub-install /dev/sda sudo update-grub2