Unexplainable errors with PCIe nVidia card. Neither nv nor nvidia drivers work.
Posts: 7
Alright, so basically when I used the live cd, the nv drivers [barely] worked. There were visual blips, random patches of colors only a few pixels in size, all over the screen, and dragging or closing windows left a ghosted after image of that window behind, making my life very confusing. All of that aside, nv still worked, and that was exciting to me, since in previous versions of MEPIS nv hasn't worked at all.
So I install the OS, and now nv fails more. The boot sequence gets to x, and I get a cursor on a black screen. But thats the extent of it. I can't even press ctrl + alt + F1 to get to the shell. So I tried nvidia, just for kicks. It boots normally, until it gets to the GUI part, at which time my monitor just turns off as if there was no signal. I can hit ctrl + alt + F1, and get a shell, so everything is actually running, its just not outputting any video.
Any thoughts on what I should do? Here is some relavent information:
Video board: eVGA nVidia 7800GT PCIe http://www.evga.com/products/moreinfo.asp?pn=256-P2-N518-AX&family=22
Kernel: 2.6.15-26-386 (a.k.a. whatever comes with the MEPIS 6.0 release)
Driver: nvidia-glx 1.0.8762+2.6.15.11 (This came out of an Ubuntu repository.)
xserver-xorg-driver-nv 1:1.0.1.5-0ubuntu4
Monitor: ViewSonic G810 http://www.viewsonic.com/support/desktopdisplays/crtmonitors/graphicseries/g810/index.htm
xorg.conf: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "XFree86 Configured"
Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0
#Screen 0 "ATIScreen" 0 0
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
#InputDevice "PS/2 Mouse" "CorePointer"
InputDevice "USB Mouse" "CorePointer"
#InputDevice "Touchpad" "CorePointer"
#InputDevice "Stylus" "CorePointer"
#InputDevice "Eraser" "CorePointer"
#InputDevice "Cursor" "CorePointer"
#InputDevice "Serial Mouse" "CorePointer"
EndSection
Section "ServerFlags"
Option "AllowMouseOpenFail" "true"
EndSection
Section "Files"
# Xorg 7.0 font paths
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/misc:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/cyrillic"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/util"
# Legacy font paths
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/misc:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/cyrillic"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/util"
# Other font paths
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/truetype/ttf-lucida"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/truetype/arphic"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/truetype/freefont"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/truetype/kochi"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/truetype/latex-xft-fonts"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/truetype/openoffice"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/truetype/ttf-bitstream-vera"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/type1/gsfonts"
FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType"
FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/CID"
EndSection
Section "Module"
Load "GLcore"
Load "bitmap"
Load "dbe"
Load "ddc"
Load "dri"
Load "extmod"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx"
Load "int10"
Load "record"
Load "type1"
Load "v4l"
Load "vbe"
Load "synaptics"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "keyboard"
Option "CoreKeyboard"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
Option "XKbOptions" ""
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Serial Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "Microsoft"
Option "Device" "/dev/ttyS0"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "false"
Option "Emulate3Timeout" "70"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Touchpad"
Driver "synaptics"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Protocol" "auto-dev"
Option "LeftEdge" "1700"
Option "RightEdge" "5300"
Option "TopEdge" "1700"
Option "BottomEdge" "4200"
Option "FingerLow" "25"
Option "FingerHigh" "30"
Option "MaxTapTime" "180"
Option "MaxTapMove" "220"
Option "VertScrollDelta" "100"
Option "MinSpeed" "0.06"
Option "MaxSpeed" "0.12"
Option "AccelFactor" "0.0010"
Option "SHMConfig" "on"
Option "Repeater" "/dev/input/mice"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "PS/2 Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "auto"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "false"
Option "Emulate3Timeout" "70"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
Option "Buttons" "5"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "USB Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Protocol" "ExplorerPS/2"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
Option "Buttons" "5"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Stylus"
Driver "wacom"
Option "Mode" "Absolute"
Option "Type" "stylus"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
Endsection
# Settings for wacom eraser
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Eraser"
Driver "wacom"
Option "Mode" "Absolute"
Option "Type" "eraser"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
Endsection
# Settings for wacom cursor (mouse)
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Cursor"
Driver "wacom"
Option "Mode" "Absolute"
Option "Type" "cursor"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
Endsection
Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
VendorName "ViewSonic"
ModelName "G810"
#Option "DPMS" "true"
HorizSync 30-92
VertRefresh 50-180
Modeline "640x480" 25.175 640 664 760 800 480 491 493 525 #60Hz
Modeline "800x600" 40.12 800 848 968 1056 600 601 605 628 #60Hz
Modeline "1024x768" 75 1024 1048 1184 1328 768 771 777 806 -hsync -vsync
Modeline "1024x768" 85 1024 1056 1152 1360 768 784 787 823
ModeLine "1152x864" 65 1152 1168 1384 1480 864 865 875 985 Interlace
Modeline "1152x864" 92 1152 1208 1368 1474 864 865 875 895
Modeline "1152x864" 110 1152 1240 1324 1552 864 864 876 908
Modeline "1152x864" 135 1152 1464 1592 1776 864 864 876 908
Modeline "1152x864" 137.65 1152 1184 1312 1536 864 866 885 902 -HSync -VSync
Modeline "1280x768" 80.14 1280 1344 1480 1680 768 769 772 795
ModeLine "1280x800" 80.58 1280 1344 1480 1680 800 801 804 827 -HSync -VSync
Modeline "1280x1024" 80 1280 1296 1512 1568 1024 1025 1037 1165 Interlace
Modeline "1280x1024" 110 1280 1328 1512 1712 1024 1025 1028 1054
Modeline "1280x1024" 126.5 1280 1312 1472 1696 1024 1032 1040 1068 -HSync -VSync
Modeline "1280x1024" 135 1280 1312 1456 1712 1024 1027 1030 1064
Modeline "1280x1024" 135 1280 1312 1416 1664 1024 1027 1030 1064
Modeline "1280x1024" 157.5 1280 1344 1504 1728 1024 1025 1028 1072 +HSync +VSync
Modeline "1280x1024" 181.75 1280 1312 1440 1696 1024 1031 1046 1072 -HSync -VSync
Modeline "1440x900" 106.47 1440 1520 1672 1904 900 901 904 932 +HSync +VSync
Modeline "1400x1050" 129 1400 1464 1656 1960 1050 1051 1054 1100 +HSync +VSync
Modeline "1600x1200" 162 1600 1664 1856 2160 1200 1201 1204 1250 +HSync +VSync
Modeline "1600x1200" 189 1600 1664 1856 2160 1200 1201 1204 1250 -HSync -VSync
Modeline "1600x1200" 202.5 1600 1664 1856 2160 1200 1201 1204 1250 +HSync +VSync
Modeline "1600x1200" 220 1600 1616 1808 2080 1200 1204 1207 1244 +HSync +VSync
Modeline "1680x1050" 147.14 1680 1784 1968 2256 1050 1051 1054 1087
ModeLine "1800x1440" 230 1800 1896 2088 2392 1440 1441 1444 1490 +HSync +VSync
ModeLine "1800x1440" 250 1800 1896 2088 2392 1440 1441 1444 1490 +HSync +VSync
Modeline "1920x1200" 230 1920 1936 2096 2528 1200 1201 1204 1250 +HSync +VSync
EndSection
Section "Monitor"
Identifier "ATIMonitor"
VendorName "ViewSonic"
ModelName "G810"
#Option "DPMS" "true"
HorizSync 30-92
VertRefresh 50-180
EndSection
Section "Device"
Identifier "Card0"
Driver "vesa"
BoardName "unknown"
#BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
#Option "sw_cursor" # needed for some ati cards
#Option "hw_cursor"
#Option "NoAccel"
#Option "ShowCache"
#Option "ShadowFB"
#Option "UseFBDev"
#Option "Rotate"
Option "UseInternalAGPGART" "no"
# savage special options, use with care
#Option "NoUseBios"
#Option "BusType" "PCI"
Option "DmaMode" "None"
# nvidia special options, use with care
Option "CursorShadow" "1"
Option "CursorShadowAlpha" "63"
Option "CursorShadowYOffset" "2"
Option "CursorShadowXOffset" "4"
Option "FlatPanelProperties" "Scaling = native"
Option "NoLogo" "false"
Option "IgnoreEdid" "true" # needs to be true for some nvidia cards
EndSection
Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Card0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultColorDepth 16
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 32
Modes "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768"
EndSubSection
# Only the official NVIDIA driver supports twinview
# these setting are an example
Option "TwinView" "false"
Option "SecondMonitorVendorName" "unknown"
Option "SecondMonitorModelName" "unknown"
Option "SecondMonitorHorizSync" "30-75"
Option "SecondMonitorVertRefresh" "50-70"
#Option "MetaModes" "1024x768, 1024x768"
Option "TwinViewOrientation" "RightOf"
Option "ConnectedMonitor" "dfp,dfp"
EndSection
Section "Screen"
Identifier "ATIScreen"
Device "Card0"
Monitor "ATIMonitor"
DefaultColorDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768"
EndSubSection
EndSection
Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And I don't know if this is relevant, but here you go anyway:
CPU: AMD Athlon64 3200+
RAM: 1024MB
Thank you in advance for any help.
Thanks for your comments.
Posts: 7
Thanks for your comments. Yeah, I had recently changed it back to vesa (otherwise, I couldn't have done anything, since the other two drivers are useless.) I'm reasonably comfortable with the shell; comfortable enough to "cd ../etc/X11" then "vi xorg.conf". Als,o I'm positive that the driver supports the 7 series (which my card is.) It's still a new family for nvidia (still the current family actually,) so it's certainly supported as far as I'm aware. The most specific they got on nVidia's site is that their driver supports "GeForce" cards, so I'm covered there.
Should I try getting the driver direct from nVidia and compiling it myself? I've never had any luck with that. I always ending up needing headers and source for my kernel, which I never have, and never can seem to find. They're always for an ever so slightly different kernel.
I still haven't been able to make any progress, despite trying various things on my own. Initially I just used apt-get to install the nvidia-glx, so this time I tried getting it via MEPIS's OS center thing, and I got the same results. So once again, any and all input would be appreciated.
Video
Posts: 2280
Maybe i should have given more details . To make the drivers work these days you need nvidia-glx and whats now called restricted drivers or kernel modules , but you can have a look at that after install if things go as planned. Warren has made it as painless as possible to install this stuff cause Mepis is newbie centrick.
In the kicker panel you will an icon resembling two gears click on those and then system configuration (settings) > system administration > MEPIS Utilities >mouse and display> click on the nvidia tab and click the newer driver spot and apply to install . Its automatic from there it will ask you to reboot when it finished installing modules and nvidia-glx. It might pay to remove the nvidia-glx package so the installer can do its thing . If all is well after a reboot you will see the nvidia logo flash by. If not then its back to the drawing board. Good luck and wellcome aboard!
jim
Sorry, I guess I was
Posts: 7
Sorry, I guess I was unclear. I've tried that method, and I get the same result: my monitor shuts off as if recieving no video output from my computer. I've tried installing the glx through apt-get, and using the MEPIS utilities. Now you can see why I'm so puzzled 
Thanks for helping me out this far though, its good to know that there are some helpful people out there.
Sorry,
Posts: 2280
Hmmm... thats a revolting development. The only thing i can think of is maybe its something with your PCI-E interface. Im not up on them and i dont know if special modules are needed to make them fly right or not. Is this board equiped with an agp slot allso to test it? I was sure the 6800 chip was supported by now and that was the idea of going to nvidia to see if anyone was having problems. Usually any problems will pop up there first and be addressed by someone in the know.
Maybe even an old pci card would give a clue , if it works better it would point a finger at the interface. Its a new one on me nvidia has the best support in linux so far. At this point i dont have any meaningful input other than trying a diffrent card or some cheat codes in grub that i doubt will work.
jim
Video problem
Posts: 2280
There is a known bug with thst card with the 64bit AMD rigs.Check this out it should get you going.
http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t.15311.html
Should be interesting if this fixes it.
jim Edit : its not taking me to the same page so just google linux pci-e video there are several
Pcie Nvidea
Posts: 88
I have the following system and it works good with SM 6.0. After installing the basic system I can install the driver using Mepis Utilities. After that I switch to the K7 kernel.What I am having a problem with is getting it to run with Ubuntu AMD_64.But it has been great for a couple of weeks now with mepis. I think we are a bit ahead of the curve hardware wise and I hope new kernels will come out and solve that. Here is my system.
Registered Linux User 280929 July 20. 2002
Mepis user since Jan. 2004
System Specs
Case: Mid Tower 11 Bay ATX Black Steel Clear side with LED Fan
Power Supply:Ultra / X-Finity / 500-Watt / ATX / 120mm Fan / SATA-Ready / SLI-Ready /
System Board: Gigabyte GA-M55SLI-S4
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Windsor AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Windsor 2000MHz HT 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Dual Core Processor - Retail
Memory: OCZ Dual Channel Special Ops XTC 1024MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory (2 x 512MB)
Video: GIGABYTE GV-NX76G256D-RH Geforce 7600GS 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Silent Pipe, Lead Free Video Card - Retail
DVD Combo: NEC ND3550 / 16x8x16x DVD+R/RW / 16x6x16x DVD-R/RW / 8x +R DL / 6x -R DL / 48x32x48x CD-RW
HDD. Removeable Drive bays. Primary : WD 40 GD Ultra ATA 133 mbs Simply Mepis 6.0 at this time 8-2006 Backup drive: Maxtor 40 gb set as secondary slave.
Note! I use other drives to test other operating systems but at the end of the day Simply Mepis is my main drive.
No Floppy drive.
Thats interesting to know
Posts: 7
Thats interesting to know that it's a known problem. The cards they mention are a generation earlier than mine, but I am getting exactly that problem. Anyway, I tried adding the lines they suggested, and it had a slight effect. There were still visual blips and it did ultimately crash as usual, but it lasted about a minute longer. I actually got to the KDE desktop. I don't know if that was coincidence or not, but it was the only change. But that was just the nv driver. The nvidia driver had no change.
They also recommended recompiling x with some added changes, do you think it would be beneficial to go that route? It seems excessive to me, but I'm willing to try. Thanks in advance for your help.
Thats interesting to know
Posts: 2280
What would be interesting to me is throw an agp card in it to see if it worked. Looks like recompiling is the way to go if you dont have another card to try. Fortunately headers and what not are around these days , just enable the sources in synaptic or /etc/apt/sources . If memory serves you will need kernel headers and sources for sure and a few more. The nvidia site should have a list of the needed packages you will need one from them too.
I dont really know what i would do in this case compile i suppose though i do think another card would be a better fix, compiling every time you want to try a distro is a real PITA when you think about it.
jim
Well....
Posts: 2280
It looks like at this point your xorg.conf file is using the vesa driver . So to get some video back you need to change back to the nv driver so you can try the glx driver from the Mepis utilities or head over to the nvidia site and see whitch driver is supposed to work with that card. When nvidia-glx and the kernel module are properly installed the driver will show up as nvidia in xorg.conf. Probably the easiest way to get back to where you were is use the live cd to reinstall your xwindows again from the mepis utilities. Or you can edit it by hand by changing the vesa back to "nv" . I have no idea how comfortable you are at the command line so i mention both ways.
Section "Device"
Identifier "Card0"
Driver "vesa" > this is what to change to nv
BoardName "unknown"
Installing the nvidia proprietary drivers is a snap in Mepis but i dont know for sure if either available driver will work with your card so i suggest you take a look at the nvidia site to make sure what driver works then we can go from there. By the way its nice to see some hardware info for a change!
jim