Hello, guys!

I'm one of those guys who've been using windows for several years and decided to give a free system a try. I tried to install mandrake 9.0 and it worked just fine until I got to configuring xwindow. None of the options i tried worked for me - didn't pass the test. I have nvidia geforce4 mx 440 agp8x 64 Mb (so windows says - i bought my pc second-hand) and viewsonic g655. I've been reading nvidia forums, so I downloaded and installed NVIDIA-Linux-x86-1.0-4496-pkg2.run. nvidia readme says i have to edit xf86config which i tried but unsuccessfully - i can't get xwindow to work. When i type startx it says there's some error. Am I right in thinking that the problem is in this xf86config? If so, can anybody tell me what i should do? Or better still make this xf86config for me? Monitor: 30-70, 50-120; Microsoft intellimouse compatible mouse (a4tech sww-25) connected to com2, ps/2 pc/at 101-102 keyboard. If anybody feels like helping please feel free to email to dmma@nm.ru

The system works perfectly in text mode - I've tried copying, removing, etc files, mounted floppies and cdroms and even made a couple of files with vi - can you imagine that? In text mode it's fine, but i want to see how linux looks in gui!!!

I know some of you will tell me to read howtos. I've read them! I can't work it out by myself. Please help.

Thanks in advance

If you use some form of text editor to display the contents of your XF86 Error log file, I'll give you a hand. Or if you can upload/email the file to me, I'll take a look for you. Explanation follows:



the file

XFree86.0.log
(Or something almost just like that. )

Will contain a lot of information.

If you could run the command

tail /var/log/ XFree86.0.log

and paste me the output here, especially any lines that start with an EE
I'll see what I can do.

Hi, Wolven!

Thanks for trying to help. I think I've messed it all up. When I was installing the system after trying endless variants which didn't work, I accidentally pressed 'done' button with nothing configured, and as far as i understand ended up with no proper xf86config.
Since that time i have tried using many xf86config files i have been finding on the internet, ?????? editing the sample file which comes with nvidia installer but nothing worked for me.

In /var/log/ I have XFree86.9.0.log:

=========================
XFree86 Version 4.2.1 / X Window System
(protocol Version 11, revision 0, vendor release 6600)
Release Date: 3 September 2002
If the server is older than 6-12 months, or if your card is
newer than the above date, look for a newer version before
reporting problems. (See http://www.XFree86.Org/)
Build Operating System: Linux 2.4.18-23mdkenterprise i686 [ELF]
Module Loader present
Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
(++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
(WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
(==) Log file: "/var/log/XFree86.9.log", Time: Sun Dec 7 04:40:55 2003
(++) Using config file: "/etc/X11/XF86Config.test"
(==) ServerLayout "layout1"
(**) |-->Screen "screen1" (0)
(**) | |-->Monitor "monitor1"
(**) | |-->Device "device1"
(EE) No core pointer device specified
(EE) Unable to determine the screen layout
(EE) Error from xf86HandleConfigFile()

Fatal server error:
no screens found
================================

but it seems to have been written while still testing parameters when installing the system.

The latest xf86confdig-4 (one more question: should I have it xf86confdig-4 or just xf86confdig?) is the following:

===========================
# **********************************************************************
# Refer to the XF86Config(4/5) man page for details about the format of
# this file.
# **********************************************************************

Section "Files"

RgbPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/rgb"

# Multiple FontPath entries are allowed (they are concatenated together)
# By default, Mandrake 6.0 and later now use a font server independent of
# the X server to render fonts.

FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/CID
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/PEX
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Speedo
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/TTF
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Type1
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/local
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/misc
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/truetype

EndSection

# **********************************************************************
# Server flags section.
# **********************************************************************

Section "ServerFlags"

# Uncomment this to cause a core dump at the spot where a signal is
# received. This may leave the console in an unusable state, but may
# provide a better stack trace in the core dump to aid in debugging
#NoTrapSignals

# Uncomment this to disable the <Crtl><Alt><BS> server abort sequence
# This allows clients to receive this key event.
#DontZap

# Uncomment this to disable the <Crtl><Alt><KP_+>/<KP_-> mode switching
# sequences. This allows clients to receive these key events.
#DontZoom

# This allows the server to start up even if the
# mouse device can't be opened/initialised.
AllowMouseOpenFail

EndSection

# **********************************************************************
# Input devices
# **********************************************************************

# **********************************************************************
# Keyboard section
# **********************************************************************

Section "InputDevice"

Identifier "Keyboard1"
Driver "Keyboard"
Option "AutoRepeat" "250 30"

Option "XkbRules" "xfree86"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"

EndSection

# **********************************************************************
# Pointer section
# **********************************************************************

Section "InputDevice"

Identifier "Mouse1"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "ExplorerPS/2"
# Option "Protocol" "ImPS/2"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mouse0"
Option "Buttons" "6"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "5 6"
Option "Resolution" "800"
# Option "Emulate3Buttons"
# Option "Emulate3Timeout" "50"

# ChordMiddle is an option for some 3-button Logitech mice

# Option "ChordMiddle"

EndSection



Section "Module"

# This loads the GLX module
Load "glx"

# This loads the DBE extension module.
Load "dbe"

# This loads the Video for Linux module.
# Load "v4l"


# This loads the miscellaneous extensions module, and disables
# initialisation of the XFree86-DGA extension within that module.

SubSection "extmod"
Option "omit xfree86-dga"
EndSubSection

# This loads the Type1 and FreeType font modules

Load "type1"
Load "freetype"
EndSection

# **********************************************************************
# Monitor section
# **********************************************************************

# Any number of monitor sections may be present

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Viewsonic G655"
VendorName "Unknown"
ModelName "Unknown"


# HorizSync is in kHz unless units are specified.
# HorizSync may be a comma separated list of discrete values, or a
# comma separated list of ranges of values.
# NOTE: THE VALUES HERE ARE EXAMPLES ONLY. REFER TO YOUR MONITOR'S
# USER MANUAL FOR THE CORRECT NUMBERS.
HorizSync 30-70


# VertRefresh is in Hz unless units are specified.
# VertRefresh may be a comma separated list of discrete values, or a
# comma separated list of ranges of values.
# NOTE: THE VALUES HERE ARE EXAMPLES ONLY. REFER TO YOUR MONITOR'S
# USER MANUAL FOR THE CORRECT NUMBERS.
VertRefresh 50-120


# This is a set of extended mode timings typically used for laptop,
# TV fullscreen mode or DVD fullscreen output.
# These are available along with standard mode timings.

# Sony Vaio C1(X,XS,VE,VN)?
# 1024x480 @ 85.6 Hz, 48 kHz hsync
ModeLine "1024x480" 65.00 1024 1032 1176 1344 480 488 494 563 -hsync -vsync

# 768x576 @ 79 Hz, 50 kHz hsync
ModeLine "768x576" 50.00 768 832 846 1000 576 590 595 630
# 768x576 @ 100 Hz, 61.6 kHz hsync
ModeLine "768x576" 63.07 768 800 960 1024 576 578 590 616

EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "TV"
VendorName "Unknown"
ModelName "Unknown"

HorizSync 30-50
VertRefresh 60

EndSection

# **********************************************************************
# Graphics device section
# **********************************************************************

Section "Device"
Identifier "NVIDIA GeForce4 (generic)"
VendorName "Unknown"
BoardName "Unknown"
Driver "nvidia"
# VideoRam 65536
# Clock lines


# Uncomment following option if you see a big white block
# instead of the cursor!
# Option "sw_cursor"

Option "DPMS" "on"
Option "NvAGP" "3"
Option "TVOutFormat" "COMPOSITE"
# Option "Connectedmonitor" "CRT,TV"
# Option "Connectedmonitor" "TV"
Option "CursorShadow" "true"
Option "CursorShadowAlpha" "75"
Option "CursorShadowXOffset" "2"
Option "CursorShadowYOffset" "1"
Option "PageFlip" "on"

#Twinview for use with TV
# Option "TwinView" "1"
# Option "TwinViewOrientation" "1"
# Option "SecondMonitorHorizSync" "30-50"
# Option "SecondMonitorVertRefresh" "60"
# Option "MetaModes" "800x600,800x600"

EndSection



# **********************************************************************
# Screen sections
# **********************************************************************


Section "Screen"
Identifier "screen1"
Device "NVIDIA GeForce4 (generic)"
Monitor "Viewsonic G655"
DefaultColorDepth 24
Subsection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "720x480" "640x480"
ViewPort 0 0
EndSubsection
Subsection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "720x480" "640x480"
ViewPort 0 0
EndSubsection
Subsection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "720x480" "640x480"
# Modes "800x600" "640x480"
ViewPort 0 0
EndSubsection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "screen2"
Device "NVIDIA GeForce4 (generic)"
Monitor "TV"
DefaultColorDepth 24
Subsection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
ViewPort 0 0
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "layout1"
Screen "screen1"

InputDevice "Mouse1" "CorePointer"

InputDevice "Keyboard1" "CoreKeyboard"
EndSection
=========================

Any ideas?

with respect
linguist

I had the same problem and what I did that fixed it was to say no to the virtual screens when choosing resolutions in xf86config ( which I noticed that you had enabled in your XF86Config file). If that doesn't work you might also want to make sure that your monitor is capable of supporting the resolutions that you have chosen for each depth (a monitor can handle certain resolutions at some depths but cannot at others) So read your monitors specs carefully and make sure you haven't made a mistake there.

Hope this helped,
JT

Thanks everyone!

I've tried reinstalling the sytem and have done everything once again and it's working!!!

Thanks for trying to help.

linguist

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. Just a future notice for you:

You're looking for these lines:


(EE) No core pointer device specified
(EE) Unable to determine the screen layout
(EE) Error from xf86HandleConfigFile()



Anything with (EE) next to it is an error. Then, lower down, when it told you no screens found is where you get your last bit of information. I'm glad you got it working, and congratulations!

Thanks, Wolven!

I've been reding manuals and stuff and finally figured out the problem. It's amazing how much you can do with your own hands in Linux once you know what you are doing! I'll be exploring it further. I'm currently trying to configure a connection with my ISP and having difficulties which I'm looking forward to solving

Thanks for advice.
linguist

PS vi is a wonderful tool!!!

Yes, it is. I use "vim" which is "VI Improved". Allows for syntax highlighting and other fun features. Also, don't forget to check in

/usr/share/doc/nvidia

There is an example XF86Config file in there that's quite nice.

Thanks, Wolven.

By the way, I have configured my internet connection - it's actually the first time I'm using linux to go online. My next task is to finf and install video codecs to watch avis and mpgs...

Thanks again

linguist

Linguist, I use debian, which allows me to get the codecs very easily. If you need assistance or would like to contact me, (as you seem a nice person) feel free to email me. wolvenATwolvenDOTcom (Typed that way to dodge email reading bots, of course)

If I don't hear from you, good luck!

Thanks, Wolven.

I most certainly be contacting you in future - I thank you for the offer - but with linux it seems more rewarding to 'get there' yourself, withiout anybody's help. I'm learning and if I don't know something I try different options and see what happens (I've crashed and reinstalled the system a couple af times already - I can do it now perfectly and smoothly ) If I have something I can't do, well, you'll be getting a letter...

Thanks again,

linguist

I allso have the same problem with NVIDIA Geforce4 MX 440 drivers for linux. I have mandriva 2006. Here's how it came to be: I installed the system, installed X, worked, and installed the drivers (after installing the kernel form the CD). After that I started x but I got the same errors as above:

Fatal server error:
no screens found

I edited the following: /etc/X11/xorg.conf and changed the Driver "nvidia" to Driver "nv", and worked, but the driver didn't boot. Now, when I change the line back it gives me the exact same error. The thing is that it worked for Fedora Core 4, and it worked verry well.

My question to you is: what can I do?
PLS help.

Ps. I'm kind'a noobie in Linux, but can manage.