Black Screen When Installing Nvidia Drivers on Deepin Linux

FairyBoy231 · 05-25-2022, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnturn

It might also help to, when doing a new install, opt for a level-3/Multi-user start up and issue startx to try out the new nVidia driver. At least that way you've got, in theory, a way to get back to where you can debug, check logs, etc. without having to type commands in blindly. I'm a little surprised, though, that Ctrl-Alt-Fn consoles were also boogered up by a bad nVidia install and perhaps level 3 boots wouldn't even help in that situation. It's something I'd try, though. Then, switch to the Graphical startup once the driver is correctly installed.

One could also write a couple of simple shell scripts to switch the runlevel5.target symbolic link to/from multi-user or graphical startup in case the nvidia driver installation causes the system to blackscreen again (some script name that's easy to type in: 'gotxt' or 'gogui', or similar).

Thanks for the idea. Yeah, I'm fine with trying to reinstall with different configurations. In your answer, you mentioned a lot of things I didn't understand though. Do you think you could guide me through what I need to do? For example - on the reinstall, from what I recall, the Deepin install ISO just has basic configuration like encrypting the HDD, setting up a system backup, etc... How do I opt for a "level-3/Multi-user" during the install and issue a "startx"? And how would I set up the safety net scripts you mentioned? Sorry if these questions seem to be pretty basic - I'm still relatively new to Linux.

mrmazda · 05-25-2022, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FairyBoy231

Okay, thank you. Attached is my output from inxi -Faz --display :0. Sorry for not including it earlier.

Your broken ancient 3.0.32 version of inxi didn't tell me everything I expected, but it does suggest a failed installation of the proprietary NVidia driver. If it's right, the NVidia kernel driver loaded, but not the NVidia display driver. They only work used together.

Inxi provides a -U switch to upgrade itself from upstream. The distro may have disallowed that via /etc/inxi.conf. Make sure it contains B_ALLOW_UPDATE=true if you try -U but it doesn't work upgrade to 3.3.16 or 3.3.17.

Also if you are asked for inxi output again, please copy and paste it (using code tags) rather than attaching it. A current versions inxi -Ga would be more accurate.

Note I never use NVidia's drivers. My help is better directed at their removal. They're never needed with any of my NVidia GPUs.

ondoho · 05-25-2022, 11:18 PM

Code:

Graphics:  Device-1: NVIDIA C79 [GeForce 9400M] driver: nvidia v: 340.108 
           Display: server: X.org 1.20.4 driver: fbdev,nouveau unloaded: modesetting,vesa tty: 160x50 
           Message: Advanced graphics data unavailable in console for root.

I once had a mobo that had something similar as an onboard device.
The problem is that - in my experience - nouveau is a bit buggy for these old devices, and Nvidia drivers aren't supported anymore for current Xorg versions.
There's no perfect solution.
Have a good read of this artcile, esp. The Installation and Unsupported_drivers sections.

One option might be to try again with nouveau and describe and try to fix the problems you were having there.

mrmazda · 05-26-2022, 12:26 AM

Nouveau gives me no trouble I can remember with most old GPUs, MCP61 being the main exception I can recall once upon a time, but no longer. I don't have anything very close to C79, but besides newer, I do have older:

Code:

# inxi -GISaz
System:
  Kernel: 5.15.35-desktop-2.mga8 arch: i686 bits: 32 compiler: gcc v: 10.3.0
    parameters: root=<filter> ipv6.disable=1 net.ifnames=0
    plymouth.enable=0 noresume mitigations=auto
  Desktop: Trinity v: R14.0.12 tk: Qt v: 3.5.0 info: kicker wm: Twin v: 3.0
    vt: 3 dm: startx Distro: Mageia 8
Graphics:
  Device-1: NVIDIA NV34 [GeForce FX 5200] driver: nouveau v: kernel
    alternate: nvidiafb ports: active: VGA-1 empty: DVI-I-1,TV-1
    bus-ID: 01:00.0 chip-ID: 10de:0322 class-ID: 0300
  Display: server: X.org v: 1.20.14 driver: X: loaded: nouveau
    unloaded: modesetting,vesa alternate: fbdev,nv gpu: nouveau display-ID: :0
    screens: 1
  Screen-1: 0 s-res: 1680x1050 s-dpi: 108 s-size: 395x246mm (15.55x9.69")
    s-diag: 465mm (18.32")
  Monitor-1: VGA-1 model: Lenovo L2251x Wide serial: <filter> built: 2011
    res: 1680x1050 hz: 60 dpi: 90 gamma: 1.2 size: 474x296mm (18.66x11.65")
    diag: 559mm (22") ratio: 16:10 modes: max: 1680x1050 min: 720x400
  OpenGL: renderer: NV34 v: 1.5 Mesa 21.3.8 direct render: Yes
Info:...Shell: Bash v: 5.1.4  running-in: konsole inxi: 3.3.15
# pinxi -GISaz
System:
  Kernel: 5.10.0-14-amd64 arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 10.2.1
    parameters: root=<filter> ipv6.disable=1 net.ifnames=0
    nouveau.config=NvMSI=0 noresume mitigations=auto consoleblank=0
  Desktop: Trinity v: R14.0.12 tk: Qt v: 3.5.0 info: kicker wm: Twin v: 3.0
    vt: 7 dm: TDM Distro: Debian GNU/Linux 11 (bullseye)
Graphics:
  Device-1: NVIDIA C61 [GeForce 6150SE nForce 430] vendor: Micro-Star MSI
    driver: nouveau v: kernel non-free: 304.xx status: legacy (EOL, try --nv)
    arch: Curie ports: active: VGA-1 empty: none bus-ID: 00:0d.0
    chip-ID: 10de:03d0 class-ID: 0300
  Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.20.11 driver: X: loaded: modesetting
    unloaded: fbdev,vesa alternate: nouveau,nv gpu: nouveau display-ID: :0
    screens: 1
  Screen-1: 0 s-res: 1680x1050 s-dpi: 108 s-size: 395x246mm (15.55x9.69")
    s-diag: 465mm (18.32")
  Monitor-1: VGA-1 model: Lenovo L2251x Wide serial: <filter> built: 2011
    res: 1680x1050 hz: 60 dpi: 90 gamma: 1.2 size: 474x296mm (18.66x11.65")
    diag: 559mm (22") ratio: 16:10 modes: max: 1680x1050 min: 720x400
  OpenGL: renderer: NV4C v: 2.1 Mesa 20.3.5 direct render: Yes
Info:...Shell: Bash v: 5.1.4 running-in: konsole pinxi: 3.3.15-12
# pinxi -GISaz
System:
  Kernel: 5.16.15-1-default arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 11.2.1
    parameters: root=<filter> ipv6.disable=1 net.ifnames=0 noresume
    mitigations=auto consoleblank=0
  Desktop: KDE Plasma v: 5.24.5 tk: Qt v: 5.15.2 wm: kwin_x11 vt: 7
    dm: SDDM Distro: openSUSE Tumbleweed 20220516
Graphics:
  Device-1: NVIDIA G98 [GeForce 8400 GS Rev. 2] vendor: PNY driver: nouveau
    v: kernel non-free: 340.xx status: legacy (EOL, try --nv) arch: Tesla pcie:
    gen: 1 speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 1 link-max: lanes: 16 ports:
    active: DVI-I-1 empty: VGA-1 bus-ID: 0b:00.0 chip-ID: 10de:06e4
    class-ID: 0300
  Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 21.1.3 compositor: kwin_x11 driver: X:
    loaded: modesetting unloaded: fbdev,vesa alternate: nouveau,nv,nvidia
    gpu: nouveau display-ID: :0 screens: 1
  Screen-1: 0 s-res: 1920x1200 s-dpi: 120 s-size: 406x254mm (15.98x10.00")
    s-diag: 479mm (18.85")
  Monitor-1: DVI-I-1 model: NEC EA243WM serial: <filter> built: 2011
    res: 1920x1200 hz: 60 dpi: 94 gamma: 1.2 size: 519x324mm (20.43x12.76")
    diag: 612mm (24.1") ratio: 16:10 modes: max: 1920x1200 min: 640x480
  OpenGL: renderer: NV98 v: 3.3 Mesa 22.0.3 direct render: Yes
Info:...Shell: Bash v: 5.1.16 running-in: konsole pinxi: 3.3.15-14

FairyBoy231 · 05-27-2022, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ondoho

One option might be to try again with nouveau and describe and try to fix the problems you were having there.

Okay, thanks. I think I'll try that. I'll maybe start a new thread then for that issue. When I use the Nouveau graphics, the screen freezes and I can only move the mouse.