black screen with XFree86 4.3 on a Riva TNT2

michel v · 04-26-2003, 12:09 PM

This is a follow-up to the thread where I didn't understand why I can't start Redhat 9's XFree.
--

I have tried to install Redhat 9, and Mandrake 9.1, and both gave me helpless black screens when X started.

Both distributions ship with XFree86 4.3.
My video card is a Riva TNT2 M64, with 64MB onboard.

I hope someone can help me decipher the problem !

Here are the XF86Config files created by Mandrake, the first one is /etc/X11/XF86Config, the second one is /etc/X11/XF86Config-4.

/etc/X11/XF86Config :

Code:

# File generated by XFdrake.

# **********************************************************************
# Refer to the XF86Config man page for details about the format of
# this file.
# **********************************************************************

Section "Files"
    # 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 "unix/:-1"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
    #DontZap # disable <Crtl><Alt><BS> (server abort)
    #DontZoom # disable <Crtl><Alt><KP_+>/<KP_-> (resolution switching)
    AllowMouseOpenFail # allows the server to start up even if the mouse doesn't work
EndSection

Section "Keyboard"
    Protocol "Standard"
    XkbModel "pc105"
    XkbLayout "fr"
    XkbCompat ""
    XkbOptions ""
EndSection

Section "Pointer"
    Protocol "IMPS/2"
    Device "/dev/psaux"
    ZAxisMapping 4 5
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier "monitor1"
    VendorName "Plug'n Play"
    ModelName "Bridge BM17C"
    HorizSync 30.0-70.0
    VertRefresh 50.0-160.0
    
    # 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
    
    # TV fullscreen mode or DVD fullscreen output.
    # 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
    
    # This is a set of standard mode timings. Modes that are out of monitor spec
    # are automatically deleted by the server (provided the HorizSync and
    # VertRefresh lines are correct), so there's no immediate need to
    # delete mode timings (unless particular mode timings don't work on your
    # monitor). With these modes, the best standard mode that your monitor
    # and video card can support for a given resolution is automatically
    # used.
    
    # 640x400 @ 70 Hz, 31.5 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "640x400"     25.175 640  664  760  800   400  409  411  450
    
    # 640x480 @ 60 Hz, 31.5 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "640x480"     25.175 640  664  760  800   480  491  493  525
    
    # 800x600 @ 56 Hz, 35.15 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "800x600"     36     800  824  896 1024   600  601  603  625
    
    # 1024x768 @ 87 Hz interlaced, 35.5 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1024x768"    44.9  1024 1048 1208 1264   768  776  784  817 Interlace
    
    # 640x400 @ 85 Hz, 37.86 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "640x400"     31.5   640  672 736   832   400  401  404  445 -HSync +VSync
    
    # 640x480 @ 75 Hz, 37.50 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "640x480"    31.5   640  656  720  840   480  481  484  500 -HSync -VSync
    
    # 800x600 @ 60 Hz, 37.8 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "800x600"     40     800  840  968 1056   600  601  605  628 +hsync +vsync
    
    # 640x480 @ 85 Hz, 43.27 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "640x480"     36     640  696  752  832   480  481  484  509 -HSync -VSync
    
    # 1152x864 @ 89 Hz interlaced, 44 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1152x864"    65    1152 1168 1384 1480   864  865  875  985 Interlace
    
    # 800x600 @ 72 Hz, 48.0 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "800x600"     50     800  856  976 1040   600  637  643  666 +hsync +vsync
    
    # 1024x768 @ 60 Hz, 48.4 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1024x768"    65    1024 1032 1176 1344   768  771  777  806 -hsync -vsync
    
    # 640x480 @ 100 Hz, 53.01 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "640x480"     45.8   640  672  768  864   480  488  494  530 -HSync -VSync
    
    # 1152x864 @ 60 Hz, 53.5 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1152x864"   89.9  1152 1216 1472 1680   864  868  876  892 -HSync -VSync
    
    # 800x600 @ 85 Hz, 55.84 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "800x600"    60.75  800  864  928 1088   600  616  621  657 -HSync -VSync
    
    # 1024x768 @ 70 Hz, 56.5 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1024x768"    75    1024 1048 1184 1328   768  771  777  806 -hsync -vsync
    
    # 1280x1024 @ 87 Hz interlaced, 51 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1280x1024"   80    1280 1296 1512 1568  1024 1025 1037 1165 Interlace
    
    # 800x600 @ 100 Hz, 64.02 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "800x600"    69.65  800  864  928 1088   600  604  610  640 -HSync -VSync
    
    # 1024x768 @ 76 Hz, 62.5 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1024x768"    85    1024 1032 1152 1360   768  784  787  823
    
    # 1152x864 @ 70 Hz, 62.4 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1152x864"   92    1152 1208 1368 1474   864  865  875  895
    
    # 1280x1024 @ 61 Hz, 64.2 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1280x1024"  110    1280 1328 1512 1712  1024 1025 1028 1054
    
    # 1400x1050 @ 60 Hz, 65.5 kHz
    ModeLine "1400x1050" 122.0 1400 1488 1640 1880   1050 1052 1064 1082 +HSync +VSync
    
    # 1024x768 @ 85 Hz, 70.24 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1024x768"   98.9  1024 1056 1216 1408   768 782 788 822 -HSync -VSync
    
    # 1152x864 @ 78 Hz, 70.8 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1152x864"   110   1152 1240 1324 1552   864  864  876  908
    
    # 1280x1024 @ 70 Hz, 74.59 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1280x1024"  126.5 1280 1312 1472 1696  1024 1032 1040 1068 -HSync -VSync
    
    # 1600x1200 @ 60Hz, 75.00 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1600x1200"  162   1600 1664 1856 2160  1200 1201 1204 1250 +HSync +VSync
    
    # 1152x864 @ 84 Hz, 76.0 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1152x864"   135    1152 1464 1592 1776   864  864  876  908
    
    # 1280x1024 @ 75 Hz, 79.98 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1280x1024"  135    1280 1296 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +HSync +VSync
    
    # 1024x768 @ 100Hz, 80.21 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1024x768"   115.5  1024 1056 1248 1440  768  771  781  802 -HSync -VSync
    
    # 1400x1050 @ 75 Hz, 82.2 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1400x1050" 155.8   1400 1464 1784 1912  1050 1052 1064 1090 +HSync +VSync
    
    # 1600x1200 @ 70 Hz, 87.50 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1600x1200"  189    1600 1664 1856 2160  1200 1201 1204 1250 -HSync -VSync
    
    # 1152x864 @ 100 Hz, 89.62 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1152x864"   137.65 1152 1184 1312 1536   864  866  885  902 -HSync -VSync
    
    # 1280x1024 @ 85 Hz, 91.15 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1280x1024"  157.5  1280 1344 1504 1728  1024 1025 1028 1072 +HSync +VSync
    
    # 1600x1200 @ 75 Hz, 93.75 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1600x1200"  202.5  1600 1664 1856 2160  1200 1201 1204 1250 +HSync +VSync
    
    # 1600x1200 @ 85 Hz, 105.77 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1600x1200"  220    1600 1616 1808 2080  1200 1204 1207 1244 +HSync +VSync
    
    # 1600x1200 @ 85 Hz, 106.3 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1600x1200" 229.5   1600 1664 1856 2160  1200 1201 1204 1250 +HSync +VSync
    
    # 1280x1024 @ 100 Hz, 107.16 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1280x1024"  181.75 1280 1312 1440 1696  1024 1031 1046 1072 -HSync -VSync
    
    # 1800x1440 @ 64Hz, 96.15 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1800X1440"  230    1800 1896 2088 2392 1440 1441 1444 1490 +HSync +VSync
    
    # 1800x1440 @ 70Hz, 104.52 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1800X1440"  250    1800 1896 2088 2392 1440 1441 1444 1490 +HSync +VSync
    
    # 1920x1440 @ 60 Hz, 90.0 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1920x1440"  234.0  1920 2048 2256 2600 1440 1441 1444 1500 -HSync +VSync
    
    # 1920x1440 @ 75 Hz, 112.5kHz hsync
    ModeLine "1920x1440"  297.0  1920 2064 2288 2640 1440 1441 1444 1500 -HSync +VSync
    
    # 512x384 @ 78 Hz, 31.50 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "512x384"    20.160 512  528  592  640   384  385  388  404 -HSync -VSync
    
    # 512x384 @ 85 Hz, 34.38 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "512x384"    22     512  528  592  640   384  385  388  404 -HSync -VSync
    
    # Low-res Doublescan modes
    # If your chipset does not support doublescan, you get a 'squashed'
    # resolution like 320x400.
    
    # 320x200 @ 70 Hz, 31.5 kHz hsync, 8:5 aspect ratio
    ModeLine "320x200"     12.588 320  336  384  400   200  204  205  225 Doublescan
    
    # 320x240 @ 60 Hz, 31.5 kHz hsync, 4:3 aspect ratio
    ModeLine "320x240"     12.588 320  336  384  400   240  245  246  262 Doublescan
    
    # 320x240 @ 72 Hz, 36.5 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "320x240"     15.750 320  336  384  400   240  244  246  262 Doublescan
    
    # 400x300 @ 56 Hz, 35.2 kHz hsync, 4:3 aspect ratio
    ModeLine "400x300"     18     400  416  448  512   300  301  302  312 Doublescan
    
    # 400x300 @ 60 Hz, 37.8 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "400x300"     20     400  416  480  528   300  301  303  314 Doublescan
    
    # 400x300 @ 72 Hz, 48.0 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "400x300"     25     400  424  488  520   300  319  322  333 Doublescan
    
    # 480x300 @ 56 Hz, 35.2 kHz hsync, 8:5 aspect ratio
    ModeLine "480x300"     21.656 480  496  536  616   300  301  302  312 Doublescan
    
    # 480x300 @ 60 Hz, 37.8 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "480x300"     23.890 480  496  576  632   300  301  303  314 Doublescan
    
    # 480x300 @ 63 Hz, 39.6 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "480x300"     25     480  496  576  632   300  301  303  314 Doublescan
    
    # 480x300 @ 72 Hz, 48.0 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "480x300"     29.952 480  504  584  624   300  319  322  333 Doublescan
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier "device1"
    VendorName "nVidia Corporation"
    BoardName "RIVA TNT2"
    Option "power_saver"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Driver "svga"
    Device "device1"
    Monitor "monitor1"
    DefaultColorDepth 24
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 8
        Modes "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
    EndSubsection
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 15
        Modes "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
    EndSubsection
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 16
        Modes "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
    EndSubsection
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 24
        Modes "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
    EndSubsection
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 32
        Modes "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
    EndSubsection
EndSection

/etc/X11/XF86Config-4 :

Code:

# File generated by XFdrake.

# **********************************************************************
# Refer to the XF86Config man page for details about the format of
# this file.
# **********************************************************************

Section "Files"
    # 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 "unix/:-1"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
    #DontZap # disable <Crtl><Alt><BS> (server abort)
    #DontZoom # disable <Crtl><Alt><KP_+>/<KP_-> (resolution switching)
    AllowMouseOpenFail # allows the server to start up even if the mouse doesn't work
EndSection

Section "Module"
    Load "dbe" # Double-Buffering Extension
    Load "v4l" # Video for Linux
    Load "extmod"
    Load "type1"
    Load "freetype"
    Load "glx" # 3D layer
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
    Identifier "Keyboard1"
    Driver "Keyboard"
    Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
    Option "XkbLayout" "fr"
    Option "XkbCompat" ""
    Option "XkbOptions" ""
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
    Identifier "Mouse1"
    Driver "mouse"
    Option "Protocol" "IMPS/2"
    Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
    Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier "monitor1"
    VendorName "Plug'n Play"
    ModelName "Bridge BM17C"
    HorizSync 30.0-70.0
    VertRefresh 50.0-160.0
    
    # 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
    
    # TV fullscreen mode or DVD fullscreen output.
    # 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 "Device"
    Identifier "device1"
    VendorName "nVidia Corporation"
    BoardName "RIVA TNT2"
    Driver "nv"
    Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier "screen1"
    Device "device1"
    Monitor "monitor1"
    DefaultColorDepth 24
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 8
        Modes "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
    EndSubsection
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 15
        Modes "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
    EndSubsection
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 16
        Modes "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
    EndSubsection
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 24
        Modes "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
    EndSubsection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
    Identifier "layout1"
    InputDevice "Keyboard1" "CoreKeyboard"
    InputDevice "Mouse1" "CorePointer"
    Screen "screen1"
EndSection

Tell me if you need more information.

nakkaya · 04-26-2003, 02:27 PM

did you try native nvidia drivers?

Aussie · 04-26-2003, 06:44 PM

Forget about the XF86Config file, the one you want is the second - XF86Config-4. You'll notice that they use different syntax, it was changed between XFree86-3.x.x and XFree86-4.x.x.
Download and install the nvidia accelerated driver, make sure you read the README file first, pay particular attention the the TNT section.

michel v · 04-26-2003, 08:47 PM

Well, I managed to deal with this issue.

The problem: XFree86's driver 'nv' doesn't really like Riva TNT2 cards.
Solution: boot into command line to install nVidia drivers.
The second problem: RedHat 9's installation process doesn't let you boot into command line.

The second solution: I ended up installing Mandrake 9.1.

To me, that the 'nv' driver in 4.3 can't cope with basic display capabilities constitutes a bug... since it worked fine in 4.2...

Electro · 04-27-2003, 01:21 AM

What does the XFree86 logs say?

It could be your monitor doesn't like the new signal. You may need to add another line to XFree86-4 that the monitor will understand.

Redhat doesn't give you an option to go to text. Thats strange. Many people like to see text instead of graphics.

dignified · 08-15-2003, 04:53 AM

I had the same problem using the "nv" driver. You need to use the "nvidia" driver. Also in order to boot into text mode you need to edit the file /etc/inittab on RH9 and change this line for graphical logon:
id:5:initdefault:

to this line for text logon:
id:3:initdefault:

Liberty's · 08-15-2003, 05:23 AM

i think the most obvious answer is:use the frame buffer
have you tried?