Issue is since the Linux Mint 20.3 install, first time on Linux, the monitor turns on/off several times on both start and shut down every single time. I at first thought since my AMD64 X2 and only 2GB ram was the issue so I tried a lighter desktop to stop the computer from time to time freezing then displaying a tan screen with diagonal zipper-like lines which require a hard power off every time. After a lot of rading, it looks like maybe the graphics driver is the issue and I can't find an Nvidia Linux 64-bit driver? Here's my system, thanks:

Kernel: 5.4.0-131-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 9.4.0 Desktop: MATE 1.26.0
wm: marco dm: LightDM Distro: Linux Mint 20.3 Una base: Ubuntu 20.04 focal

Topology: Dual Core model: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ bits: 64 type: MCP arch: K8 rev.F+
rev: 2 L2 cache: 1024 KiB
flags: lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 svm bogomips: 10448
Speed: 2600 MHz min/max: 1000/2600 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 2600 2: 2600

Device-1: NVIDIA C61 [GeForce 6100 nForce 405] vendor: Biostar Microtech Intl Corp
driver: nouveau v: kernel bus ID: 00:0d.0 chip ID: 10de:03d1
Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.13 driver: nouveau unloaded: fbdev,modesetting,vesa
compositor: marco tty: N/A
OpenGL: renderer: NV4C v: 2.1 Mesa 21.2.6 direct render: Yes

Type: Desktop Mobo: BIOSTAR model: NF61S-M2B v: 1.0 serial: <filter> BIOS: Phoenix
v: 6.00 PG date: 10/18/2007

NVidia C61 represents NVidia at its worst. The FOSS drivers seem to have improved it over recent years. I have one almost same as yours, and also with 2G RAM:Note that I am using the modesetting display driver, not nouveau. Note also I'm using nouveau.config=NvMSI=0 on Grub's linu line. I haven't checked in a while whether it's still necessary, but it used to be necessary to avoid problems that I don't remember about any more.

Given the GPU shares system RAM, first order of business for you is to verify RAM remains intact with memtest86 or memtest86+. Once you know it's OK, try removing xserver-xorg-video-nouveau (to switch to the modesetting display driver) and/or adding nouveau.config=NvMSI=0 to your Grub linu lines. It's possible a system upgrade to using a newer kernel could help as well, as long as RAM is OK.

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Thanks for the reply and what you said makes sense. I'm new to Linux but knew that my computer that I made just for DC 15+ years ago, while hot for it's time was just old and Nvidia C61 has a bad rap for good reason. What is the official site for either memtest86 or the + version as my search shows different links? Just want to make sure I don't download some malware. You will need to help me with your other idea as I've learned a lot in the last few months about Linux, but mint is somewhat simple for those of us new to this and I have no idea how to do what you mentioned. I'll run the memtest or + as soon as I get the correct url. I'll wait to discuss my idea for other options once I get you the information you need.

Memtest86+ ("memory test") is an option to run directly from Mint installation media, and may already be installed and ready to run in your Grub boot menu. If not, you should be able to install it from standard Mint repos. Memtest86 is not FOSS and not directly related to Memtest86+, but does have a free version available, and is my preference for testing DDR4 RAM.

This explains how to apply boot options such as nouveau.config=NvMSI=0 for testing whether or not they are helpful.

Your software manager can easily remove xserver-xorg-video-nouveau for you. Or just do sudo apt purge xserver-xorg-video-nouveau in a terminal. If you don't like the result, do it again except with install in place of purge.

Memtest86+ took hours to run but had 0 errors. Also ran smartmonctl in the past and got a few "old-age" but 0 pre-fail. I sort of follow you in that I first try to change nouveau to "no modesetting" via removing xserver-xorg-video-nouveau and see if it fixes the issue. I'm telling ya that Mint is for non-techie Linux users and there is single source of info on how it all works. I've spent 200+ hours reading books, forums and articles and it's still difficult as most of these things are still new to me or have done only once or not all all before. I made sure to read the "before you post" in hardware and hope I got you all the info you need so far. I greatly appreciate your help and will try the change today and post the results.

If you really want to use this ancient computer longer think about:

• inserting an AMD nee ATI graphics card. A Radeon HD 3450 or Radeon HD 5450 may be available for about 10…20 € + postage & packing by ebay. This increase graphics performance with Linux, avoids nvidia graphics driver issues and use of shared memory.
• upgrading to 4 GiB RAM = 2× 2 GiB DDR2 PC-800. This increase systems performance with Linux due to less swapping.
• inserting a SSD. A budget model with a capacity of about 120…250 GB is sufficient at SATA 3,0 GB/s. Run your Linux from it. This increase systems performance with Linux.

Thanks for the reply. I was just getting ready to ask what distro may be a better fit for my system as LM has been more time trying to fix issues on 2 computers than actually using them. I tried deleting nouveau and here's the graphics now:
Device-1: NVIDIA C61 [GeForce 6100 nForce 405] vendor: Biostar Microtech Intl Corp
driver: nouveau v: kernel bus ID: 00:0d.0 chip ID: 10de:03d1
Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.13 driver: nouveau unloaded: fbdev,modesetting,vesa
compositor: marco tty: N/A
OpenGL: renderer: NV4C v: 2.1 Mesa 21.2.6 direct render: Yes

Issue is not fixed so I installed it again. Also smartmontools will now display and then 3 seconds later disappear?
I thought about getting a AGP 8X or PCI video card if that would fix the issue and I now only have 128MB of shared memory so that if it helps would also improve the video quality if a card can be found cheap. My MB is unique as even the owners manual is incorrect for the unit I have which is listed on the box as a ASUS A7N8X-UAYZ. Not much can be found out about them. Can't find it on ASUS site either. Not sure what is needed or what video upgrade it can take? Was a super popular MB for a long time.
My system limit is 2GB DDR2-800 and that is what I have and from system monitor, it doesn't appear that is a factor. Yeah more ram is nice but when the system runs, speed is good, often for hours and multi-tasking. Freezes are random.
My HDD is 7200 rpm with 8MB cache which is faster than what I have in a 4 year old laptop with Win10, which is fast.
Months I have spent on this with no real progress. Tried reinstalling LM from scratch several times verifying and authenticating the iso image and running all the checks. It's not just this computer, does the same random freezes on a newer dell laptop with a AMG 64 X@ and 2GB ram. Maybe a driver issue or maybe LM is not a good fit on both? Seems odd but I'm new to Linux. Had thought LM would have worked most of these issues out and it was listed as a good choice for older computers several places. Frustrating that I can't make either machine reliable with Linux.

If the consensus is that a video card would solve the issue and make the system work, I'll buy a low end card. This was listed for $6 delivered:ATI Radeon HD 3450 256MB PCI-e x16 DMS-59.

Caution though as I can no longer run smartmontools for a unknown reason? Everything else runs fine. Also my MB is odd in that it doesn't match any pics I've seen. It has only 2 ram slots, 2 PCI and 1 AGP 8X slot. Double checked the factory box and Asus A7N8X-UAYZ and visually verified slots on the board. $6 is cheap if its likely to keep the computer running another year or two. Even if the HDD fails at some point a used one will be free or $5. When it runs, its plenty fast and I can use it. If this is a lost cause, it may be time to call it quits on this one and move to my laptop? Ugh.

PCIe is not AGP. Motherboards with an AGP slot don't have any PCIe slots. $6 for an HD3450 would have been a good deal. I have one that works well. Linux support for AGP has been deteriorating. Developers generally don't have them to test with. You might be best off with a newer PCI card than any AGP cards you find, if you must keep that motherboard working.

With the 6100 IGP, it may be worth configuring use of 16bit color instead of the default 24/32, resulting in use of less RAM, and possibly no longer using problematic RAM:may help.

The ATI Radeon HD 3450 256MB PCI-e x16 DMS-59 is available. Don't know if my MB can handle PCI-e, don't think it can. A AGP 8X is what it seems to need. My MB seems to be a mix of all the A7N8X MB's.

As I already explained, PCIeX16 technology replaced AGP technology. Boards with AGP do not have PCIe. If indeed you have an AGP slot, the PCIe HD3450 can't work in your A7N8X.

Yeah, I got that. So no PCI-e, little support for AGP and that leaves me with only a PCI video card which is rare and more costly. What do you think happened to my GSmartcontrol, I launch it and it says "scanning, please wait" and disappears. It never comes back. Uninstalling, reboot and start all over changes nothing. It's been 1-2 months since I ran it and if anything shows pre-fail, that and the continuing driver issue and this computer is being tossed and I'll move on to my laptop. 4 months trying to fix all these issues is not what I wanted from Linux, LM and if its my computer is just too old, so be it.

GSmartcontrol I can't say anything about. I've never tried it. I use the command line utility smartctl. Given your experiences, this particular PC is well worth giving up on for typical Linux use. Nothing electronic lasts forever.

You write about a Biostar NF61S-M2B v1.0 first time and then about an Asus A7N8X-UAYZ. These two mainboards are very different. Please take some photos of your mainboard(s) and post them. One photo should show the hole mainboard and the other model name and version of this mainboard. Hint: If you use a flash hold your camera a little bit angular to the mainboard to avoid flash reflections into camera lense.

Biostar NF61S-M2B v1.0: Socket AM2 (x86_64 CPUs e.g. AMD Athlon 64 X2); DDR2-RAM, max. PC-800: two slots = max. 4 GiB; chipset integrated nvidia graphics XOR graphics card inserted into PCIe x16 slot; SATA 3,0 GB/s ports , …

A7N8X-UAYZ: Socket A (ia32 CPUs e.g. AMD Athlon XP); DDR-RAM (aka DDR1-RAM), max. PC-400: if two slots = max. 2 GiB, if three slots = max. 3 GiB; AGP 8x slot for graphcis card; PATA UltraDMA/133 ports, …

ATI AGP graphics card (AGP 2x, AGP 4x, AGP 8x on different mainboards) works well with Linux in my ancient "museal" computers.

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Thanks for the reply and you bring up a interesting issue. Can't download a pic but since I built this computer and bought the MB new and still have receipt and box, it IS a ASUS A7N8X-UAYZ. Simple fact. But yeah why is Linux showing a NF61S-M2B??? That could be a big part of the driver issue. Good catch on your part. It is a AMD socket A Athlon XP 64 X2 5000+, DDR2 so 400Mhz FSB so PC-800, has only 2 slots of 1GB each for a max or 2GB and it has 1 AGP slot which the box says Pro/AGP 8X. I have looked all over the board and can't find a model # or version but my research shows that all 400Mhz FSB were version 2.
I think any AGP 8X card would certainly improve my graphics and if there was a factory driver for it or Linux had a stable driver, it may solve the issue if I can find a low cost one. My CPU, MB, RAM, HDD, monitor are all doing an excellent job and are plenty fast, random freezes just make it unusable as a daily driver