nVIDIA Graphics Driver MDK10.1

DaBlade · 11-10-2004, 02:56 PM

I used Fedora Core 2 until recently. I switched to Mandrake 10.1 because of sound problems I couldn't solve..
on FC2, I installed the nVidia graphics drivers via RPM from rpm.livna.org. It dosn't work here, and I don't have a clue how to install nVidia's drivers. Are there any RPMs fro Mdk I can use?

(Oh, and regarding the sound: I have sound, but only one application can make a sound at the time(better than on FC2, where I had no sound at all), can someone help me fix that too?)

My specs:
AMD Athlon XP 2600+ Barton 1.9 GHz
Chaintech 7NJL3 nForce2 based mobo
MSI Starforce GeForce FX5200 T128
IBM DeskStar 80GB HDD
Generic 17" CRT monitor
Generic dual speakers
Dexxa 3 axis 4 button joystick (how do I install it BTW?)
Chicony Twinklecam webcam (how do I install this one too?)
Topcom Xplorer 871 aDSL modem
LiteON DVD player
MSI DVD+-RW 4xmax
Epson Stylus C42+ (yup..installation issues here too...I'm such a noob)
Logitech multimedia keyboard
Elta Media optical wireless mouse
Generic floppy drive
Mandrake 10.1 Community
Kernel 2.6.8.1-10mdk
KDE

SirSlappy · 11-10-2004, 03:12 PM

You don't need a RPM to install the drives. go to nvidia's website and download the linux driver for your card..

then..

get out of Xwindows and go to the directory you downloaded the file in..
login as root.. and do.. "sh nvidiawhateverthefilenameis"

It will install the driver.

Then, you need to change your xorg.conf file and make it use the nvidia driver. like...

#######################################
# Any number of graphics device sections may be present
Section "Device"
Identifier "VESA Framebuffer"
Driver "nvidia"
Option "NvAGP" "0"
VideoRam 65536
EndSection
#########################33
Have fun.

DaBlade · 11-10-2004, 04:30 PM

I know..I read it. Problem is, that I don't really have a clue how to go out of X or do any of the other stuff that's neccesary...I tried it on my first Fedora install, it failed. I then found out about the Livna RPM, installed it and it worked.. Now, I've come to the damn situation in Mdk I was faced with in FC2...

Is it possible for someone to do this remotely for me? I'd screw up for sure.

kevinatkins · 11-10-2004, 04:50 PM

hi,

don't worry, getting out of x isn't as fearsome as it sounds.. here's how -

open a console window, then at the command prompt type -

Code:

telinit 3

this will exit x windows and dump you at a text login. From here, login as the root user - just type 'root' (omit quotes!)
it'll ask you for the root password - type this in and press enter (you won't get any feedback on screen when you type the password, this is normal).

you'll then drop to a command prompt. change directory to where you downloaded the nVidia driver installer file - probably your /home directory - ie,

Code:

cd /home/<your name>

now you need to make sure that the nVidia installer is executable - type the following:

Code:

chmod a+x <nVidia installer file name>

then run the installer

Code:

sh <nVidia installer filename>

once this is done, you need to edit your xorg.conf file as already described. if you're not comfortable doing this on the command line, you can go back into x at this point. just type -

Code:

startx

then use a gui editor such as kedit to make the changes. you'll need to be root - what you can do is run konqueror as root ('run command' on k menu, select run as root...), navigate to /etc/X11/xorg.conf, right click on it and 'open with kedit'.

once this is done, exit back out of x as before. you then need to make sure that the nvidia module is loaded before restarting x - as root, type

Code:

modprobe nvidia

then startx.

if all has worked ok, you should see the nVidia splash screen prior to x startup.

finally, you need to make sure that the nVidia module is loaded during boot (I found that it wasn't with 10.1, for some reason...). To do this, edit /etc/modprobe.preload and add nvidia to the bottom of the file (again, you'll need to be root). Then you should be good to go...

I've just been through exactly this procedure with Mandy 10.1 - I did try a couple of RPMs off Mandrake Club but couldn't get them to work... Oh, and make sure that you use the very latest driver from nVidia.

DaBlade · 11-10-2004, 05:57 PM

Isn't it already an executable? (.RUN)

kevinatkins · 11-10-2004, 06:05 PM

Hi,

Quote:

Isn't it already an executable? (.RUN)

Yes, it should be - it's just that I've come across some binary installers (ATI springs to mind) that don't have the 'execute' flag set (crazy, I know..), so I was just covering that eventuality - it can be one extra confusion!

perfect_circle · 11-10-2004, 06:37 PM

when u use the sh , it 's not needed to be executable,

like the bash scripts,
if a script has not execute permission u can simply type

Code:

bash <script_name>

if it's executable you may type:

Code:

./<bash_name>.

if you do

Code:

chmod a+x <nVidia installer file name>

then

Code:

./<nVidia installer file name>

will propably do. The installer will find out which shell to use.

kevinatkins · 11-10-2004, 06:46 PM

perfect_circle,

thanks for the info on that - i didn't know that! learn something new every day - part of the fun of linux!!

DaBlade · 11-12-2004, 05:11 AM

I tried doing it, and it showed that the install was finished. So I went ahead and did the modifications to XF86Config.
I exited X, did startx, and I saw the nVIDIA logo, and everything looked normal. So I wanted to exit root. I pressed logout and it threw me out of X. I logged in as dablade and tried startx again. Now, it got a problem..
I wrote the entire thing down, and it filled an A4 page.
I then went to freenode via IRSSI, and instructed me on how to restore a backup of the file. Now, it's working , but not with nVIDIA.
I'll post my restored XF86Config, my nVIDIA XF86Config and the error I got below.

Current(restored):

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" "no"
    Option "XkbOptions" ""
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
    Identifier "Mouse1"
    Driver "mouse"
    Option "Protocol" "ExplorerPS/2"
    Option "Device" "/dev/mouse"
    Option "ZAxisMapping" "6 7"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier "monitor1"
    VendorName "Generic"
    ModelName "1024x768 @ 70 Hz"
    HorizSync 31.5-57.0
    VertRefresh 50-70
    
    # 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
    
    # Dell D800 and few Inspiron (16/10) 1280x800
    ModeLine "1280x800"  147.89  1280 1376 1512 1744  800 801 804 848
    
    # Dell D800 and few Inspiron (16/10) 1680x1050
    ModeLine "1680x1050"  214.51  1680 1800 1984 2288  1050 1051 1054 1103
    
    # Dell D800 and few Inspiron (16/10) 1920x1200
    ModeLine "1920x1200" 230 1920 1936 2096 2528 1200 1201 1204 1250 +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"
    BoardName "NVIDIA GeForce FX (generic)"
    Driver "nv"
    Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier "screen1"
    Device "device1"
    Monitor "monitor1"
    DefaultColorDepth 24
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 8
        Virtual 1024 768
    EndSubsection
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 15
        Virtual 1024 768
    EndSubsection
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 16
        Virtual 1024 768
    EndSubsection
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 24
        Virtual 1024 768
    EndSubsection
EndSection

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

the one I edited according to the manual:

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" "no"
    Option "XkbOptions" ""
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
    Identifier "Mouse1"
    Driver "mouse"
    Option "Protocol" "ExplorerPS/2"
    Option "Device" "/dev/mouse"
    Option "ZAxisMapping" "6 7"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier "monitor1"
    VendorName "Generic"
    ModelName "1024x768 @ 70 Hz"
    HorizSync 31.5-57.0
    VertRefresh 50-70
    
    # 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
    
    # Dell D800 and few Inspiron (16/10) 1280x800
    ModeLine "1280x800"  147.89  1280 1376 1512 1744  800 801 804 848
    
    # Dell D800 and few Inspiron (16/10) 1680x1050
    ModeLine "1680x1050"  214.51  1680 1800 1984 2288  1050 1051 1054 1103
    
    # Dell D800 and few Inspiron (16/10) 1920x1200
    ModeLine "1920x1200" 230 1920 1936 2096 2528 1200 1201 1204 1250 +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"
    BoardName "NVIDIA GeForce FX (generic)"
    Driver "nvidia"
    Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier "screen1"
    Device "device1"
    Monitor "monitor1"
    DefaultColorDepth 24
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 8
        Virtual 1024 768
    EndSubsection
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 15
        Virtual 1024 768
    EndSubsection
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 16
        Virtual 1024 768
    EndSubsection
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 24
        Virtual 1024 768
    EndSubsection
EndSection

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

And the error:

Code:

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/Xorg.o.log", Time: Fri Nov 12 00: 07:29 2004
(==)Using config file: "/etc/X11/xorg.conf"
Using ut 7
(EE)NVIDIA (0): Failed to initialize the NVIDIA kernel module!
(EE)Screen(s) found, but none have a usable configuration.
Fatal server error: no sceens found. 
Please consult the X.Org Foundation support at http://wiki.X.org for help.
Please also check the log file at "/var/log/Xorg.0.log" for additional information.
XIO: Fatal IO error 104 (Connection reset by peer) on X server ":0.0" after 0 requests (0 known processed) wih 0 events remaining.

perfect_circle · 11-12-2004, 05:38 AM

is this your /etc/X11/xorg.conf ?

Quote:

### Load "glx" # 3D layer

you need the glx module, uncomment it.

look the NVIDIA README:

Code:

In the Module section, make sure you have:
                                                                                
        Load   "glx"
                                                                                
You should also remove the following lines:
                                                                                
        Load  "dri"
        Load  "GLcore"

DaBlade · 11-12-2004, 06:49 AM

I did it, but now I'm in console again. Accessing this page with Lynx is a drag..
Why must things NEVER work for ME?
I'm getting sick of nVidia...No RPM installers, all kinds of needless cr@p caused by these buggy
closed source drivers.

DaBlade · 11-12-2004, 12:52 PM

I'm back in the GUI now. But how do I get this thing running?

kevinatkins · 11-12-2004, 01:16 PM

hi,

OK - you're so nearly there!!

presuming you've rebooted your machine since installing the driver..

could you do the following quick check -

open a console window and switch to root user. Then grab a list of your currently loaded modules -

Code:

#lsmod

Could you post the list here for us?

Thanks - I don't think you're too far off now..

DaBlade · 11-12-2004, 04:00 PM

Code:

su[dablade@localhost dablade]$ su -
Password:
[root@localhost root]# lsmod
Module                  Size  Used by
vfat                   11008  0
fat                    39776  1 vfat
ppp_synctty             7744  0
ppp_async               8896  1
crc-ccitt               1664  1 ppp_async
ppp_generic            24468  6 ppp_synctty,ppp_async
slhc                    6112  1 ppp_generic
parport_pc             30976  0
ppdev                   7620  0
parport                33896  2 parport_pc,ppdev
md5                     3584  1
ipv6                  230916  33
rfcomm                 32348  0
l2cap                  19876  5 rfcomm
bluetooth              39076  4 rfcomm,l2cap
snd-seq-oss            31232  0
snd-seq-midi-event      6080  1 snd-seq-oss
snd-seq                47440  4 snd-seq-oss,snd-seq-midi-event
snd-pcm-oss            49480  0
snd-mixer-oss          17376  1 snd-pcm-oss
snd-intel8x0           30124  1
snd-ac97-codec         69392  1 snd-intel8x0
snd-pcm                81800  2 snd-pcm-oss,snd-intel8x0
snd-timer              20356  2 snd-seq,snd-pcm
snd-page-alloc          7400  2 snd-intel8x0,snd-pcm
gameport                3328  1 snd-intel8x0
snd-mpu401-uart         5856  1 snd-intel8x0
snd-rawmidi            19300  1 snd-mpu401-uart
snd-seq-device          6344  3 snd-seq-oss,snd-seq,snd-rawmidi
snd                    45988  13 snd-seq-oss,snd-seq,snd-pcm-oss,snd-mixer-oss,snd-intel8x0,snd-ac97-codec,snd-pcm,snd-timer,snd-mpu401-uart,snd-rawmidi,snd-seq-device
soundcore               7008  1 snd
af_packet              16072  4
ip_vs                  90656  0
floppy                 55088  0
8139too                20928  0
mii                     4224  1 8139too
ide-cd                 37280  0
cdrom                  37724  1 ide-cd
loop                   12520  0
supermount             34804  1
nvidia-agp              5788  1
agpgart                27752  1 nvidia-agp
tsdev                   5824  0
usbmouse                4256  0
evdev                   7648  0
usbhid                 41088  0
usblp                  10592  0
uhci-hcd               28752  0
ehci-hcd               26244  0
ohci-hcd               18468  0
usbcore               103172  8 usbmouse,usbhid,usblp,uhci-hcd,ehci-hcd,ohci-hcd
genrtc                  7444  0
ext3                  120680  2
jbd                    49080  1 ext3
[root@localhost root]#

kevinatkins · 11-12-2004, 04:12 PM

hi,

OK, from your list of modules, it looks like the nvidia graphics driver isn't actually loaded (nvidia-agp is there, but that's to do with your motherboard chipset).

so, from a console as root, do a

Code:

#modprobe nvidia

Change your xorg.conf back to point to the nvidia driver, and don't forget to uncomment 'load glx', too!

Then try logging out of X and back in again (straightforward 'end session', then log back in) - this will restart the X server.

All should be OK - in which case, you need to edit /etc/modprobe.preload (as root) and simply add 'nvidia' to the end of the file (omit quote marks). This will ensure that the nvidia driver is loaded during system boot.

Any problems, post back.