NVIDIA install driver problems; Cannot select a higher Refresh rate
 

I attempted to install the NVIDIA driver for my Linux OpenSuse 10.2 version.

First, I installed the kernel-sources package (already had gcc and make) as instructed on one of the forums. When I ran the NVIDIA installer (sh ...*.run), I accepted the agreement and then a message appeared which said it couldn't find something for the kernel. After I clicked OK, it proceeded to install the driver (whereas before I installed the kernel-sources, the installer exited at this point).

I assumed the driver was installed successfully since Sax2 displayed the correct monitor & card and a game I had tried playing earlier (and gave me a "3D graphics not enabled" message) was now able to run (no message appeared).

However, I still have a problem setting the refresh rate for my monitor (looks a bit blurry at the moment):

When I try to configure the desktop settings (right-click on desktop -> Configure Desktop...), the display settings will not let me select a Refresh rate greater than 50Hz. The screen size is set to the correct 1280x1024.

My Computer Display Info shows correct Vendor & Model, but "unknown" Driver.

Sax2: X11 Configuration screen (YaST Control Center -> Hardware -> Graphics Card and Monitor) displays correct Card & Monitor (NVidia GeForce 7900 GS; SNY Sony SDM-HS93). Resolution is set to 1280x1024(SXGA) and Colors is set to 16.7 Mio. [24 Bit].

Any thoughts on what may be the problem?

Thanks.

You'll need to specify the refresh in your xorg.conf file. For example:

However, the refresh rate only controls the flickering that you might see, not blurriness. That 's usually caused (on an LCD display) when the resolution does not match the physical resolution.

Try running nvidia-settings. If you have it, then you know the nvidia installer worked. It allows you to change the refresh rate and other things. You did change the xorg.conf file to use the nvidia driver or allow the .run program to do it for you, right?

It appears the NVidia installer worked since I ran the nvidia-settings and the settings dialog appears. I did let the .run program change the xorg.conf file for me when I did the install...

By the way, where is this file located?

I found the xorg.conf file in two locations:
etc/X11/
var/lib/sax

Both files appear to be the same. However, comparing my file to your sample above, does this look a bit strange? I don't have any display info after my "Identifier" line which is at the end of the block.

Try adding Option "UseEDIDFreqs" "FALSE" to the device section.

My system got stuck at 75 Hz (on 1024x768) and that did the trick to get higher refreshrates.

Thanks Wim, but unfortunately when I update my config file, it changes my configuration back to 800x600 and the refresh rate is stuck at 50Hz.

I found that I have two locations for the xorg.conf file. The max resolution I can get via the NVIDIA-settings display is 60 Hz.

Xorg sees your xorg.conf file in /etc/X11/xorg.conf. What do you have for the Monitor section? For your monitor, it should be similar to the following:

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "whatever your identifier is"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync 28-80
VertRefresh 48-75
EndSection

You may or may not have the DPMS line.

This is my current Monitor, Device, and Screen settings in the xorg.conf file:

While it looks similar to your example, the max HorizSync and VertRefresh values are 65.0. Strangely enough, the max I am able to set via the Display settings in Configure - KDestop is 50Hz, while the nvidia-settings dialog has "Auto" and "60Hz" available.

Well, my example was taken from the sony specs for your monitor. Your GeForce 7900 should be able to drive pretty much anything you throw at it to full resolution.

http://www.iq.sony.com/srvs/DocsConnect/docget.asp?manualid=11023&DL=',600,560,10,10,'Manuals'

I have an old Nvidia ti-500 and a Proview PL916S. The nvidia-settings program offers me 60Hz, 70Hz, and 75Hz at 1024x768 with a depth of 24. Here is my xorg.conf, not one I've mocked up for you. The numbers were taken from the specs for my monitor, so they don't necessarily apply to yours. I guess I can't think of any reason for this not to be working for you if you have it setup the way I posted above.

Hmm, on second thought, how about removing the "1600x1200" from your config file and see if that changes things.

My file: /etc/X11/xorg.conf: