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Old 11-22-2004, 11:42 PM   #1
Artim
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Question Install Problem w/video on first boot NVIDIA


I have just reinstalled Mandrake 9.0 on an AMD 1100 processor with a NVIDIA GFORCE video card. It appears the install correctly identified my card and installed the correct driver, however on boot, the install gets to the first step after time synchronization and the display gets reset. The display clears, makes some lines like its thinking about setting the video display and then it goes black. It sounds as if the boot continues normally. I am fairly new to Linux and certainly Mandrake so any and all help to troubleshoot and get fixed would be greatly appreciated. I know the monitor and card are both fine because I can boot Windows XP against the hardware and it works just fine. Please help even to point me in the right direction. Thank you

Last edited by Artim; 11-22-2004 at 11:45 PM.
 
Old 11-23-2004, 12:11 AM   #2
jmajor
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Could be mandrake picked a resolution / refresh rate that made the monitor unhappy. Check /var/log/XFree86.0.log or /var/log/Xorg.0.log depending on your install for any clues. Try decreasing the resolution specified in /etc/X11/XF86config or /etc/X11/XF86config-4 or /etc/X11/xorg.conf.

If you need to boot to a text console while you fix this, add 3 (the digit 3) as an argument to the kernel from lilo / grub to start in runlevel 3.
 
Old 11-23-2004, 12:32 AM   #3
Artim
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jmajor Thanks for the fast reply. I have looked in the /var/log/XFree86.0.log for something and it appears that there were several attempts at various settings. It did come back with
NVIDIA: Validate modes for Display
followed by several settings for Default modes. It looks like it responded with some settings after trying various combinations. You lost me on the text console instructions though for lilo / grub
I do see the /etc/X11 files. Do I need to edit all three of these?
 
Old 11-23-2004, 04:53 AM   #4
opjose
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Nah no text console startup or init 3 needed.

This is a holdover from other distros...

Instead:

Hit [CTRL][ALT][F1] if you get a black or crazy screen.

This will put you in a text console.

Log in as root.

Then type in

service dm stop

Now type in

XFDrake

and configure the X properties.

Make sure you TEST your settings and then save them. You need to see a rainbow graphical screen during the test and click ok.

If the screen goes black, merely wait 11 seconds and the console will return. In this case try with different settings or choose a different configuration.

Once done save and exit and then type

service dm start

and you'll be good to go.
 
Old 11-23-2004, 10:55 PM   #5
Artim
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opjose....
Thank you. But when I get to the XFDrake command, can't find the command. Any thoughts?
Artim
 
Old 11-24-2004, 12:51 AM   #6
Artim
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Unhappy

ok, I found it it is actually XFdrake
The command led me to a black screen never more to return, even after stopping dm. Where do you suggest I go from here?
 
Old 11-24-2004, 01:29 AM   #7
opjose
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A black screen?

It should have launched in TEXT mode.

If not you still have an X service running which you must kill off first.

Make sure it starts up in TEXT mode first!

Also try choosing NON-FB mode at boot up and try the same.
 
Old 11-24-2004, 12:43 PM   #8
reverendm
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also a tip on how to controll x server. at command line init 3 will kill x and init 5 will restart it you can also type startx.
that will come in handy some day.
 
Old 11-24-2004, 01:21 PM   #9
opjose
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Actually init 3 and init 5 do far more than controlling the display manager...

It controls the run state which in turn brings the DM up (or down) as well.



service dm stop

and

service dm start

controls the display manager itself.
 
Old 11-24-2004, 10:08 PM   #10
Artim
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OK Guys, thanks for hanging in there with me. Here is what I have been up to and where I am now:
Tried the following:
1. Downloaded and installed the latest driver from nvidia by
a. editing the XF86Config-4 file setting nvidia to vesa. This got me to at least a desktop although the high res graphics were hosed, at least I could see something
b. Went to Nvidia and downloaded the package for the latest driver
c. Followed the instructions and it appeared to successfully load the new nvidia driver
d. Went back and reeditied the XF86Config-4 file and added back the "nvidia" option
e. Rebooted and it got me some different results, flashing the screen three times before coming back to the blue load sequence and going then into text signon.
f. I performed - service dm stop
g. Then did XFdarke and this time I got something!!!!!!!! a screen with video options I could try. Yea
h BUT every option tried I get:

An error occurred:

(EE) NVIDIA(0) Failed to Initialize the NVIDIA kernal module!
(EE) NVIDIA(0) *** Aborting ***

This occurs on EVERY option, various monitor selections, etc. Any guesses where to go from here. At least I'm getting XFDrake to run.

Last edited by Artim; 11-24-2004 at 10:11 PM.
 
Old 11-24-2004, 10:40 PM   #11
jmajor
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sounds like it can't load the kernel module. Does it appear in the list from
# lsmod

the nvidea module seems to hang around after X shuts down.

does it exist?
# find /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/ -name "nvidea.*"

There are also some bits in the nvidea README's about how that module interacts with agpgart perhaps you could look there too.

As a fall back you might try nv instead of nvidea in XF86Config-4 to get the builtin unaccelerated driver. The current accelerated driver seems to have some wierd issues with my SIS chipset P4 mainboard, but the nv driver works fine (if slowly).
 
Old 11-24-2004, 11:46 PM   #12
Artim
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OK I'm still pretty new to some of this but here goes
"sounds like it can't load the kernel module. Does it appear in the list from
# lsmod"

Yes I see: NVdriver 1065920 0 (unused)



"does it exist?
# find /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/ -name "nvidea.*" "

Sorry but you lost me on the $(uname -r) parm of the find command.



There are also some bits in the nvidea README's about how that module interacts with agpgart perhaps you could look there too.

Ok what is the agpgart?
Thanks for all of your help and time! I appreciate it.
 
Old 11-25-2004, 02:05 AM   #13
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Do you have the correct kernel-source rpm installed? It must match the number of your kernel exactly otherwise it will compile the driver incorrectly for your system and you will get the same symptoms you are experiencing.

cheers
 
Old 11-25-2004, 03:48 AM   #14
opjose
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Yeah you're right on the money...

Kernel-source nvidia-kernel, glx and the Nvidia-x.x.x drivers must all be installed.

Then you have to make sure that the proper AGP driver is loaded at boot.

Often the latter seems to be causing the most problems for people.

The thing is, on some motherboards you cannot use the default nvidia AGP drivers.

For instance I have an intel based board that utilizes the kernel's AGP drivers.

This works just fine if I stick with the Mandrake supplied RPM's and let it use the Intel AGP kernel module.
 
Old 11-27-2004, 11:18 AM   #15
Artim
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Question

Guys this this great, BUT how do I do all of the stuff you guys are suggesting?
Please respond with detailed explaiantaions because I'm in an area that's all new to me. How do I do this stuff?

opjose:
1. Then you have to make sure that the proper AGP driver is loaded at boot.

How do I do this?

JK:
2. Do you have the correct kernel-source rpm installed? It must match the number of your kernel exactly otherwise it will compile the driver incorrectly for your system and you will get the same symptoms you are experiencing.
How do I know, and how do I do this?


 
  


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