I have been using Mandrake 9.2 download for a while and have not been able to use the "nvidia" drivers for my GFORCE FX 5200 video card. I was under the impression that buying and installing boxed distro would make it easy. Well it idid not. I get a "Failed to initiate nvidia module , screens found but none have a usable configuration error.

my XFConfig-4 file to follow: {nvidia changed to nv to make useable}

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

Section "Module"
Load "dbe" # Double-Buffering Extension
Load "v4l" # Video for Linux
Load "extmod"
Load "type1"
Load "freetype"
Load "/usr/X11R6/lib/modules/extensions/libglx.so"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Keyboard1"
Driver "Keyboard"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "en_US"
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 "CTX VL700 series, MS700 series, PL7 series"
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"
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"
Screen "screen1"
InputDevice "Keyboard1" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "Mouse1" "CorePointer"
EndSection


I really want to get this set up and working so I can pitch Windblows altogether.

PS next phase is dual monitor then second mouse.

Thank you in advance:
Joe Brandt

first off go to www.nvidia.com

download the drivers for the nvidia card from there do not use mandrakes drivers

second after you read the read me and run the install you must edit the XF86Config-4 in 2 places

in the modules section add this line

Load "glx"

in the device section change this line

driver "nv"

to

driver "nvidia"

then reboot and all will be well

READ THE DOCUMENTAION FROM NVIDIA PRIOR TO INSTALL

and you must run the installer while x is not running from a console like init 3

also make sure your bios has

assign a irq to pci video set to yes

atokad

I did use the latest Nvidia drivers. I had to change "nvidia" to "nv" to get X to work so I could use this forum. Another forum said to "modprobe nvidia" which said my driver was "tainted" tux.org said "tainted" refers to liscensing issues. Is there any work around? Am compiling a custom kernel now and if it works will reinstall nvidia drivers and pray for success. Will try the "glx" line first though.

see I did RTFM

just because its tainted does not mean it will not work if you got the message loaded with warnings then it did load

i would check the bios for the option i posted the nvidia drivers will not work without that option in the bios enabled

atokad

Thank you "atokad"

The bios change was the thorn. I saw the Nvidia logo for the first time on this machine.

Well that was only slightly more painfull than a root canal without anesthesia.

Now to hit the books again and get a second mouse and twinview working.

I will post again in a couple of weeks if I can not figure them out.

Thanks again.

Have a safe and Happy New Year