nouveau issues.

SouthernGal · 04-15-2016, 05:34 AM

I've brought new laptop with no Operation System.

Details about my Clevo laptop:

Metabox Alpha N150RD
15.6" FHD 1920x1080 60Hz
Nvidia GeForce GTX 960m with 2GB
Memory 16GB
Hard drive: 500gb

I installed Slackware 14.1 from dvd. (I haven't used Slackware for 8 years)

I have come up with issues after installing Slackware, put in root password then restart.

When reboot, it went well until it get to

nouveau E DRM failed to determine pool peflvl.

nouveau E DRM voltage table 0x50 unknown.

nouveau E DRM MM using M2MF for bulter copies

nouveau E PMC 0000:01:000 unknown intr 0x44000000

I'm bit stuck there, as I don't have other computer find drivers for nvidia. (I'm using my blackberry phone to surf online)

Thanks

Emerson · 04-15-2016, 06:35 AM

I'm not familiar with Slackware versions, but I suspect 14.1 is too old for your PC. I personally keep SystemRescueCd on a USB stick at all times, it is great for surfing internet should everything else fail and has all the tools to repair an installation.

ReaperX7 · 04-15-2016, 10:14 AM

The GeForce GTX 960M is based on Maxwell which currently is not supported by Nouveau very well, if at all.

What you can do, is use the lynx browser if you can't get X working to navigate to SlackBuilds.org and download the buildscript pack for nvidia-driver and nvidia-kernel and any other dependencies.

If you can't get the kernel booted, try using kernel command line option nomodeset to disable the modesetting feature and prevent the driver from loading, for now. After you get the Nvidia driver set installed, remove nomodeset and boot normally.

If push comes to shove, try Slackware's -Current channel.

Didier Spaier · 04-15-2016, 12:33 PM

Boot at runlevel 3 (if you changed the default runlevel to 4 type the command line "Linux nomodeset 3").

Log in as root then type:

Code:

cd /etc/X11
cp xorg.conf-vesa xorg.conf
printf "blacklist nouveau" > /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.nouveau.conf

Then you could type "adduser" to set up a regular user.

After that press Ctrl+d to log out, log in as your regular user and type "startx".

At least you will get a usable desktop or windows manager and be able to surf the Internet to find a relevant proprietary video driver.

lazardo · 04-16-2016, 12:23 AM

This machine is based on Intel Skylake with two graphics chips, very bleeding edge and currently a bit of a cow.

Search the slackware forum for 'Skylake', three threads will show.

This also works and may be faster than sorting the above: http://alien.slackbook.org/blog/new-...dition-beta-7/

Cheers,

SouthernGal · 04-16-2016, 03:11 AM

Thank you all for replying back.

Oh dear, it's gonna be hassle for "skylake" laptop.

I'm not able to get to start X stage.

As when I turn on laptop, it go to "slackware" and it either push enter or tab for lilo. While boot up bios is okay, until it get to nouveau part.

Couldn't find how to add "nomodeset to disable the modesetting feature" to kernel command line before booting up to Slackware.

Didier Spaier · 04-16-2016, 03:29 AM

when you boot, once you see Slackware. press [Tab]. You wills see then:

Code:

Linux
boot:

The second line is the command line and you can type characters there. Just complete it like this:

Code:

boot: Linux nomodeset 3

then press [Enter].

SouthernGal · 04-16-2016, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Didier Spaier

when you boot, once you see Slackware. press [Tab]. You wills see then:

Code:

Linux
boot:

The second line is the command line and you can type characters there. Just complete it like this:

Code:

boot: Linux nomodeset 3

then press [Enter].

Thank you very much for your help, shows more clear step.. this worked and I did followed your step of root and blacklist nouveau etc then adduser.

After Ctrl+d to log out and log in user to start x.

It comes up fatal server error: (EE) no screens found (EE) after loading extension GLX.

Didier Spaier · 04-16-2016, 05:14 AM

I think that the nouveau driver was already loaded so that didn't go so well. What happens if you just reboot, possibly typing the same command?

Else, for now try to go in your firmware's menu and if possible set it to use the integrated Intel GMA graphics only (not the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M, nor the Optimus automatic switch).

ReaperX7 · 04-16-2016, 05:23 AM

You can also try to use the install disk to install the nouveau-blacklist package.

Because your hardware is so "new" you might want to try Slackware 14.2-RC2. You will need Bumblebee from SlackBuilds.org as well as the nvidia-driver package to enable the use of the Nvidia chipset.

Your xorg.conf should actually look for the driver "intel", not Nouveau or Nvidia.

SouthernGal · 04-16-2016, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Didier Spaier

I think that the nouveau driver was already loaded so that didn't go so well. What happens if you just reboot, possibly typing the same command?

Else, for now try to go in your firmware's menu and if possible set it to use the integrated Intel GMA graphics only (not the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M, nor the Optimus automatic switch).

Okay, I just try reboot, without typing same command... it worked... I've logged in KDE.

Do I really need Nvidia drivers? Maybe I'll wait until I get slackware 14.2 DVD as I'm subscriber, and will look up adding Nividia drivers.

Thank you very much for your help.

SouthernGal · 04-16-2016, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReaperX7

You can also try to use the install disk to install the nouveau-blacklist package.

Because your hardware is so "new" you might want to try Slackware 14.2-RC2. You will need Bumblebee from SlackBuilds.org as well as the nvidia-driver package to enable the use of the Nvidia chipset.

Your xorg.conf should actually look for the driver "intel", not Nouveau or Nvidia.

Yep it is very new hardware. Gonna have to try get ethernet or wireless working next to get Internet access from DSL router modem.

Didier Spaier · 04-16-2016, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthernGal

Maybe I'll wait until I get slackware 14.2 DVD as I'm subscriber, and will look up adding Nividia drivers.

Yes, you could do that. I'm happy you succeeded.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReaperX7

Your xorg.conf should actually look for the driver "intel", not Nouveau or Nvidia.

The OP is using the generic "vesa" driver for now. As it works she can wait Slackware 14.2 to change.

ReaperX7 · 04-16-2016, 10:49 AM

Vesa works, but it's a fairly dated driver and it's known to have a few issues with newer xorg-servers. However, glad to hear it works with it.

The hardware you have is possibly an Nvidia Optimus setup. You will have some options here, but yes, 14.2 will be your best bet. ISOs should be available for RC2 by now.

If it is fairly new you might be missing newer released kernel drivers and firmware. If you have USB functions you can always install stuff via a thumbdrive or portable hard drive and get it working that way. Best of luck.

Didier Spaier · 04-16-2016, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReaperX7

Vesa works, but it's a fairly dated driver

It doesn't matter that it be old, as long as it works. And it should with all video devices compliant to a VESA standard (at least VBE, probably also VLB) . That's certainly why xorg.conf-vesa is provided in Slackware as a fall back: "if all other drivers fail, try vesa".

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReaperX7

and it's known to have a few issues with newer xorg-servers

I never heard of such issues. Please provide some pointers, as I would like to know what they can be.

As far as I know, the only reason why vesa would fail is that the video device be very old (VGA). Then you would have to rely on the fbdev driver for X, shipped in /extra. But I digress, the OP's equipment is fairly new and the vesa driver works with it.