linux probs

[Descend492]

Ok, I'm completely new to Linux, and decided to install it just to play around. I got Mandrake 7.1 from a friend and installed it. Near the end, it asked for my monitor (Hitachi CM771), but mine wasn't listed, others from hitachi around the same numbers were, but not mine specifically. I selected a generic high frequency one, at 1280x1024. Then I selected GeForce 256 for my vid card (I have a Gf2MX with the 6.31 drivers, so no problems there). When I did the resolution test, it said there was an error, but fiddling around with it didn't do anything, so I finished the installation. I run Linux, and it brings me to the command line login. I login fine, but can't get to the graphics interface. I tried typing "startx", but another error (errno 111) came up. I don't know if it was the monitor problem, or a bad install or what. I don't know enough to solve it command-line style, so I need some help here. Any takers? Thanks in advance.

 

[Damaged]

Response

 

[Louie1961]

the problem is the video drivers. Most linux distros say they support the Nvidia GeForce cards, but really don't. The drivers you referenced (6.31 I think) are the windows drivers. Fortunately Nvidia offers drivers that you can download and install from the command line, without using x-windows. The catch is that if your installation of Linux doesn't come with xfree86 4.0.XX, you will need to download and install that first. Not hard to do, just make sure you download all of the necessary files (13 or 14 of them at a minimum)

Assuming you have xfree86 4.0 or above, you simply download and install two linux specific drver files from Nvidia's site. You will need a kernel specific driver (it is specific to each distro) and the general GLX driver. Get the RPM packages if at all possible and your distro supports RPM's

Basically, you install the RPM's by typing "rpm -Uvh Nvidia_kernel_XXXX.rpm --force --nodeps" where Nvidia_kernel_XXXX.rpm is the exact name of the file you downloaded. NOTE: linux IS case sensitive, so type it as I have

repeat the same thing for the GLX file, then use pico to modify the file "XF86Config" (again case matters). simply CD to /etc/X11 and type "pico XF86Config" to open the pico text editor and modify the file. You basically have to find the driver entry "nv" and modify it to read "nvidia"

after you do that, you type "/sbin/insmod NVdriver" to insert the module into the kernel, and you are good to go..no need to reboot, just hit "startx" and you will be in like flynn...if you ever get stuck with a garbled resolution, hit "ctrl/alt/backspace" simultaneously to forcefully kill X without having to reboot, and edit XF86Config as appropriate to fix the problem

Good luck-ps, I had the same problem with red hat 7 and my geforce 2mx

 

[Descend492]

how do I know if I have xfree86 4.0 or above? I know somebody who was helping me said I have version 3.0 of something to do with x (I don't remember exactly what it was he was referring to). If I don't end up having the correct xfree86, do I get it from the Mandrake website?

 

[Louie1961]

Look on a mandrake 7.1 box, ask someone who owns it, or check their website...those are the best ways I can think of. I don't use it, so I have no personal experience.

 

[Descend492]

I got a more detailed version of exactly what you explained at www.linuxnewbie.org. I tried it, but it didnt' detect my GF2MX card. I first tried it with the device listed as NVIDIA GEforce, then as a generic S3 (the one the guy who wrote it said worked for him). Still no luck. I don't know exactly what to do now. I'm so close, but I just can't quite get there. It's 3:17 right now, I have a class at 9:00, and I think I'm going to reboot under Linux and try it again (then hit the calculus books)

 

[Descend492]

Do I need some special AGP drivers from Via specifically for Linux? I heard something about that. I checked the Via website, but they didn't really have much info. I use an Epox EPMV3c mobo. Could this be the reason it's not detecting the vid card?

Also, the helpfile I used didn't say anything about the "/sbin/insmod NVdriver" step. I went back and tried it, but it said "insmod: NVdriver" doesn't exist (or something to that nature). Is this because of the differences between the two installations? What exactly does this command do? If I can't do this, does that mean that the installation was unsuccessful? I don't know...all I want to see is x. I'll be happy once my mouse actually has a pointer and I can move around like that. Oh well, time for bed...I"m too ticked off (screw calculus...I'll do it inbetween classes tomorrow)

 

[Louie1961]

I haven't seen the write up on Linuxnewbie, so not sure what it says or what you have done. Did you visit the Nvidia home page and download their drivers? At the same place you will find a downloadable FAQ that covers how to install their drivers. That's where I got my info, which worked on my machine, and I shared with you.

Be advised that when I did this, Linux/xfree86config did not recognize my video card or the new Nvidia driver. I had to go an manualy modify the file "XF86Config" in the etc/X11 directory before running startx

I also ran into a few problems which I think were specific to red hat 7. It told me a similar message of driver not found. What I found was that in red hat 6.1, the NVIDIA drivers set up program worked without problems. but in 7.0, it installed the driver into a directory that my kernal wasn't looking at. To be specific, it installed the driver in /lib/modules/2.2.16-21/misc but I needed to copy it to the directory /lib/modules/2.2.16-22/misc before insmod would "see" it. Likewise, there was a kernal version mismatch. The Nvidia kernal was written for 2.2.16-21, and I have 2.2.16-22. So I had to load a command into my rc.local file to force the module to load and ignore the missmatch. The command is "insmod NVdriver -f"

This is probably more info than you needed, but I am unsure where you are stuck, or what you have done. can you give me more info?? Did you doenload the drivers? when you installed via RPM, did it give you any error messgaes? search the /lib/modules directory and all subdirectories to see if the file NVdriver exists.

To answer you question, I didn't need to download anything special to have my agp port supported. When I do a lsmod command, I see the "agpgart" driver loaded. you should be able to do the same thing. If it is not there, try doing a "insmod agpgart" to see if that inserts the agp module.

 

[Descend492]

If you check out this page, it is what I followed:http://www.linuxnewbie.org/nhf/intel/distros/mandrake/mdk_nvidia.html.

 

[Descend492]

If you check out this page, it is what I followed:http://www.linuxnewbie.org/nhf/intel/distros/mandrake/mdk_nvidia.html.

I did all that stuff, but found out the kernel didn't install (I have no idea why), I tried reinstalling it last night, but there were all these errors. I'm thinking of isntalling Linux again, and starting over. Now I have an inkiling of what I"m doing, so it might turn out better. If there are any better suggestions as to what to do, I am more than open. Thanks for all your help, hopefully tonight I will have a positive story of how everythign works to tell you. Thanks

 

[Louie1961]

well I went and read the linux newbie write up..it sounds ok.

I would do the following:

1. search your hardrive for a file called "NVdriver" Unfortunately, this may be hard to do from the command line..maybe someone here can point you to a command line utility/command that will do this automatically for you. If you get into doing this manually (for lack of a better option) start your search in the /lib/modules directory.

2. Download the rpm file for the mandrake 7.1 distro from the nvidia site: http://www.nvidia.com/Products/Drivers.nsf/Linux.html

install it from rpm using the command "rpm -Uvh XXX.rpm --force --nodeps" where XXX is the file name of the rpm you downloaded.

Same for the GLX driver file from the same site

it might work where the tar files you downloaded may not have for some reason

3. If the file "NVdriver" is found, and not present in your /lib/modules directory (probably in the directory /lib/modules/xxx/video where xxx=your kernel version number (something like 2.2.14 or thereabouts)) copy the file to lib/modules/xxx/video directory and retry the insmod NVdriver command.

4. Download and read the FAQ regarding the Nvidia linux drivers from the Nvidia site...same link I gave you

Problems have to be, in order of importance:
-the driver isn't present..probably a compiler error...not unheard of
-the driver is present, but not where the OS expects it to be
-the driver isn't installed (insmod command)
-the XF86Config file isn't properly written to use the driver (which it seems you have covered)
-various other misc. causes

I would suggest you also check out tom's hardware guide (www.tomshardware.com) he did a great write up on doing this very thing, which may have some clues I missed. Same for this site..Anand tech did a pretty good write up on it as well.

Sorry I couldn't help more. definitely try the stuff i recommended before reloading linux.. I will be on most of the night, and you can e-mail me directly at perugini@compsol.net..we'll get you through this..If I could do it, anyone can!!