6800go startup is flaky

exodist · Tux's lil' helper Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 100

OS: Gentoo 2005.0 (also happened on 2004.3)

system:
dell inspiron 9300
cpu: 2ghz pentium-m
1gb ram
100gb hd
video: 6800go pci express
kernel: custom 2.6.12

problem:
since I recieved the laptop 3 months ago any time I would startx in linux (have reformatted several times since) it would lock up about 2/3 the time. I have to hard power down by holing the button for about 15seconds and turn it back on, usually 3 or 4 times before it actually starts properly.

if it starts fine and I exit then start again it always works, it is only a problem during first startx after boot.

I have checked my Xorg log in /var/log after several of the failures, it always cuts the log short at a different point.

tried several nvidia versions.

tried several gcc versions

tried several Xorg versions

problem never happened in windows (all 2 days I had it and 5 times I booted it)

been living with it thinking a new version of something would eventually fix it, no luck

here is the important stuff in my xorg.conf file:

count_zero · Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 1:23 am Post subject:

I've had problems similar to this. Try the following:
unmerge your nvidia-kernel and nvidia-glx.
recompile your linux kernel and reboot into it.
emerge nvidia-kernel-1.0.6629-r6 and nvidia-glx-1.0.6629-r6
modprobe -r nvidia && modprobe nvidia
cross your fingers

I've had problems with the newer nvidia-kernels on my i8200.

I'm not sure this is your problem, but it couldn't hurt to try.

[EDIT]

Also, make sure your composite extension for xorg is turned off. It's still kind of unstable and *could* cause you some problems...
_________________
"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately."
-Ben Franklin

exodist · Tux's lil' helper Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 100

I have done a lot fo recompiles trying to see if it was a conflict with something, and I have re-emerged the nvidia kernel each time, no luck

Composite extension?

count_zero · Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 4:55 am Post subject:

Are you SURE you tried nvidia version 6629 just the way I said? There are a lot of people with similar problems, solved by using this version of the nvidia driver.

Also, Composite is the new xorg extension that allows you to have true transparency on your desktop. If you've posted your entire xorg.conf, you don't have it enabled, if you did, it would look something like this:

exodist · Tux's lil' helper Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 100

sorry, when you gave a version number I assumed you meant the newest nvidia driver, If I have tried that version I did not make a special note of it, I will have to try that when I get back home. the xorg.conf I posted is the full thing with exception of the line sstarting with # which I removed because of character count restrictions.

I have no interest in transperencies or other fancy things, I see no point in them.

I need my 3d :-D

I have been using linux/nvidia since the first nvidia release for download the ealy beta's or whatever.. that was a long time ago... slackware 7.0 ah memories :-D

exodist · Tux's lil' helper Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 100

I realised I was not using the newest nvidia drivers after all.

first I tried the 'nv' driver,, no problems started every time with every variation on startup conditions I could think of.

I then whent to do the nvidia driver again and for some reason gentoo was selecting a driver older than both the ones you mentioned and the most recent. I updated to the most recent (7667) and there are no more problems.

count_zero · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 2:58 am Post subject:

_________________
"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately."
-Ben Franklin