Nvidia on 2.6.9-r13 kernel just hangs

[tomreinertson]

I'm another hapless nvidia user who has searched the multitude of nvidia threads trying to find an answer to my problem. I had been happily running xorg and nvidia-kernel-1.0.6111 with the 2.6.9-r1 kernel. I just upgraded to 2.6.9-r13, recompiled my kernel, installed nvidia-kernel-1.0.6629 (and nvidia-glx) and when I startx the nvidia 'white' screen comes up and just hangs there. Kdm is running but it never goes to the user login screen.

I'm using the same xorg.conf that worked perfectly under 2.6.9-r13 so I know that's okay. The real dilemma is that I tried to go back to my -r1 kernel but X refuses to even load now, so I'm committed to -r13.

I see several font-renderer errors in the log. Could this be a problem? Any direction here will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks In Advance,
Tom

------ /var/log/Xorg.0.log ------------------
X Window System Version 6.8.0
Release Date: 8 September 2004
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0, Release 6.8
Build Operating System: Linux 2.6.9-gentoo-r1 i686 [ELF]
Current Operating System: Linux snowbird 2.6.9-gentoo-r13 #3 Thu Feb 3 08:20:09 MST 2005 i686
Build Date: 02 February 2005
Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.X.Org
to make sure that you have the latest version.
Module Loader present
Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
(++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
(WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
(==) Log file: "/var/log/Xorg.0.log", Time: Thu Feb 3 10:32:29 2005
(==) Using config file: "/etc/X11/xorg.conf"
(==) ServerLayout "Default Layout"
(**) |-->Screen "screen" (0)
(**) | |-->Monitor "viewsonic"
(**) | |-->Device "nvidia"
(**) |-->Input Device "Generic Keyboard"
(**) |-->Input Device "Configured Mouse"
(WW) The directory "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/cyrillic" does not exist.
Entry deleted from font path.
(**) FontPath set to "unix/:7100,/usr/lib/X11/fonts/Type1,/usr/lib/X11/fonts/CID,/usr/lib/X11/fonts/Speedo,/usr/lib/X11/font
(==) RgbPath set to "/usr/lib/X11/rgb"
(==) ModulePath set to "/usr/lib/modules"
(WW) Open APM failed (/dev/apm_bios) (No such file or directory)
(II) Module ABI versions:
X.Org ANSI C Emulation: 0.2
X.Org Video Driver: 0.7
X.Org XInput driver : 0.4
X.Org Server Extension : 0.2
X.Org Font Renderer : 0.4
(II) Loader running on linux
(II) LoadModule: "bitmap"
(II) Loading /usr/lib/modules/fonts/libbitmap.a
(II) Module bitmap: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
compiled for 6.8.0, module version = 1.0.0
Module class: X.Org Font Renderer
ABI class: X.Org Font Renderer, version 0.4
(II) Loading font Bitmap
(II) LoadModule: "pcidata"
(II) Loading /usr/lib/modules/libpcidata.a
(II) Module pcidata: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
compiled for 6.8.0, module version = 1.0.0
ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 0.7
Using vt 7
(--) using VT number 7

[snip]

(II) NVIDIA(0): Virtual screen size determined to be 2048 x 768
(--) NVIDIA(0): Display dimensions: (640, 240) mm
(--) NVIDIA(0): DPI set to (81, 81)
(II) Loading sub module "fb"
(II) LoadModule: "fb"
(II) Loading /usr/lib/modules/libfb.a
(II) Module fb: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
compiled for 6.8.0, module version = 1.0.0
ABI class: X.Org ANSI C Emulation, version 0.2
(II) Loading sub module "ramdac"
(II) LoadModule: "ramdac"
(II) Loading /usr/lib/modules/libramdac.a
(II) Module ramdac: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
compiled for 6.8.0, module version = 0.1.0
ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 0.7
(--) Depth 24 pixmap format is 32 bpp
(II) do I need RAC? No, I don't.
(II) resource ranges after preInit:

[snip]

II) NVIDIA(0): Setting mode "1024x768,1024x768"
(II) Loading extension NV-GLX
(II) NVIDIA(0): NVIDIA 3D Acceleration Architecture Initialized
(II) NVIDIA(0): Using the NVIDIA 2D acceleration architecture
(==) NVIDIA(0): Backing store disabled
(==) NVIDIA(0): Silken mouse enabled
(**) Option "dpms"
(**) NVIDIA(0): DPMS enabled
(II) Loading extension NV-CONTROL
(II) Loading extension XINERAMA
(==) RandR enabled
(II) Initializing built-in extension MIT-SHM
(II) Initializing built-in extension XInputExtension
(II) Initializing built-in extension XTEST
(II) Initializing built-in extension XKEYBOARD
(II) Initializing built-in extension LBX
(II) Initializing built-in extension XC-APPGROUP
(II) Initializing built-in extension SECURITY
(II) Initializing built-in extension XINERAMA
(II) Initializing built-in extension XFIXES
(II) Initializing built-in extension XFree86-Bigfont
(II) Initializing built-in extension RENDER
(II) Initializing built-in extension RANDR
(II) Initializing built-in extension COMPOSITE
(II) Initializing built-in extension DAMAGE
(II) Initializing built-in extension XEVIE
(II) Initializing extension GLX
(**) Option "CoreKeyboard"
(**) Generic Keyboard: Core Keyboard
(**) Option "Protocol" "standard"
(**) Generic Keyboard: Protocol: standard
(**) Option "AutoRepeat" "500 30"
(**) Option "XkbRules" "xfree86"
(**) Generic Keyboard: XkbRules: "xfree86"
(**) Option "XkbModel" "pc104"
(**) Generic Keyboard: XkbModel: "pc104"
(**) Option "XkbLayout" "us"
(**) Generic Keyboard: XkbLayout: "us"
(**) Option "CustomKeycodes" "off"
(**) Generic Keyboard: CustomKeycodes disabled
(**) Option "Protocol" "auto"
(**) Configured Mouse: Device: "/dev/psaux"
(**) Configured Mouse: Protocol: "auto"
(**) Option "CorePointer"
(**) Configured Mouse: Core Pointer
(**) Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
(**) Option "Buttons" "7"
(==) Configured Mouse: Emulate3Buttons, Emulate3Timeout: 50
(**) Option "ZAxisMapping" "6 7"
(**) Configured Mouse: ZAxisMapping: buttons 6 and 7
(**) Configured Mouse: Buttons: 7
(**) Configured Mouse: SmartScroll: 1
(II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "Configured Mouse" (type: MOUSE)
(II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "Generic Keyboard" (type: KEYBOARD)
(II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "NVIDIA Event Handler" (type: Other)
(--) Configured Mouse: PnP-detected protocol: "ExplorerPS/2"
(II) Configured Mouse: ps2EnableDataReporting: succeeded
Warning: font renderer for ".pcf" already registered at priority 0
Warning: font renderer for ".pcf.Z" already registered at priority 0
Warning: font renderer for ".pcf.gz" already registered at priority 0
Warning: font renderer for ".snf" already registered at priority 0
Warning: font renderer for ".snf.Z" already registered at priority 0
Warning: font renderer for ".snf.gz" already registered at priority 0
Warning: font renderer for ".bdf" already registered at priority 0
Warning: font renderer for ".bdf.Z" already registered at priority 0
Warning: font renderer for ".bdf.gz" already registered at priority 0
Warning: font renderer for ".pmf" already registered at priority 0
Could not init font path element unix/:7100, removing from list!
Could not init font path element /usr/lib/X11/fonts/CID, removing from list!
Could not init font path element /usr/lib/X11/fonts/Speedo, removing from list!
[[/code]

[yaneurabeya]

Remove speedo and CID from your xorg.conf file. For some odd reasons these 2 cause issues with the nvidia kernel driver.

[rhumbliner]

Thanks for the response. I did remove those fonts but it didn't help anything. They were being ignored anyway. I've included my complete xorg.conf file for your review. It's pretty simple. What stumps me is that this worked previously so it must be some incompatible drivers somewhere. The fact that I can't backup to my previous setup really gets me. I've tried using emerge to reinstall nvidia-kernel and nvidia-glx and I've tried just running the script from Nvidia. Neither works.

What about the agp support in the kernel? I've tried compiling nvidia-agp.ko as a module and then test with and without loading it. No luck. Should I be using it?

I'm still getting just the Nvidia logo screen and nothing more. No errors in the log. I've read the complete README from Nvidia and nothing helps. This is driving me crazy.

Thanks,
Tom

-------------- /etc/X11/xorg.conf ---------------------
Section "Files"
FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/misc"
FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi"
FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "dbe"
Load "extmod"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx"
Load "type1"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "CoreKeyboard"
Option "XkbRules" "xfree86"
Option "XkbModel" "pc104"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Protocol" "auto"
Option "Buttons" "7"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "6 7"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "viewsonic"
HorizSync 30-70

VertRefresh 50-120
# Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "nvidia"
BoardName "NVIDIA GeForce FX (generic)"
Driver "nvidia"
BusID "PCI:02:0:0"
# Option "DPMS"
Option "UseEdidFreqs" "on"
Option "NoLogo" "off"
Option "TwinView" "on"
Option "IgnoreDisplayDevices" "DFP,TV"
Option "Connected Monitor" "CRT,CRT"
Option "SecondMonitorHorizSync" "31-65"
Option "SecondMonitorVertRefresh" "50-120"
# Option "MetaModes" "1152x864, 1152x864"
Option "MetaModes" "1024x768,1024x768"
Option "TwinViewOrientation" "RightOf"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "screen"
Device "nvidia"
Monitor "viewsonic"
DefaultDepth 16
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
# Modes "1152x864"
Modes "1024x768"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "screen"
InputDevice "keyboard"
InputDevice "mouse"
EndSection

#Section "DRI"
# Mode 0666
#EndSection

[rhumbliner]

By the way, my AGP status seems to be disabled even when I'm running X. Is that normal?

{/etc/X11} cat /proc/driver/nvidia/agp/status
Status: Disabled

{/etc/X11} cat /proc/driver/nvidia/agp/*
Fast Writes: Supported
SBA: Supported
AGP Rates: 4x 2x 1x
Registers: 0x1f000217:0x00000000
Host Bridge: nVidia Corporation nForce2 AGP (different version?)
Fast Writes: Supported
SBA: Supported
AGP Rates: 4x
Registers: 0x1f000214:0x00000000
Status: Disabled

{/etc/X11} cat /proc/driver/nvidia/cards/0
Model: GeForce4 MX Integrated GPU
IRQ: 10
Video BIOS: ??.??.??.??.??
Card Type: AGP

[cancech]

I've been getting the same problem. I just reinstalled gentoo yesterday and when I go open a Xsession then the nvidia logo appears and it just "hangs" there. When using the default window manager in X (it's name escapes me at the moment) then I could use the various terminal windows, but all I could see was the nvidia logo. Only the mouse changed from that X to a "I" (text input cursor). When I tried to start KDE, then the graphics all went to hell. It seemed almost as if KDE and the NVidia logo were fighting over what gets displayed. BUT if you load your card using the "nv" driver instead of "nvidia" you nolonger have this problem with the NVidia logo, but you also have no 3d acceleration.

For comparison purposes here's my xorg.conf:

[cancech]

A friend of mine pointed out that I need to have DRI installed for 3D acceleration. I installed it according to the HOWTO on the gentoo site, but I still get the same problem. The xorg.conf file has been edited to take advantage of DRI.

[rhumbliner]

Yeah, this is so wierd. I can get the vesa and nv drivers to work just fine. But my real goal is to get Twinview working again. I can't get the Nvidia driver to work with my old configuration file and I have never had any success getting the nv driver to support a dual head card.

I'm really stuck and don't know what to try next.

Tom

[yaneurabeya]

DRI, Speedo, and some other modules should not be allowed to start if you use the nvidia kernel driver since they will conflict and slow down/crash X.

Also rhumbliner, I noticed that some of your settings might be xfree86 related, so I was wondering if you in fact are running XFree or Xorg. XFree was unsupported as of late by the nvidia folks and their libraries are different, so maybe you might want to try switching to Xorg.

Also, in order to load glx you must emerge nvidia-glx and then if you have issues find the MesaGL symlinks for X and then remove them because they might not be set properly by the nvidia-glx/opengl-update ebuild.

If things get hard, maybe you should just download the installer from the nvidia website, try to install it, and then emerge the nvidia-glx ebuild and hopefully *crosses fingers confidently* the issue will be solved. 99% of the time if the ebuild doesn't work it's related to older versions of drivers or bad symlinks.

[rhumbliner]

I'm definitely running Xorg 6.8.0. Which options are XFree related?

I've removed nvidia-kernel & nvidia-glx and reinstalled them every time I rebuild my kernel. I've even tried an older version:

emerge =nvidia-kernel-1.0.6111

but none of that helps. When I run the Nvidia script manually, it installs nvidia-installer for me. So correct me if I'm wrong, but I've done everything you've suggested no?

As for MesaGL, I don't even have Mesa installed.

Thanks for your patience.

Tom

[cancech]

I'm also running X version 6.8.0.

[rhumbliner]

There are at least 2 other threads describing this problem: 'Odd Nvidia Kernel Problem" & 'How to Downgrade Nvidia Drivers??'. It seems the latest Nvidia driver is buggy. I know this isn't a real solution, but I just wanted to get my dual head configuration working again.

I followed one suggestion (thanks polle) and downgraded my Nvidia driver to 6111 and everything works now.

Here's what I did:

0) /etc/init.d/xdm stop

1) emerge -C nvidia-kernel nvidia-glx

2) cat <<EOF >>/etc/portage/package.mask
>=media-video/nvidia-kernel-1.0.6629
>=media-video/nvidia-glx-1.0.6629
EOF

3) nvidia-installer --uninstall #cleanup any nvidia scripts

4) rmmod nvidia

5) rm /lib/modules/2.6.9-gentoo-r13/video/nvidia.ko

6) emerge nvidia-glx # this brings in nvidia-kernel, too

7) /etc/init.d/xdm start

I'm a happy camper again. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Tom

[cancech]

Unfortunately this didn't fix my problem. I've still got the same problem - the logo screen won't go away! I tried following your instructions, but that didn't fix anything. It reinstalled the 6629 driver and I'm back to square one.

[rhumbliner]

I create the package.mask file to mask the latest rev of the nvidia driver. By going back to the 6111 driver, I avoid the problems with the new driver. I think if you follow my instructions to the letter you should be okay.

IOW, don't manually run the Nvidia scripts:

> sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86-1.0-6111-pkg1.run

like I did. When I did, I got the same error you reported "unable to load kernel module...". That's why I ran step 3), to clean up any Nvidia stuff left laying around. Step 4) is also important to get the old module out of memory. Use lsmod to be certain it's gone. Ah hell, all the steps are important!

Tom

[yaneurabeya]

[cancech]

After a little tinkering around I managed to get the 6629 version masked, but I couldn't follow you're guide to the letter. The problem was that I didn't have a portage.mask file so the cat <<EOF>>/etc/portage/portage.mask didn't do anything. I had to make this file first and then it worked fine.

Thanks alot for your help.....it's good to see that my graphics card is going to be wasted.