2.6.13 + nvidia = wits end

TheAxeMaster · n00b Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 50

Ok, sorry to bother you all with this, I know this has been a hot topic lately, and some people have been successful, but I haven't. This is my first successful gentoo install (number 5 I think), so I'm finally getting the kernel thing.

On to the problem.

I've got an nvidia FX5200 and so I emerged the nvidia-glx and nvidia-kernel. No dice. So I read the forums, found that it was a common problem, and was supposed to be taken care of in the newer drivers. So I edited the /etc/portage/package.keywords file to get the newest drivers (1.0.7676) and the app-admin/eselect things. Still nothing. Now when I try modprobe nvidia, I get this (~ish, I'm copying this by hand and KVMing between screens):

TheWitePony · Apprentice Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Posts: 211

Not sure if this is the way you did it but here's what I do when I recompile nvidia stuff for a new kernel:

1: Compile kernel with agpart as a module, as well as the chipset as a module (in my case nForce), copy image over to /boot, reboot. Make sure agpart starts at boot.

2: umerge nvidia-glx and nvidia-kernel, then remerge.

3: modprobe nvidia, make sure nvidia starts at boot

3: dont forget to "opengl-update nvidia"

4: startx

Other than that I don't know how much help I can be. Maybe someone else has an idea. My only suggestion would be to check if agpart is loaded if you want to use it.

davidmanning · n00b Joined: 09 Oct 2005 Posts: 10

Which driver are you using for your framebuffer?

Apparently it's not currently possible to use the nvidiafb and nvidia's graphics driver at the same time. The nvidiafb "claims" the card and the nvidia driver can't access it. Nvidia says it will be fixed in a future version.

Long story short: if you want the nvidia driver for X, you need to use vesafb or vesafb-tng

TheAxeMaster · n00b Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 50

I compiled in the nvidiafb one, so I guess its time to recompile... =/ I do need the nvidia driver for the TV out, since this system is gonna be a DVR. Ok, recompile time, be back in about 30 minutes!

Oh, should I compile in the vesa-tng as a module?

davidmanning · n00b Joined: 09 Oct 2005 Posts: 10

Can you compile vesafb-tng as a module? seems like you'd need it to load asap...

You shouldn't need to make it a module.

Old School · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 12:19 am Post subject:

I'm having the same problem on an existing stable system. This is on an Asus A7N8x board with an older nvidia card. I've used a genkernel compiled kernel on this system since June and everything has been rock solid, so I decided to build my own kernel. It is a 2.6.12-r10. (genkernel kernel was 2.6.12-r4)
I've got the folowing in the kernel. Sorry I am in my windows side so I can't cut n paste.

psk31 · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 12:53 am Post subject:

Has there been a solution found to this problem? I am getting the very same error trying to modprobe the new ~86 nvidia driver with 2.6.13-gentoo-r3 (fresh install).
card is also a FX5200.
I am stuck. Tried all the ususal fixes (recompiling kernel and drivers after updating to gcc 3.6).
Help!!
psk31

TheAxeMaster · n00b Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 50

Well mine works now yay! I just recompiled the kernel (took like 5 minutes) and loaded it up, everything was fine. Thanks all!

menelmacar, did you compile in support for your graphics card when you did your kernel? If you did, then apparently it won't ever work. I think its under Device Drivers --> Graphics Support, look for an nvidia option, and compile that in as a module (or not at all? You may not need it period) and be sure and compile in as default <*> the vesafb or vesa-tng. I'm not sure compiling your chipset in as a module is the best idea either, I'd do that part as a default.

psk31 · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 1:18 am Post subject:

Ok, I will have to look at my menuconfig. I suspect I have selected the nvidia option. I just went back and tryed an older version of nvidia-kernel and -glx ..same fault.
Can I assume you are still running the FX5200 card?

psk31

Gentoo User · Apprentice Joined: 07 May 2004 Posts: 164

Hello there!

Let me tell you, how an Nvidia card may be set up. Generally, you may use Nvidia drivers directly. It seems to be a good option if something goes wrong with portage programs.

1. Fetch the latest driver from the Nvidia site.
http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html

2. Original nvidia settings are quite all right, so the kernel AGP support may be left blank
(Section character devices)

psk31 · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 2:56 am Post subject:

Yep, that did it. Removing the AGP support within the kernel did the trick!
Thanks mate!

-psk31