nVidia drivers + Red Hat Linux 7.3

[Error404]

Hi all.

There was a thread by borgzilla on installing drivers under Red Hat Linux 7.3. That was when I thought, I wouldnt get into much trouble, now it seems I can't get this smoothed out.

Sorry to know that this forum fell prey to an attack recently :(
But at least some of the discussion in that particular thread was saved on my h/disk :)

And thanx to all who posted then for providing me w/ some insights regarding having GeForce 2 MX 200cards functioning in RH7.3.

But still a problem here :( ???

I followed every instruction I found pertaining to my circumstances and did what was necessary. And this included:

1) compiled kernel-2.4.18-5.i386.rpm w/ the appropriate kernel-source-2.4.18-5.i386.rpm and glibc-kernheaders- 2.4-7.16.i386.rpm. No glitches there :) Rebooted and selected the newkernel in Runlevel 3.

2) ran ./NVchooser.sh
It told me to use these files :
NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2960.src.rpm
NVIDIA_GLX-1.0-2960.i386.rpm

3) Edited etc/modules.conf to include alias char-major-195 NVdriver

4) rpm --rebuild NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2960.src.rpm

5) cd'ed into usr/src/redhat/RPMS/i386 and rpm -ivh NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2960.rpm

An error here :
Warning:loading /lib/modules/2.4.18-5-July2002/kernel/drivers/video/NVdriver will taint the kernel : non-GPL license - NVIDIA

6) copied NVdriver to usr/src/linux-2.4.18-5/drivers/video

6) Went on w/ rpm -ivh NVIDIA_GLX-1.0-2960.i386.rpm[/B]. No error there.

7) Edited [i]XF86Config-4 as needed and startx, tho of course to no avail, since the above error needs resolving first.

8) The nVidia logo flashed brilliantly for 2-3 secs, and then it became distorted and my system freezed.

My bet is this taint error. What next? How do I get that taint error fixed?

Thanx in advance.

ps / here's a portion of my XFree86.0.log. If any of you is wondering if I had entered the wrong values for my monitor freqs. nope. I know very certain of them: 30-69 Khz; 50-120 Hz.

(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "1024x768" (bad mode
clock/interlace/doublescan)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "512x384" (bad mode
clock/interlace/doublescan)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "1280x960" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "640x480" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "1280x1024" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "640x512" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "1280x1024" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "640x512" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "1600x1200" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "800x600" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "1600x1200" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "800x600" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "1600x1200" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "800x600" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "1600x1200" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "800x600" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "1600x1200" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "800x600" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "1792x1344" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "896x672" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "1792x1344" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "896x672" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "1856x1392" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "928x696" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "1856x1392" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "928x696" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "1920x1440" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "960x720" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "1920x1440" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "960x720" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "1152x864" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "576x432" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "1400x1050" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "700x525" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "1400x1050" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "700x525" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "1400x1050" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "700x525" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "1920x1200" (hsync out of range)
(II) NVIDIA(0): Not using default mode "960x600" (hsync out of range)
(**) NVIDIA(0): Validated modes for Display Device 0:
(**) NVIDIA(0): Default mode "800x600": 56.3 MHz, 53.7 kHz, 85.1 Hz
(II) NVIDIA(0): Virtual screen size determined to be 800 x 600
(--) NVIDIA(0): Display dimensions: (280, 210) mm
(--) NVIDIA(0): DPI set to (72, 72)

~~
(==) NVIDIA(0): Backing store disabled
(==) NVIDIA(0): Silken mouse enabled
(**) Option "dpms"
(**) NVIDIA(0): DPMS enabled
(II) Loading extension NV-GLX
(II) Loading extension NV-CONTROL
(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 XFree86-Bigfont
(II) Initializing built-in extension RENDER
(II) [GLX]: Calling GlxExtensionInit

Fatal server error:
Caught signal 11. Server aborting

[Thunderbird]

Those resolution errors are caused by something else. Likely your monitor doesn't support Edid for reading out resolutions. To remove these errors add the following line to your device/screen section of your XF86config-4 file:
Option "IgnoreEdid" "1"

Then those errors will be gone, but those errors aren't "crashing" X. It were only errors meaning that the drivers couldn't verify if the resolutions are supported by your monitor. Because it couldn't verify any mode it used:
(**) NVIDIA(0): Default mode "800x600": 56.3 MHz, 53.7 kHz, 85.1 Hz
(II) NVIDIA(0): Virtual screen size determined to be 800 x 600

The real error is somewhere else. Can you paste the rest of your Xf86Config-4 file?

[Paladin21]

Ignore the "taint" error. All that is telling you is that you are injecting proprietary code (i.e. not-open-source) into your linux kernel. It is not really an error per se, more like an advisory statement. I would guess from your details that you error is caused by trying to load the default GLX extensions when starting X. Make sure that you read over the help file on which extensions to enable and disable. I can't remember off the top of my head, but I know that you do need to use ONLY the nVidia extensions, not the default XFree ones. If you still have problems, post your XF86Config file and I'll take a look at it.

[Bern]

You can try running the attached script to check your install. (rename to nv_check.sh).

[Error404]

Thanx guys.

I ran that nv_check.sh and everything seems to be in place. Nothing so much as a missing file there :)

Here's my XF86Config-4.


# XFree86 4.2.0 configuration generated by Xconfigurator 4.10.7

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "XFree86 Configured"
Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0
InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
EndSection

# Red Hat Linux 6.0 and later use the xfs font server for improved
# interactive performance

Section "Files"
FontPath "unix/:7100"
EndSection

# Module loading section

Section "Module"
Load "dbe" # Double-buffering
Load "glx" # OpenGL X protocol interface
Load "extmod" # Misc. required extensions
Load "v4l" # Video4Linux
# Load "record" # X event recorder
# You only need the following two modules if you do not use xfs.
# Load "freetype" # TrueType font handler
# Load "type1" # Adobe Type 1 font handler
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "keyboard"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Mouse0"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Device" "/dev/mouse"
Option "Protocol" "Microsoft"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "on"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "CustomConfiguration"
VendorName "Unknown"
ModelName "Unknown"
HorizSync 30-69
VertRefresh 50-120
Option "dpms"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "NVIDIA GeForce 2 MX (generic)"
Driver "nvidia"
BoardName "Unknown"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Linux Frame Buffer"
Driver "fbdev"
BoardName "Unknown"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "NVIDIA GeForce 2 MX (generic)"
Monitor "CustomConfiguration"
DefaultDepth 16
Subsection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "800x600"
EndSubSection
EndSection

[Error404]

Hi all

I checked everything on GLX extensions in Appendix C of the
readme.txt. Checked if the necessary component files were there. Positive:)

From the readme
OpenGL and GLX header files
(/usr/share/doc/NVIDIA_GLX-1.0/include/GL/gl.h,
/usr/share/doc/NVIDIA_GLX-1.0/include/GL/glx.h). In most
circumstances the system provided headers in /usr/include/GL should
suffice for OpenGL development. But NVIDIA has provided these
headers as they contain the most up to date versions of NVIDIA's
OpenGL extensions. If you wish to make use of these headers it is
recommended that you copy them to /usr/include/GL/


But I dont have this directory :
/usr/include/GL
Do I need to create it and copy those 2 files here?

Symlinks are ok too. This file is already present :
/usr/X11R6/lib/xxx.libGL.so.1.2.RPMSAVE if it means anything ???

The /dev files created by NVIDIA_kernel installation are also there.

So it looks like everything is in place. The readme section suggests to
test the ldd command but I'm not sure how to go abt running it.

After making sure every piece of the puzzle is attached together, I
insmod NVdriver and then ran ldconfig.

Started x but still no progress. X freezed at the nVidia logo.

What next???

Thanx guys for trying to help a noob here :)

ps/ see my XF86Config-4 above.

[Error404]

Forgot to mention :

I gave this command xdpyinfo and it said something like :
unable to open display ""

Is this attributable to an error w/ my display or something? How do I fix it then?

It's getting more frustrating here, I've already reinstalled and then recompiled the new kernel for nearly a week now.

Any help / ideas really appreciated :)

Thanx.

[rlc]

Are you running xdpyinfo from Xwindows?

[Error404]

No.

I'm running it from the prompt after loging in Linux 3 mode.

#xdpyinfo and then entered.

Xwindows wont start by startx. It freeses at the nVidia logo.

Do you think i need to reinstall everyting and then do another recompile of the latest kernel?

Thanx.

[Error404]

Are there any chances if I just use the original kernel version that comes w/ RHL 7.3 i.e. kernel version 2.4.18-3?

Never tried that before but this driver installing business is getting out hand... :(

[vforge37]

If you revert back to the regular RH kernel you could use the precompiled packages and again, it should work.

And hey, if it doesn't work, you can just go back to 2.4.18-5 when you boot into lilo, no?

If anything, it might help by giving out different errors.

[Error404]

Ok thanx.

I'll look into reinstalling everything and starting again from the ground up. I'll give kernel 2.4.18-3 a try and see if there's any progress.

[Error404]

Hi again

It looks like I'm still having the same problem here.

kernel version 2.4.18-3 was recompiled w/o error.

Followed every step installing nvidia drivers as in my post above.
startx freezed at the nvidia logo.

I'm on a built -in video, GeForce 2 MX 200. Mobo is MSI K7N 420 Pro.

I've also tried a friend's external GeForce 2 MX 200 64Mb. The outcome was no different...

Someone, anyone please HELP!!!!!

See attachments : XF86Config-4 and XFree86.0.log and also dmesg if it would help.

[Error404]

Oh well, the attached file seems to have lost format...

Here it is again :

[Error404]

Just view the source of the file...

Thanx.

[Error404]

Do you guys think I'll just have to abandon all this crap?

Or how abt a change of distro? I might wanna give Mandrake a try if it's not gonna be that frustrating when it comes to simple drivers installation???

Again I'm wondering if everything w/ linux is this mind numbing...

[furtzi]

hello,

i have the similiar problems with my redhat 7.3 and kernel-2.4.18-5.

i just updated to that kernel from -3 so the nvidia drivers "crashed". yes that borgzilla's thread was great, there i got the help for this problem...but now there is no such thread so i need that help again.

the sources wont compile (drivers 29.60) and rpm's nether. there was some sort of tweak...it only makes error "Failed to initialize the NVdriver kernel module!"

[Error404]

Finally I got X working under RHL 7.3 :D :D :D after nearly a month of building, rising frustration!

Basically here's what I did:

1) Did a fresh installation off the CDs. Let it configure my X during installation tho I knew it wouldnt do anything. Created a bootdisk and when the installation was done, rebooted.

-Upon reboot, X didnt start (of course), but I let it went on anyway, so that it could generate a XF86Config-4 file for later editing.

-Rebooted the second time off the floppy, and typed linux 3 at the boot prompt so that X wouldnt start upon reboot.

-I DID NOT do any kernel recompilation! The kernel I'm using is 2.4.18-3. But just make sure you have both the kernel-source and kernel-headers installed. In RHL 7.3, kernel-headers is renamed to glibc-kernheaders so you need to install this file.

2) After installation I just installed both NVIDIA rpm files. Now, NVchooser told me to use other files but I just went on w/ these two source files:

NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2960.src.rpm
NVIDIA_GLX-1.0-2960.src.rpm

3) cd'ed into the /usr/src/redhat/RPMS/i386 and installed the rpm files w/o any error.

-If you encounter any error here, most probably there are dependencies error. *

4) edited /etc/modules.conf and /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 as necessary (consult the readme file which comes w/ your driver packages)

5) startx and voilla X was crisp and clear.

* You might run into dependencies problems when trying to rpm --build or rpm -ivh your packages. In this case just install the required packages first, going back each time there's such error notification (not an error really, just a reminder that your missing some certain packeages).

**Read the readme.txt carefully. Most of your problems will have answers there.

Hope this helps and good luck!

One important thing dont be disheartened! There's always a way around:)