PC Lock-out on Xserver start

[Clint Weston]

I have recently 'upgraded' from SuSE10.1 to 10.2 dual boot with Win XP. Under 10.1 I installed the latest Nvidia Drivers, and all was OK.

Since going to SuSE10.2 I have lost 3D acceleration - and so need to install later drivers. I have GeForce 2 on board GPU.

I hav etried a number of ways - following the various instructions on this site, and the Nvidia site...from using YaST, to completing the action with the CLI. Each approach culminates with the Nvidia splash screen, and then a complete machine freeze.

The first time I installed 9746 , I used Package Manager, and had to re-boot with the installation DVD, and 'update' the packages - I removed the nvidia sources, which allowed me to run with the nv driver.

After completing the 'update' used the CLI with the same 9746 driver - and got an error message, saying that the 96xx series was the latest that supported my GPU. So I downloaded 9631, and repeated the CLI install. I ran the pkg1.run file - and received 'ok' message...now run sax2...which I duly did - windows completely unusable...could just about remember the key stroke order/positions of buttons to reboot...used Installer Update again.

Found on the page here that others had problems with SuSE10.2, saying that 9629 was the latest driver set that matched my set-up..so tried again (from the CLI) with the older archive driver. Same result - Nvidia Splash Screen lockout

However, now the Installation Update DVD does not show any nvidia packages to be removed - therefore I am unable to reboot into SuSE10.2 as on the HDD. I have to use a Knoppix 5.0 Live CD to get access to my system.

Does anyone know how I can change the settings (from the Knioppix Live CD)so that the HDD system boots using the 'original' nv drivers (with no 3d acceleration)?

I'm afraid I'm a 'relative noob' - but keen to experiment with these things - but I don't even know where to find the nvidia-install.log (or the bug log)

I have looked at the xorg.conf file and that now shows 'Device' as using the nv driver...but still no joy.

Any help greatly apprecieted. There must be someway of booting back into the SuSE system without me having to re-install the OS...surely...?


I found a few messages, saying that

[netllama]

http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=58498

[Clint Weston]

Here is the error log. There are 2 options...
1) stick at this until I can get it working
2) remove the nvidia drivers and allow me to run in 1280x1024, with no 3d.

Ideally I would like 1, but if this is too complex, then ideas on how to achieve 2 greatly appreciated...at the moment my SuSE machine is completely u/s

I can just about launch into Run Level 3...but if I try startx the whole system crashes down.

[netllama]

From your bug report there are a few problems:

(WW) NVIDIA(0): Insufficient memory bandwidth for MetaMode "1280x1024";
(WW) NVIDIA(0): discarding.
(WW) NVIDIA(0): Insufficient memory bandwidth for MetaMode "800x512";
(WW) NVIDIA(0): discarding.
(WW) NVIDIA(0): The NVIDIA X driver has encountered too many errors. Falling
(WW) NVIDIA(0): back to legacy PCI mode.
(EE) NVIDIA(0): Error recovery failed.
(EE) NVIDIA(0): *** Aborting ***

A few things to try:
0) Does setting NvAGP to 0 in xorg.conf have any impact?
1) Have you verified that you're using the latest motherboard BIOS?

[Clint Weston]

Originally Posted by netllama

From your bug report there are a few problems:

(WW) NVIDIA(0): Insufficient memory bandwidth for MetaMode "1280x1024";
(WW) NVIDIA(0): discarding.
(WW) NVIDIA(0): Insufficient memory bandwidth for MetaMode "800x512";
(WW) NVIDIA(0): discarding.
(WW) NVIDIA(0): The NVIDIA X driver has encountered too many errors. Falling
(WW) NVIDIA(0): back to legacy PCI mode.
(EE) NVIDIA(0): Error recovery failed.
(EE) NVIDIA(0): *** Aborting ***

I have run 3d graphics under SuSE10.1, so this 'should' be OK

Originally Posted by netllama

A few things to try:
0) Does setting NvAGP to 0 in xorg.conf have any impact?

I will try. Manually editing I guess?

Originally Posted by netllama

1) Have you verified that you're using the latest motherboard BIOS?

How do I do this?

[netllama]

Yes, you need to edit xorg.conf to make the change.

You'd need to look on the motherboard vendor's website for a newer BIOS.

[Clint Weston]

No luck...
I just want to get back to the old way...how do I remove the 'new' nvidia drivers - I guess go back to nv???

Help me please.......

even trying to boot into Run Level 3 doesn't work now....

But I do have a Live CD I can use...

[netllama]

If booting to runlevel 3 isn't working then this isn't an nvidia driver bug. You can uninstall the NVIDIA driver with the --uninstall option, and then replace 'nvidia' with 'nv' in xorg.conf.

[Clint Weston]

During the Run Level 3 boot, I get the usual system info displayed, then it displays the Nvidia splash screen - and hangs....same as when trying to run the x server

[Clint Weston]

Given up. Whichever run level I went into the nvidia splash screen came up and froze.
From my Live CD I was unable to save the xorg file.
Reinstalling SuSE10.2...I won't bother with the nvidia drivers again...shame as thereare some 1/2 decent games/utilities...just as well I still have the M$ XP dual boot.
Thanks for your help