Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Driver Problems

[fatsheep]

I have been having a lot of trouble getting the Nvidia drivers to work on this system. All other methods that I am familiar with failed miserably so I decided to try downloading the drivers and installing them directly with the instructions on method 2 of this guide. I am using the AMD64/EM64T driver for installation.

Some computer specs:

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 @ 2.13 Ghz (stock speed)
Memory: 2 Gb DDR2 800 Dual Channel Kit
Graphics Card: EVGA Nvidia Geforce 7600 GT
Motherboard: Gigabyte P35-DS3R
Monitor: Acer 22" LCD Widescreen (native resolution of 1680x1050)


When I install using method 2 (linked to above), Xserver crashes when I restart gdm. The /var/log/Xorg.0.log file is attached below. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

- fatsheep

[netllama]

See the forum sticky posts.

[fatsheep]

Originally Posted by netllama

See the forum sticky posts.

Sorry about that. I have attached the nvidia-installer.log and nvidia-bug-report.log to the above post and I have also ensured my system met the requirements specified in this sticky for Ubuntu.

[netllama]

(EE) NVIDIA(0): The NVIDIA kernel module does not appear to be receiving
(EE) NVIDIA(0): interrupts generated by the NVIDIA graphics device
(EE) NVIDIA(0): PCI:1:0:0. Please see Chapter 8: Common Problems in the
(EE) NVIDIA(0): README for additional information.

[fatsheep]

Originally Posted by netllama

(EE) NVIDIA(0): The NVIDIA kernel module does not appear to be receiving
(EE) NVIDIA(0): interrupts generated by the NVIDIA graphics device
(EE) NVIDIA(0): PCI:1:0:0. Please see Chapter 8: Common Problems in the
(EE) NVIDIA(0): README for additional information.

Okay I found the info in the README. Thanks for pointing that out. However, the only place I know of for viewing IRQs is on bootup and its only for a split second. There must be a better way for viewing the IRQs of devices?

Also, the error log references "PCI:1:0:0". In the CMOS config utility, I can control the IRQ assignment for PCI1, PC2, and PCI3. They are all set to auto right now but I could specify a number.

[netllama]

The problem here is that you're not getting interrupts, so there's not going to be anything to view. /proc/interrupts shows what is currently being used.

This is a kernel or BIOS bug.

[fatsheep]

Originally Posted by netllama

The problem here is that you're not getting interrupts, so there's not going to be anything to view. /proc/interrupts shows what is currently being used.

This is a kernel or BIOS bug.

Well looks like it's time to update the BIOS.

[fatsheep]

I've looked on Gigabyte's website and none of the BIOS updates have anything to do with this problem and I am having trouble getting the BIOS update program to detect the file stored on my flash drive. I am thinking, I will probably have to apply these kernel parameters mentioned in the README.

I did a little googling and it looks like I can add these kernel parameters to the text file /etc/sysctl.conf. I'm going to back up the file and try adding these parameters one at a time but if you have any information I should know or advice I should hear, please tell me.

Thanks,

- fatsheep

[fatsheep]

I have substituted my trusty old 6600 GT card in place of the 7600 GT and everything is A OK now. Apparently the 7600 GT was in good enough condition to run the VESA drivers correctly and pass POST but could not handle the accelerated NVIDIA drivers. There was no software problem, it was the graphics card. I am going to RMA it to newegg ASAP. I feel relieved that the problem is solved. Thanks for your help anyway and I apologize for bringing you on this wild goose chase. I should have checked the video card sooner. This is the first time I've had a graphics card that will work fine and pass post until the accelerated NVIDIA drivers are installed.

- sheep

[smp5]

fatsheep:

usually the kernel parameters go into /boot/grub/menu.lst or you can add them manually for the duration of the boot at the grub menu itself when your system starts.

Did you try booting your system with and without acpi and some of the related boot params? Some of them affect the way the /proc/interrupts will accumulate.

Good luck with the next modern card, maybe you will have to reinvestigate this if the card itself was ok.