Xorg (1.10.1) crashes with NVIDIA drivers (275.09.07) on Debian (grml)

[BCable]

I'm using the most recent version of Xorg that is available in the Debian repository (unstable) and it flashes the NVIDIA logo and crashes the whole computer immediately after. Ctrl+Alt+F[0-9] do nothing when this happens.

I've tried reverting to an older NVIDIA driver, but they either cause the same issues (27x.y.z) or require version ignoring for ABI (26x.y.z) which leads to a segfault.

I would be fine running vesa for now, but it doesn't support 1366x768 resolution so I either have to deal with a bad resolution or have part of the screen cut off.

Linux dalek 2.6.38-grml64 #1 SMP PREEMPT Tue May 24 23:35:23 UTC 2011 x86_64 GNU/Linux
NVIDIA GeForce GT 220M
Xorg 1.10.1
NVIDIA Drivers 275.09.07

Logs:
xorg.conf: htp://pastebin.com/NAvdc2Cy
startx output: htp://pastebin.com/1k2anM95
Xorg.0.log: htp://pastebin.com/6DNaR1KW

Any help would be appreciated.

[Dapper Dan]

This may help... Link

[BCable]

This may help... Link

If I understand that correctly (it wasn't very clear), you got it working with the 270.30 drivers. I downloaded them and installed them and the same error occurred.

I do have a TEMPORARY fix for this, but it's not much of a fix. I have "GLX" and "DRI" disabled, and everything is working okay (except mplayer and dosbox, but wine works... haha).

Here's the code added to the xorg.conf:

Section "Module"
    Disable "dri"
    Disable "glx"
EndSection

I also tried, to someone else's suggestion, this, which also did not work:

Section "Device"
	Identifier	"NVIDIA GeForce"
	Driver	"nvidia"
	VendorName	"NVIDIA Corporation"
	Option	"RegistryDwords" "PowerMizerEnable=0x1; PerfLevelSrc=0x2222; PowerMizerDefault=0x3; PowerMizerDefaultAC=0x1"
	Option	"NoLogo"	"1"
EndSection

[Rubberman]

Well, the 275.09.07 driver is supposed to support xorg 1.10 and later. Did you fully uninstall the old driver, and install the new on in run level 3 (text mode)? So, boot into text mode, uninstall the old driver. Reboot into text mode, install the new 275.09.07 driver, and try to start the xserver (using the startx command) to see what happens. If there are xorg problems, you should see error messages that may help diagnose the problem.

[BCable]

Well, the 275.09.07 driver is supposed to support xorg 1.10 and later. Did you fully uninstall the old driver, and install the new on in run level 3 (text mode)? So, boot into text mode, uninstall the old driver. Reboot into text mode, install the new 275.09.07 driver, and try to start the xserver (using the startx command) to see what happens. If there are xorg problems, you should see error messages that may help diagnose the problem.

It was a fresh install, and yes I was in run level 3. You're basically just explaining the installation process, which doesn't help at all.

I already posted my X logs so you can see for yourself what it is doing.

[Rubberman]

It was a fresh install, and yes I was in run level 3. You're basically just explaining the installation process, which doesn't help at all.

I already posted my X logs so you can see for yourself what it is doing.

From the logs and startx output, it is trying to display on screen1 which has not been defined in your xorg.conf file. How did you generate that? Did you run the nvidia-xconfig command, or let the installer generate it for you? Or did you hand generate it? Also, since the current versions of xorg do not require an xorg.conf file, you might try removing/renaming it and try startx again.

[BCable]

From the logs and startx output, it is trying to display on screen1 which has not been defined in your xorg.conf file. How did you generate that? Did you run the nvidia-xconfig command, or let the installer generate it for you? Or did you hand generate it? Also, since the current versions of xorg do not require an xorg.conf file, you might try removing/renaming it and try startx again.

I have a VGA cable plugged in, I tried it both with it plugged in and not. It also says it's using "/usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d". I didn't think to check there as I had never heard of it before. Maybe something is in there that is not supposed to be.

I used nvidia-xconfig to generate that xorg.conf.

And yes, I had tried running it without xorg.conf. It started with vesa loaded at 1280x768 and half of the display cut off.

[Dapper Dan]

I have a VGA cable plugged in, I tried it both with it plugged in and not. It also says it's using "/usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d". I didn't think to check there as I had never heard of it before. Maybe something is in there that is not supposed to be.

I had this same experience. I kept editing /etc/X11/xorg.conf and my configuration wouldn't take. I notice in /etc/X11, there was xorg.conf.d and looked in there. Sure enough, there was an xorg.conf in there too and that is what it was reading. Either remove /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d and use /etc/X11/xorg.conf or edit /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/xorg.conf. I'd go with the later since that's obviously how they want to do it now.

EDIT: Just noticed your path is /usr/share/X11 and not /etc/X11 like mine but it's the same difference once inside X11. .

Edit2: Looking further, it may not be. Just found two on mine too.

sh-4.2$ locate xorg.conf.d
/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d
/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/xorg.conf
/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/xorg.conf~
/usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d
/usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/10-evdev.conf
/usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf

[BoDiddley]

This information may or may not be useful, however - since I just successfully installed Nvidia drivers I will share.

First I identified my specific driver version. "Nvidia GeForce 4 420 Go 32" (I logged into Windows and checked devices).

Then I was back to the many horned beast of what to install, the Nvidia kernal, some variation, actual drivers, or libraries. After much research, I found that DKMS was a very useful term because it pertained to version stability. After trying to find "Nvidia-glx-legacy-96XX-ia32 (non-free) in the packages, I was unable to get the package name correct - which turned out to be a good thing. Then I tried to install the download tar.gz for the same. This was way over my head, however the "Read me's" provided some very valuable information - I will get to later.

After more exhaustive research I realized that the package was simply "Nvidia-glx-legacy-96XX". I installed it using apt-get. Everything went fine it loaded the dkms, and kernel - but I noticed no change. I installed "Nvidia-Settings", and it told me to create a config file using the same method you used. That did not work. So i went back to the previously mentioned "read me" from the manual install and it said that /etc/x11/xorg.conf would need to be modified, or created. Since I did not have one I created it. 4 simple lines:

Section "Device"
Identifier "My Gpu"
Driver "Nvidia"
EndSection

It also said that if I use multiple screens, which I do to set Twin View, also. Which I did:

Section
Identifier "My Screens"
Option "TwinView" "1"
EndSection

After this I rebooted, got the splash screen, logged-in and brought-up Nvidia-Settings again, and my specific driver was properly identified, thus a complete success.

In addition, Qt4 was removed, and I once had a problem with the top toolbar on all windows not displaying correctly - Not file, the computer icon above it that has "maximize" - that is now fixed, as well.

I use a hybrid load of Debian, I installed kernel image 2.6.26.2-686 Lenny, to get ReiserFS. Then I piggybacked 2.6.32.5-686 on top of it to get LXDE. Which basically means, because I did not initially install any desktop at all - I had to build my own, from LXDE. I have the option of booting into either kernel. I only use 32.5. Nvidia also informed me that it would only be using 32.5 (dkms).

What I have found is that extensive research is required if you are not an experienced Linux user because you have to understand what to load. There are many sources available to do the same thing, but not all will do it correctly. Simply loading the drivers will confuse your system, if you did not load the proper libraries, and in my case the Nvidia kernal - although, you are free to load the drivers, if you so choose.

I tackle major issues about once every couple of weeks because it can be an intense process, if like myself - you are not experienced. I have yet the need for a manual install. I only use Debian packages. However, it is crucial that you choose the right one. However, as long as you remember the correct package name, if it is not correct simply remove, and autoremove - be careful of purge. I used purge one time and it went beyond the bounds of the package installed and damaged my build.

I do my research in Debian Packages website, and Synaptic. Synaptic is good because you can search on a word, say Nvidia, and after being presented with all the options, research the package names on the Debian Packages website.

I have one remaining major project, my sound is being utilized properly - but not at the proper levels. I say one remaining project because I use only the basic system... not a gamer, or programmer just basic applications in a more secure environment.

So in a couple of weeks I will make Debian respond to my systems audio driver (Compaq Presario Notebook R3300US - purchased in 2004, still running like a charm)