kernel ignores PCI Express video card

[djhobo9]

I apologize if this is in the wrong forum... I was looking for a hardware help one but this seemed to be the closest.

Relevant Hardware:
ASUS P5ND2-SLI (w/ 2x PCI Express x16) motherboard
AOpen 6200TC GeForce 128MB PCI Express graphics card

Here goes: I can get Debian installed just fine, but when it comes to X configuration I'm at a dead end. I had previously used this exact system on FreeBSD and had had no video card issues. All the installer and console stuff shows just fine, but when I try to configure the XFree86 system (through the graphical(ish) setup that shows up when I select to install "Desktop Environment"). So I select the "nv" driver which is the exact driver I used with the same card under FreeBSD, and when it gets to bus identifier, the line is blank. I put in PCI:1:0:0, but when I try to launch X I get an error: no devices found, no displays found.

In short, the kernel does not detect my video card, or more precisely says "ignoring PCI device at 1:0:0" which is my video card. How can I fix this?

Note that FreeBSD uses XOrg instead of XFree86, but I've even tried using the new XOrg setup in "etch" to no avail. The "nv" driver is still no good. Neither are any other drivers, regardless of XFree86 or XOrg. I'm convinced it's a hardware issue.

ALSO: This will sound very stupid, I'm sure, but how do I move up and down the console output after I press Scroll Lock? As I've mentioned, I'm coming from FreeBSD where I just hit Scroll Lock and used the arrow keys to see long messages. When I do that (or press any key) in Debian, nothing happens, then I release Scroll Lock and get a bunch of junk on the command line from what I pressed while in Lock. Am I just missing something??

I hope this hasn't become too long... thanks in advance to anyone who can help!

[lestoil]

Maybe you're lookin for Shift-PgUp and Shift-PgDn.
What does lspci show? Does lsmod show NVIDIA nforce4 SLI? The nforce4 has to be in kernel config.
What kernel are you using?Some of newer sarge daily build netinstallers use newer 2.6x. Etch uses 2.6.12x default kernel and Sid 2.6.14x kernel.
Does the vesa driver work in your XF86config or xorgconfig?
Just going by lappy sarge install notes with that card some started with vesa driver then used xorg from backports with nv driver instead of xf86 and upgraded kernel to get pci express nvidia or ati cards working.
Tryng kanotix-2005-04 live cd may help troubleshooting. It has great hw detection and is based on etch/sid combo with 2.6.14x kernel. Debian HCL site may help too.
Good luck.

[djhobo9]

I had a Knoppix cd lying around, and after much tinkering I managed to get the server going in Debian...

Next step is to get that nvidia driver working, but that I should be able to handle myself.

Thanks for your help!

[brokndodge]

As far as i know debian etch uses a kernel compiled for i386. i recently installed the new 2.6.15 off of kernel.org and add the boosplash patch to it, while i was configuring the kernal to werk with bootsplash i saw a new driver for PCIe. it might be possible that the debian etch kernal does not yet support this but i know for a fact that the new one at kernel.org does. by the way i have had no issues whatsoever running 2.6.15 with etch.