OpenGL gone after new kernel installed [SOLVED]

[jakeyboy]

I've been reading with interest, other posts concerning problems with screen resolutions after upgrading to new distribution versions such as 8.10 etc, but I have had similar problems with just a kernel update.  I have an Nvidia Geforce 6200 graphics card which was working perfectly well with ENvyng drivers, until now.  I cannot boot into my favoured resolution "1440 x 900" but have to manually set this via K> System Settings> Monitor & Display on each re-boot!!  Also, Nvidia-settings reports that I am not running an X server, and I should  "nvidia-xconfig" from root and restart x server!!  As far as I am aware, I have done this several times to no avail.  I'd appreciate any help with this, as I have no OpenGL support!!

[dibl]

Re: OpenGL gone after new kernel installed

I have an Nvidia Geforce 6200 graphics card which was working perfectly well with ENvyng drivers, until now.

Except for the case where you are using the nvidia-glx-xxx packaged driver, a kernel upgrade will normally result in non-functioning proprietary driver.

Assuming you still have EnvyNG installed, here's what to do:

1. Exit the GUI with Ctrl-Alt-F1, and log in there.

2. Shut down the X server by issuing

sudo /etc/init.d/kdm stop

3. Run EnvyNG in text mode:

sudo envyng -t

4. From the EnvyNG menu, select #1 "Install the Driver" and let it do it's process.

5. When EnvyNG is finished and returns you to its menu, exit EnvyNG and issue this command:

sudo nvidia-xconfig

to write a new /etc/X11/xorg.conf file.

6. Restart the X server by issuing

sudo /etc/init.d/kdm start

7. Enjoy the view!


p.s. Don't use System Settings > Monitor & Display while running the proprietary driver! If you need to adjust the display settings, use Alt-F2 "nvidia-settings" with no quote marks.

[jakeyboy]

Re: OpenGL gone after new kernel installed

Hi dibl! Prompt and excellent advice as usual, thanks. Unfortunately this time, no joy! I did indeed have EnvyNG installed, followed your advice and when I restarted the X-server the screen flashed/refreshed a couple of times and I was presented with "nvidia (173.14.12): Already installed on this kernel" A couple more refreshes followed by a blank screen, prompting me to reboot via ctrl,alt,delete! I then tried recovery mode, (kernel 2.26.24-24-generic) same result. A further reboot, and this time I selected "recovery mode" from the only other kernel listed, (2.26.24-23-generic) and after selecting "repair X server" I eventually got back to the kdm login screen, the resolution of which incidentally, was fine!! After logging in though, I was returned to a 640 x480 desktop. I opted to change resolution via "nvidia-settings" as recommended, and was told I wasn't running the nvidia x server, and to run "nvidia-xconfig" as root and restart the x server! I am thoroughly bamboozled!!

[dibl]

Re: OpenGL gone after new kernel installed

Meh -- I have a sinking feeling that EnvyNG is no longer being maintained, and is falling into disrepair.

I advise you to try installing the downloaded driver package, following the guidance here:

http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...4892#msg164892

Do all the steps there, including the ones before Step #1, for best results.

You might as well try the Beta driver, 185.18.08. I haven't had time to install it yet (maybe tonight), but the prior Beta 185.18.04 runs great.

[jakeyboy]

Re: OpenGL gone after new kernel installed

Thanks dibl, I will try that, and let you know. Wish me luck!!!.

[jakeyboy]

Re: OpenGL gone after new kernel installed

No luck I'm afraid!! The 185.18.08. beta driver installed okay, but screen resolution is just 640 x 480 with no option in nvidia-settings to set it any higher. Also, when I reboot into default kernel 2.6.24-24-generic, I just end up in the CLI with "* Running local boot scripts (/etc/rc.local)" and the only way I can get things running normal, is by restarting, choosing kernel 2.6.24-23-generic (recovery mode) and choosing to fix the X server. This way, I have a perfect resolution until I log in, then I have to reset to 1440 x 900 via the system settings because nvidia-settings informs me I have no nvidia-x server running or something like that??

[dibl]

Re: OpenGL gone after new kernel installed

This almost smacks of the driver not detecting your monitor (LCD or CRT).

If you open nvidia-settings in "Super User" mode, via Alt-F2 "kdesudo nvidia-settings" with no quote marks, there is a "Detect Display" button -- can you try that and see if it decides to offer you the chance to set the resolution? I have not seen the situation that you are describing where it won't let you choose a different resolution -- something is not hooking up as expected. :P

[jakeyboy]

Re: OpenGL gone after new kernel installed

Thanks for your prompt reply once again dibl. Nah, I tried that, absolutely nothing happened! I think the problem may be with the xorg.conf file, because the one that the new driver created gives me nvidia-settings working, but low resolution, and when the recovery console overwrites it, I get the option to change the resolution but nvidia x server is not available?? So I have to set the res through "Monitor & Display" and this in turn leaves me with a perfect res, but no OpenGL drivers!!

[jakeyboy]

Re: OpenGL gone after new kernel installed

Update: Right, I've managed to get the other resolutions available in "nvidia-settings" by simply editing all instances of "640x480" in the xorg.config to 1440x900!! Only problem now seems to be that although I still get the preferred res when I arrive at the login screen, I still have to change it back using "nvidia settings" when I get to the desktop. I don't understand this! Why would the system present me with the correct res at the login screen, and then revert to a lower res once I have logged in? Okay, I can live with setting the res each time I restart because I now have my OpenGL support, but it's just not right is it? There has to be a fix or something, right?

[dibl]

Re: OpenGL gone after new kernel installed

Probably a "modeline" will fix it. I'll post the applicable stanza from my xorg.conf file when I'm home in a couple of hours -- I think you'll be able to cut & paste a fix into yours.

[dibl]

Re: OpenGL gone after new kernel installed

Here are the important sections of my /etc/X11/xorg.conf file -- I think some of it might help you, especially the "modeline":

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
VendorName "Unknown"
ModelName "Samsung SyncMaster"
HorizSync 30.0 - 130.0
VertRefresh 50.0 - 160.0
Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Device0"
Driver "nvidia"
VendorName "NVIDIA Corporation"
BoardName "GeForce GTX 260"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Device0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 24
Option "TwinView" "0"
Option "TwinViewXineramaInfoOrder" "CRT-0"
Option "metamodes" "1600x1200 +0+0"
Option "Coolbits" "1"
Option "AllowGLXWithComposite" "True"
Option "AddARGBLXVisuals" "True"
Option "AddARGBVisuals" "True"
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection

[jakeyboy]

Re: OpenGL gone after new kernel installed

Many thanks dibl, for all your help. With a bit of luck, this will help. Not too sure what you mean by "modeline" to be honest, but I'll have a look at both your's and mine for comparison. Probably post back some time tomorrow. Thanks again.

[dibl]

Re: OpenGL gone after new kernel installed

Sorry, I wasn't very clear on that. Check out the red line -- try pasting in one like that, with your desired resolution.

[jakeyboy]

Re: OpenGL gone after new kernel installed

Thanks for clearing that up my friend, but guess what...........I edited the line to look exactly like yours except for the resolution, saved it, re-booted and everything was perfect........................................... ..until I logged in!!!!!!!! Resolution was again set to 640x480!! I had to reset it to 1440x900 via nvidia-settings again. One other thing though, unless I save the xorg.conf file via super user mode, it reports that it can't create a xorg.conf.backup file. Also, I've not been sure whether to merge it or not? I've tried both of course, but still the same result. Surely something is over-riding the settings when I log in to kde - (3.5.10 btw) ?

[dibl]

Re: OpenGL gone after new kernel installed

Mehhhhh -- there's something buggered in your system configuration. When KDM first runs, it should present the "greeter", which apparently it is, and then when you log in it should present your "desktop" or customary display at the same resolution. It should not change resolutions between the greeter and the desktop! So, something is funky about your setup -- I can't say for sure what it is. Did you ever attempt to run the X server while you were in "sudo" or root mode? That is one way to mess it up.

If you are willing to sacrifice your custom settings, I would say you are at a point where you need to nuke the .kde folder in your user directory, and let it be rebuilt in a new login session. To do that, Ctrl-Alt-F1 out of the X session, log in, shut down the X server with

sudo /etc/init.d/kdm stop

and then rename the folder with a command like

mv .kde .kde_bak_7may09

After you have done these, THEN install the downloaded nVidia driver as per prior guidance, after the installer completes its routine, use the

sudo nvidia-xconfig

command to write a clean new xorg.conf file, and THEN restart the X server with

sudo /etc/init.d/kdm start

and log in. In the new X session, a new .kde folder will be built with all default settings, and you should get a clean KDE 3.5.10 desktop.

I'll cross my fingers .....