A strange screen.

[HermanDegenhart]

Hi,
Since I clicked EnvyNG one day, installed NVIDIA and rebooted my computer (recommended, (Dell Inspiron 6400)), something strange happened. First it seemed Kubuntu was starting up the normal way, but then a black screen appeared with textlines in white giving the startup process. For instance with lines like: Starting DCHP D-BUS daemon dhcdbd and then [OK] at the right end of the line. The last line runs: Running local boot scripts (etc/rc.local) with [OK]at the right end. At the beginning of the new line is the cursor, obviously expecting me to type something in. But what? I tried already CTRL+C, but to no avail.
As I don know what my computer is expecting me to do and as I cannot shut down my machine, I have to shut it down by pressing the power button for several seconds. How to reconquer my machine?

[dibl]

Re: A strange screen.

Noooooooooo - don't use the power button to shut it down! If you have a blinking white cursor, do Alt-F1 to get the command line, log in, and issue

sudo shutdown now -r

Worst case if you believe it is "frozen", do Ctrl-Alt-SysRq and then R - S - E - I - U - B to shut it down.

[nowshining]

Re: A strange screen.

what ur seeeing is the background - ur problem - the KDM can't boot due to it not seeing the Nvidia driver-

that blinking cursor is waiting for u to type ur log-in name and pw to log-in to the Commandline ie: non GUI interface. just type ur username as usual and pw as uaual - it won't show as you type. once done u should be logged in


from the cli (rem. linux/unix are case-sensitive when it comes to files, etc..)

type: lynx http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html

when asked to allow cookies type the letter v on ur keyboard.

navigate the links thru the right arrow key to go foward and left to go back a page.

from there highlight ur desired 32/64 bit Nvidia driver .run file and save it when asked to the desktop, from there, ctrl +c to exit out of lynx

type

sudo /etc/init.d/kdm stop

u can use TAB completion all the way up to kdm but u must manully type stop.

cd Desktop/

sudo sh NV - TAB key to complete and add a -K as an option command example:

sudo sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86-173.14.05-pkg1.run -K

altho sometimes u can leave out the sh and the script will still run esp. on kubuntu.

once installed issue the following:

sudo /etc/init.d/kdm start

u should be all fixed up now.

if u don't what the Nvidia logo

before u start the kdm graphical login or if u prefer u can just start type startx altho u'll only see the logout or so buttons when u go to logout, no restart - as when u logout u'll get put back at the command prompt u just signed in from.

okay before u start the kdm server, sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf

if u see @ the bottom commands to use the nano cli editor, the ^ = the ctrl key. once u hit ctrl+c to exit just hit enter after u press y for yes to keep the same name.

okay under Section "Device" add:

Option "NoLogo" "true"

save and now start the kdm server.

example:

 

Section "Device"
	Identifier	"nVidia Corporation NV34 [GeForce FX 5200]"
	Boardname	"NVIDIA GeForce FX5200"
	Busid		"PCI:1:0:0"
	Driver		"nvidia"
	Screen	0
	Vendorname	"NVIDIA"
    Option      "NoLogo" "1"
    Option     "Coolbits" "1"
   Option   "RenderAccel" "true"
   Option   "NoLogo" "true"
#   Option   "NoRenderExtension" "true"
   Option   "ConnectedMonitor" "CRT"
   Option   "ConnectedMonitor" "true"
   Option   "ModeValidation" "NoEdidModes"
   Option   "NoBandWidthTest" "true"
   Option   "IgnoreDisplayDevices" "DFP, TV"
#   Option   "MultisampleCompatibility" "true"
   Option   "NoPowerConnectorCheck" "true"
   Option   "ConstantDPI" "FALSE"
   Option   "UseEvents" "true"
   Option   "ProbeAllGpus" "False"
   Option   "AGPFastWrite" "1"
   Option   "AGPFastWrite" "true"
#   Option   "NVEmulate" "100"
   Option  "UseEdidDpi"  "TRUE"
   Option  "DPI"  "120 x 120"
   Option "DigitalVibrance" "2"
  Option "EnablePageFlip" # improves performance on 3d acceleration
  Option "AGPMode" "8" # agp speed (choose one)
  Option "AGPSize" "0" # manually set agp aperture, kinda like shared memory (choose one)
  Option "AccelMethod" "xaa" # xaa - default exa is still rigged, use xaa until they solve the 2d acceleration issues.
  Option "XAANoOffscreenPixmaps" # generic optimization for 2d acceleration, disables XAA offscreen pixmaps
  Option "DynamicClocks" "on"
  Option "ColorTiling" "on"
  Option "FBTexPercent" "100"
EndSection

yes as you can see there are other options u can add the ones with the number sign (#) are commented out and will get ignored when read by the xserver. Rem. if u have to re-load the config file - logout and press ctrl + alt + backspace on ur keyboard.

if u want in xorg u can add the following:

Section "ServerFlags"
	Option		"StandbyTime"	"0"
	Option		"SuspendTime"	"0"
	Option		"OffTime"	"0"
	Option		"DontVTSwitch"	"True"
	Option		"BlankTime"	"30"
	#  Option "DontZap" "true"
	#   Option "DontZoom" "true"
EndSection

Option "DontVTSwitch" "True" #= don't allow ctrl + alt + f1 - f7 to escape to a terminal
# Option "DontZap" "true" #= don't allow ctrl+alt+backspace
# Option "DontZoom" "true" #= don't allow zooming by pressing ctrl + alt + +/- or i think just ctrl + +/- however i had problems with some games by disabling this.

edit:
oh forgot to add coolbit is the ability to overclock/underclock ur nvidia card - it's hidden by default and must be enabled to show in xorg. fastwrites - fastwrites = faster performance, etc.. if u have questions don't hesitate to ask or IM me. Also note that some things i'll have to explain manually or visit my ubuntu/kubuntu gatherings site for more tips, tricks & howtwos however i don't think i added nvidia stuff to it. i got many tips I have yet to add to the site.

[HermanDegenhart]

Re: A strange screen.

Dear friends,
After typing in: Alt+F1, I could login. It took some time, as my system did not accept my login name and password the first few times. I also succeeded in shutting down my computer by typing in: sudo shutdown now -h instead of -r at the end. But how to get the KDE desktop back? Because if that is the only way to reconquer my computer, I will reinstall Kubuntu from CD. But how to do that without having a proper desktop?

[nowshining]

Re: A strange screen.

ur problem is most likely xorg not seeing the nvidia driver. download the driver from nvidia and install it. then u can use the GUI.

[HermanDegenhart]

Re: A strange screen.

Alright, but which terminal commands to use in order to download and to install?

[toad]

Re: A strange screen.

To download the driver:

wget [url]http://uk.download.nvidia.com/XFree86/Linux-x86/173.14.05/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-173.14.05-pkg1.run[/url]

To make it executable:

chmod +x NVIDIA-Linux-x86-173.14.05-pkg1.run

To stop kdm (just to make sure):

sudo /etc/init.d/kdm stop

To make sure all required stuff is installed you need to find your kernel version first

uname -r

Use the output of that command for the command below:

sudo apt-get install linux-headers-`uname -r` build-essential

Done, time to fire up NVIDIA:

sudo ./NVIDIA-Linux-x86-173.14.05-pkg1.run

Its either that or:

sudo sh ./NVIDIA-Linux-x86-173.14.05-pkg1.run

- I can never remember which or whether the driver accepts either...

Follow the instructions on screen, it should build the required kernel module. Select yes at the end, when it asks whether it can modify your xorg.

When finished, get kdm back up:

sudo /etc/init.d/kdm start

Now you should be a happy bunny (until the next kernel is rolled out, at least).

[HermanDegenhart]

Re: A strange screen.

Well, I took a deep breath, started my computer (Dell Inspiron 6400) in F12 and installed Kubuntu 8.04 from CD. So everything is back, except for the programs, which will keepmebusy for another full day. Thanks anyway for your support folks.
Because not everything is Open Source, Kubuntu has to be adjusted after initial installation. So what to remove and what to install. In order to do this, there are directives issued by the Kubuntu community. Does anyone knows where to find them?

[dibl]

Re: A strange screen.

A couple of items will probably do most of what you have in mind:

sudo apt-get install kubuntu-restricted-extras

Then you may want to enable the Medibuntu repository and select multimedia-related non-free packages such as Google Earth. Follow the instruction on their web site to enable the repository:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Medibuntu

Make sure that you scroll down to the Hardy Heron instruction.

[toad]

Re: A strange screen.

You mean to say I wrote NVIDIA instructions for nothing? Oh, well, I enjoy typing...

For God's sake, make a backup copy of your /etc/X11/xorg.conf! This will do the trick:

sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.working_original

[dibl]

Re: A strange screen.

Oh, well, I enjoy typing...

And a lovely work of authorship it is!

But, I can't help being somewhat skeptical that the downloaded Nvidia installer will do the job correctly if EnvyNG will not, given that *buntu has a couple of "deviations" from the standard Debian filesystem hierarchy. Mr. Milone has put a lot of time and effort into making Envy do a proper job of installing the driver in *buntu systems. There's something odd about this ..... :P

[toad]

Re: A strange screen.

Good point, dibl, and who is to reason why. I just did it automatically because I have always done it that way - and haven't experienced many things gone wrong (even now that I am beginning to play with compiz and stuff). Have to install the envy thingy and try...

[HermanDegenhart]

Re: A strange screen.

Thanks mr. Dibl for your defence. You know, I don't want to offend nobody, certainly not on this forum, but my aim was to get my computer back. Therefore I decided to cut the Gordian Knot and to start all over again. From scratch so to say. Remember that although he lived only an odd 35 years or so, Alexander the Great is still being remembered for cutting the Gordian Knot. So, who knows. But whenever and wherever I meet mr. Toad, I shall offer him a Dutch beer for the excellent work he did.

[toad]

Re: A strange screen.

A Dutch beer Superb stuff, I'll be over in a jiffy! Many thanks

BTW, I hope you made that backup

[HermanDegenhart]

Re: A strange screen.

This morning my mailbox was stuffed with hundreds of delivery notifications of failed mail to people I have never send mail to. All of these messages came from the UK. This has never happened to my mailbox before. What could have caused this?