Nvidia kernel "fails to load" popup windows during boot

[twixter]

Before I upgraded my kernel from 2.6.27-12 to 2.6.27-13, on boot the display would initially be 800x600, then it would change to the desired 1280x1024, leaving the desktop icons which are supposed to be on the right edge stranded in the middle. My workaround was to use the system tray "screen resize and rotate" menu to revert to 800x600, then when the countdown window asks me to confirm for this resolution, I reject, and the screen goes back to 1280x1024 with the icons now where they are supposed to be.

Now that I have upgraded the kernel, that doesn't happen any more. Instead I get pop-up error messages during boot. The first one says:

Ubuntu is running in low-graphics mode

The following error was encountered. You may need to update your configuration to solve this.

(EE) Nvidia(0): failed to load the Nvidia kernel module!
(EE) Nvidia(0): *** aborting ***
(EE) Screen(s) found, but none have a usable configuration.

After clicking ok on this window, another window asks me:

What would you like to do?
* Run Ubuntu in low-graphics mode
* reconfigure graphics
* troubleshoot the error

I choose the first option, and I get a third window telling me it will restart. Then I get a 1280x1024 login screen and a subsequent 1280x1024 desktop.

What file or files should I examine and possibly edit in order to eliminate these pop-up error messages? Thanks!

[Guest]

Re: Nvidia kernel "fails to load" popup windows during boot

Twixter, do you also have issues trying to run either NVIDIA X Server Settings or nvidia-xconfig?

When I run N.X. Server Settings, I get a message telling me to run xconfig, which I do to no effect.

I've reset and each time I get a pop-up during start-up with the same or similar messages.

Other messages I've seen include:
(EE) Nvidia(0): nvidia kernel failed to compile
(EE) Nvidia(0): An nvidia GPU has been found

These errors started after trying to manually replace nvidia driver 180.11 (which was fine except no TwinScreen) with 180.44. Currently running K8.10 with current kernel and updates.

I'll keep an eye out and let you know if I find something.

[dibl]

Re: Nvidia kernel "fails to load" popup windows during boot

If you used the nvidia-glx-xxxx packaged driver, then it should not require a change when you install a new kernel. But if you installed the proprietary driver directly, or via EnvyNG, then it must be reinstalled on every new kernel.

[Guest]

Re: Nvidia kernel "fails to load" popup windows during boot

Twixter,

Was this eventually resolved?

From memory, the process I followed to resolve this for me was:
- using synaptic, uninstall virtually all files, programs and drivers related to nvidia
- reboot
- double checked Synaptic for anything that may not have uninstalled completely
- reboot again
- ran Synaptic, and installed only the latest driver (Synaptic then installed only the dependencies)
- reboot

There are a few details missing from this, I'm sure, but the key was to keep checking Synaptic for files that didn't uninstall, and to not install anything until everything was gone and a reboot had been done.

Hope this helped.