Re: FC5: X won't start

Mikael Rasmussen writes:

No something else must be wrong.

I have installed the latest kernel (2.6.16-1.2096_FC5)
I have installed the latest NVIDIA driver (NVIDIA-Linux-x86-1.0-8756)

All I get is a black screen, with a blinking dash in the top left corner, and a big white mousecursor.

I have even tried to reinstall without any luck

Take it up with Nvidia. Nvidia is a closed, proprietary software driver that cannot be debugged. Furthermore, depending on how you've installed it, Nvidia's scripts often overwrite key xorg libraries, permanently screwing up your system completely, beyond all repair.

If you want to use non-free software, other Linux distributions are more appropriate. Fedora's designed to run free software only. If you want to continue to try to fix whatever the problem is, you must do the following.

1. Remove all nvidia software
2. Remove the kernel RPMs
3. Remove all xorg RPMs
4. Reinstall all xorg and kernel RPMs
5. Use "rpm -V" to verify that all xorg and kernel RPM packages have been succesfully restored, without being tampered by nvidia's binary blobs
6. Use system-config-display to generate a fresh xorg configuration
7. Try to start X

Only if Xorg still fails to start, at this point, will anyone who's really knowledgeable on X matter will be able to help you. Then, after X starts, you can try reinstall Nvidia's non-free drivers. If X continues to work, congratulations, you've fixed whatever was broken. If X stops working again, take it up with Nvidia.

But, if the reason you posted here is only to get help with Nvidia's software, then this is the wrong place to ask for help. You'll help a better chance of getting help from Nvidia's forums, instead of this mailing list.

I can guarantee you, that, as soon as you've mentioned Nvidia's binary blob, all the experienced technical people around here have automatically tuned you out. Loading Nvidia's non-free driver, into a system that's based on free software components only, is analogous to peeling off the "removing this sticker voids warranty" on electronics gear.


Attachment: pgpZHSH4NF8or.pgp
Description: PGP signature

--
fedora-list mailing list
fedora-list@xxxxxxxxxx
To unsubscribe: https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/fedora-list

Relevant Pages

  • Re: jerky opengl, nvidia drivers
    ... hw.nvidia.agp.status.driver: nvidia ... you'll find something about the native FreeBSD AGP. ... You'll have to compile a custom kernel with the following ... I'd recommend updating your ports and upgrading Xorg. ...
    (freebsd-questions)
  • xserver crashing
    ... I updated xorg a couple of days ago from an older version. ... That wasn't a big surprise since I run nvidia binary drivers. ... Figured I reinstall the nvidia driver and throw in a new kernel for good ...
    (Debian-User)
  • Re: Livna nVidia problems...
    ... So I check the nvidia site everytime I happen to think about it and download ... their latest *.run installer. ... So I can build a new kernel, ... pull out a NVidia card to try another one, and Xorg was buggered. ...
    (Fedora)
  • Re: Livna nVidia problems...
    ... I do not use the livna nvidia ... > their latest *.run installer. ... So I can build a new kernel, ... pull out a NVidia card to try another one, and Xorg was buggered. ...
    (Fedora)
  • Re: Problems with Xorg video
    ... I am using kernel 2.6.8-2-386. ... kernel part of the graphics drivers which is needed by Xorg. ... udev upgrade. ...
    (Debian-User)