Re: [opensuse] Re: Display just broke on me after an update

On 2/1/2011 3:16 AM, Michael Powell wrote:

[snip]

In order to utilize the Nvidia drivers you probably need to blacklist the
loading of the Intel kernel module. Since I don't use an Intel video chipset
you can probably get more precise information from someone who does. I have
seen discussions from time to time on various Intel video driver
"situations". Many of the Intel VESA Frame Buffer ones are already
blacklisted, but this does not include the main kernel module. Find the
Intel module with lsmod and blacklist it if you want to use Nvidia. Look for
this subject material when researching more precise instructions.

What I don't know is how this might play out in a situation where you are
unable to disable the Intel video in BIOS. Look for the possibility of being
able to "prefer" one over the other, e.g. a "enable xyz chip first".
Blacklisting the Intel kernel module from loading at boot is my "best wild
guess". :-)
Thanks Michael, Patrick for your replies.. Oh boy, I fear I am getting way out of my depth now. I tried using the following command to discover what Intel related modules are being loaded -

lsmod | grep intel
snd_hda_intel 28621 3
snd_hda_codec 113249 3 snd_hda_codec_nvhdmi,snd_hda_codec_idt,snd_hda_intel
snd_pcm 105589 3 snd_pcm_oss,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec
intel_agp 34008 2 i915
snd 84547 17 snd_pcm_oss,snd_mixer_oss,snd_seq,snd_seq_device,snd_hda_codec_nvhdmi,snd_hda_codec_idt,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hwdep,snd_pcm,snd_timer
snd_page_alloc 9569 2 snd_hda_intel,snd_pcm

I tried doing some googling about intel_agp to see if I could discover it's purpose but I mostly found others complaining about it in one way or another, or how to configure AGP. Even nVidia talks about it, but mostly I am unable to comprehend. Can't say I am an expert on display controllers! So I dunno what to do or how to proceed in disabling it, and getting my nVidia controller up an running.

As an aside, Windows7 does use the nVidia controller and automatically
disables the Intel controller, if I believe what their hardware info is
reporting.... I would like to be able to experiment with both and
determine which one is better, and be able to select either...
Earlier generations of laptops that had two video chips did so to offer "the
best of both worlds" wrt to power management. The Intel video uses less
power so battery will last longer. When on AC mains, and perhaps a better
external display, the Nvidia will provide better 3D acceleration at the cost
of increased power consumption.

At any rate, since I believe these switching schemes aren't really
applicable to Linux you will be forced to pick one or the other. Using the
Nvidia will chew through battery quickly. At the other end of the equation,
I've read various comments here and there that the Intel drivers are still
in a fairly horrid state. If the Intel drivers give you what you need you
will get longer battery life. If you want to play games where 3D
acceleration is a requirement you will want the Nvidia.

-Mike
No not playing 3D games Mike, but am working on 3D star charts for a telescope observatory. And right now it is about as sluggish as a snail in the middle of the winter! I mostly run on Columbia River hydro-dams for power, not batteries except for short intervals, so power consumption is not an issue as long as that river flows... ;-)

Marc..

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