SERIOUS problems with graphics card conflict, etc, etc.

[MG&TL]

Just to say-I'm using mint at the moment, but it's very similiar to Ubuntu, and this problem happens in Ubuntu too. In fact the only reason I'm on Mint is this problem.

I have a Dell Dimension 2400, with an integrated Intel graphics card and 512 MB RAM.

Some years, ago, while I was still using Windows, I upgraded to an NVidia GeForce FX 5200. Brilliant card, very few problems.

So I went linux after that. I noticed that I could install the driver for the card (via jockey) and it would work fine-in most cases. 3d acceleration-the works.

My problem came when I noticed the "visual effects" tab under "appearance". I tried to enable any level of it, it would fail, with 'visual effects could not be enabled". Problems begin. I realise I am using Metacity, so I run:

compiz --replace

which starts, then hangs, citing a blacklisted card-the geForce card is not on the list, but the Intel one is. But it's using the geForce card-I know it is, I can run "glxgears" at 1000fps+ now, whereas before enabling the driver, it dawdles around 100.

Is there something I can enable/disable in BIOS/the driver software to only use the geForce? It's not a MAJOR issue, it just nags. Dodging the blacklist on the card works fine, but does not do anything.

Incidentally, Unity will not work either.

Any ideas?

Thanks, people. I'm only using mint because i thought it would make a difference.

[LinuxFan999]

Which versions of Ubuntu and Mint are you using?

[MG&TL]

Any; and all. Linux mint, 9, 10 and 11. Ubuntu 10.04, 10.10, 11.04, 11.10beta1, Xubuntu 11.04, Lubuntu 11.04.

[MG&TL]

Here's the linux 'PCI devices' section of the linux mint system information app:

[wildmanne39]

Hi, I doubt if the computer is very old that unity will run on it. Run this command to see what it says.

Also with 512 ram if it did you would not be able to use effects like the cube it would use up all your ram and cpu.

/usr/lib/nux/unity_support_test -p

lspci | grep VGA

dmesg | egrep 'nvi|VGA'

lsmod

Also these commands and it will give error messages if any and tell us what drivers are being used.
Thank you

[MG&TL]

VGA:

01:06.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation NV34 [GeForce FX 5200] (rev a1)

Dmesg:

[    0.000000] Console: colour VGA+ 80x25
[   13.137589] nvidia: module license 'NVIDIA' taints kernel.
[   13.770723] nvidia 0000:01:06.0: PCI INT A -> GSI 18 (level, low) -> IRQ 18

Modules:

Module                  Size  Used by
aes_i586                7280  1 
aes_generic            26875  1 aes_i586
binfmt_misc             6599  1 
dm_crypt               11385  0 
nvidia               7088432  24 
snd_intel8x0           25664  2 
snd_ac97_codec         99227  1 snd_intel8x0
ac97_bus                1014  1 snd_ac97_codec
snd_pcm                71475  2 snd_intel8x0,snd_ac97_codec
snd_seq_midi            4588  0 
arc4                    1165  2 
snd_rawmidi            17783  1 snd_seq_midi
snd_seq_midi_event      6047  1 snd_seq_midi
snd_seq                47174  2 snd_seq_midi,snd_seq_midi_event
snd_timer              19067  2 snd_pcm,snd_seq
rt73usb                22538  0 
snd_seq_device          5744  3 snd_seq_midi,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq
crc_itu_t               1383  1 rt73usb
psmouse                59033  0 
rt2500usb              18113  0 
rt2x00usb               9779  2 rt73usb,rt2500usb
snd                    49102  11 snd_intel8x0,snd_ac97_codec,snd_pcm,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq,snd_timer,snd_seq_device
rt2x00lib              27307  3 rt73usb,rt2500usb,rt2x00usb
shpchp                 29886  0 
serio_raw               4022  0 
led_class               2633  1 rt2x00lib
ppdev                   5556  0 
soundcore                880  1 snd
snd_page_alloc          7120  2 snd_intel8x0,snd_pcm
mac80211              231927  2 rt2x00usb,rt2x00lib
lp                      7342  0 
dcdbas                  5402  0 
parport_pc             26058  1 
parport                31492  3 ppdev,lp,parport_pc
cfg80211              144822  2 rt2x00lib,mac80211
dm_raid45              81721  0 
xor                    15136  1 dm_raid45
btrfs                 489658  0 
zlib_deflate           19266  1 btrfs
crc32c                  2531  1 
libcrc32c                887  1 btrfs
b44                    26253  0 
ssb                    39320  1 b44
intel_agp              26566  1 
floppy                 54311  0 
mii                     4425  1 b44
agpgart                32011  2 nvidia,intel_agp

I can't run the unity one as I'm using mint at the moment. I can, of course, switch back, but that might take a while. I intend to switch back , I just wanted to see if it was ubuntu-specific.

I'm not especially bothered about compiz or Unity, it's just the lack of anything 3d in my desktop. I have the capability, why can't I have at least some of the graphics others have. I'll probably use the LTS when I switch back.

Thanks for answering, wildmanne. Debt owed, again.

[MG&TL]

I'm using the 173 drivers, but they cause non-booting, the 96 ones are similiar, and the 'experimental' ones are, experimental.

[wildmanne39]

Hi, I have been researching this but I did not find an answer.

I help someone yesterday get 3d going with the intel he had installed also he was happy but he said it was still buggy, do you still have the intel also? it is belt in right?

What model is the intel?

You still have the driver loaded it could be conflicting you can blacklist it and see.

sudo su
echo "blacklist intel_agp" >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
exit

Thank you

[MG&TL]

The cards conflicting were my initial suspicions. I shall have a look tommorrow morning (~9 hours) , and try the blacklist.

Thanks. Just irritates me if something doesn't work and it should.

[wildmanne39]

Hi, your welcome! let us know.
Thank you