nomodeset in Grub

[jj.wauters]

When I remove nomodeset from Grub the GUI in Ubuntu 12.04 is not visible.
I seem to have doubles in the video drivers.

This is reported by dkms status ;
nvidia-319, 319.32, 3.8.0-33-generic, x86_64: installed
nvidia-319, 319.32, 3.8.0-34-generic, x86_64: installed
nvidia-319-updates, 319.32, 3.8.0-33-generic, x86_64: installed
nvidia-319-updates, 319.32, 3.8.0-34-generic, x86_64: installed
nvidia, 331.20, 3.8.0-33-generic, x86_64: installed
nvidia, 331.20, 3.8.0-34-generic, x86_64: installed

How can I clean this up ???

[bashiergui]

You'll notice that those are not really duplicates if you look closely.
....3.8.0-33-generic.....
....3.8.0-34-generic.....

those numbers indicate kernel versions. Every time the kernel is updated your system automatically keeps the previous versions in case the update breaks everything and you want to roll back.

I would recommend keeping at least 1 previous version. When you have numerous versions then the easiest way to get rid of them is to use Synaptic Package Manager. Search for "generic" and then you can uninstall the oldest ones. After that update grub and the old ones will be gone.

[fantab]

You must install proprietory driver your Graphics card or install opensource drivers.
'Nomodeset' is a temporary solution/workaround to boot Ubuntu in a 'failsafe' graphics mode. Once booted you'll have install the appropriate graphic drivers.
You can do this from 'Additional Drivers' in 'Software Center' ->Edit->software sources ->additional drivers.

[Bucky Ball]

If you want nomodset permanently, set it in /etc/grub/default like this:

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="splash quiet"

... and change it to this:

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="splash quiet nomodset"

You don't need to install third-party drivers if you don't need them.

[jj.wauters]

Hello Fantab,

I understand Bashiersgui's comment that the kernel is keeping track of the different drivers/updates installed, and I suppose the kernel is loading the last one on startup.
I also understand your comment that using nomodeset is just a workaround.
But unfortunately nomodeset is the only working solution for me until now.
After installing Ubuntu 12.04 nvidia driver 319 was automatically installed but I was stucked with a black screen. Same after updating this driver. Same after getting the last driver 331.20 from the manufacturer.
Just before sending this reply I started Additional Drivers and installed the non activated nvidia binary Xorg driver (screenshot). Same result.
(ps: I don't see an Edit button in Additional Drivers)

Can you help me further?

[Bucky Ball]

Read the post above yours, #4.

PS: Try enabling the Xorg driver, not the updates one.

[fantab]

I don't have Nvidia card so I don't know much about the issue...
You can take your query to: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1743535
Also go through that thread it might be of some assistance to you.

Lets hope some one with more experience with Nvidia offers a better solution.

Good Luck...

[oldfred]

I have only installed the nVidia drivers offered by Ubuntu in the repositories. But my nVidia card is older now.
But only the very newest nVidia card may need the very newest driver directly from nVidia, as Ubuntu seems to add the newer nVidia drivers pretty quickly now.

When you install from Ubuntu dpkg automatically integrates it into the kernel on updates. If from nVidia directly you may have to manually do the reinstall every time a kernel is updated.

Also the nVidia direct download and Ubuntu repository versions may conflict. If installing a newer version best to un-install all old nVidia drivers and start clean with one new one.

Versions I show I installed are now old, as I have updated also. Install from repository the version you prefer from its list.

Re: How To Install Nvidia Drivers [v8.1.2.12 by Bogan]. post 1126
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.p...43535&page=113
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Bi...erHowto/Nvidia
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2081649
# You may need headers - meta package for current version:
apt-get update
sudo apt-get install linux-headers-generic

# only reason to purge is there are several versions, if you know you have different nVidia use that:
#To see available versions:
dpkg -l | grep -i nvidia*
apt-cache search nvidia-sett*
# Houseclean out all old versions to avoid issues
sudo apt-get remove --purge < nvidiadriverpackagename>
# [ using the correct names] for each driver, before running:
sudo apt-get purge nvidia*
sudo mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup

# Install version you prefer
# I used nvidia-current-updates & nvidia-settings-updates, example below is just nvidia-current
sudo apt-get install nvidia-current
sudo apt-get install nvidia-settings
sudo dpkg-reconfigure nvidia-current
sudo nvidia-xconfig
sudo reboot
May want nvidia-current, nvidia-current-updates or nvidia-current-experimental-XXX for most recent testing version.
apt-cache search nvidia-sett*
nvidia-settings-experimental-310

[efflandt]

How did you end up with 3 different versions of drivers nvidia-310, nvidia-319-updates, and 331.20? One time I messed up a system trying to switch nvidia drivers using apt-get, ended up with multiple versions, could not purge them properly, and ended up reinstalling Ubuntu. What video card/chip do you have that you feel you need a backported (?) kernel and 331 nvidia drivers?

I am using nvidia-expermental-310 which in 12.04 all shows same nvidia version for each mainstream kernel version for: dkms status

nvidia-319-updates, 319.32, 3.2.0-54-generic, x86_64: installed
nvidia-319-updates, 319.32, 3.2.0-55-generic, x86_64: installed
nvidia-319-updates, 319.32, 3.2.0-56-generic, x86_64: installed
nvidia-319-updates, 319.32, 3.2.0-57-generic, x86_64: installed

I might have had to use nomodeset while installing 12.04, but not since it was installed (not in GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT line).

[jj.wauters]

How did I ? : see #5
From the beginning "System Details" reported "Graphics unknown"
There are 2 graphic devices in this laptop :
Intel HD Graphics 4600
Nvidia Geforce GT740M
I decided to install the latest Nvidia driver 331.20 hoping the system should recognize the device and in order to take advantage of his Optimus technology.