graphics card + ubuntu = crashing

[isbjorn1]

Greetings,

I decided to go with Ubuntu 8.10 64-bit last week when I bought a new computer. First impression was that it installed nicely and all minor problems were easily solved. Now I've been struggling with my graphics card, the EVGA Geforce GTX 260 core 216. I can't find a suitable driver for it. The computer keeps crashing. Usually in a way that the screen flickers violently between black, white and the ubuntu brown. The keyboard and mouse are unresponsive.

So far I've tried these drivers:
NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-180.29.pkg2.run
NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-180.37.pkg2.run
NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-180.41.pkg2.run
NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-185.13.pkg2.run

Right now I'm using 177.82 ( It's stable, but performance-wise useless )

I've read different forums and haven't found a way to solve it yet. E.g
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=813931&page=3
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=990978&highlight=geforce+gtx+280
Tried to install envy ng and use it without any luck. Some drivers make the computer crash immediately when I turn on the visual effects from 'system' > preferences > appearances.

Did one complete reinstall too. Does anyone have a solution for this? This was my first attempt at switching from windows to something else, but so far it doesn't seem possible. Any help would be greatly appreciated!


Here is the xorg.conf


# nvidia-xconfig: X configuration file generated by nvidia-xconfig
# nvidia-xconfig: version 1.0 (buildmeister@builder58) Tue Nov 4 17:18:57 PST 2008


Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Layout0"
Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
EndSection

Section "Files"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "dbe"
Load "extmod"
Load "type1"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"

# generated from default
Identifier "Mouse0"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "auto"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "no"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"

# generated from default
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "kbd"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
VendorName "Unknown"
ModelName "Unknown"
HorizSync 28.0 - 33.0
VertRefresh 43.0 - 72.0
Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Device0"
Driver "nvidia"
VendorName "NVIDIA Corporation"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Device0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection

[norwoods]

i update to the latest nvidia proprietary prereleases for 64 bit Ubuntu 8.10 and nvidia 9600GT, 180.41 currently, from www.avenard.org (third party software source "deb http://www.avenard.org/files/ubuntu-repos release/")using synaptic package manager. i am not sure which programs are needed so i install all six provided:
nvidia-180-libvdpau
nvidia-180-libvdpau-dev
nvidia-180-modaliases
nvidia-180-kernel-source
nvidia-glx-180
nvidia-glx-180-dev
for a fresh install, you might also want or need:
jockey-common
jockey-gtk or jockey-kde
nvidia-settings
nvidia-xconfig

open System--Administration--Hardware Drivers.
if there is an active video driver, click on it and then click Deactivate
click on the NVIDIA 180 driver
click Activate.
clock Close.

reboot

[isbjorn1]

I followed the instructions on avenard.org. Don't know where they should be found when browsing the synaptic package manager.

Then I installed everything from that list except nvidia-180-libvdpau and nvidia-180-libvdpau-dev because the search couldn't find them.

There is only one nvidia driver in the 'Hard Drivers' menu. And it's only activated. The nvidia x server settings confirms 180.41 though. In the end the problem got worse.

[norwoods]

an EVGA Geforce GTX 260 core 216 draws a lot of current, perhaps your power supply cannot keep it happy.

your xorg.conf is complex compared to many new ones. you could rename it and generate a new one with sudo nvidia-xconfig.

the nvidia page for each driver has reference to a README,
ftp://download.nvidia.com/XFree86/Linux-x86_64/180.41/README/index.html
you may find something that applies to you in the README file, especially
7. Frequently Asked Questions
8. Common Problems
9. Known Issues

when i open System-->Administration-->Synaptic Package Manager and click on Origin in the lower left corner, i see four categories originating at www.avenard.org. in the category www.avenard.org/main i see, among others:

nvidia-180-libvdpau
nvidia-180-libvdpau-dev
nvidia-180-modaliases

[isbjorn1]

I reinstalled ubuntu completely and installed the drivers like you said. But the problem is still here. Except, it does not crash when desktop effects are turned of. The xorg.conf is also a little strange.

[norwoods]

what make and model computer do you have?
what make and model power supply do you have?
can you open the case and look at the power cables that connect to the video card inside the case?

[isbjorn1]

This is what I have


Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5 LGA 1366
Intel Core i7 920
A-data 3GB DDR3 1333mhz
EVGA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 55nm
Antec 3 + 500W

I checked the card, and power wires looked ok

[gotunandan]

have you tried installing envyng ?

Enable the Universe Repository from System -> Administration -> Software Sources


sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install envyng-core

sudo envyng -t

This will open up the textual interface, rather than the GUI (which for some reason does not work on Intrepid (8.10) )

From there you can select the driver appropriate to your graphics card.

I have tried this on 3-4 of my friend's laptops which have NVidia/ATi Cards and it seems to be working perfectly.


http://albertomilone.com/envyngfaq.html#A

Also its best if you install dkms(if you havent already!) as well so that when you upgrade the kernel, it will install the module for you automatically


sudo apt-get install dkms

[norwoods]

This is what I have


Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5 LGA 1366
Intel Core i7 920
A-data 3GB DDR3 1333mhz
EVGA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 55nm
Antec 3 + 500W

I checked the card, and power wires looked ok

i cannot find info on Antec 3 + 500W at antec web site.

nvidia lists power requirements:
Maximum Graphics Card Power (W) 182 W
Minimum System Power Requirement (W) 500 W
Supplementary Power Connectors 6-pin x2

do you have 2 6pin connectors connected to the card?
i suspect desktop effects draw more power and the power supply cannot provide it.

[isbjorn1]

Checked the details. The case is Antec Sonata III and the power supply is Earthwatts 500W. Yup, there are two connectors next to each other connected to the card.

[norwoods]

can you open a terminal and run sudo glxgears? if this does not crash i expect the power supply is fine.

the Earthwatts 500W has two 22amp 12 volt supplies which should be enough for the Intel Core i7 920 and the EVGA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 55nm

you might run memtest overnight or longer to see if problems happen outside ubuntu.

there is a gigabyte forum at tweaktown.com where you might learn something useful about your mobo.

[isbjorn1]

Thank you, I will look into this info and get back to this thread later

[norwoods]

nvidia 185.13 driver is now in the launchpad intrepid main repository.