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johnlvs2run
June 22nd, 2008, 08:02 PM
My screen kept going to 800x600 and I finally got the Nvidia driver installed along with reasonable resolutions.


sudo apt-get install build-essential libxft-dev
alt-cntr-F1
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm/ stop
cd /home/loginname/Desktop/
sudo sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86-173.14.05-pkg1.run -- uninstall
sudo sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86-173.14.05-pkg1.run
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm/ restart

All was well for a week. This morning I viewed a gparted liveCD and rebooted without making any changes. Upon rebooting, Ubuntu had reverted to 800x600 and no reasonable choices. I did an alt-cntr-F1 to run the driver again and got the following message.


alt-cntr-F1
cd /home/loginname/Desktop/
sudo sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86-173.14.05-pkg1.run

ERROR: You appear to be running an X server.
Please exit X before installing.

Did gparted start an X server, and how do I exit X?

Shouldn't the driver still be working, as I didn't do anything to change it.

Pumalite
June 22nd, 2008, 08:13 PM
Stop the xserver:
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop
Reinstall your driver.

ajgreeny
June 22nd, 2008, 08:35 PM
Yes, I'm afraid just doing a Ctrl+Alt+F1 does not stop the x session, it merely puts it out of view. Follow Pumalite and all should work again. I didn't realise that situation once when I was trying to do something or other, and it took a while to find out what the problem was.

johnlvs2run
June 22nd, 2008, 09:08 PM
Stop the xserver:
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop
Reinstall your driver.

Thanks Pumalite. I uninstalled and reinstalled the Nvidia driver, and there are still no other choices under "system > preferences > screen resolution".

Also, the front end resolution is way off under "nvidia-settings".


sudo nvidia-settings
GPV O - GeForce 8200
DFP-O- (HSD HW192D) ... (my monitor)
best fit resolution 1400x900
front end resolution 600x480

Is there a way to change the front end resolution to 1280x800?

Pumalite
June 22nd, 2008, 09:12 PM
Edit your /etc/X11/xorg.conf file
Post it:
cat /etc/X11/xorg.conf

johnlvs2run
June 22nd, 2008, 09:27 PM
Edit your /etc/X11/xorg.conf file
Post it:
cat /etc/X11/xorg.conf


xxx@xxx-desktop:~$ -desktop:~$ cat /etc/X11/xorg.conf
# nvidia-xconfig: X configuration file generated by nvidia-xconfig
# nvidia-xconfig: version 1.0 (buildmeister@builder63) Mon May 19 00:33:37 PDT 2008

# xorg.conf (X.Org X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by failsafeDexconf, using
# values from the debconf database and some overrides to use vesa mode.
#
# You should use dexconf or another such tool for creating a "real" xorg.conf
# For example:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen 0 "Default Screen" 0 0
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse" "CorePointer"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "glx"
Load "v4l"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Configured Monitor"
VendorName "Plug 'n' Play"
ModelName "Plug 'n' Play"
Gamma 1
ModeLine "640x480@60" 25.2 640 656 752 800 480 490 492 525 -hsync -vsync
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"
Driver "nvidia"
BoardName "vesa"
Screen 0
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "Configured Video Device"
Monitor "Configured Monitor"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Virtual 640 480
Depth 24
Modes "640x480@60"
EndSubSection
EndSection

xxx@xxx-desktop:~$

Pumalite
June 22nd, 2008, 09:46 PM
I think you installed your driver without letting it reconfigure your xorg.conf file.
You can do it by hand. Add your Monitor and screen resolutions that your Monitor is capable of. I find it easier letting the driver do it.

johnlvs2run
June 22nd, 2008, 09:54 PM
I think you installed your driver without letting it reconfigure your xorg.conf file.
You can do it by hand. Add your Monitor and screen resolutions that your Monitor is capable of. I find it easier letting the driver do it.

Could you provide the steps to do this by hand.

Or to do it over and let the driver add the resolutions. Thanks.

asfaraslarry
June 22nd, 2008, 10:59 PM
I'm trying to get the 177.13 drivers for my 9800 GTXOC to work, following all the threads regarding the ctrl-alt-f1, running those other commands, stopping the gdm, installing the drivers, restarting, and it's not working.

I get this little pop-up when I restart that says my x server config something or other is out of whack, and I can try to configure it myself. There's some options to try to pick my video card, change display res (still only 640-480 and 800-600 listed), change my monitor, but the 'test' and 'ok' buttons do nothing. I click 'cancel' to continue.

Once inside, if I try to run Applications - System Tools - NVIDIA X Server Settings, it opens, but I get a pop-up on top of that which says:

"You do not appear to be using the NVIDIA X driver. Please edit your x configuration file (just run 'nvidia-xconfig' as root), and restart the X server."

Not really sure what to do there, I 'guessed' by doing the following:

ctrl-alt-f1
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop
sudo nvidia-xconfig
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm restart

But that does nothing, I get back to the same "Ubuntu is running in low-graphics mode" pop-up message, where my choice is to select the 'always run in low graphics mode' checkbox, or click configure / shut down / continue. Clicking 'configure' gets me what I described above (which doesn't let me do anything useful) and continue just sends me back into Ubuntu with a borked setup.

Any help would be appreciated.

johnlvs2run
June 22nd, 2008, 11:07 PM
Larry, that is almost identical to what happens on mine, except that my driver is loaded, and my monitor is recognized.

Even when I go to "sudo nvidia-settings" in terminal, it still only gives me the 600x480 option at the highest.

Pumalite
June 22nd, 2008, 11:15 PM
When the driver ask you if you want your xorg.cong file reconfigured; say yes.

asfaraslarry
June 22nd, 2008, 11:22 PM
I do pick that option, and I get a confirmation letting me know the other settings were backed up, but I still get what I describe.

As I don't have anything worth keeping on the rig at this point, I'm going to try to re-install and then install the driver after all the updates come down, without picking any other apps to install.

I'm wondering if I picked one of those NVIDIA installs available through add/remove and it's gooning me up some how? /shrug

asfaraslarry
June 22nd, 2008, 11:23 PM
When the driver ask you if you want your xorg.cong file reconfigured; say yes.

By the way, the way you worded that reminded me of 'Ghostbusters':

"If someone asks if you are a God...you say 'YES'!"

:)

Pumalite
June 22nd, 2008, 11:27 PM
If you find Bhuda in your way; kill him.

johnlvs2run
June 22nd, 2008, 11:31 PM
When the driver ask you if you want your xorg.cong file reconfigured; say yes.

That's what I have done every time.

I'm still looking for ways to get this to work.

Pumalite
June 22nd, 2008, 11:35 PM
All you have to do is reinstall your driver (uninstall the other one automatically) Accept the License, let it compile the module into your kernel, and when it ask you about reconfiguring your xorg.conf file; say yes. That's all there is to it.

johnlvs2run
June 22nd, 2008, 11:40 PM
All you have to do is reinstall your driver (uninstall the other one automatically) Accept the License, let it compile the module into your kernel, and when it ask you about reconfiguring your xorg.conf file; say yes. That's all there is to it.

See message #4.

Pumalite
June 22nd, 2008, 11:50 PM
Did you let the driver reconfigure your xorg.conf file?

johnlvs2run
June 22nd, 2008, 11:56 PM
Did you let the driver reconfigure your xorg.conf file?

Again, yes, every time. I will do it again.

I would just as soon do it manually but haven't gotten that to work either.

Pumalite
June 22nd, 2008, 11:59 PM
Do you know how to edit it or do you need help?

asfaraslarry
June 23rd, 2008, 12:01 AM
I wouldn't mind seeing some guidance on editing the file manually, just in case my idea to re-install the entire operating system doesn't pan out either :)

Pumalite
June 23rd, 2008, 12:13 AM
To edit:
gksudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Post yours. Tell me about your Monitor and screen resolution of which is capable. Is your card Nvidia? What kind?

johnlvs2run
June 23rd, 2008, 12:13 AM
I just uninstalled and installed the driver again and still the same, the smallest resolution is 640x400.


Do you know how to edit it or do you need help?

I think so but haven't done it before so could use the help definitely, for example the step by step things to do. One issue is that the resolution is so big, that the lower parts of the pages and lower part of the terminal don't show on the screen.

Pumalite
June 23rd, 2008, 12:15 AM
Post your too. Tell me about Monitor, resolutions, video card.

johnlvs2run
June 23rd, 2008, 12:24 AM
Hanns-G HW192D 19" widescreen LCD
native resolution 1440x900 (1280x800 works well)
refresh rate 59.89 Hz
Biostar motherboard with Nvidia TF8200 onboard

Pumalite
June 23rd, 2008, 12:26 AM
Where is your xorg.conf?

johnlvs2run
June 23rd, 2008, 12:35 AM
Where is your xorg.conf?

I think it flew the coop. :o .. there's one on msg#6, will post an update.


gksudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

# nvidia-xconfig: X configuration file generated by nvidia-xconfig
# nvidia-xconfig: version 1.0 (buildmeister@builder63) Mon May 19 00:33:37 PDT 2008

# nvidia-settings: X configuration file generated by nvidia-settings
# nvidia-settings: version 1.0 (buildmeister@builder63) Mon May 19 00:34:28 PDT 2008
# xorg.conf (X.Org X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by failsafeDexconf, using
# values from the debconf database and some overrides to use vesa mode.
#
# You should use dexconf or another such tool for creating a "real" xorg.conf
# For example:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse" "CorePointer"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "glx"
Load "v4l"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
Option "Xinerama" "0"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Configured Monitor"
VendorName "Plug 'n' Play"
ModelName "Plug 'n' Play"
Gamma 1
ModeLine "640x480@60" 25.2 640 656 752 800 480 490 492 525 -hsync -vsync
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
VendorName "Unknown"
ModelName "HSD HW192D"
HorizSync 30.0 - 80.0
VertRefresh 49.0 - 75.0
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"
Driver "nvidia"
BoardName "vesa"
Screen 0
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Videocard0"
Driver "nvidia"
VendorName "NVIDIA Corporation"
BoardName "GeForce 8200"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "Configured Video Device"
Monitor "Configured Monitor"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Virtual 640 480
Depth 24
Modes "640x480@60"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Videocard0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 24
Option "TwinView" "0"
Option "metamodes" "640x400 +0+0"
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "nvidia-auto-select"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Pumalite
June 23rd, 2008, 12:46 AM
Hanns-G HW192D 19" widescreen LCD
native resolution 1440x900 (1280x800 works well)
refresh rate 59.89 Hz
Biostar motherboard with Nvidia TF8200 onboard


# nvidia-xconfig: X configuration file generated by nvidia-xconfig
# nvidia-xconfig: version 1.0 (buildmeister@builder63) Mon May 19 00:33:37 PDT 2008

# nvidia-settings: X configuration file generated by nvidia-settings
# nvidia-settings: version 1.0 (buildmeister@builder63) Mon May 19 00:34:28 PDT 2008
# xorg.conf (X.Org X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by failsafeDexconf, using
# values from the debconf database and some overrides to use vesa mode.
#
# You should use dexconf or another such tool for creating a "real" xorg.conf
# For example:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse" "CorePointer"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "glx"
Load "v4l"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
Option "Xinerama" "0"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Configured Monitor"
VendorName "Plug 'n' Play"
ModelName "Plug 'n' Play"
Gamma 1
ModeLine "1440x900"@60" 25.2 640 656 752 800 480 490 492 525 -hsync -vsync
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
VendorName "Unknown"
ModelName "HSD HW192D"
HorizSync 30.0 - 80.0
VertRefresh 49.0 - 75.0
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"
Driver "nvidia"
BoardName "vesa"
Screen 0
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Videocard0"
Driver "nvidia"
VendorName "NVIDIA Corporation"
BoardName "GeForce 8200"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "Configured Video Device"
Monitor "Configured Monitor"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Virtual 1440 900
Depth 24
Modes "1440x900"@60"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Videocard0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 24
Option "TwinView" "0"
Option "metamodes" "1440x900 +0+0"
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "nvidia-auto-select"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Try this.

johnlvs2run
June 23rd, 2008, 12:50 AM
Thanks. What do I do with that?

I have changed the settings a few times, and they keep going back.

asfaraslarry
June 23rd, 2008, 12:56 AM
Monitor: HP f2105
Card: BFG nVidia 9800 GTXOC
Resolutions: I run Win XP at 1680x1050 at a 60 refresh rate, would like to duplicate that in Ubuntu



# nvidia-xconfig: X configuration file generated by nvidia-xconfig
# nvidia-xconfig: version 1.0 (buildmeister@builder58) Thu Jun 5 00:08:24 PDT 2008

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

Section "Files"
RgbPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/rgb"
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 30.0 - 110.0
VertRefresh 50.0 - 150.0
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

johnlvs2run
June 23rd, 2008, 02:43 AM
Thanks to Jualin for the part in bold, the resolution is finally staying put.

download latest driver from Nvidia
http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux_display_ia32_177.13.html

sudo apt-get install build-essential libxft-dev
alt-cntr-F1
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm/ stop
cd /home/loginname/Desktop/downloads/
sudo sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86-177.13-pkg1.run
yes, ok, yes, ok
cd ... (optional)
cntr-alt-del ... (or sudo /etc/init.d/gdm restart)

> applications > accessories > terminal
sudo nvidia-settings
This didn't work from the command prompt previously.

back to the desktop
> applications > system tools > nvidia X server settings
> X server display configuration
> "tab" to resolution
> "space bar" to open
> "arrow" to 1280x800 or whatever you want
> apply > save to X > quit.

asfaraslarry
June 23rd, 2008, 01:23 PM
Glad you got yours to work. I'm still dead in the water myself.

I never did try to reload the gdm after the driver install, I always did a 'sudo reboot' after the drivers were installed, and that's when I'd get that 'low res' pop-up.

I'll try uninstalling then reinstalling as you indicated below, maybe there's something about that. My driver is a 'little' different, I believe I have the 14.09.

Here's to hoping I have a similar experience.

venik212
June 23rd, 2008, 04:22 PM
I have the same problem on two machines (kubuntu 8.04). I have to copy xorg.conf on top of the current one to recover the desired high resolution. IMHO it is a bug-- it cannot possibly be a feature, can it?

Shazaam
June 23rd, 2008, 06:54 PM
This worked for me (Hardy 8.04, gf7800gs agp, 173.14.09 driver) but depending on YOUR pc I can't recommend it (may break other stuff so you do it at YOUR OWN risk).
Uninstall "linux-restricted-modules". Re-install nvidia driver.

sanders_muc
June 25th, 2008, 01:41 PM
Hi,

I had similar problems and they vanished after I installed the new version (173.14.09) of Nvidia's prprietary driver. Especially, it helped to delete the xconf.org file with GDM stopped and let NVidia's tool 'nvidia-xconfig' write a new one.

See also my post #10 in this thread: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=5258405#post5258405

HTH
Simon