Display drivers (nouveau / nv) for iMac G4 700/800

[rsavage]

This post is for nVidia users who can't get the nouveau driver working. Early iMac G4 users typically seem to fall into this bracket. For more detailed information see here https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PowerPCFAQ#Troubleshooting .

These instructions are for 12.04 only.

1. Download an 'alternate' iso or 'mini' iso and install as normal. If you want to use a 'live/desktop' iso then you can follow or adapt the instructions in this http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.p...8#post12336938 post.

2. After installation, make sure you have an ethernet cable connected and boot into single user mode. So at the yaboot prompt type:

Linux nomodeset single

This will boot you into a root prompt so be careful what you type next!

3. The best alternative to the nouveau driver is the nv driver. You can compile it yourself (there are instructions linked in the FAQ), or you can install a pre-compiled version:

wget -O /tmp/nv.deb http://ubuntuone.com/6QVpmfHCU3YmHlik7lred9
dpkg -i /tmp/nv.deb

4. Now you need to create an xorg.conf. This is a basic one:

Section "Device"
    Identifier    "Configured Video Device"
    Driver        "nv"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier    "Configured Monitor"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier    "Default Screen"
    Monitor        "Configured Monitor"
    Device        "Configured Video Device"
EndSection

The following will download the above file and move it into the right place for you:

wget -O /etc/X11/xorg.conf http://ubuntuone.com/6loNPRkiKluH2ZOXt8HENV

5. Edit your yaboot.conf file to add the 'nomodeset' parameter permanently:

nano /etc/yaboot.conf

Add 'nomodeset' at the end of the append line(s). For example:

image=/boot/vmlinux
    label=Linux
    read-only
    initrd=/boot/initrd.img
    append="quiet splash nomodeset"

Every parameter inside the quotes should be separated by a space. Save (ctrl+o) and exit (ctrl+x), then type the command

sudo ybin -v

to copy the file across to the boot partition.

6. You can now reboot into a desktop:

reboot

Lots more information in the FAQ and Known Issues pages:

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PowerPCFAQ
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PowerPCKnownIssues

[str8bs]

Not certain, but in addition to iMac G4 users, I think this workaround may apply to any PPC with geforce mx or geforce go.

[clickgear]

Thank you for this set of instructions. It appears to have gotten me past the hang on boot problem that I was having with my PowerMac 3,5 Nvidia GeForce2 MX. However, when I ran the dpkg command I got errors, saying it couldn't configure the installation. Is it OK to ignore this?

Thanks,

Kurt

[rsavage]

What is the error message? It doesn't sound like it has installed correctly, and if that is the case it won't work.

[rsavage]

Oh I see the problem from the other thread you are posting on.

I used the mini-iso CD to try and install the base system (without even any desktop yet)

If you haven't got any xorg packages installed then it will throw an error.

Sometimes when you install the missing package dependencies (in this case the xorg packages) the failed package will continue with its installation. Sometimes you will have to re-run the dpkg command. I can't say with certainty what it will do.

[mörgæs]

Thanks for a good guide. I added some advice for the G4 in case someone else is struggling to get it working.

Is there a chance of getting a pre-compiled nv driver for 13.04, please?

[abtabt]

Is there a chance of getting a pre-compiled nv driver for 13.04, please?

i think we have same hardware http://www.everymac.com/systems/appl...fp_macosx.html

you can try a usbstick with live Lubuntu 13.04 and use nvidiafb driver (in my case 768 mb memory but i think you can have less to get it work

read https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PowerPCFAQ#H...a_USB_drive.3F

To copy an iso to a USB stick
and
Persistent Live USB

both work for me ( Persistent Live USB work very well too try if things works )

i choose OS/HDD/USB with alt key pressed

[mörgæs]

Thanks, I'll give it a try.
Do you have a guide for activating nvidiafb?

[abtabt]

Thanks, I'll give it a try.
Do you have a guide for activating nvidiafb?

you need to unhash nvidiafb in /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-framebuffer.conf

code

sudo nano /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-framebuffer.conf

change to
#blacklist nvidiafb


you need a xorg.conf

code

sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf

###with this xorg.conf , if not you get 8 bit
###TBA@
Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"
Driver "nv"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Configured Monitor"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "nVidia"
Monitor "Monitor"
DefaultDepth 16
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 16
Modes "1024x768"
EndSubSection
EndSection

this is for Persistent Live USB

if you will use only Live usb read this http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2090462

and the boot time will take some time (usb 1.1 and if the usb is slow so wait some minutes)

[moore.bryan]

I know this thread is ancient and unlikely to be followed much any more, but I'm going out on a limb here.

I've successfully installed 12.10 on my flowerpot, but can't get x to run for the life of me. I've compliled the nv driver and written an xorg.conf file, but when I try and start xfce I get a black screen with a non-blinking cursor and nothing useful in three Xorg.log.0 file.

Any ideas and/or suggestions would be great!