16.04, Need Nouveau for Nvidia GeForce FX 5200

[Bashing-om]

SciGuy1872; Yeah ..

You are good . I have the greater faith in the proprietary driver.

Let's try this : boot to the login screen, and key combo ctl+alt-F! to gain a console interface. Here X is not started.
Let's see what results when installing:

sudo apt purge nvidia*
sudo rm /etc/X11/xorg.conf
sudo apt update
sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall
sudo apt upgrade

While still here and prior to a reboot for the driver to take effect..
check that the control file /etc/X11/xorg.conf was generated by the install:

ls -al /etc/X11/xorg.conf

I will not be dismayed if it was nor generated ( though it should) . IF not present, tell the system to make up a default file:

sudo nvidia-xconfig

Next we must have a means to switch graphics sets . nvidia-prime is that preferred tool; did it also autoinstall ? I am not positive in 173 that the support will also be autoinstalled ..

dpkg -l | grep -i nvidia

If all looks good, no errors generated, xorg.conf file present, and nvidia-prime installed;
reboot and let's see what we have.

maybe Yes

could be not so yes

[SciGuy1872]

Hi. I tried those commands and made sure xorg.conf and nvidia-prime were installed, but the computer locked to where I could not use the magic keys or enter Ctl-Alt-F2. I have discovered that I can enter the Ctl-Alt-F2 when I go to BIOS and am still starting with the Integrated (even after all this Nvidia software), but I am left with a black screen and locked when booting from the Nvidia/PCI port (as mentioned above). After this try, I went back to Integrated and removed the "xorg.conf" and ran "purge nvidia*". Now that I have a display, I went to"About This Computer" where the vitals are listed and reports that Graphics: "Gallium 0.4 on llvmpipe (LLVM3.4)".

I also created another Xorg log after switching to Integrated:

[   34.847]

X.OrgX Server 1.15.1
ReleaseDate: 2014-04-13
[   34.847] X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0
[   34.847] Build Operating System: Linux 3.2.0-75-generici686 Ubuntu
[   34.847] Current Operating System: Linux anthony-desktop3.13.0-88-generic #135-Ubuntu SMP Wed Jun 8 21:10:37 UTC 2016 i686
[   34.847] Kernel command line:BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.13.0-88-genericroot=UUID=164c3eb6-17b9-4b53-8379-70450308bbfc ro quiet splashvt.handoff=7
[   34.847] Build Date: 12 February 2015  02:49:46PM
[   34.847] xorg-server 2:1.15.1-0ubuntu2.7 (For technicalsupport please see http://www.ubuntu.com/support) 
[   34.847] Current version of pixman: 0.30.2
[   34.847]  Before reporting problems, checkhttp://wiki.x.org
tomake sure that you have the latest version.
[   34.847] Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file,(==) default setting,
(++)from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
(WW)warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
[   34.847] (==) Log file: "/var/log/Xorg.0.log",Time: Fri Jun 24 15:53:19 2016
[   34.848] (==) Using config file: "/etc/X11/xorg.conf"
[   34.848] (==) Using system config directory"/usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d"
[   34.849] (==) ServerLayout "layout"
[   34.849] (**) |-->Screen "nvidia" (0)
[   34.849] (**) |   |-->Monitor "<defaultmonitor>"
[   34.849] (**) |   |-->Device "nvidia"
[   34.849] (==) No monitor specified for screen "nvidia".
Usinga default monitor configuration.
[   34.849] (**) |-->Inactive Device "intel"
[   34.849] (==) Automatically adding devices
[   34.849] (==) Automatically enabling devices
[   34.849] (==) Automatically adding GPU devices
[   34.849] (WW) The directory"/usr/share/fonts/X11/cyrillic" does not exist.
[   34.849]  Entry deleted from font path.
[   34.849] (WW) The directory"/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi/" does not exist.
[   34.849]  Entry deleted from font path.
[   34.849] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi/"does not exist.
[   34.849]  Entry deleted from font path.
[   34.849] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi"does not exist.
[   34.849]  Entry deleted from font path.
[   34.850] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi"does not exist.
[   34.850]  Entry deleted from font path.
[   34.850] (==) FontPath set to:
/usr/share/fonts/X11/misc,
/usr/share/fonts/X11/Type1,
built-ins
[   34.850] (==) ModulePath set to"/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/xorg/extra-modules,/usr/lib/xorg/extra-modules,/usr/lib/xorg/modules"
[   34.850] (II) The server relies on udev to provide thelist of input devices.
Ifno devices become available, reconfigure udev or disableAutoAddDevices.
[   34.850] (II) Loader magic: 0xb77b56c0
[   34.850] (II) Module ABI versions:
[   34.850]  X.Org ANSI C Emulation: 0.4
[   34.850]  X.Org Video Driver: 15.0
[   34.850]  X.Org XInput driver : 20.0
[   34.850]  X.Org Server Extension : 8.0
[   34.850] (II) xfree86: Adding drm device (/dev/dri/card0)
[   34.852] (--) PCI:*(0:0:2:0) 8086:2562:8086:4c59 rev 1,Mem @ 0xf0000000/134217728, 0xfeb80000/524288
[   34.852] (--) PCI: (0:1:2:0) 10de:0322:196e:01ad rev 161,Mem @ 0xff000000/16777216, 0xb0000000/268435456, BIOS @0x????????/131072
[   34.852] Initializing built-in extension Generic EventExtension
[   34.852] Initializing built-in extension SHAPE
[   34.852] Initializing built-in extension MIT-SHM
[   34.852] Initializing built-in extension XInputExtension
[   34.852] Initializing built-in extension XTEST
[   34.852] Initializing built-in extension BIG-REQUESTS
[   34.852] Initializing built-in extension SYNC
[   34.852] Initializing built-in extension XKEYBOARD
[   34.853] Initializing built-in extension XC-MISC
[   34.853] Initializing built-in extension SECURITY
[   34.853] Initializing built-in extension XINERAMA
[   34.853] Initializing built-in extension XFIXES
[   34.853] Initializing built-in extension RENDER
[   34.853] Initializing built-in extension RANDR
[   34.853] Initializing built-in extension COMPOSITE
[   34.853] Initializing built-in extension DAMAGE
[   34.853] Initializing built-in extension MIT-SCREEN-SAVER
[   34.853] Initializing built-in extension DOUBLE-BUFFER
[   34.853] Initializing built-in extension RECORD
[   34.853] Initializing built-in extension DPMS
[   34.853] Initializing built-in extension Present
[   34.853] Initializing built-in extension DRI3
[   34.853] Initializing built-in extension X-Resource
[   34.853] Initializing built-in extension XVideo
[   34.853] Initializing built-in extensionXVideo-MotionCompensation
[   34.853] Initializing built-in extension SELinux
[   34.853] Initializing built-in extensionXFree86-VidModeExtension
[   34.853] Initializing built-in extension XFree86-DGA
[   34.853] Initializing built-in extension XFree86-DRI
[   34.853] Initializing built-in extension DRI2
[   34.853] (WW) "glamoregl" will not be loadedunless you've specified it to be loaded elsewhere.
[   34.853] (II) "glx" will be loaded by default.
[   34.853] (WW) "xmir" is not to be loaded bydefault. Skipping.
[   34.853] (II) LoadModule: "glx"
[   34.853] (II) Loading/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/xorg/extra-modules/libglx.so
[   34.898] (II) Module glx: vendor="NVIDIACorporation"
[   34.898]  compiled for 4.0.2, module version = 1.0.0
[   34.898]  Module class: X.Org Server Extension
[   34.898] (II) NVIDIA GLX Module  173.14.39  WedNov 27 15:13:59 PST 2013
[   34.898] Loading extension GLX
[   34.898] (II) LoadModule: "nvidia"
[   34.898] (II) Loading/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/xorg/extra-modules/nvidia_drv.so
[   34.900] (II) Module nvidia: vendor="NVIDIACorporation"
[   34.900]  compiled for 4.0.2, module version = 1.0.0
[   34.900]  Module class: X.Org Video Driver
[   34.900] (II) LoadModule: "intel"
[   34.901] (II) Loading/usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/intel_drv.so
[   34.902] (II) Module intel: vendor="X.OrgFoundation"
[   34.902]  compiled for 1.15.1, module version =2.99.910
[   34.902]  Module class: X.Org Video Driver
[   34.902]  ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version15.0
[   34.902] (II) NVIDIA dlloader X Driver  173.14.39 Wed Nov 27 15:02:30 PST 2013
[   34.902] (II) NVIDIA Unified Driver for all SupportedNVIDIA GPUs
[   34.902] (II) intel: Driver for Intel(R) IntegratedGraphics Chipsets:
i810,i810-dc100, i810e, i815, i830M, 845G, 854, 852GM/855GM, 865G,
915G,E7221 (i915), 915GM, 945G, 945GM, 945GME, Pineview GM,
PineviewG, 965G, G35, 965Q, 946GZ, 965GM, 965GME/GLE, G33, Q35, Q33,
GM45,4 Series, G45/G43, Q45/Q43, G41, B43
[   34.903] (II) intel: Driver for Intel(R) HD Graphics:2000-6000
[   34.903] (II) intel: Driver for Intel(R) Iris(TM)Graphics: 5100, 6100
[   34.903] (II) intel: Driver for Intel(R) Iris(TM) ProGraphics: 5200, 6200, P6300
[   34.903] (++) using VT number 7


[   34.903] (II) Loading sub module "fb"
[   34.903] (II) LoadModule: "fb"
[   34.903] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/libfb.so
[   34.904] (II) Module fb: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[   34.904]  compiled for 1.15.1, module version =1.0.0
[   34.904]  ABI class: X.Org ANSI C Emulation, version0.4
[   34.904] (II) Loading sub module "wfb"
[   34.904] (II) LoadModule: "wfb"
[   34.904] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/libwfb.so
[   34.905] (II) Module wfb: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[   34.905]  compiled for 1.15.1, module version =1.0.0
[   34.905]  ABI class: X.Org ANSI C Emulation, version0.4
[   34.905] (II) Loading sub module "ramdac"
[   34.905] (II) LoadModule: "ramdac"
[   34.905] (II) Module "ramdac" already built-in
[   34.905] (II) intel(G0): SNA compiled:xserver-xorg-video-intel 2:2.99.910-0ubuntu1.6 (Timo Aaltonen<tjaalton@debian.org>)
[   34.906] (II) NVIDIA(0): Creating default Displaysubsection in Screen section
"nvidia"for depth/fbbpp 24/32
[   34.906] (==) NVIDIA(0): Depth 24, (==) framebuffer bpp32
[   34.906] (==) NVIDIA(0): RGB weight 888
[   34.906] (==) NVIDIA(0): Default visual is TrueColor
[   34.906] (==) NVIDIA(0): Using gamma correction (1.0,1.0, 1.0)
[   34.906] (**) NVIDIA(0): Option "IgnoreDisplayDevices""CRT"
[   34.906] (**) NVIDIA(0): Enabling RENDER acceleration
[   34.906] (II) NVIDIA(0): Support for GLX with the Damageand Composite X extensions is
[   34.906] (II) NVIDIA(0):     enabled.
[   35.143] (II) NVIDIA(GPU-0): No display devicesconnected; falling back to: CRT-0
[   35.143] (WW) NVIDIA(GPU-0): Unable to read EDID fordisplay device CRT-0
[   35.143] (II) NVIDIA(0): NVIDIA GPU GeForce FX 5200(NV34) at PCI:1:2:0 (GPU-0)
[   35.143] (--) NVIDIA(0): Memory: 262144 kBytes
[   35.143] (--) NVIDIA(0): VideoBIOS: 04.34.20.69.51
[   35.143] (--) NVIDIA(0): Interlaced video modes aresupported on this GPU
[   35.143] (--) NVIDIA(0): Connected display device(s) onGeForce FX 5200 at PCI:1:2:0:
[   35.143] (--) NVIDIA(0):     CRT-0
[   35.143] (--) NVIDIA(0): CRT-0: 350.0 MHz maximum pixelclock
[   35.144] (II) NVIDIA(0): Assigned Display Device: CRT-0
[   35.144] (==) NVIDIA(0): 
[   35.144] (==) NVIDIA(0): No modes were requested; thedefault mode "nvidia-auto-select"
[   35.144] (==) NVIDIA(0):     will be used asthe requested mode.
[   35.144] (==) NVIDIA(0): 
[   35.144] (EE) NVIDIA(0): The requested configuration ofdisplay devices (CRT-0) in
[   35.144] (EE) NVIDIA(0):     MetaMode"nvidia-auto-select" is not supported on this
[   35.144] (EE) NVIDIA(0):     GPU.
[   35.144] (WW) NVIDIA(0): 
[   35.144] (WW) NVIDIA(0): Unable to validate any modes;falling back to the default mode
[   35.144] (WW) NVIDIA(0):    "nvidia-auto-select".
[   35.144] (WW) NVIDIA(0): 
[   35.144] (EE) NVIDIA(0): The requested configuration ofdisplay devices (CRT-0) in
[   35.144] (EE) NVIDIA(0):     MetaMode"nvidia-auto-select" is not supported on this
[   35.144] (EE) NVIDIA(0):     GPU.
[   35.144] (EE) NVIDIA(0): Unable to use default mode"nvidia-auto-select".
[   35.154] (II) UnloadModule: "nvidia"
[   35.154] (II) UnloadSubModule: "wfb"
[   35.154] (II) UnloadSubModule: "fb"
[   35.156] (--) intel(G0): Integrated Graphics Chipset:Intel(R) 845G
[   35.156] (--) intel(G0): CPU: x86, sse2
[   35.156] (==) intel(G0): Depth 24, (--) framebuffer bpp32
[   35.156] (==) intel(G0): RGB weight 888
[   35.157] (==) intel(G0): Default visual is TrueColor
[   35.157] (**) intel(G0): Option "AccelMethod""SNA"
[   35.157] (WW) intel(G0): Unable to reserve memory forGPU, disabling acceleration.
[   35.157] (**) intel(G0): Framebuffer tiled
[   35.157] (**) intel(G0): Pixmaps tiled
[   35.157] (**) intel(G0): "Tear free" disabled
[   35.157] (**) intel(G0): Forcing per-crtc-pixmaps? no
[   35.157] (II) intel(G0): Output VGA1 has no monitorsection
[   35.157] (II) intel(G0): Output VIRTUAL1 has no monitorsection
[   35.157] (==) intel(G0): DPI set to (96, 96)
[   35.157] (II) Loading sub module "dri2"
[   35.157] (II) LoadModule: "dri2"
[   35.157] (II) Module "dri2" already built-in
[   35.158] (EE) Screen(s) found, but none have a usableconfiguration.
[   35.158] (EE) 
Fatalserver error:
[   35.158] (EE) no screens found(EE) 
[   35.158] (EE) 
Pleaseconsult the The X.Org Foundation support 
 athttp://wiki.x.org
 forhelp. 
[   35.158] (EE) Please also check the log file at"/var/log/Xorg.0.log" for additional information.
[   35.158] (EE) 
[   35.163] (EE) Server terminated with error (1). Closinglog file.

I hope this gives you more information on my situation.
Thanks.

[Bashing-om]

SciGuy1872; Yuk on me;

There is more here than I know how to deal with:

34.906] (II) NVIDIA(0): Support for GLX with the Damageand Composite X extensions is
[ 34.906] (II) NVIDIA(0): enabled.

35.143] (II) NVIDIA(GPU-0): No display devicesconnected; falling back to: CRT-0

35.143] (WW) NVIDIA(GPU-0): Unable to read EDID fordisplay device CRT-0

35.144] (EE) NVIDIA(0): The requested configuration ofdisplay devices (CRT-0) in
[ 35.144] (EE) NVIDIA(0): MetaMode"nvidia-auto-select" is not supported on this
[ 35.144] (EE) NVIDIA(0): GPU.

35.154] (II) UnloadModule: "nvidia"

35.158] (EE) Screen(s) found, but none have a usableconfiguration.
[ 35.158] (EE)
Fatalserver error:
[ 35.158] (EE) no screens found(EE)

35.163] (EE) Server terminated with error (1). Closinglog file.

I do not know how to tell the kernel to set up for a display it does not "see" .

Hopefully, others here can further assist us on our way.

a failure to communicate

[SciGuy1872]

Hi. I just noticed that the OS version is reported as 14.04.4--I read another post:

the 173.xx driver doesn't work past 14.04.1 (last that was using Xorg 1.15 supported by nvidia-173.xx)

Could this be my problem with the Nvidia? If so, do I just need to reinstall 14.04.0 and run all the commands you gave me except the

sudo apt upgrade

The X version is still 1.15.1.
Thanks,
Anthony

[Bashing-om]

SciGuy1872; Hey;

Nope, the base version of Xserver remains in 14.04 release. You should be good in that respect. I am of the opinion that .1 is not a major change in the X -version .
But, I agree, will be good to insure that you are not on the elevated X stack as provided by the HardWare Enablement .
What returns:

uname -a

Your installed X at version 1.15.1 indicates to me that HWE is not a factor here that the kernel version is the 3.13.0-XX-generic series.

However;
I also agree, can not hurt a thing to see what results when re-installing version 14.04.1 where the stack will remain unless you explicitly opt in for HWE . The releases past 14.04.1 by default are HWE . As I too am interested in where the fault actually lies .

A thought .. there is not some kind of display adapter to the VGA monitor is there ? An adapter can have an adverse effect !

inquiring minds want to know

[SciGuy1872]

Hi. I think the adapter is just a regular plug--the flatscreen worked fine with Precise. I tried connecting the computer to a CRT I have as fallback, since the Xorg.log mentions a CRT; no luck, though.

anthony@anthony-desktop:~$ uname -a
Linux anthony-desktop 3.13.0-88-generic #135-Ubuntu SMP Wed Jun 8 21:10:37 UTC 2016 i686 i686 i686 GNU/Linux

I can try a reinstall if the terminal is responding with what you'd expect.
Thanks,
Anthony

[Bashing-om]

SciGuy1872; Welp;

So much for the thought that an adapter might be the cause of the issue.

Again, we are back, to " I just do not know" . But the kernel sure is not happy with what the monitor does not report .

if I know better

I would do better