[SOLVED] "NVIDIA Failed to initialize the NVIDIA kernal module!"

[Cori]

Q: When are you getting that error message? Is it only in the logs?
A: I get the error message between the startup and the login page.

Q: What happens when you enable 177 in System > Admin > Hardware Drivers? Are you getting error messages there?
A: No error messages until I reboot.

Q: Do you have desktop effects? (Because if you do, your nVidia is working.) Try Ctrl > Alt > Left Arrow and Ctrl > Alt > Right Arrow to find out.
A: Yes, I can flip between my two desktops.

[thomasaaron]

Yes, I can flip between my two desktops.

Sorry, I wasn't clear on that one.

Does it *slide* from desktop to desktop, or does it just instantaneously switch from desktop to desktop.

If it *slides*, desktop effects is enabled and nvidia is working correctly, and, consequently, the error message is probably nothing to worry about.

If it instantaneously switches, desktop effects is not enabled, and we still have a problem.

[Cori]

Thanks for the clarification, Thomasaaron. The desktops do *not* slide, but they switch instantaneously.
Back to the drawing board!

[thomasaaron]

OK. Let's try this:

#Back up your xorg.conf file
sudo mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup

#Re-create your xorg.conf file. Use all defaults.
sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

Now, go to System > Administration > Hardware Drivers and enable 177.

Reboot.

Fixed?

[Cori]

Not fixed yet. Please let me know if you need any info from my system to help you out.

[Vadi]

As a last resort, you can always install nVidia drivers from their installer, which always fixes everything. One drawback is that you won't be able to upgrade it via the Update Manager anymore though.

[thomasaaron]

Whew! This one's a monster, huh?

What happened when you tried to enable 177? Did it seem to take?

Please post the output of this command:

cat /etc/X11/xorg.conf

[Cori]

The 177 driver did seem to "take" -- it went through the whole downloading and installing phase, and prompted me for a restart.

Please see the attachment for the output.

Thanks again for dealing with my monsters!

[Vadi]

Yeah, so you should be good... try enabling the desktop effects now?

[thomasaaron]

Try this:

1. sudo gedit /etc/rc/local
-If there are any nvidia lines in there, comment them out
-Save and exit

2. sudo gedit /etc/udev/rules.d/90-modprobe.rules
- Add the following line *right above* the last line in the file.
RUN+="/sbin/modprobe nvidia"
- Save and Exit
- Reboot

Fixed?