NVidia issues

askfor · 2024-12-19 22:42:15

I have an older PC with NVidia GT 1030 card. I am running Slackware 15 and Windows on the same machine. Recently installed Devuan 5 64 bit on empty partition and setup multi-boot.

There seems to be a problem with nouveau driver. System starts and I am getting lightdm prompt. However, resolution is limited to 1024x768. Also, I am unable to switch to virtual consoles (like Alt+Ctrl+F2). There is a blank screen with cursor when I try that. Also noticed that during booting the screen output stops after line "Waiting udevd to be populated".

Blacklisting nouveau solved the problem with consoles and I am now seeing all of the output during boot. However, I am still limited to 1024x768.

So I tried proprietary driver. The problem is that installer can't find kernel source. I installed linux-source and linux-headers- amd64-[version], where [version] was kernel version as reported by uname -r. No dice.

I must say that I am not a Debian man, but rather a Slackware man. I do have some experience maintaining existing Debian server on my previous job, but nothing like hardware or multimedia. Also, far as I can say, non-free repositories are enabled, but NVidia drive does not show.

So, I am trying to get familiar with Devuan. I'd like to know both, if there is a way to fix nouveau and what do I need to compile proprietary driver. Thanks.

delgado · 2024-12-19 23:42:51

"Blacklisting nouveau" and "no proprietary nvidia driver installed" means the system uses a generic VESA or VGA drive (1024x768).

To install the proprieatary nvidia driver - as far as I remember:

apt-get install firmware-nvidia-graphics nvidia-driver linux-image-amd64 linux-headers-amd64

The full kernel source is not needed to compile the nvidia driver, headers are sufficient. If you want kernel updates, install "linux-image-amd64", not a specific version.
It needs a "xorg.conf" to function (create one with e.g. "nvidia-xconfig"; maybe to install additionally).

Just to mention:
In my cases, the nouveau driver just worked without any config (no acceleration of course).
And my computer spends some seconds with "Waiting udevd to be populated" too (no idea why).

askfor · 2024-12-20 13:41:09

Thanks, I am going to try that. I tried MX Linux, which is based on Debian Bookworm. Latter corresponds to Devuan Daedalus, if I am not mistaken. Nouveau worked without problem. I think I have got, at least, some acceleration. Most video players and browsers use acceleration today, and I watched some videos without visible performance penalty.

I am, kind of, exploring "Debian landscape", lately . Debian distros without Systemd. Peppermint OS is next on my list, version based on Devuan.

greenjeans · 2024-12-20 15:24:12

The nouveau driver has gotten a lot better in my experience, I used to hate it like the plague. But now it works pretty good, at least the last time I tried it, ran a desktop computer I have that was connected to a 50" TV and picture was great.

GlennW · 2024-12-20 22:00:57

Hi,

If you want to install the nVidia blob from nVidia, install these packages...

libglvnd-dev
pkg-config
linux-headers (common and amd64)
gcc
build-essential

and remove any nvidia .deb packages...

to adjust your screen resolution add vga=794 to linux line, it has /boot/vmlinuz- (version) root=UUID= single ro (for instance)

ref. https://pendrivelinux.com/vga-boot-mode … esolution/

generally I change it after the nvidia install to include

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="vga=794 modeset.nouveau=0"

just add it somewhere on that line within the quotes"" (I usually change ro to rw, but ymmv)

you may search for a driver/module here... https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/drivers/

to install the nVidia blob, I generally do this with the "recovery" boot, to limit the boot init to just a screen and not much else, for this install and config process.

you can try this at boot using the 'e' key to edit the config boot line...

then press ctrl-x or F10 to boot

You should get to a prompt asking you to type the root password or enter to proceed booting to safemode...

Type in the root password to undertake maintenance

Later you can edit the /etc/default/grub file before running update for grub if you want the changes to stick.

change to the directory where you downloaded the blob and run the installer

sh /path/to/the/nvidia/blob.run

hopefully your preparations have paid off and the installer will succeed. reboot

Search these pages on this devuan forum to see other posts with similar instructions.
here's one... https://dev1galaxy.org/viewtopic.php?pid=37221#p37221

It's not uncommon to have to reboot after setting modeset.nouveau=0

I hope this helps...

Last edited by GlennW (2024-12-20 22:02:29)

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#1 2024-12-19 22:42:15

NVidia issues

#2 2024-12-19 23:42:51

Re: NVidia issues

#3 2024-12-20 13:41:09

Re: NVidia issues

#4 2024-12-20 15:24:12

Re: NVidia issues

#5 2024-12-20 22:00:57

Re: NVidia issues

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