X Server won't start

[kwikness]

Your error output looks different from mine; I don't think it's the same problem.

In my situation, it's almost like the NVidia module is nowhere to be found (i.e. out to lunch).

In your situation, it seems more complicated. It looks like your module is found, but whatever process is loading your driver runs out of virtual memory.

Either way, hopefully someone will help us both out. Not being able to use a halfway decent (non-Microsoft) OS with my 9800 really sucks.

Good luck-- If I figure anything out I'll post here.

[deano_ferrari]

I empathise with your nvidia driver problems. It can be frustrating trying to diagnose the cause of failure. I found a recent thread concerning a dual-head setup for a GeForce 9800 GTX. In addition to this, have a look at genesis2seven's advice in this ubuntu thread.

It might also be worth posting your install problem to this NVIDIA Linux Forum.

Don't give up. Googling around yields lots of links on this topic with apparently successful outcomes. I often find taking a break before trying again, rests the mind and restores the mental stamina required to succeed.

[itsme98]

kwikness i think you are right. My problem is different from yours.

deano_ferrari i'll post my problem to the nvidia forum.
Looking around finding any solution, i found several ideas, but nothing helped.
I think i'll wait for the next driver-release if nvidia-forum cant't help too..
Until then i will use the 180.60 driver.

regards

[kwikness]

Solved; for anyone else having this problem:

1. Make sure you have your kernel source files
2. Download the NVidia driver for your card from NVidia's site
3. Drop down to runlevel 3
4. Navigate to the directory where you downloaded your drivers
5. Run the NVidia file with 'sh'
6. Let the installer run and reboot your pc
7. Select your new kernel when your bootloader comes up. For me, it was the one that wasn't the default (the one with the higher version number).
8. If your X server fails to load, 'su', then type 'sax2. Hopefully this will get you into KDE, Gnome, or whatever..
10. Once in, pop open a shell and 'su', then 'nvidia-settings'.
11. Change your settings to meet your needs, then restart (via the restarting option in your X system).

Hopefully this helps at least someone out there. This can be a frustrating problem.

Originally Posted by deano_ferrari

I often find taking a break before trying again, rests the mind and restores the mental stamina required to succeed.

You couldn't be any more right about that, my man.

[kwikness]

Here's a walkthrough of this on my blog:
How to install Nvidia Drivers on Opensuse 11.1

[itsme98]

Solved my problem too.
First, congratulation kwikness for your success.

I found on nvidias site a new BIOS for my motherboard (M2N32 SLI deluxe) and installed it.

Then the usual procedure:
booting into console (init 3),
installing the gforce driver 185.18.14 which failed before.
run sax2 -r.
booting again

voila. X server and KDE came up.

But one thing is strange:
For all nvidia driver i installed before i havn't to reboot the system. It was sufficient to go from runlevel 3 to 5 to bring KDE up.
With 185.18.14 i have to reboot. Maybe now the order of installing modules are importend!?

Nevertheless i'm happy.

PS:

7. Select your new kernel when your bootloader comes up. For me, it was the one that wasn't the default (the one with the higher version number).

By compiling the nvidia module (the method you described) you don't get a new kernel in openSuSE. Maybe you selected the wrong kernel before?

regards

[kwikness]

Originally Posted by itsme98

By compiling the nvidia module (the method you described) you don't get a new kernel in openSuSE.

You're right. It must have been there from one of my failed attempts.

Glad you got your card running too, gratz.