Suse 11.2 64bit on Dell Latitude E6410 i7 Nvidia VNS 3100M

English Install/Boot/Login
1

Hi All,
I’m trying to install OpenSuse 11.2 64bit on a new Dell Latitude E6410 notebook. This is the Intel i7 processor with 8 Gb of RAM and Nvidia NVS 3100M graphics. I can boot from my 64bit installer DVD, but once I choose either Live version, to test it out, or just go for Install, after the first selection screen where I can change the default video at the bottom, I just get a black screen, no video.
I can’t find any info on installing Suse on this notebook, (I think its only be available for a couple of weeks now).
What do I do to get the screen to show me the graphical installer,
Or how do I make the KDE Live version run from the 64bit DVD.
I also tried the 32bit version DVD, but it wouldn’t give graphics either, so it seems like an X issue.

thanks for the help.

2

I think I would do two things. First, visit nVidia and make sure a Linux driver exists your laptop video card, if it does you could do an install in Text mode. When you start the install, press F3 and select text mode. If there is a Linux nVidia graphics driver, after the install is complete, you will be at the Terminal prompt. You could copy the nVidia driver to a disk drive before the install you could map or which is mapped after the install. Just install the driver and then use startx, to run the desktop. Realize, that openSUSE will update the kernel and require another graphic driver install afterward. If you get the graphics mode loaded, you could add the nVidia repository and load the driver through the normal mode that is not wiped out when the kernel is updated. Also, during the first install, F3 does provide other graphic choices you could try. Finally, consider that openSUSE 11.3 is only a month or so away. For such a new laptop, you might wait for the newest version of openSUSE to come out.

Thank You,

3

Further to jdmcdaniel3’s post, you can research what proprietary nVidia graphic drivers are available here: Drivers - Download NVIDIA Drivers
when I do that it brings me here: NVIDIA DRIVERS 195.36.24 Certified suggesting the 195.36.24 proprietary driver will work.

The thinkwiki is a good site, and going there I note this page: NVIDIA Quadro NVS 3100M - ThinkWiki which also suggests the proprietary graphic driver will work.

If you find it necessary to install in text mode , there is guidance here: Text mode install from liveCD - openSUSE Forums

You may find it useful initially to boot to X window with limited fbdev or vesa drivers if the open source “nv” driver does not work, … at least until you get the proprietary “nvidia” driver working. To help provide some theory on these various graphic drivers, there is a post here: openSUSE Graphic Card Practical Theory Guide for Users - openSUSE Forums

… also, don’t forget to read our new User’s Stickie: NEW Users - Suse-11.2 Pre-installation – PLEASE READ - openSUSE Forums

4

Hi,

two days ago, I installed Suse 11.2 on my Dell Latitude E6410 with NVS3100 M.
I had the same problem, only the console startet after installation (independent of 32 or 64 bit, I tried both). The problem could be solved easily by starting “yast” and adding the Nvidia repositories and installating the Nvidia driver.

But I still have some problem with the notebook:

  • when the display is going to sleep modus, it’s not possible to wake it up again (you have to log off by hand)
  • the scrolling function on the touchpad is not working.

perhaps you found some solutions for these problems :wink:

best wishes

Michael

5

Hi,

I found a way to wake up the screen by pressing Fn+F8.

Dell should add a manual for the computer (also in the downloadable manual the Fn functions on the keys are not explained) ;).

Best wishes

Michael

6

I also have the “can’t wake up the screen” issue on the Dell E6410.

I’ve been Alt F2 to a new console, then Alt F7 back to the KDE4 session to wake up the screen. FnF8 also sounds like a good idea.

Also, have you gotten the microphone to work? In Skype, I have the built in webcam working, but the microphone is silent.

The microphone is the next non-functioning item in OpenSuse 11.2 64 bit.

Otherwise its working well.

7

Hi,

I tested Skype. I have the same problem with the build in microphone. Also tuning “mic” and “capture” in the kmixer leads only to swoosh.
When I’am using an external microphone (controlled in kmixer by “front mic”), everything works fine.

Best wishes

Michael

8

Hi guys,
Mine starts well but I lose the screen at some point. Trying to resurrect the screen by pressing Fn + F8 it does not work. What could be wrong?
Regards Richard

9

Hi muraguri2005, welcome to openSUSE and to openSUSE forums.

Please, what are you trying to do ? Boot openSUSE-11.3 from a liveCD ? Boot openSUSE-11.3 after an installation ?

Per the openSUSE-11.3 release notes, if you are trying to boot with openSUSE-11.3 and you have a problem, I recommend you type the boot code “nomodeset” in the very first boot selection menu (known by openSUSE users as grub) that appears. Just start typing and you will see the entries appear in the options line.

10

Hi,

sorry: Fn+F7 is the right keyboard combination.
Press first Fn+F1 then you see the command line and afterwards press Fn+F7.

Best wishes

Michael

P.S.: Since I installed the x64 version of Opensuse 11.3 (with KDE 4.6) I have less wake up problems (but the problem is not completely gone ;-).

11

Hi everybody,

I fixed both problems !
Firstly, I looked for a free wi-fi spot.
At home I have only an ethernet connection, that’s why I had troubles.
But the wireless worked properly out-of-the-box.
So, after connecting, I updated the kernel with Yast.
The ethernet card started to work immediately.

With an Internet connection properly working, it was very easy to fix the other
problem with the graphic card.
I followed the instructions on
Nvidia Installer HOWTO for openSUSE users

namely, I added the nvidia repositories to Yast and updated the nvidia drivers.
At the restart, my Suse worked nicely in graphic mode.

I’m happy to start playing with it right now :wink:

Cheers