Xserver crashes on booting

English Install/Boot/Login
#1

I have installed opensuse 11.1 on my new MD96852-noteboook (Medion). Installation without problems.
Linux gm2009 2.6.27.29-0.1-pae #1 SMP 2009-08-15 17:53:59 +0200 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux
Opensuse 11.1
8280 1H (ICH8 family) HD Audio Controller
GeForce 8600M GS

On booting the system comes up “statistically”, i.e. about 20% work, 80% produce a blank screen.
The Xserver crashes right at the beginning. The splash screen doesn’t come up.
However, the system is obviously running as I can login via the LAN from another computer.
I cannot see any helpful diagnostics. At the end of Xorg.0.log it just states:
(EE) No devices detected.
Fatal server error:
no screens found

Of course, these messages are missing in the file when it boots properly while the messages preceding are identical.
boot.msg also doesn’t help me. I can’t see anything wrong or missing in xorg.conf.
I suspect some timing is wrong in the start sequence. What can I do?

#2

You could switch to vesa to get you a reliable UI login and then we can look at installing nvidia drivers. To switch to Vesa follow this:

Pause the boot by moving the down arrow, then back up to the default boot. But now press backspace, it should delete any text where you can see: vga=0x…
Remove all text and now type just the number:
3
and hit enter
at the login type your user name and then password
now type:
su
then the root password
now type this:
sax2 -r -m 0=vesa
(N.B. the 0 is a zero not a letter)
now reboot: type: reboot
if you don’t get a gui login
login as user at cli and try this at the cli
startx

#3

No change with this variant. I don’t think it’s a driver problem. When I tried to start the Xserver remotely I got again the message “no screen found”.

#4

Please post your /etc/X11/xorg.conf

#5

/…/

SaX generated X11 config file

Created on: 2009-10-13T18:08:53+1100.

Version: 8.1

Contact: Marcus Schaefer <sax@suse.de>, 2005

Contact: SaX-User list <https://lists.berlios.de/mailman/listinfo/sax-users>

Automatically generated by [ISaX] (8.1)

PLEASE DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE!

Section “Files”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/misc:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/local”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/75dpi:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/100dpi:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/Type1”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/URW”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/Speedo”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/PEX”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/cyrillic”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/latin2/misc:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/latin2/75dpi:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/latin2/100dpi:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/latin2/Type1”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/latin7/75dpi:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/baekmuk:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/japanese:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/kwintv”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/truetype”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/uni:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/CID”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/ucs/misc:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/ucs/75dpi:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/ucs/100dpi:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/hellas/misc:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/hellas/75dpi:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/hellas/100dpi:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/hellas/Type1”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/misc/sgi:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/xtest”
FontPath “/opt/kde3/share/fonts”
InputDevices “/dev/gpmdata”
InputDevices “/dev/input/mice”
EndSection

Section “ServerFlags”
Option “AllowMouseOpenFail” “on”
Option “ZapWarning” “on”
EndSection

Section “Module”
Load “extmod”
Load “dbe”
Load “glx”
Load “freetype”
Load “dri”
EndSection

Section “InputDevice”
Driver “kbd”
Identifier “Keyboard[0]”
Option “Protocol” “Standard”
Option “XkbLayout” “us”
Option “XkbModel” “microsoftpro”
Option “XkbRules” “xfree86”
EndSection

Section “InputDevice”
Driver “mouse”
Identifier “Mouse[1]”
Option “Buttons” “7”
Option “Device” “/dev/input/mice”
Option “Name” “Chic Browser Mouse”
Option “Protocol” “explorerps/2”
Option “Vendor” “Sysp”
Option “ZAxisMapping” “4 5”
EndSection

Section “InputDevice”
Driver “synaptics”
Identifier “Mouse[3]”
Option “Buttons” “5”
Option “Device” “/dev/input/mice”
Option “Emulate3Buttons” “on”
Option “HorizScrollDelta” “0”
Option “InputFashion” “Mouse”
Option “Name” “Synaptics;Touchpad”
Option “Protocol” “explorerps/2”
Option “SHMConfig” “on”
Option “Vendor” “Sysp”
Option “ZAxisMapping” “4 5”
EndSection

Section “Monitor”
Option “CalcAlgorithm” “XServerPool”
DisplaySize 305 230
HorizSync 30-52
Identifier “Monitor[0]”
ModelName “1280X800@60HZ”
Option “DPMS”
Option “PreferredMode” “1280x800”
VendorName “–> LCD”
VertRefresh 50-60
UseModes “Modes[0]”
EndSection

Section “Modes”
Identifier “Modes[0]”
EndSection

Section “Screen”
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection “Display”
Depth 15
Modes “1280x800” “1280x768” “1280x720” “1024x768” “1280x600” “1024x600” “800x600” “768x576” “640x480”
EndSubSection
SubSection “Display”
Depth 16
Modes “1280x800” “1280x768” “1280x720” “1024x768” “1280x600” “1024x600” “800x600” “768x576” “640x480”
EndSubSection
SubSection “Display”
Depth 24
Modes “1280x800” “1280x768” “1280x720” “1024x768” “1280x600” “1024x600” “800x600” “768x576” “640x480”
EndSubSection
SubSection “Display”
Depth 8
Modes “1280x800” “1280x768” “1280x720” “1024x768” “1280x600” “1024x600” “800x600” “768x576” “640x480”
EndSubSection
Device “Device[0]”
Identifier “Screen[0]”
Monitor “Monitor[0]”
EndSection

Section “Device”
BoardName “GeForce 8600M GS”
Driver “nv”
Identifier “Device[0]”
Screen 0
VendorName “NVidia”
EndSection

Section “ServerLayout”
Identifier “Layout[all]”
InputDevice “Keyboard[0]” “CoreKeyboard”
InputDevice “Mouse[1]” “CorePointer”
InputDevice “Mouse[3]” “SendCoreEvents”
Option “Clone” “off”
Option “Xinerama” “off”
Screen “Screen[0]”
EndSection

Section “DRI”
Group “video”
Mode 0660
EndSection

Section “Extensions”
Option “Composite” “off”
EndSection

#6

So you are saying - sometimes you get a working desktop, but mostly it crashes?

You have the nvidia driver installed by the looks of that xorg stuff.

Please try booting with the Failsafe option.
or
Use the default boot, but type this in the boot arguments:
acpi=off noapic

Report back

#7

He probably installed the driver before updating. If so, it has not been configured to be used by the X-server (‘nv’ driver is selected).
Follow this, and you should be OK:

Pre-NVIDIA install:
Open Software Installer, choose PATTERN view.
Check “Linux Kernel Development”
Click Accept

NVIDIA install (when reinstall, start at “++actual install” stop at “++Configure X…”)

Open a terminal window and do:

++ prepare some things

mkdir NVIDIA

cd NVIDIA

++ a folder NVIDIA is created in /home/YOURUSERNAME and entered

++ now on a 32bit system do:

wget ftp://download.nvidia.com/XFree86/Linux-x86/190.36/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-190.36-pkg1.run

++ on a 64bit system do:

wget ftp://download.nvidia.com/XFree86/Linux-x86_64/190.36/NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-190.36-pkg2.run

++ this downloads the driver from the NVIDIA site, into current folder

++ actual install

++ now on 32bit do:
su -c ‘sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86-190.36-pkg1.run -q’

++ on 64bit do:
su -c ‘sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-190.36-pkg2.run -q’

++ Enter rootpassword when asked for. The installer will start, Accept the license, hit OK when asked for, until finished.

++ Configure X-server to use the driver :

su -c ‘sax2 -r -m0=nvidia’

++ Enter rootpassword. MIND: after the -m is a ZERO. Click Change Configuration, check values for videocard and monitor resolition. Save and exit.

++ Driver is now installed and configured. On next kernel update there’s no need for the sax2 command, since Xorg is already configured to use the nvidia driver.

++ Now we need to change to runlevel 5 to get your gui back:

su -c ‘init 5 && exit’

++ Enter rootpassword and you should be presented with the kdm login screen.

#8

The system boots regularly in 1 out of 5 cases on average. I still think the driver is not the problem. Nevertheless, I followed knurpht’s instructions and reinstalled the nvidia-driver. The result is just the same, except that now I can’t even choose my screen resolution anymore. Instead of 1280x800 I only get 1024x768 although the former is certainly the displayed parameter.
So my original problem remains:how can I track the problem with the crashing xserver. The message ‘No screen detected’ indicates that the hardware recognition is not fast enough for the start of the xserver. Besides I find the popping up NVIDIA screen a nuisance.

#9

Looks like you have remains of previous NVIDIA drivers on your system. Uninstall any NVIDIA packages from Yast, reinstall the driver, redo ‘sax2 -r -m0=nvidia’, change configuration, from the options of the card, tick NoLogo, that removes the NVIDIA logo from X startup.

And…please post your current /etc/X11/xorg.conf

#10

There are lots of difficulties with nvidia and sax (I have wasted days on that) - but they can be made to work.

see for example installed but sax2 wont change - openSUSE Forums
http://en.opensuse.org/NVIDIA

#11

I hate to use radeon and nvidia cards just because of the issue above

#12

There are no old remains of the NVIDIA driver left on the system. So far nothing has changed since I started my thread. Here is my xorg.conf:

/…/

SaX generated X11 config file

Created on: 2009-10-25T11:57:12+1100.

Version: 8.1

Contact: Marcus Schaefer <sax@suse.de>, 2005

Contact: SaX-User list <https://lists.berlios.de/mailman/listinfo/sax-users>

Automatically generated by [ISaX] (8.1)

PLEASE DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE!

Section “Files”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/misc:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/local”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/75dpi:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/100dpi:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/Type1”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/URW”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/Speedo”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/PEX”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/cyrillic”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/latin2/misc:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/latin2/75dpi:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/latin2/100dpi:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/latin2/Type1”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/latin7/75dpi:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/baekmuk:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/japanese:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/kwintv”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/truetype”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/uni:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/CID”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/ucs/misc:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/ucs/75dpi:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/ucs/100dpi:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/hellas/misc:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/hellas/75dpi:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/hellas/100dpi:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/hellas/Type1”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/misc/sgi:unscaled”
FontPath “/usr/share/fonts/xtest”
FontPath “/opt/kde3/share/fonts”
InputDevices “/dev/gpmdata”
InputDevices “/dev/input/mice”
EndSection

Section “ServerFlags”
Option “AllowMouseOpenFail” “on”
Option “ZapWarning” “on”
EndSection

Section “Module”
Load “glx”
Load “dbe”
Load “extmod”
Load “dri”
Load “freetype”
Load “synaptics”
EndSection

Section “InputDevice”
Driver “kbd”
Identifier “Keyboard[0]”
Option “Protocol” “Standard”
Option “XkbLayout” “us”
Option “XkbModel” “microsoftpro”
Option “XkbRules” “xfree86”
EndSection

Section “InputDevice”
Driver “mouse”
Identifier “Mouse[1]”
Option “Buttons” “7”
Option “Device” “/dev/input/mice”
Option “Name” “Chic Browser Mouse”
Option “Protocol” “explorerps/2”
Option “Vendor” “Sysp”
Option “ZAxisMapping” “4 5”
EndSection

Section “InputDevice”
Driver “synaptics”
Identifier “Mouse[3]”
Option “Buttons” “5”
Option “Device” “/dev/input/mice”
Option “Emulate3Buttons” “on”
Option “InputFashion” “Mouse”
Option “Name” “Touchpad”
Option “Protocol” “explorerps/2”
Option “SHMConfig” “on”
Option “Vendor” “Synaptics”
Option “ZAxisMapping” “4 5”
EndSection

Section “Monitor”
Option “CalcAlgorithm” “XServerPool”
DisplaySize 305 230
HorizSync 30-52
Identifier “Monitor[0]”
ModelName “1280X800@60HZ”
Option “DPMS”
Option “PreferredMode” “1440x900”
VendorName “–> LCD”
VertRefresh 50-60
UseModes “Modes[0]”
EndSection

Section “Modes”
Identifier “Modes[0]”
EndSection

Section “Screen”
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection “Display”
Depth 15
Modes “1440x900” “1366x768” “1360x768” “1280x800” “1152x864” “1280x768” “1280x720” “1024x768” “1280x600” “1024x600” “800x600” “768x576” “640x480”
EndSubSection
SubSection “Display”
Depth 16
Modes “1440x900” “1366x768” “1360x768” “1280x800” “1152x864” “1280x768” “1280x720” “1024x768” “1280x600” “1024x600” “800x600” “768x576” “640x480”
EndSubSection
SubSection “Display”
Depth 24
Modes “1440x900” “1366x768” “1360x768” “1280x800” “1152x864” “1280x768” “1280x720” “1024x768” “1280x600” “1024x600” “800x600” “768x576” “640x480”
EndSubSection
SubSection “Display”
Depth 8
Modes “1440x900” “1366x768” “1360x768” “1280x800” “1152x864” “1280x768” “1280x720” “1024x768” “1280x600” “1024x600” “800x600” “768x576” “640x480”
EndSubSection
Device “Device[0]”
Identifier “Screen[0]”
Monitor “Monitor[0]”
EndSection

Section “Device”
BoardName “GeForce 8600M GS”
Driver “nvidia”
Identifier “Device[0]”
Option “NoLogo”
Option “XaaNoSolidFillTrap”
Screen 0
VendorName “NVidia”
EndSection

Section “ServerLayout”
Identifier “Layout[all]”
InputDevice “Keyboard[0]” “CoreKeyboard”
InputDevice “Mouse[1]” “CorePointer”
InputDevice “Mouse[3]” “SendCoreEvents”
Option “Clone” “off”
Option “Xinerama” “off”
Screen “Screen[0]”
EndSection

Section “DRI”
Group “video”
Mode 0660
EndSection

Section “Extensions”
EndSection
Thanks for all help.

#13

Please post result of:

zypper lr -d
#14

| Alias | Name | Enabled | Refresh | Priority | Type | URI | Service

–±----------------±--------------------------------------------±--------±--------±---------±---------±----------------------------------------------------------------------------±-------
1 | Local | Local | Yes | Yes | 99 | plaindir | dir:///home/gerd/Linux/ |
2 | openSUSE 11.1-0 | openSUSE 11.1-0 | Yes | Yes | 99 | yast2 | ftp://mirror.aarnet.edu.au/pub/opensuse/opensuse/distribution/11.1/repo/oss |
3 | repo | Packman Repository | Yes | Yes | 99 | rpm-md | Index of /pub/packman/suse/11.1 |
4 | repo-debug | openSUSE-11.1-Debug | No | Yes | 100 | NONE | Index of /debug/distribution/11.1/repo/oss |
5 | repo-non-oss | openSUSE-11.1-Non-Oss | No | Yes | 100 | yast2 | Index of /distribution/11.1/repo/non-oss |
6 | repo-oss | openSUSE-11.1-Oss | No | Yes | 100 | yast2 | Index of /distribution/11.1/repo/oss |
7 | repo-source | openSUSE-11.1-Source | No | Yes | 100 | NONE | Index of /source/distribution/11.1/repo/oss |
8 | repo-update | openSUSE-11.1-Update | Yes | Yes | 20 | rpm-md | Index of /update/11.1 |
9 | repo_1 | openSUSE BuildService - Drivers for webcams | No | No | 99 | rpm-md | Index of /repositories/drivers:/webcam/openSUSE_11.1 |

#15

I asked for this because I was wondering if you had a nvidia repo in there. But you do need to make the above changes unless you had those repo’s off for a reason? Your xorg.conf shows the nvidia driver there. So did you try using the installer manually. Get the driver from nvidia and do the following:

Alright so here is how to install the nvidia driver manually, in case the one in the repo doesn’t work or u just want to use the latest.
Go to Yast>Software>Software Management
Search for and install if you don’t have these:

make
gcc
kernel-source

Now download the latest Nvidia driver:
Place the file in your /home/username

Now restart and at the boot screen, pause the boot by moving the down button, then move back up and clear any text in the boot arguments by holding backspace. Then just type the number: 3

At the login
Login with your username and password
Now switch to super user with su
and root password

*Now remember you can use the {TAB} key to auto complete
so type:
sh NVIDIA{TAB}
and the whole file name should auto complete
eg: sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86-185.18.36-pkg1.run

Follow the installer and let it compile the kernel module for you.
Say Yes to everything
Use TAB to move around
reboot

sax2 -r from a su terminal will configure after if there is a problem

#16

Yes,I had the two repos switched off just to shorten the time for getting into the software management. I switched them on again.
I followed your instructions to recompile the NVIDIA driver, yet again. All went well but the result on restart is the same. The xserver only started at the fourth attempt.
I really like to come back to my original question whether I can’t make visible what happens before the logging of the boot session starts.

#17

You DON’T want the repo’s for nvidia enabled if you are installing the driver manually.
From here:
NVIDIA - Download Drivers

Press Esc. during the green boot splash to see verbose text in the boot screen.

#18

I don’t even get the green boot splash screen! Besides those messages I can read later in /var/log

#19

But you must get grub menu of some sort? it’s from here that you edit the boot arguments to just 3

#20

Yes, I get the grub menu and can edit it. But thereafter it’s only blank while the disk is audibly working. I also manage to log in from another computer on the LAN but can’t start the xserver because it hasn’t registered a screen.So there is an information gap from when I leave the grub menu until the ‘boot.msg’ kicks in.