Red Hat Installation - Text mode in init 5! NVIDIA drivers

Author

Text mode in init 5! NVIDIA drivers

linuxquestion@yahoo.com

2004-01-23, 7:54 pm

I hope that these questions are not too dumb.

I recently installed RedHat Advanced Server 2.1.
When I installed, I didn't see my video card, so I
just used the default, or generic. I got nice graphics
during the install, and used the mouse.

Now, when I boot, the default init level is 5.
However, I only ever get the text prompt. It looks
like an old DOS computer screen.

The video card is:
nvidia gforce fx 5200
that came with the Dell.

I looked on the nvidia website for the drivers at:

http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux.html
and
http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux_...2_1.0-4496.html

and found:
Version: 1.0-4496
Operating System: Linux IA32
Release Date: July 28, 2003

It says that it supports:
GeForce FX 5900 support

Do you think that these would work with my 5200?

I emailed nvidia, but their support had close to
a 100% failure ratio. The only reason it is not
100% failure is that it had automatic response bots
to tell me to go away and figure it out myself,
or bother someone else. Thus, I'm asking you guys.
Sorry.

Dances With Crows

2004-01-23, 7:54 pm

[ non-Linux NGs removed ]
["Followup-To:" header set to comp.os.linux.hardware.] On 24 Nov 2003
18:57:16 -0800, linuxquestion@yahoo.com staggered into the Black Sun and
said:

quote:

> I hope that these questions are not too dumb.

We were all newbies once.

quote:

> I recently installed RedHat Advanced Server 2.1. When I installed, I
> didn't see my video card, so I just used the default, or generic. I
> got nice graphics during the install, and used the mouse.

During the install, RHAS was using the VESA framebuffer. This always
works, but it's slow and is not recommended if you're going to actually
sit at the machine's console and use X.

quote:

> Now, when I boot, the default init level is 5. However, I only ever
> get the text prompt.

Did you configure X properly, using the X configuration tool provided by
Redhat? If this machine is really going to be a server, why does it
need X? If it's going to be a desktop, why did you pay the extra for
RHAS?

quote:

> The video card is nvidia gforce fx 5200

[nVidia evil binary-only kernel modules and such]

quote:

> Do you think that these would work with my 5200?

Yes, if you read the README and follow the directions. Alternatively,
and perhaps more easily, you can use the Free "nv" X server, which will
work as long as you don't need hardware-accelerated 3D. (Why do you
need hardware-accelerated 3D on a server?) I think Redhat's X
configuration is done via the "setup" command, so log in as root and
enter "setup" on the command line, then navigate the menus until you
find "X configuration", then follow that.

quote:

> I emailed nvidia, but their support had close to a 100% failure ratio.
> The only reason it is not 100% failure is that it had automatic
> response bots to tell me to go away and figure it out myself, or
> bother someone else. Thus, I'm asking you guys.

Next time, try something *before* posting to a newsgroup, and report
what you tried, and how it failed.
http://catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html , HTH.

--
Matt G|There is no Darkness in Eternity/But only Light too dim for us to see
Brainbench MVP for Linux Admin / mail: TRAP + SPAN don't belong
http://www.brainbench.com / "He is a rhythmic movement of the
-----------------------------/ penguins, is Tux." --MegaHAL

mjt

2004-01-23, 7:54 pm

On 24 Nov 2003 18:57:16 -0800, linuxquestion@yahoo.com wrote:

quote:

> Now, when I boot, the default init level is 5.
> However, I only ever get the text prompt.

.... then it aint runlevel 5

.... gather all your h/w info,
such as keybd, mouse, video card, monitor to include the
horiz/vert refresh rates and run "xf86config"
..
--
/// Michael J. Tobler: motorcyclist, surfer, skydiver, \\\
\\\ and author: "Inside Linux", "C++ HowTo", "C++ Unleashed" ///
fortune: cpu time/usefulness ratio too high -- core dumped.

linuxquestion@yahoo.com

2004-01-23, 7:55 pm

Thanks for responding.

I need Advanced Server for Oracle. The video card just came with this
machine. I don't need 3d, but I do the gui to work.

quote:

>
> Did you configure X properly, using the X configuration tool provided by
> Redhat? If this machine is really going to be a server, why does it
> need X? If it's going to be a desktop, why did you pay the extra for
> RHAS?

So, do I need to config X manually? This will be different from my
Suse installation, which configed X as part of the install.

What if I just reinstall everything, and choose a Gforce card,
with a lower number? Should that work?

quote:

> [nVidia evil binary-only kernel modules and such]
>
> Yes, if you read the README and follow the directions. Alternatively,
> and perhaps more easily, you can use the Free "nv" X server, which will
> work as long as you don't need hardware-accelerated 3D. (Why do you
> need hardware-accelerated 3D on a server?) I think Redhat's X
> configuration is done via the "setup" command, so log in as root and
> enter "setup" on the command line, then navigate the menus until you
> find "X configuration", then follow that.

Thanks.

When you guys install the regular RedHat, does it config X, and boot
to init 5, with the GUI?

quote:

> Next time, try something *before* posting to a newsgroup, and report
> what you tried, and how it failed.

Well, I reported what I installed, and the symptoms. I spent seven
hours searching for info last night. Is this normal install for AS?
Run level not configured right? Video Card? Looking for drivers.
Reading the README. Something else?

I'm not a big fan of trial and error. It's often led to lots of trouble
and wasted time.

Thomas Richter

2004-01-23, 7:55 pm

Hi,

quote:

> I need Advanced Server for Oracle. The video card just came with this
> machine. I don't need 3d, but I do the gui to work.

Well, guess what, X11 doesn't care about Oracle. (-;

And I afraid by crystal ball is under repair, so more information is
needed to fix the problem. Post your /etc/X11/XF86Config or related
file here, and post /var/log/XFree86.0.log here as well, and then we'll
see what can be done against it.

quote:

> So, do I need to config X manually? This will be different from my
> Suse installation, which configed X as part of the install.

quote:

> What if I just reinstall everything, and choose a Gforce card,
> with a lower number? Should that work?

Quite unnecessary, and a lot more work than just to correct the X
settings.

quote:

Will require the nvidia custom driver. Go to their web-page,
download the driver and install it. You'll find a readme in its
archive.
[QUOTE][color=darkred]

AFAIK, the "nv" won't support the FX 5200. For very simple unaccellerated
access, the "vesa" driver should do it, though.
[QUOTE][color=darkred]
> When you guys install the regular RedHat, does it config X, and boot
> to init 5, with the GUI?

If the graphics card is supported, yes.

quote:

[QUOTE][color=darkred]
> Well, I reported what I installed, and the symptoms.

Please post the configuration files and the log files.

quote:

> I spent seven hours searching for info last night.
> Run level not configured right? Video Card? Looking for drivers.
> Reading the README. Something else?

Yes. Please collect the information requested above, then come back.

quote:

> I'm not a big fan of trial and error. It's often led to lots of trouble
> and wasted time.

Might be. But this ain't windows. Reinstallation might take longer, and
might not even solve the trouble either. The problem is most likely
easily fixed if you know how, or if we know how if you provide the
information. (-;

Hence: Config file please, log file please. Monitor (CRT/TFT) and
where it's connected (DVI/VGA) might help as well.

So long,
Thomas

The Black Wibble

2004-01-23, 7:55 pm

linuxquestion@yahoo.com wrote:

quote:

> I hope that these questions are not too dumb.
>
> I recently installed RedHat Advanced Server 2.1.
> When I installed, I didn't see my video card, so I
> just used the default, or generic. I got nice graphics
> during the install, and used the mouse.

But further down the list you should be able to select the generic
driver used for nVidia FX cards.

quote:

> Now, when I boot, the default init level is 5.
> However, I only ever get the text prompt. It looks
> like an old DOS computer screen.

Weird. So when you enter telinit 5 or startx at the DOS prompt what
happens? Normally when the X server has difficulty starting, the
display goes black, then you see the DOS shell, then it goes black
again, etc, and an error message eventually appears with a blue background.

If it gets that far then maybe posting the contents of your XF86Config
file in /etc/X11/ might give us a clue.

quote:

>
>
> The video card is:
> nvidia gforce fx 5200
> that came with the Dell.
>
> I looked on the nvidia website for the drivers at:
>
> http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux.html
> and
> http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux_...2_1.0-4496.html
>
> and found:
> Version: 1.0-4496
> Operating System: Linux IA32
> Release Date: July 28, 2003
>
> It says that it supports:
> GeForce FX 5900 support
>
> Do you think that these would work with my 5200?

The drivers support the FX5200. Click the "README - Text Version" link
on the same webpage.

quote:

> I emailed nvidia, but their support had close to
> a 100% failure ratio. The only reason it is not
> 100% failure is that it had automatic response bots
> to tell me to go away and figure it out myself,
> or bother someone else. Thus, I'm asking you guys.
> Sorry.

---
To email me replace the org.nz with net.nz

mjt

2004-01-23, 7:55 pm

On Thu, 27 Nov 2003 11:43:15 +1300, The Black Wibble <anthony.neville@paradise.org.nz> wrote:

quote:

> Weird. So when you enter telinit 5 or startx at the DOS prompt what
> happens? Normally when the X server has difficulty starting, the
> display goes black, then you see the DOS shell, then it goes black
> again, etc, and an error message eventually appears with a blue

..... uhhhhhh. the OP said "it looks like an old DOS screen".
why are you on about 'DOS prompt' and 'DOS shell'???? there
is no such thing on Linux

..
--
/// Michael J. Tobler: motorcyclist, surfer, skydiver, \\\
\\\ and author: "Inside Linux", "C++ HowTo", "C++ Unleashed" ///
"Benson, you are so free of the ravages of intelligence"

Ivor Cave

2004-01-23, 7:55 pm

The Black Wibble wrote:

quote:

> Weird. So when you enter telinit 5 or startx at the DOS prompt what
> happens? Normally when the X server has difficulty starting, the
> display goes black, then you see the DOS shell, then it goes black
> again, etc, and an error message eventually appears with a blue background.

When I type startx at a dos prompt it says "command not found"
C:\

Ivor Cave

The Black Wibble

2004-01-23, 7:55 pm

mjt wrote:

quote:

> On Thu, 27 Nov 2003 11:43:15 +1300, The Black Wibble <anthony.neville@paradise.org.nz> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> .... uhhhhhh. the OP said "it looks like an old DOS screen".
> why are you on about 'DOS prompt' and 'DOS shell'???? there
> is no such thing on Linux
> .

Alright... The term "DOS" is somewhat antiquated, so I will no longer
use it when referring to a linux shell.

--
To email me replace the org.nz with net.nz

linuxquestion@yahoo.com

2004-01-23, 7:57 pm

Here is what I did. Do a lot of reading from the nvidia website.
And google. Look at a lot of files.

Reinstall everything. Probably not necessary, but I wanted
to change the sizes of the partitions. Choose to use the
video card: Nvidia Gforce

Install as many options as possible!

Including almost everything concerned with X, and gcc, and libraries,
etc. Config at install to boot to init 3.

Reboot. It boots to text again. init 5 won't work.

Download the .rpm file from nvidia. Install it.
Since I'm not yet connected to the internet, tell it to
compile the kernel without searching the net.

After many hours, and much reading, finally edit the file:
/etc/X11/XF68Config-4
which was the file that was being used as the default.

Change a few lines:

Change the line
Driver "nv"
to
Driver "nvidia"

comment out the parts for GLcore, and dri:

Section "Module"
# Load "GLcore"
# Load "dri"

Reboot to init3.
init 5.
Works. Brings up X, and gnome.

I'm not sure if this is the best it should be. But so far the
GUI works. I'll look more soon.

What a lot of work!!!!

Ratio of reading to editing:
thousands, probably hundreds of thousands of words read.
to
one word edited, and two lines commented.

Just to get a fundamental thing like the video card to work.

How's that for making (in)efficient use of my time?
Isn't the computer suppposed to serve me? Not the other way around?

So I do appreciate all the help everyone has given!

linuxquestion@yahoo.com wrote in message news:<672ceaed.0311241857.27026e1d@posting.google.com>...

quote:

> I hope that these questions are not too dumb.
>
> I recently installed RedHat Advanced Server 2.1.
> When I installed, I didn't see my video card, so I
> just used the default, or generic. I got nice graphics
> during the install, and used the mouse.
>
> Now, when I boot, the default init level is 5.
> However, I only ever get the text prompt. It looks
> like an old DOS computer screen.
>
>
> The video card is:
> nvidia gforce fx 5200
> that came with the Dell.
>
> I looked on the nvidia website for the drivers at:
>
> http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux.html
> and
> http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux_...2_1.0-4496.html
>
> and found:
> Version: 1.0-4496
> Operating System: Linux IA32
> Release Date: July 28, 2003
>
> It says that it supports:
> GeForce FX 5900 support
>
> Do you think that these would work with my 5200?
>
> I emailed nvidia, but their support had close to
> a 100% failure ratio. The only reason it is not
> 100% failure is that it had automatic response bots
> to tell me to go away and figure it out myself,
> or bother someone else. Thus, I'm asking you guys.
> Sorry.

Bit Twister

2004-01-23, 7:57 pm

On 1 Dec 2003 21:21:21 -0800, linuxquestion@yahoo.com wrote:

quote:

> Ratio of reading to editing: thousands, probably hundreds of
> thousands of words read. to one word edited, and two lines
> commented.

quote:

> How's that for making (in)efficient use of my time?

I just read the document supplied in the package.

mjt

2004-01-23, 7:57 pm

On 1 Dec 2003 21:21:21 -0800, linuxquestion@yahoo.com wrote:

quote:

> What a lot of work!!

.... i do the anti-male thing: read the manual FIRST
..
--
/// Michael J. Tobler: motorcyclist, surfer, skydiver, \\\
\\\ and author: "Inside Linux", "C++ HowTo", "C++ Unleashed" ///
To be intoxicated is to feel sophisticated but not be able to say it.

linuxquestion@yahoo.com

2004-01-23, 7:57 pm

I wish my endeavors were just that simple. I also read the doc.

But first I had to figure out that it was the video card. I've
never seen a video card give trouble before. That took a lot of
research over a few days to conclude that it was the video card.

Then the doc was 55 pages long. I read most of it, and made 12
pages of notes.

In the end, I only had to comment two lines, and change a word
on another line.

So, I "just" read the document too. It bothers me how much was
involved to do something that was pretty simple. You would think
that the scripts would do this for you.

Bit Twister <BitTwister@localhost.localdomain> wrote in message news:<slrnbso939.8m4.BitTwister@wb.home>...

quote:

> On 1 Dec 2003 21:21:21 -0800, linuxquestion@yahoo.com wrote:
>
>
>
> I just read the document supplied in the package.

linuxquestion@yahoo.com

2004-01-23, 7:57 pm

quote:

> On 1 Dec 2003 21:21:21 -0800, linuxquestion@yahoo.com wrote:
>
>
>
> I just read the document supplied in the package.

linuxquestion@yahoo.com

2004-01-23, 7:57 pm

quote:

> On 1 Dec 2003 21:21:21 -0800, linuxquestion@yahoo.com wrote:
>
>
>
> I just read the document supplied in the package.

linuxquestion@yahoo.com

2004-01-23, 7:57 pm

quote:

> On 1 Dec 2003 21:21:21 -0800, linuxquestion@yahoo.com wrote:
>
>
>
> I just read the document supplied in the package.

linuxquestion@yahoo.com

2004-01-23, 7:57 pm

quote:

> On 1 Dec 2003 21:21:21 -0800, linuxquestion@yahoo.com wrote:
>
>
>
> I just read the document supplied in the package.

Doug Laidlaw

2004-01-23, 7:57 pm

linuxquestion@yahoo.com wrote:
[QUOTE][color=darkred]
> I wish my endeavors were just that simple. I also read the doc.
>
> But first I had to figure out that it was the video card. I've
> never seen a video card give trouble before. That took a lot of
> research over a few days to conclude that it was the video card.
>
> Then the doc was 55 pages long. I read most of it, and made 12
> pages of notes.
>
> In the end, I only had to comment two lines, and change a word
> on another line.
>
> So, I "just" read the document too. It bothers me how much was
> involved to do something that was pretty simple. You would think
> that the scripts would do this for you.
>
>
> Bit Twister <BitTwister@localhost.localdomain> wrote in message
> news:<slrnbso939.8m4.BitTwister@wb.home>...
I agree with you. The first thing you have to do after installing the
driver is change one word in your XF86config-4 file. Why do they have to
hide this halfway down a mass of irrelevant waffle? It should be on the
first line.

Doug.
--
Murphy's Law of Optimism
(otherwise the First Law of Investing)
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Doug Laidlaw

2004-01-23, 7:57 pm

Doug Laidlaw

2004-01-23, 7:57 pm

Doug Laidlaw

2004-01-23, 7:57 pm

Doug Laidlaw

2004-01-23, 7:57 pm

Anthony Neville

2004-01-23, 7:57 pm

<linuxquestion@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:672ceaed.0312012121.77806619@posting.google.com...
[...]

quote:

> What a lot of work!!!!
>
> Ratio of reading to editing:
> thousands, probably hundreds of thousands of words read.
> to
> one word edited, and two lines commented.
>
> Just to get a fundamental thing like the video card to work.
>
> How's that for making (in)efficient use of my time?
> Isn't the computer suppposed to serve me? Not the other way around?

Yes, I know what you mean. I have spent days trying to get the video capture on my MSI FX5900 Ultra working
which included stuffing around with the AGP recognition part of some driver source code searching for a bug
which didn't really exist. All it took was an option to the agpgart.o module and a simple modification to the
source code to recognise my card and it worked. I could watch TV in Linux.fedora. Now after downloaded and
installing an updated kernel, it no longer works. grrrr..

Tony.

To email me, replace the org.nz with net.nz

Anthony Neville

2004-01-23, 7:57 pm

<linuxquestion@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:672ceaed.0312012121.77806619@posting.google.com...
[...]

quote:

> What a lot of work!!!!
>
> Ratio of reading to editing:
> thousands, probably hundreds of thousands of words read.
> to
> one word edited, and two lines commented.
>
> Just to get a fundamental thing like the video card to work.
>
> How's that for making (in)efficient use of my time?
> Isn't the computer suppposed to serve me? Not the other way around?

Anthony Neville

2004-01-23, 7:57 pm

<linuxquestion@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:672ceaed.0312012121.77806619@posting.google.com...
[...]

quote:

> What a lot of work!!!!
>
> Ratio of reading to editing:
> thousands, probably hundreds of thousands of words read.
> to
> one word edited, and two lines commented.
>
> Just to get a fundamental thing like the video card to work.
>
> How's that for making (in)efficient use of my time?
> Isn't the computer suppposed to serve me? Not the other way around?

Anthony Neville

2004-01-23, 7:57 pm

<linuxquestion@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:672ceaed.0312012121.77806619@posting.google.com...
[...]

quote:

> What a lot of work!!!!
>
> Ratio of reading to editing:
> thousands, probably hundreds of thousands of words read.
> to
> one word edited, and two lines commented.
>
> Just to get a fundamental thing like the video card to work.
>
> How's that for making (in)efficient use of my time?
> Isn't the computer suppposed to serve me? Not the other way around?

Anthony Neville

2004-01-23, 7:57 pm

<linuxquestion@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:672ceaed.0312012121.77806619@posting.google.com...
[...]

quote:

> What a lot of work!!!!
>
> Ratio of reading to editing:
> thousands, probably hundreds of thousands of words read.
> to
> one word edited, and two lines commented.
>
> Just to get a fundamental thing like the video card to work.
>
> How's that for making (in)efficient use of my time?
> Isn't the computer suppposed to serve me? Not the other way around?

linuxquestion@yahoo.com

2004-01-23, 7:58 pm

quote:

> On 1 Dec 2003 21:21:21 -0800, linuxquestion@yahoo.com wrote:
>
>
>
> I just read the document supplied in the package.

Doug Laidlaw

2004-01-23, 7:58 pm

Anthony Neville

2004-01-23, 7:58 pm

<linuxquestion@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:672ceaed.0312012121.77806619@posting.google.com...
[...]

quote:

> What a lot of work!!!!
>
> Ratio of reading to editing:
> thousands, probably hundreds of thousands of words read.
> to
> one word edited, and two lines commented.
>
> Just to get a fundamental thing like the video card to work.
>
> How's that for making (in)efficient use of my time?
> Isn't the computer suppposed to serve me? Not the other way around?

Neil

2005-02-20, 8:47 pm

mjt wrote:
> On 1 Dec 2003 21:21:21 -0800, linuxquestion@yahoo.com wrote:
>
>
>
>
> ... i do the anti-male thing: read the manual FIRST
> .
I have the same problem on Mandrake 10. I am looking for an answer myself.
su to root access cli, then run modprobe nvidia, when line returns
logout of root, then at user prompt type startx.

If startx not available you will have to run it from root, but you will
be logged in as root.

This is a temporary fix until a complete solution can be fouind for me.
It'll get you to the KDE or GNome Gui but it is an inconvenience.

Neil S>

Dances With Crows

2005-02-20, 8:47 pm

[ Crossposting trimmed ]
["Followup-To:" header set to comp.os.linux.hardware.]
On Sun, 20 Feb 2005 10:20:21 -0600, Neil staggered into the Black Sun
and said:
> mjt wrote:
> I have the same problem on Mandrake 10. I am looking for an answer
> myself. su to root access cli, then run modprobe nvidia, when line
> returns logout of root, then at user prompt type startx.

If this is your problem, you just need to make it so that the boot
scripts do "modprobe nvidia" before xdm/kdm/gdm is started. On
Redhat-derived distros like Mandrake, that means doing:

echo "modprobe nvidia" >> /etc/rc.d/rc.local

....and everything will be fine. On Debian/Gentoo, you just have to add
"nvidia" to /etc/modules.autoload.d/kernel-2.4 (or 2.6) and everything
will be fine.

> If startx not available you will have to run it from root, but you
> will be logged in as root.

What? That didn't make any sense. startx is in /usr/X11R6/bin/ , and
/usr/X11R6/bin/ should be in everybody's PATH.

> This is a temporary fix until a complete solution can be fouind

See first paragraph. HTH,

--
Matt G|There is no Darkness in Eternity/But only Light too dim for us to see
Brainbench MVP for Linux Admin / mail: TRAP + SPAN don't belong
http://www.brainbench.com / Hire me!
-----------------------------/ http://crow202.dyndns.org/~mhgraham/resume