[SOLVED] nvidia properitary driver not work

narke · 06-28-2018, 01:12 AM

@Millgates,

Many thanks for your help. Now my nvidia is up running

I am very happy with that. I know it is working not only startx bring up the X but also the glxgears score goes to ten times as before. Yes, your are right, when using nvidia, I have to set the intel GPU to use the modesetting driver, this need to be done in xorg.conf and also the the xrandr command line. But I don't understand why I have to care intel GPU settings when I will use nvidia as my output card? In other words, I don't understand why nvidia has to depend on the intel GPU.

**BUT** while the nvidia card works, the font size gets very very tiny. I checked my log that it seemed the nvidia driver was not listening my DisplaySize setting in the xorg.conf, then it computed a very small DPI (47x62), it should 141x141 however. I tried to fix it by running "xrandr --dpi 141" before kde started, but the result is my fonts will get very large, the resulting DPI by checking xdpyinfo output becomes 203x203. This is so weird. And, finally I found a temporary solution, that is to start X by running: "startx -- -dpi 141"

I enclosed my log as attachment and hope you or someone can help me to fix this issue.

Below are my xorg.conf:

Code:

Section "ServerLayout"
    Identifier "layout"
    Screen 0 "nvidia" 0 0
    Inactive "intel"
EndSection

Section "Module"
    Load "modesetting"
    Load  "glx"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier "Monitor0"
    DisplaySize 345 194
    Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier "intel"
    Driver "modesetting"
    #Driver "intel"
    BusID "PCI:0:2:0"
    Option "AccelMethod" "None"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier "intel"
    Device "intel"
    Monitor "Monitor0"
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier "nvidia"
    Driver "nvidia"
    BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
    Option "ConstrainCursor" "off"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier "nvidia"
    Device "nvidia"
    Monitor "Monitor0"
    Option "UseDisplayDevice" "None"
    Option "AllowEmptyInitialConfiguration" "on"
    Option "IgnoreDisplayDevices" "CRT"
EndSection

And, below are my .xinitrc:

Code:

...
xrandr --setprovideroutputsource modesetting NVIDIA-0
xrandr --auto

# Start the window manager:
if [ -z "$DESKTOP_SESSION" -a -x /usr/bin/ck-launch-session ]; then
    ck-launch-session startkde
else
    startkde
fi

Thanks & Regards,
-Woody

millgates · 06-28-2018, 02:14 AM

I'm glad you got it to work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by narke

But I don't understand why I have to care intel GPU settings when I will use nvidia as my output card? In other words, I don't understand why nvidia has to depend on the intel GPU.

As I wrote, the nvidia card has no physical output, so even if it does the rendering, the intel card still works as a mediator between the discreet card and the display. If I understand it correctly, the nvidia card writes its output to the intel card's framebuffer, and the intel card sends it to the display. That's why it needs to be set up properly and use modesetting. If it doesn't cooperate, than the discreet card has no way to send its output to the screen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by narke

**BUT** while the nvidia card works, the font size gets very very tiny. I checked my log that it seemed the nvidia driver was not listening my DisplaySize setting in the xorg.conf, then it computed a very small DPI (47x62), it should 141x141 however. I tried to fix it by running "xrandr --dpi 141" before kde started, but the result is my fonts will get very large, the resulting DPI by checking xdpyinfo output becomes 203x203. This is so weird. And, finally I found a temporary solution, that is to start X by running: "startx -- -dpi 141"

Try

Code:

xrandr --output eDP-1 --dpi 141

Now that your X server formally has two displays (even if one of them does not physically exist), you need to specify the display in your xrandr commands. Similarly, if you want to change, for example, your display resolution

Code:

xrandr --output eDP-1 --mode 1920x1080

narke · 06-28-2018, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millgates

Code:

xrandr --output eDP-1 --dpi 141

Now that your X server formally has two displays (even if one of them does not physically exist), you need to specify the display in your xrandr commands. Similarly, if you want to change, for example, your display resolution

Code:

xrandr --output eDP-1 --mode 1920x1080

1, Where you get the string 'eDP-1'?
2, What are indeed the meaning of the term 'output' in xrandr? The man page does not explain it.
3, By two displays, did you mean Monitor section in xorg.conf? I have only one monitor section (id: Monitor0), but two Screen section (neither of the two Screen has ID other than 'eDP-1').
4, After some tries without deep thinking, I found one command works: 'xrandr --fb 1920x1080 --fbmm 345x194', which does not specify output and dpi.

millgates · 06-28-2018, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by narke

1, Where you get the string 'eDP-1'?

In your Xorg.0.log

Quote:

Originally Posted by narke

2, What are indeed the meaning of the term 'output' in xrandr? The man page does not explain it.

3, By two displays, did you mean Monitor section in xorg.conf? I have only one monitor section (id: Monitor0), but two Screen section (neither of the two Screen has ID other than 'eDP-1').

I'm not sure either. I've never really studied the X server in too much depth. I usually get by by trial and error, searching the web and, when all else fails, by reading the documentation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by narke

4, After some tries without deep thinking, I found one command works: 'xrandr --fb 1920x1080 --fbmm 345x194', which does not specify output and dpi.

Ok, if it works, that's fine.

narke · 06-28-2018, 05:26 AM

@Millgates:

Many thanks for your help, with that I can only got my card work!

enorbet · 06-28-2018, 10:40 AM

So? At long last is this hair-pulling, nail-biting problem solved? Whether it is or not I've learned something ... NEVER buy a laptop with two graphics systems! Sheeesh! and of course, congratulations woody. If this is solved I'm sure you're deservedly relieved.

narke · 06-28-2018, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enorbet

So? At long last is this hair-pulling, nail-biting problem solved? Whether it is or not I've learned something ... NEVER buy a laptop with two graphics systems! Sheeesh! and of course, congratulations woody. If this is solved I'm sure you're deservedly relieved.

Yes, also many thanks to you enobert. I think I should buy a Dell laptop if I have the next chance

I heard Dell's laptops have the best compatibility with Linux. I still have unsolved problem with this ASUS laptop, my keyboard LED still always on and is consuming my battery power always. I found no way after searched a lot on Internet to turn it off, but I may open another thread for this topic.

brianL · 06-29-2018, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by narke

I heard Dell's laptops have the best compatibility with Linux.

Also, unless you really want something new, have a look at refurbished Thinkpads. The X220 (12.5") and the T420 (14.1") get the most recommendations.

enorbet · 06-29-2018, 09:28 AM

That's great news, woody. Congratz. Please don't forget to mark this thread solved so others with similar problems see it as a solution. In the meantime do start another thread on the keyboard power management since new apps and improved older ones come out all the time.

narke · 07-02-2018, 09:05 PM

sorry, I want to ensure I did mark the thread completed. I just click the 'yes' link down write the reply article. Is that enough?

enorbet · 07-04-2018, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by narke

sorry, I want to ensure I did mark the thread completed. I just click the 'yes' link down write the reply article. Is that enough?

No. "Yes" is on a per post basis denoting that post was helpful.

There is a "Mark Solved" link in every OPs starting window. Click that and you're done

OOps... You got it. Hopefully your thread will help many others, mostly thanks to millgates who had sufficient experience and so concisely shared it. Most of the rest of us just offered things to try and cheered you on.