Neil wrote: In addition to my last post, here is another post from the 18th for another in your situation (I know your now dwain, but I'm tired of editing): (Also install the 'findutils-locate' package either with yast or as root just 'zypper in findutils-locate', after installing run 'updatedb' go get a cup of coffee, when it's done, from the command line 'locate nv.ko' and we'll go from there) See the complete thread from 11/18 titled "[opensuse] booting to command line instead of desktop" for all of the posts related to your situation. Here is one I did. Dwain (here is the long version), At the command prompt, enter the root user name and password. First, as always, make a backup of your /etc/X11/xorg.conf so you know you have a safe copy of where you started out. # cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.20081118 Now, if you just want to get back to a graphics screen quickly, you can see if you can use the original xorg.conf from your install to at least start kde or whatever you use. The file is usually saved as, curiously enough, xorg.conf.install. See if you have it: 07:28 arete~> l /etc/X11/xorg.conf.install -rw-r--r-- 1 root root 4695 2008-11-14 14:05 /etc/X11/xorg.conf.install If not, look at what you do have: 07:34 arete~> l /etc/X11/xorg.* -rw-r--r-- 1 root root 4433 2008-11-15 02:40 /etc/X11/xorg.conf -rw-r--r-- 1 root root 4695 2008-11-14 14:05 /etc/X11/xorg.conf.install -rw-r--r-- 1 root root 36 2008-11-15 02:37 /etc/X11/xorg.conf.md5 -rw-r--r-- 1 root root 3930 2008-11-15 02:27 /etc/X11/xorg.conf.nv.working -rw-r--r-- 1 root root 3930 2008-11-15 02:37 /etc/X11/xorg.conf.saxsave You probably won't have all of those, but you should have a few. If you want to continue getting the nvidia driver working, keep reading, if you just want to see if you can get back to your original install and you have xorg.conf.install, then: # cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf.install /etc/X11/xorg.conf Before doing anything else, see what module it will try to load and then load it with modprobe: # grep Driver /etc/X11/xorg.conf Driver "kbd" Driver "mouse" Driver "nvidia" Ignore the keyboard "kbd" and "mouse" and look at the last one. I am loading the nvidia driver. If you haven't changed video cards and are just trying to install the nvidia driver, then you should see either: Driver "fbdev" Driver "nv" Now just check to see if the module you have listed is loaded (example for the nvidia driver): # lsmod | grep nvidia nvidia 7823000 46 i2c_core 51744 1 nvidia If the driver you need isn't loaded, load it with modprobe (example for nvidia): # modprobe -v nvidia It will tell you if it succeeded or failed. Then just start the xserver to test your display: # startx This will start your desktop for root, but you will find out if it works. If all is well, you will be back to a desktop. Now just logout and you will be back at the command prompt. (You need to be here anyway) Now lets get the nvidia driver working for you. The quickest and simplest way is to grab a copy of an initial xorg.conf for nvidia from my site and copy it to your /etc/X11/xorg.conf, then load the nvidia module and startx. The xorg.conf I have is safe, it's set for an lcd monitor at a vertical refresh 60Hz so your not going to over power your monitor. Grab a copy at: http://www.3111skyline.com/download/linux/nvidia/xorg.conf.nvidia.initial In the xorg.conf I have put modelines for a number of different resolutions. Just uncomment the one you want and comment out the rest. It is currently defaulted to 1024x768. Now, install the module and startx (you may need to remove your current module with 'rmmod modulename' like 'rmmod nv', then: # modprobe -v nvidia # startx You can then use Yast and sax2 from within your desktop to change the monitor and refresh, etc... If all else fails and you are still looking at the command prompt, then let's use sax2 to configure the xorg.conf for the nvidia driver. (sax2 has gotten a little senile lately, but it should still work) At the command prompt: # sax2 -r -m 0=nvidia Then just wait until sax2 configures the display. It may take a minute and the display might flash, but be patient. At the end you should be able to save the new settings, and have a working nvidia driver. If sax doesn't work, there are several options. you may need to modify your /etc/X11/xorg.conf manually. In any text editor (vi, joe, whatever) open the file and change the line "Driver" line in the "Device" section from whatever it presently is to "nvidia" like this: Section "Device" BoardName "Framebuffer Graphics" #Driver "nv" Driver "nvidia" Identifier "Device[0]" Screen 0 VendorName "VESA" EndSection You don't have to worry about BoardName or VendorName, they are just text fields. If your panicking because you don't know vi, no sweat, just do this (still as root): # vi /etc/X11/xorg.conf Once in vi, you can use the arrow keys to move around (or h,j,k,l, 0-zero, and $). Scroll down to your driver line and put the cursor on the line. (first we will always make sure we are in command mode) So press escape twice [ESC][ESC]. Then press the following: yy (this will yank the line into the buffer - aka copy it) $ or [end] (moves cursor to end of line - you may use arrow key) p (paste new line) k or [up] (up one line) 0 or [home] (that's zero - move to beginning of line i (you are now in insert mode - look lower left) # (type a # to comment original line out) [ESC][ESC] (get out of insert mode - and back to command mode) j or [down] (go down one line) $ or [end] (end of line) i (insert mode - use backspace key, to erase old module) then just type (type in "nvidia" for the new module name) [ESC][ESC] (the CYA command again to exit insert mode) if your satisfied with your work and it looks like my example above, then :wq (write and quit) ( in vi, if ever something doesn't work like you think it should [ESC][ESC] is your friend, then try again.) Now make sure you have the nvidia driver loaded and if not load it and give it a whirl: # lsmod | grep nvidia || modprobe -v nvidia # startx If you are still stuck after this, post again! Good luck. -- David C. Rankin, J.D.,P.E. | openSoftware und SystemEntwicklung Rankin Law Firm, PLLC | Countdown for openSuSE 11.1 www.rankinlawfirm.com | http://counter.opensuse.org/11.1/small -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org