nvidia module requires depmod after each kernel upgrade

beroal · 2009-07-23 04:06:20

Without "depmod", X server can't start. As I need to run "depmod" after each kernel upgrade and they are quite often, is it possible to add "depmod" to upgrade scripts for the kernel or something?

Last edited by beroal (2009-07-23 04:06:41)

tomk · 2009-07-23 05:57:44

The kernel post-install script runs depmod, as does the nvidia post-install script (if you're using the Arch kernel and nvidia packages, that is). Next time you're doing it, watch pacman's output for errors.

The install scripts are in /var/lib/pacman/local if you want to see exactly what they do.

klixon · 2009-07-23 06:23:46

I don't think you have a problem with depmod.
The post-install scripts tries to load the new version of the kernel-module on install. It doesn't unload an already loaded (earlier) version though, because that can cause problems. So, if the old version is still loaded, the new version won't load
The thing to fix that, would be to exit X and enter in a console:

modprobe -r nvidia

After that, X can load the new version of the kernel-module that is in line with the version of the x-driver

I believe pacman even tells you that when you update, but i'm not sure

wonder · 2009-07-23 06:35:03

@klixon it can't be reloaded becase nvidia module is in used so you have to exit X and reloaded manualy

beroal · 2009-07-23 09:42:13

Thanks for your input. Yes, I forgot to mention that the problem appears after rebooting, so this is not an issue with dynamic loading of modules. Also the problem appears with every kernel upgrade, not nvidia upgrade (though I remember the day when kernel and nvidia were upgraded simultaneously). Though it is reproducible, I can't reproduce it if I downgrade the kernel, then upgrade the kernel — X starts smoothly without "depmod". Very strange. In future I will watch pacman's output, that's all I can do.

sHyLoCk · 2009-07-23 10:32:42

This happens with me as well. I have to depmod everytime I get a black screen after launching X. Don't know what's the cuase of this. And my problem is even harsher since it is happening to me every now and then,ie. even when the kernel or nvidia hasn't been upgraded. I even once thought of putting depmod -a in my .xinitrc.

Last edited by sHyLoCk (2009-07-23 10:33:21)

beroal · 2009-07-23 11:09:12

I have this in /var/log/Xorg.0.log :

(II) LoadModule: "nvidia"
(II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers//nvidia_drv.so
(II) Module nvidia: vendor="NVIDIA Corporation"
    compiled for 4.0.2, module version = 1.0.0
    Module class: X.Org Video Driver
(EE) NVIDIA: Failed to load the NVIDIA kernel module. Please check your
(EE) NVIDIA:     system's kernel log for additional error messages.
(II) UnloadModule: "nvidia"
(II) Unloading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers//nvidia_drv.so
(EE) Failed to load module "nvidia" (module-specific error, 0)
(EE) No drivers available.

Fatal server error:
no screens found

Also X server tells essentially the same to the text console.

sHyLoCk · 2009-07-23 17:50:49

Ok I think I fixed my issue. Not sure if this is gonna help you. I noticed that I had a .pacnew file of mkinitcpio and after making the new changes to it and regenrating kernel image, i don't see the black screen anymore, things work fine.

Arch Linux

#1 2009-07-23 04:06:20

nvidia module requires depmod after each kernel upgrade

#2 2009-07-23 05:57:44

Re: nvidia module requires depmod after each kernel upgrade

#3 2009-07-23 06:23:46

Re: nvidia module requires depmod after each kernel upgrade

#4 2009-07-23 06:35:03

Re: nvidia module requires depmod after each kernel upgrade

#5 2009-07-23 09:42:13

Re: nvidia module requires depmod after each kernel upgrade

#6 2009-07-23 10:32:42

Re: nvidia module requires depmod after each kernel upgrade

#7 2009-07-23 11:09:12

Re: nvidia module requires depmod after each kernel upgrade

#8 2009-07-23 17:50:49

Re: nvidia module requires depmod after each kernel upgrade

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