Arch Linux

djg1971

Member

Registered: 2008-09-11

Posts: 212

xorg and nvidia -- Quadro NVS 140M (rev a1)

Thanks to all of the posts, I have (this time) avoided upgrading xorg and nvidia packages before they are ready for prime time.

I'd like to know if anyone else out there is using a Lenovo T61 with nvidia Quadro NVS 140M (rev a1) vga card though, and if so, whether they recommend switching to a different card (which one?).  These problems started cropping up a few months ago, and now it seems that every time there is an upgrade to xorg/nvidia, you better not try it.  I've been happy enough with the performance and resolution capabilities of the card, but I am getting sick of the same type of severe issues showing up all the time.

VirtualRider

Member

Registered: 2008-08-20

Posts: 134

Re: xorg and nvidia -- Quadro NVS 140M (rev a1)

I've that card in my T61 - what is your problem exactly? I've had no issues for months with any upgrade (xorg or nvidia).

djg1971

Member

Registered: 2008-09-11

Posts: 212

Re: xorg and nvidia -- Quadro NVS 140M (rev a1)

I've experienced the same problem(s) that most people are posting about:

After upgrading some combination of xorg, xorg-server, nvidia, etc... the machine will not be able to run X upon reboot.  The failure has often been absolute, and one's only option is to power off.  To get a working system again, you have to edit the kernel line via grub to come up in run level 3, locate pre-upgrade versions of a few packages, and install them (downgrade) via pacman.

Sometimes you will see a posting on the forum which gives you hope that there is a relatively easy way to fix the problem (such that you can use the latest packages and avoid downgrading)... I have never had any success with these. 

I keep up with arch updates regularly, and read the forum to try and stay away from upgrades that are likely to be troublesome.  Basically I never had any problems until a few months ago when these issues with nvidia and xorg started happening.  Before I understood what was going on I saw a lot of people with T61's and the same graphics card having the same problems, so I am surprised you have never experienced it.  Consider yourself lucky I suppose.

VirtualRider

Member

Registered: 2008-08-20

Posts: 134

Re: xorg and nvidia -- Quadro NVS 140M (rev a1)

I said i havn't had issues for months That upgrade-xorg-died-thing happened to me once, so i thought it was an exception and was fixed relatively soon by the next update (nvidia's fault). Is it happening that often to you? From my point of view i would say it's not worth to spend money for a new card.

djg1971

Member

Registered: 2008-09-11

Posts: 212

Re: xorg and nvidia -- Quadro NVS 140M (rev a1)

It happened to me a couple of times at least (though after the first I was better prepared to deal with it).  Now I am suspicious and will admit to avoiding updates of these packages until I don't see any familiar posts...  Would be better I suppose if there were open-source drivers, but oh well.

VirtualRider

Member

Registered: 2008-08-20

Posts: 134

Re: xorg and nvidia -- Quadro NVS 140M (rev a1)

What about nv?

djg1971

Member

Registered: 2008-09-11

Posts: 212

Re: xorg and nvidia -- Quadro NVS 140M (rev a1)

Sorry, I forgot about nv.  I heard that route = headaches,
especially for a laptop, though I have to admit I have not
tried it.  Have you?

VirtualRider

Member

Registered: 2008-08-20

Posts: 134

Re: xorg and nvidia -- Quadro NVS 140M (rev a1)

Hm yes once. I had to force the resolution to a 4:3 aspect ratio for a presentation, nvidia couldn't do that (weird!) so i tried nv. I can't remember any problems and it did it's job quite well i think, but i didn't really "use" nv for a long time.

djg1971

Member

Registered: 2008-09-11

Posts: 212

Re: xorg and nvidia -- Quadro NVS 140M (rev a1)

I am willing to give it a try.  I notice there is no nv package via pacman or in AUR...  How did you get/install/configure nv?  Do you remember anything special required to make things work after the transition?

VirtualRider

Member

Registered: 2008-08-20

Posts: 134

Re: xorg and nvidia -- Quadro NVS 140M (rev a1)

It should be xf86-video-nv and no, i just changed Driver to nv in xorg.conf

djg1971

Member

Registered: 2008-09-11

Posts: 212

Re: xorg and nvidia -- Quadro NVS 140M (rev a1)

For me xorg-server and xf86-video-nv are in conflict.  I'll just let it be for now; thanks though.

VirtualRider

Member

Registered: 2008-08-20

Posts: 134

Re: xorg and nvidia -- Quadro NVS 140M (rev a1)

No conflicts here, maybe try another mirror

matsche

Member

From: .at

Registered: 2004-04-27

Posts: 120

Re: xorg and nvidia -- Quadro NVS 140M (rev a1)

no problems here too. Except fingerprint isn't working any longer. Same experiences?

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THX!!
cu matsche

djg1971

Member

Registered: 2008-09-11

Posts: 212

Re: xorg and nvidia -- Quadro NVS 140M (rev a1)

Matsche,

I'm not sure what you mean by fingerprint.  -- If you mean the fingerprint reader, I have never used it, though I have thinkfinger, pam_fprint etc. installed.