Arch Linux

AtlanticVoyager

Member

Registered: 2009-08-11

Posts: 23

[SOLVED] Cannot get a system upgrade since xorg was last upgraded

pacman -Syu
returns:
looking for inter-conflicts...
:: xorg-server conflicts with nvidia-173xx-utils. Remove nvidia-173xx-utils? [Y/n]

If I choose Y, I get:
error: failed to prepare transaction (could not satisfy dependencies)
:: xorg-server: requires libgl
:: gnome-screensaver: requires libgl
:: mesa: requires libgl
:: mplayer: requires libgl
:: nvidia-173xx: requires nvidia-173xx-utils
:: xorg-utils: requires libgl

If I choose n, I get:
error: unresolvable package conflicts detected
error: failed to prepare transaction (conflicting dependencies)
:: xorg-server: conflicts with nvidia-173xx-utils

pacman -Sfu just gives me the same problem.
How do I get out of this bind?
Help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Last edited by AtlanticVoyager (2009-11-10 23:52:56)

brisbin33

Member

From: boston, ma

Registered: 2008-07-24

Posts: 1,799

Website

Re: [SOLVED] Cannot get a system upgrade since xorg was last upgraded

nvidia dropped support for older cards.  this means the new xorg-server conflicts with nvidia-173xx, which you can't remove because it provides libgl for all those other packages.

you'll have to

a) refrain from upgrading xorg-server
b) try the normal (newer) nvidia and nvidia-utils packages with the new xorg-server
c) try just nv, or nouveau opensource nvidia drivers with the new xorg-server

for both b and c you'll likely have to do some -Rd magic to get around the dependencies which you'll momentarily break while swapping out the packages.

in the end you'll need ((nv OR nouveau) AND libgl) OR (nvidia AND nvidia-utils) if you want to use the new xorg-server

Last edited by brisbin33 (2009-11-10 18:49:02)

---

//github/

AtlanticVoyager

Member

Registered: 2009-08-11

Posts: 23

Re: [SOLVED] Cannot get a system upgrade since xorg was last upgraded

For the moment I am going for option c)
I am using nv. I didn't realise that libgl was a separate package. I removed nvidia-173xx, then installed the libgl package, then removed nvidia-173xx-utils. Now I have been able to perform pacman -Syu.
I would like to keep the latest xorg-server.
Does this mean that I must either upgrade my video card, or from now on only ever use the nv driver? (Nouveau does not seem to work on my system). Won't the nvidia-173xx driver ever be updated to take account of the updates of X components?

carrouf

Member

Registered: 2007-01-06

Posts: 34

Re: [SOLVED] Cannot get a system upgrade since xorg was last upgraded

Hi

I don't know what to think about this upgrade, except bad things. The remaining avalaible choices seem to sound like this :

a) if you want to keep nvidia drivers, well, it appears you cannot upgrade anything anymore. pacman -Syu asks you questions that no answer can resolve. The upgrade process looks like it's stuck.
b) even if you "want" the nouveau drivers (frankly, do i really want this ?! ...) you'll have to do some magic "pacman" tricks. Sorry, did I miss the offical instructions for this upgrade ?

Will I get any benefit from the nouveau drivers ?
- probably not, everyone says 3d support is experimental. I don't know about 2d.

Will nouveau drivers will ever be as good as nvidia ones ?
- probably not, why would opensource people spend that much time programming old hardware drivers ?

What do I want now ?
- keep the nvidia drivers
- resume normal pacman upgrade operations

My closing questions are the following ones :
- Do I need xorg upgrades anymore if I consider that nvidia proprietary drivers will always be the best choice for my graphic card ?
- Can I go on with pacman -Syu without upgrading any xorg related packages ?
- Or am I compelled to use the nouveau drivers in order to keep my system "up to date" ? (in that case i' ll have to reconsider the meaning of "up to date")
- Would it finally be easier to upgrade my hardware instead of the software ?!
- Is Linux providing a better user experience with that kind of an absurd situation ?

Sorry,  I may sound like i am a little upset, and I really don't see why i wouldn't be. Except someone explains the nouveau driver switch would bring something better to me.

Last edited by carrouf (2009-11-11 01:24:37)

Ranguvar

Member

Registered: 2008-08-12

Posts: 2,577

Re: [SOLVED] Cannot get a system upgrade since xorg was last upgraded

You can tell Pacman not to update certain packages.  Refer to /etc/pacman.conf.
Do you need X.Org updates?  Different for each person.  You'll find out.  Many users have, like you, had this happen, so I suspect there'll be a continuing effort to keep a solution open.

"b) even if you "want" the nouveau drivers (frankly, do i really want this ?! ...) you'll have to do some magic "pacman" tricks. Sorry, did I miss the offical instructions for this upgrade ?"
Magic Pacman tricks??  And you put pacman in quotes, as if it's something foreign to you?  Nothing magic about removing a package and adding a different one.....

I completely agree, NVIDIA should have offered support for old drivers longer -- take it to their forums.  Arch can't do anything about it besides telling people what to do and providing good Nouveau packages.

"probably not, why would opensource people spend that much time programming old hardware drivers ?"
Because they're pissed off, like you, and also find it fun?  They're working on drivers as far back as NV0X.  No guarantees, of course.....

"- Is Linux providing a better user experience with that kind of an absurd situation ?"
Please don't blame Linus, or Arch, or anyone who doesn't deserve the blame...  What are you saying "Linux" should have done?  Bribed NVIDIA with millions of dollars to continue support?
Complain to NVIDIA, and donate money / old hardware to Nouveau, if you want the problem solved.  This is one of the many reasons binary drivers suck.

@AtlanticVoyager: If nv is doing better than Nouveau for you, please send the Nouveau devs a bug report   Nouveau was originally based on nv, and _should_ be superior in every way.