Arch Linux

serideth

Member

Registered: 2010-12-08

Posts: 2

[Solved] Xorg Error Dell Vostro 3700

Hi guys,
I have been using Arch for quite a few years. I just got a new laptop in the form of a Dell Vostro 3700 with a Nvidia GT 330m.
When I go to start X I get an error saying that "no screens are found". I have "nvidia" and "nvidia-utils" installed. I am thinking this
is a driver issue as Dell computers do not support drivers straight from nvidia.

Any advice would be appreciated.
Cheers

Last edited by serideth (2010-12-09 13:09:25)

Nichollan

Member

From: Stavanger, Norway

Registered: 2010-05-18

Posts: 110

Re: [Solved] Xorg Error Dell Vostro 3700

Have you tried the Nouveau open source driver? There's quite an article on nVidia on the wiki if you haven't checked it out yet.

MadTux

Member

Registered: 2009-09-20

Posts: 553

Re: [Solved] Xorg Error Dell Vostro 3700

Is this one of those Optimus graphics cards, a combination of nVidia and Intel?

serideth

Member

Registered: 2010-12-08

Posts: 2

Re: [Solved] Xorg Error Dell Vostro 3700

I will try the Nouveau driver, It has switchable graphics (which wasn't listed by Dell when I bought it) and the switching happens automatically when I plug in the AC (meaning I don't have to log out to switch like the old switchable graphics) but I am not sure whether it is Optimus (No mention by Dell that it is Optimus enabled).

Edit.
Just confirmed out that It DOES have switchable GPU's and Nvidia Optimus which you would think Dell would have advertised in giant writing on their website.
So now to setup arch with the Intel drivers.

I will let you know how it goes.

Second Edit.
Installed the xf86-video-intel drivers and its working now. Attempting to use the Nouveau or the official Nvidia drivers causes Xorg to return the previous error. This seems to be an incompatibility issue with laptops with switchable graphics and/or Nvidia Optimus. Linux can only utilize the Intel IGP, which is fine for me since I will only use my Arch install to code and leave gaming to W7 with Steam, however if you are planning on using Linux as your primary/only OS on your laptop with switchable graphics/Optimus be advised you will only be able to use the integrated graphics. A fix does not appear to be coming anytime soon either.

Thanks for everyone's help.

Cheers

Last edited by serideth (2010-12-09 13:14:26)