[solved] restoring x server after failed nv driver install

[jommoner]

Hi All

I have spent the best part of a day configuring my Mint 14 install on my MacBook Pro (I got it for iOS development but want to use Mint for everything else because it is,
by far, my preferred OS).

Now I'm going to try to install the proprietary nvidia drivers. This trashed about 4 mint installs a few days ago, due to saying 'the x server failed to start'.

I'm going to try again but would hate to lose all my work. How do I go back to Nouveua after a failed nvidia install? I guess it should be manageable once I have
the X server running, but how do I do that? I will try to set the driver to 'fbdev' but will report back (via Mac OS ) if that doesn't work!

[caf4926]

If you already did this and kind of know what is about to happen.....

Trashed? Most installs are bootable without X

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get install nvidia-current

will install the nvidia

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get remove nvidia-current

will remove it

Is what you currently have not sufficient ?

[jommoner]

Hi!

Thanks for the help! I managed to recover by first doing 'sudo apt-get remove nvidia-current',
then copying the original xorg.conf back... then
deleting the xorg-xserver-nouvweau (or similiarly named) driver and reinstalling...
then changing the device to 'nouveau' (from vesa) in the original xorg.conf!

So I'm now back on nouveau - my first ever recovery from a failed nvidia install.

Now to try to find out why the nvidia driver 'cannot copy vbios to system ram' :O

[polgzz]

Hi jommoner,

I have the same problem, I just tried to install the nvidia latest drivers and my problems started.
Could you please describe in detail your procedure below?
Command lines and instructions are really appreciated.

Hi!

Thanks for the help! I managed to recover by first doing 'sudo apt-get remove nvidia-current',
then copying the original xorg.conf back... then
deleting the xorg-xserver-nouvweau (or similiarly named) driver and reinstalling...
then changing the device to 'nouveau' (from vesa) in the original xorg.conf!

So I'm now back on nouveau - my first ever recovery from a failed nvidia install.

Now to try to find out why the nvidia driver 'cannot copy vbios to system ram' :O

Thanks!!

[MtnDewManiac]

Someone once told me that before installing new graphics drivers, the user must first remove the old ones. Is that true? I admit that I was suspicious, because without graphics, how can you use your computer to even install new things? But an awful lot of people have trouble installing new graphic drivers - maybe that's why?