NVIDIA RTX and Xe Iris drivers and black screen?

[GreenBehindTheEars]

Hi guys. I still have an install thread open, but I have a separate issue, so I thought I would start a new one. I have both Iris Xe integrated graphics as well as NVIDIA RTX.

1. Do I need both on LM? Will it use both? Or even support it? How do I toggle between them?

2. After installing the recommended driver, my login screen is black. I tried many many fixes from online, but none worked. I had to reinstall Linux, and refuse the graphics update, which is giving me a warning about using my CPU.

Thanks for holding my hand!

[GreenBehindTheEars]

There is the issue of fan speeds as well. I was very excited to get back to LM, but it is shocking that it works flawless on my 12 year old machine, and not a brand new one. First time in 12 years I have a new laptop and I was so excited. But been a week now of trying to get Linux running on it... Does Linux only work on old laptops?

Been a good 14 hours straight, today alone, and no progress. Why is it so hard just to install Linux? People keep saying how it is so easy... Sorry. A bit frustrated.

[SMG]

Hi guys. I still have an install thread open, but I have a separate issue, so I thought I would start a new one. I have both Iris Xe integrated graphics as well as NVIDIA RTX.

1. Do I need both on LM? Will it use both? Or even support it? How do I toggle between them?

There is a built-in system for using one or the other or both. Switching can be done with the Nvidia prime applet.

Did you install with the Linux Mint 20.2 "Uma" - Cinnamon (Edge, 64-bit) ISO (if you wanted a Cinnamon desktop)?

2. After installing the recommended driver, my login screen is black. I tried many many fixes from online, but none worked. I had to reinstall Linux, and refuse the graphics update, which is giving me a warning about using my CPU.

Please give us information about your install by entering this command in a terminal: inxi -Fxxxrz
Click </> from the mini toolbar above the textbox where you type your reply and then place your cursor between the code markers and paste the results of the command between the code markers [code]Results[/code]. This will let us know how Mint sees your hardware.

Also, please explain what "refusing the graphics update" means.

[GreenBehindTheEars]

Yep. Uma 20.2. Looks nice, if I can get it going.

Code: Select all

System:
  Kernel: 5.4.0-90-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 9.3.0 
  Desktop: Cinnamon 5.0.7 wm: muffin 5.0.2 dm: LightDM 1.30.0 
  Distro: Linux Mint 20.2 Uma base: Ubuntu 20.04 focal 
Machine:
  Type: Laptop System: ASUSTeK product: ASUS TUF Dash F15 FX516PM_FX516PM 
  v: 1.0 serial: <filter> 
  Mobo: ASUSTeK model: FX516PM v: 1.0 serial: <filter> 
  UEFI: American Megatrends LLC. v: FX516PM.322 date: 08/27/2021 
Battery:
  ID-1: BAT0 charge: 75.3 Wh condition: 79.0/76.0 Wh (104%) volts: 15.8/15.8 
  model: ASUSTeK ASUS Battery type: Li-ion serial: <filter> 
  status: Not charging 
CPU:
  Topology: Quad Core model: 11th Gen Intel Core i5-11300H bits: 64 
  type: MT MCP arch: Tiger Lake rev: 1 L2 cache: 8192 KiB 
  flags: avx avx2 lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx 
  bogomips: 49766 
  Speed: 2509 MHz min/max: 400/4400 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 3074 2: 3113 
  3: 4080 4: 2988 5: 3165 6: 3305 7: 4319 8: 3337 
Graphics:
  Device-1: Intel vendor: ASUSTeK driver: N/A bus ID: 0000:00:02.0 
  chip ID: 8086:9a49 
  Device-2: NVIDIA vendor: ASUSTeK driver: N/A bus ID: 0000:01:00.0 
  chip ID: 10de:2520 
  Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.11 driver: fbdev 
  unloaded: modesetting,vesa resolution: 1920x1080~77Hz 
  OpenGL: renderer: llvmpipe (LLVM 12.0.0 256 bits) v: 4.5 Mesa 21.0.3 
  compat-v: 3.1 direct render: Yes 
Audio:
  Device-1: Intel vendor: ASUSTeK driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel 
  bus ID: 0000:00:1f.3 chip ID: 8086:a0c8 
  Device-2: NVIDIA vendor: ASUSTeK driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel 
  bus ID: 0000:01:00.1 chip ID: 10de:228e 
  Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.4.0-90-generic 
Network:
  Device-1: Intel driver: iwlwifi v: kernel port: 5000 bus ID: 0000:00:14.3 
  chip ID: 8086:a0f0 
  IF: wlo1 state: up mac: <filter> 
  Device-2: Realtek vendor: ASUSTeK driver: N/A port: 3000 
  bus ID: 0000:2e:00.0 chip ID: 10ec:8162 
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 476.94 GiB used: 11.31 GiB (2.4%) 
  ID-1: /dev/nvme0n1 vendor: Samsung model: SSD 980 1TB size: 931.51 GiB 
  speed: 31.6 Gb/s lanes: 4 serial: <filter> rev: 1B4QFXO7 scheme: GPT 
  ID-2: /dev/nvme1n1 vendor: Samsung model: MZVLQ512HBLU-00B00 
  size: 476.94 GiB speed: 31.6 Gb/s lanes: 4 serial: <filter> rev: FXM7201Q 
  scheme: GPT 
RAID:
  Hardware-1: Intel Volume Management Device NVMe RAID Controller 
  driver: vmd v: 0.6 port: 5000 bus ID: 0000:00:0e.0 chip ID: 8086.9a0b 
  rev: N/A 
Partition:
  ID-1: / size: 45.58 GiB used: 10.30 GiB (22.6%) fs: ext4 
  dev: /dev/nvme0n1p1 
  ID-2: /home size: 870.06 GiB used: 978.2 MiB (0.1%) fs: ext4 
  dev: /dev/nvme0n1p2 
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 66.0 C mobo: N/A 
  Fan Speeds (RPM): cpu: 3200 
Repos:
  No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list 
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list 
  1: deb http://packages.linuxmint.com uma main upstream import backport #id:linuxmint_main
  2: deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal main restricted universe multiverse
  3: deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates main restricted universe multiverse
  4: deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-backports main restricted universe multiverse
  5: deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-security main restricted universe multiverse
  6: deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ focal partner
Info:
  Processes: 250 Uptime: 1h 19m Memory: 23.19 GiB used: 8.83 GiB (38.1%) 
  Init: systemd v: 245 runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: 9.3.0 alt: 9 Shell: bash 
  v: 5.0.17 running in: gnome-terminal inxi: 3.0.38 

All new this year. So nothing failing. Maybe I need an IBM Thinkpad with butterfly keyboard?

[SMG]

Yep. Uma 20.2. Looks nice, if I can get it going.

Nope, you did not use the ISO to which I linked. Things probably would have gone much smoother for you if you had. You have very new hardware and need a newer kernel to get all the proper drivers for it.

I know you did not use that ISO because that ISO has the 5.11 kernel and your system is using the older 5.4 kernel. Please open Update Manager and upgrade to a newer kernel.

Instructions for upgrading to the 5.11 kernel:

• Open Update Manager.
• Select View > Linux Kernels and click Continue.
• Make sure 5.11 is selected on the left panel and then click the top-most option on the right panel. An "Install" button will appear.
• Install the kernel and then reboot for it to become active.

When you reboot, make sure you are not using nomodeset and you are not booting in Recovery Mode. Boot normally. That should install the Intel driver.

Then you should be able to install the Nvidia driver and reboot.

I will let you know that I believe the default is to use Intel Powersave mode, so if you want to use an external monitor, you will have to change modes to On-Demand with the nvidia-prime-applet in the lower right of your screen. I expect it will look like an Intel logo.

Let us know if you have any questions or run into any issues.

[GreenBehindTheEars]

I did not get Edge, because I read that it is unstable.

Why does it say kernel 5.13 if it is 5.4? And 5.11 is newer than 5.13? These numbers don't seem to make sense.

[SMG]

I did not get Edge, because I read that it is unstable.

The only difference between the Edge ISO and the regular ISO is that the Edge ISO includes both the 5.4 kernel and the 5.11 kernel. There are no other differences. There is nothing "unstable" about Edge.

Why does it say kernel 5.13 if it is 5.4?

I do not understand this question, but I will make a guess. Update Manager lists all the possible kernel versions you could install. If the middle column on the right panel does not say "Installed" or "Active" then you do not have that kernel version on your computer. The one which is listed as "Active" is the one currently being used.

And 5.11 is newer than 5.13? These numbers don't seem to make sense.

No, 5.11 is not newer than 5.13, but some people have had problems with the 5.13 kernel. I wanted you to install something that seems to be working well for pretty much everyone. You can upgrade later if you would like--later as in after we get all your graphics working properly and you take a Timeshift snapshot of the working system.

[GreenBehindTheEars]

5.4 should be the newest, actually... just going off numbers. Anyhow, yeah, I was reading the top of the list, not what I actually had installed.

So I did as you suggested, and it worked! How have I been on here for literally... 18 hours, trying to figure it out? Reading forums and what not. I was able to install the NVIDIA, restart, and login, with no black screen on login.

But! Now my screen is flickering! On and off. This looks real bad...

[GreenBehindTheEars]

Code: Select all

Screen 0: minimum 320 x 200, current 1920 x 1080, maximum 16384 x 16384
eDP-1 connected primary 1920x1080+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 344mm x 194mm
   1920x1080    144.00*+  60.01    59.97    59.96    60.00    59.93  
   1680x1050     84.94    74.89    69.88    59.95    59.88  
   1600x1024     60.17  
   1400x1050     85.00    74.76    70.00    59.98  
   1600x900      59.99    59.94    59.95    59.82  
   1280x1024     85.02    75.02    60.02  
   1440x900      59.89  
   1400x900      59.96    59.88  
   1280x960      85.00    60.00  
   1440x810      60.00    59.97  
   1368x768      59.88    59.85  
   1360x768      59.80    59.96  
   1280x800      59.99    59.97    59.81    59.91  
   1152x864     100.00    85.06    85.00    75.00    75.00    70.00    60.00  
   1280x720      60.00    59.99    59.86    59.74  
   1024x768      85.00    75.05    60.04    85.00    75.03    70.07    60.00  
   1024x768i     86.96  
   960x720       85.00    75.00    60.00  
   928x696       75.00    60.05  
   896x672       75.05    60.01  
   1024x576      59.95    59.96    59.90    59.82  
   960x600       59.93    60.00  
   832x624       74.55  
   960x540       59.96    59.99    59.63    59.82  
   800x600       85.00    75.00    70.00    65.00    60.00    85.14    72.19    75.00    60.32    56.25  
   840x525       85.02    74.96    69.88    60.01    59.88  
   864x486       59.92    59.57  
   800x512       60.17  
   700x525       85.08    74.76    70.06    59.98  
   800x450       59.95    59.82  
   640x512       85.02    75.02    60.02  
   720x450       59.89  
   700x450       59.96    59.88  
   640x480       85.09    60.00    85.01    72.81    75.00    59.94  
   720x405       59.51    58.99  
   720x400       85.04  
   684x384       59.88    59.85  
   680x384       59.80    59.96  
   640x400       59.88    59.98    85.08  
   576x432      100.11    85.15    85.09    75.00    75.00    70.00    60.06  
   640x360       59.86    59.83    59.84    59.32  
   640x350       85.08  
   512x384       85.00    75.03    70.07    60.00  
   512x384i      87.06  
   512x288       60.00    59.92  
   416x312       74.66  
   480x270       59.63    59.82  
   400x300       85.27    72.19    75.12    60.32    56.34  
   432x243       59.92    59.57  
   320x240       85.18    72.81    75.00    60.05  
   360x202       59.51    59.13  
   360x200       85.04  
   320x200       85.27  
   320x180       59.84    59.32  
   320x175       85.27  
HDMI-1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
DP-1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
DP-2 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)

If needed.

[SMG]

5.4 should be the newest, actually... just going off numbers.

No, it should not. 11 is a higher number than 4. Therefore 5.11 is newer than 5.4.

But! Now my screen is flickering! On and off. This looks real bad...

Please provide the output of inxi -SMCGx.

The below indicates the screen is running at is recommended levels. You could try a resolution with a lower frequency to see if that makes a difference. Knowing that might give us an idea of what to try next.

Code: Select all

eDP-1 connected primary 1920x1080+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 344mm x 194mm
   1920x1080    144.00*+  60.01    59.97    59.96    60.00    59.93

[GreenBehindTheEars]

5.4 should be the newest, actually... just going off numbers.

No, it should not. 11 is a higher number than 4. Therefore 5.11 is newer than 5.4.

But! Now my screen is flickering! On and off. This looks real bad...

Please provide the output of inxi -SMCGx.

The below indicates the screen is running at is recommended levels. You could try a resolution with a lower frequency to see if that makes a difference. Knowing that might give us an idea of what to try next.

Code: Select all

eDP-1 connected primary 1920x1080+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 344mm x 194mm
   1920x1080    144.00*+  60.01    59.97    59.96    60.00    59.93

lol Dude, your maths is way off. 4 is almost four times more than .11. I know that much. Unless that is a joke I am missing?

I've been on Linux Mint for 2 years now and was happy. But over a week of trying to install it on a new, bur what many call, basic laptop, and it won't even install. This is bad...

Code: Select all

System:
  Host: redacted Kernel: 5.11.0-40-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: N/A 
  Desktop: Cinnamon 5.0.7 Distro: Linux Mint 20.2 Uma 
  base: Ubuntu 20.04 focal 
Machine:
  Type: Laptop System: ASUSTeK product: ASUS TUF Dash F15 FX516PM_FX516PM 
  v: 1.0 serial: <superuser/root required> 
  Mobo: ASUSTeK model: FX516PM v: 1.0 serial: <superuser/root required> 
  UEFI: American Megatrends LLC. v: FX516PM.322 date: 08/27/2021 
CPU:
  Topology: Quad Core model: 11th Gen Intel Core i5-11300H bits: 64 
  type: MT MCP arch: Tiger Lake rev: 1 L2 cache: 8192 KiB 
  flags: avx avx2 lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx 
  bogomips: 49766 
  Speed: 1045 MHz min/max: 400/4400 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 1016 2: 921 
  3: 858 4: 938 5: 897 6: 850 7: 1158 8: 892 
Graphics:
  Device-1: Intel vendor: ASUSTeK driver: i915 v: kernel 
  bus ID: 0000:00:02.0 
  Device-2: NVIDIA vendor: ASUSTeK driver: N/A bus ID: 0000:01:00.0 
  Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.11 driver: modesetting 
  unloaded: fbdev,vesa tty: N/A 
  OpenGL: renderer: Mesa Intel Xe Graphics (TGL GT2) v: 4.6 Mesa 21.0.3 
  direct render: Yes 

[GreenBehindTheEars]

60.01hz is still flickering...

[GreenBehindTheEars]

Tried every setting for the graphics. It's been 2 years, and I still don't get how you can't just install Linux and run it like an OS. It can take a year or more just to get it running and then it is constant maintenance. Yet people say it runs better than Windows. Despite the bloatware and spying. I mean, you can run Windows out of the box. How many years does it take to get Linux running? What if you need a computer today? It's been a week with my first new laptop in 12 years, and I have not been able to use it yet. That is sad...

Thanks for your help, BTW. I am just pretty frustrated. I guess Linux is just impossible unless you have a PhD in computer programming. Even the information on the forums that come up on the search engines seem unhelpful. I want to believe, I really do. I can live with no programs at all, and switch to my Windows partition to run something(they say you can run it all on Linux, but it won't even run the monitor properly, let alone programs.), But it almost seems like Linux is a virus. It just ruins everything on your computer and makes it unusable. Like I said, I want to use it. But it just seems like it is 100 years off from being finished. All the stuff people claim about it seem to be false.

[SMG]

lol Dude, your maths is way off. 4 is almost four times more than .11. I know that much. Unless that is a joke I am missing?

I am female and the kernel number system is not a "point" system. The 5.0 kernel was replaced by the 5.1 kernel. Then that was replaced by the 5.2 kernel. That was replaced by the 5.3 kernel. If one continues the process, the replacements are 5.4, then 5.5. then 5.6, then 5.7, then 5.8, then 5.9, then 5.10, then 5.11. That means the 5.11 kernel is a newer kernel than the 5.4.

I've been on Linux Mint for 2 years now and was happy. But over a week of trying to install it on a new, bur what many call, basic laptop, and it won't even install. This is bad...

You are installing on very new hardware. There are often issues on installing on very new hardware because it takes the open-source community time to reverse-engineer all the drivers to get everything to work properly. The open-source community are people working in their spare time so I'm not sure why you would expect things to happen as fast as they do for Windows.

It is possible this flickering is an issue with the Intel graphics driver. You can try using the 5.13 kernel, but many have had turn off the panel self refresh by adding the kernel parameter i915.enable_psr=0 to grub. You can use the following information How to add a kernel parameter to temporarily or permanently add the parameter. When you add it temporarily, it adds it only for that current boot cycle, so if, for any reason, it seems to cause issues, all you need to do is reboot to clear it.

Just to let you know, your system appears to be running in Intel Powersave mode because the Nvidia drivers are not loaded.
Graphics:
Device-1: Intel vendor: ASUSTeK driver: i915 v: kernel
bus ID: 0000:00:02.0
Device-2: NVIDIA vendor: ASUSTeK driver: N/A bus ID: 0000:01:00.0
Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.11 driver: modesetting
unloaded: fbdev,vesa tty: N/A
OpenGL: renderer: Mesa Intel Xe Graphics (TGL GT2) v: 4.6 Mesa 21.0.3
direct render: Yes

What mode does the nvidia-prime-applet say you are using? Perhaps you have Secure Boot enabled and did not add the keys which would let the Nvidia driver load after you installed them. You can check the Secure Boot state by running mokutil --sb-state in a terminal.

Tried every setting for the graphics. It's been 2 years, and I still don't get how you can't just install Linux and run it like an OS. It can take a year or more just to get it running and then it is constant maintenance. Yet people say it runs better than Windows. Despite the bloatware and spying. I mean, you can run Windows out of the box. How many years does it take to get Linux running? What if you need a computer today? It's been a week with my first new laptop in 12 years, and I have not been able to use it yet. That is sad...

There are computers which come with Linux-based distros installed. Instead of buying one of those you bought a computer designed to only work on Windows.