Linux 13 and nVidia Optimus

[kad3t]

Hey,

I've a GT555m and Intel HD 3000 hybrid (so called nVidia Optimus) on my laptop and recently discovered that there was no proprietary drivers available for my system. After reading a bit and consulting forums I've learned about project Bumblebee. Problem is I'm not very proficient with Linux. I mean I have some basic knowledge but when I tried following instructions on Bumblebee website (Ubuntu's instructions on the site) I got nothing. It didn't install nor work properly regardless of the fact that I followed them to each step. Maybe any of you have successfully installed those drivers on similar specs laptop (Lenovo Y570)?

System specs:
i7-2670QM CPU
8GB RAM
nVidia GeForce GT555m/Intel HD 3000

[kc1di]

hi,

I'm assuming your using the following instructions:

Code: Select all

Ubuntu linux

Currently, you need to open your terminal and enter the commands below.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:bumblebee/stable
If you are on Ubuntu 11.04 or older and want newer drivers (recommended) than the ones available in the official repos, run:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-x-swat/x-updates
sudo apt-get update
To install Bumblebee using the proprietary nvidia driver:
sudo apt-get install bumblebee bumblebee-nvidia
Reboot or re-login. More help and information for Ubuntu can be found here.

It that correct?

if your in the terminal and have done the above it should have worked. if it did not can you tell us of any error messages you received when trying to install in the terminal?

[mint-me]

that's right, the guys at Bumblebee got it down to 3 lines in a terminal for all Ubuntu and Mint users. on a clean install of Mint 13 it is rare to not get it working.

Open a Terminal, or hit <Ctrl>+<Alt>+T
then enter
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:bumblebee/stable
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install bumblebee bumblebee-nvidia

REBOOT, enjoy.

if still no joy, report issues here - https://github.com/Bumblebee-Project/Bu ... ing-Issues

[kad3t]

Alright, I've installed it once again following the instructions you've highlighted above guys. After last of the three commands I've got this output:

Code: Select all

Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
The following extra packages will be installed:
  bbswitch-dkms libturbojpeg libturbojpeg:i386 nvidia-current nvidia-settings
  screen-resolution-extra virtualgl virtualgl-libs virtualgl-libs:i386
  virtualgl-libs-ia32:i386
Recommended packages:
  virtualgl-libs-ia32
The following NEW packages will be installed:
  bbswitch-dkms bumblebee bumblebee-nvidia libturbojpeg libturbojpeg:i386
  nvidia-current nvidia-settings screen-resolution-extra virtualgl
  virtualgl-libs virtualgl-libs:i386 virtualgl-libs-ia32:i386
0 upgraded, 12 newly installed, 0 to remove and 13 not upgraded.
Need to get 61.1 MB of archives.
After this operation, 189 MB of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue [Y/n]? y
Get:1 http://ppa.launchpad.net/bumblebee/stable/ubuntu/ precise/main virtualgl-libs amd64 2.3.1-2~preciseppa1 [211 kB]
Get:2 http://ppa.launchpad.net/bumblebee/stable/ubuntu/ precise/main virtualgl-libs i386 2.3.1-2~preciseppa1 [201 kB]
Get:3 http://ppa.launchpad.net/bumblebee/stable/ubuntu/ precise/main virtualgl amd64 2.3.1-2~preciseppa1 [846 kB]
Get:4 http://ppa.launchpad.net/bumblebee/stable/ubuntu/ precise/main bbswitch-dkms all 0.4.2-2~preciseppa1 [10.1 kB]
Get:5 http://ppa.launchpad.net/bumblebee/stable/ubuntu/ precise/main bumblebee amd64 3.0-2~preciseppa1 [52.4 kB]
Get:6 http://ppa.launchpad.net/bumblebee/stable/ubuntu/ precise/main bumblebee-nvidia amd64 3.0-2~preciseppa1 [3,200 B]
Get:7 http://ppa.launchpad.net/bumblebee/stable/ubuntu/ precise/main virtualgl-libs-ia32 i386 2.3.1-2~preciseppa1 [2,096 B]
Get:8 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise/universe libturbojpeg amd64 1.1.90+svn733-0ubuntu4 [121 kB]
Get:9 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise/universe libturbojpeg i386 1.1.90+svn733-0ubuntu4 [127 kB]
Get:10 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise/restricted nvidia-current amd64 295.40-0ubuntu1 [58.5 MB]
Get:11 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise/main screen-resolution-extra all 0.14ubuntu2 [12.8 kB]
Get:12 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise/main nvidia-settings amd64 295.33-0ubuntu1 [931 kB]
Fetched 61.1 MB in 1min 1s (994 kB/s)                                          
Selecting previously unselected package libturbojpeg.
(Reading database ... 149023 files and directories currently installed.)
Unpacking libturbojpeg (from .../libturbojpeg_1.1.90+svn733-0ubuntu4_amd64.deb) ...
Selecting previously unselected package libturbojpeg:i386.
Unpacking libturbojpeg:i386 (from .../libturbojpeg_1.1.90+svn733-0ubuntu4_i386.deb) ...
Selecting previously unselected package virtualgl-libs.
Unpacking virtualgl-libs (from .../virtualgl-libs_2.3.1-2~preciseppa1_amd64.deb) ...
Selecting previously unselected package virtualgl-libs:i386.
Unpacking virtualgl-libs:i386 (from .../virtualgl-libs_2.3.1-2~preciseppa1_i386.deb) ...
Selecting previously unselected package virtualgl.
Unpacking virtualgl (from .../virtualgl_2.3.1-2~preciseppa1_amd64.deb) ...
Selecting previously unselected package bbswitch-dkms.
Unpacking bbswitch-dkms (from .../bbswitch-dkms_0.4.2-2~preciseppa1_all.deb) ...
Selecting previously unselected package bumblebee.
Unpacking bumblebee (from .../bumblebee_3.0-2~preciseppa1_amd64.deb) ...
Selecting previously unselected package nvidia-current.
Unpacking nvidia-current (from .../nvidia-current_295.40-0ubuntu1_amd64.deb) ...
Selecting previously unselected package bumblebee-nvidia.
Unpacking bumblebee-nvidia (from .../bumblebee-nvidia_3.0-2~preciseppa1_amd64.deb) ...
Selecting previously unselected package screen-resolution-extra.
Unpacking screen-resolution-extra (from .../screen-resolution-extra_0.14ubuntu2_all.deb) ...
Selecting previously unselected package nvidia-settings.
Unpacking nvidia-settings (from .../nvidia-settings_295.33-0ubuntu1_amd64.deb) ...
Selecting previously unselected package virtualgl-libs-ia32:i386.
Unpacking virtualgl-libs-ia32:i386 (from .../virtualgl-libs-ia32_2.3.1-2~preciseppa1_i386.deb) ...
Processing triggers for ureadahead ...
ureadahead will be reprofiled on next reboot
Processing triggers for man-db ...
Setting up libturbojpeg (1.1.90+svn733-0ubuntu4) ...
Setting up libturbojpeg:i386 (1.1.90+svn733-0ubuntu4) ...
Setting up virtualgl-libs (2.3.1-2~preciseppa1) ...
Setting up virtualgl-libs:i386 (2.3.1-2~preciseppa1) ...
Setting up virtualgl (2.3.1-2~preciseppa1) ...
Setting up bbswitch-dkms (0.4.2-2~preciseppa1) ...
Loading new bbswitch-0.4.2 DKMS files...
First Installation: checking all kernels...
Building only for 3.2.0-23-generic
Building initial module for 3.2.0-23-generic
Done.

bbswitch:
Running module version sanity check.
 - Original module
   - No original module exists within this kernel
 - Installation
   - Installing to /lib/modules/3.2.0-23-generic/kernel/drivers/acpi/

depmod......

DKMS: install completed.
Setting up bumblebee (3.0-2~preciseppa1) ...
Adding members from group(s) 'adm sudo admin' to 'bumblebee':
kad3t
Adding user kad3t to group bumblebee
update-initramfs: deferring update (trigger activated)
bumblebeed start/running, process 4371
Setting up nvidia-current (295.40-0ubuntu1) ...
update-alternatives: using /usr/lib/nvidia-current/ld.so.conf to provide /etc/ld.so.conf.d/x86_64-linux-gnu_GL.conf (x86_64-linux-gnu_gl_conf) in auto mode.
update-alternatives: using /usr/lib/nvidia-current/alt_ld.so.conf to provide /etc/ld.so.conf.d/i386-linux-gnu_GL.conf (i386-linux-gnu_gl_conf) in auto mode.
update-initramfs: deferring update (trigger activated)
INFO:Enable nvidia-current
DEBUG:Parsing /usr/share/nvidia-common/quirks/lenovo_thinkpad
DEBUG:Parsing /usr/share/nvidia-common/quirks/dell_latitude
DEBUG:Parsing /usr/share/nvidia-common/quirks/put_your_quirks_here
DEBUG:Processing quirk ThinkPad T420s
DEBUG:Failure to match Lenovo IdeaPad Y570 with ThinkPad T420s
DEBUG:Quirk doesn't match
DEBUG:Processing quirk Latitude E6530
DEBUG:Failure to match LENOVO with Dell Inc.
DEBUG:Quirk doesn't match
Loading new nvidia-current-295.40 DKMS files...
First Installation: checking all kernels...
Building only for 3.2.0-23-generic
Building for architecture x86_64
Building initial module for 3.2.0-23-generic
Done.

nvidia_current:
Running module version sanity check.
 - Original module
   - No original module exists within this kernel
 - Installation
   - Installing to /lib/modules/3.2.0-23-generic/kernel/drivers/char/drm/

depmod....

DKMS: install completed.
Setting up screen-resolution-extra (0.14ubuntu2) ...
Setting up nvidia-settings (295.33-0ubuntu1) ...
update-alternatives: using /usr/lib/nvidia-settings/ld.so.conf to provide /etc/ld.so.conf.d/nvidia_settings.conf (nvidia_settings_conf) in auto mode.
Setting up virtualgl-libs-ia32:i386 (2.3.1-2~preciseppa1) ...
Processing triggers for bamfdaemon ...
Rebuilding /usr/share/applications/bamf.index...
Setting up bumblebee-nvidia (3.0-2~preciseppa1) ...
update-alternatives: using /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/mesa/ld.so.conf to provide /etc/ld.so.conf.d/x86_64-linux-gnu_GL.conf (x86_64-linux-gnu_gl_conf) in manual mode.
update-alternatives: using /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/mesa/ld.so.conf to provide /etc/ld.so.conf.d/i386-linux-gnu_GL.conf (i386-linux-gnu_gl_conf) in manual mode.
bumblebeed stop/waiting
bumblebeed start/running, process 5684
Processing triggers for libc-bin ...
ldconfig deferred processing now taking place
Processing triggers for initramfs-tools ...
update-initramfs: Generating /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-23-generic
Warning: No support for locale: en_US.utf8

Clearly some minor errors there. Nonetheless I've decided to try it out. I've restarted my PC, run the daemon with 'sudo bumblebeed --daemon' and got this in output:

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FATAL: Error inserting bbswitch (/lib/modules/3.2.0-23-generic/kernel/drivers/acpi/bbswitch.ko): No such device

Nuff said the whole 'optirun <program_name>' didn't work obviously. So I wonder, do I need to approach it from a different angle, maybe look up the bbswitch.ko file or something?

[mint-me]

is that from a clean install? or did you already install nvidia drivers or the ones at x-swat ppa?
if you just did the 3 lines i say above on clean install, then you have a problem. send the output to guys at Bumblebee.

if you already installed other drivers, better to remove like so:

sudo apt-get purge bumblebee
sudo apt-get purge nvidia-current
sudo apt-get --purge autoremove

then go Menu > Administration > Software Manager > Edit > Software sources > Other Software - then remove references to X-swat
then
sudo apt-get update
and re install Bumblebee as before (you wont need to do first step as you already have Bumblebee PPA in your source list)

Mint 13 is just over 1 month old and has best drivers already, plus bumblebee, you will be cruisin.

good luck...


PS: my machine goes great on Mint 13 Cinnamon with Bumblebee - best ever.

[kad3t]

It was a clean install. However after it did not work I did install the x-swat drivers using the commands at bumblebee website. Anyway, will purge and reinstall all from start (as in bumblebee) and will report back on my progress (given that there is any).

[kad3t]

Followed all your steps again and same results, same output during install and after installation when I try to run daemon I get this:

Code: Select all

FATAL: Error inserting bbswitch (/lib/modules/3.2.0-23-generic/kernel/drivers/acpi/bbswitch.ko): No such device

Which sucks big time as I was hoping finally to switch 100% to Linux...

[mint-me]

dont give up yet. unfortunately, u are one of the rare cases, there is a kernel bug that affects yor machine, and its current.

kernel bug:
https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=42696

solution:
https://github.com/Bumblebee-Project/bb ... llite-p870

it looks straightforward to me. use the commands in that link, make sure to use a Root Terminal, or open normal Terminal and enter:
sudo su
then punch in all the commands at that link and cross fingers.

Lekensteyn is the dev you want to correspond with if needed. let us know how you go.

[kad3t]

Thanks a great bunch for all your help!
It worked, I mean it operates a bit differently as I don't have to load the daemon but just turn the card on after booting but afterwards I can run stuff with optirun as far as i've noticed flawlessly.

[mint-me]

beautiful. yours is one of the only "special" cases i've seen with latest bumblebee. it may eventually be completely resolved, and if you ever do a fresh install in future, it may be just 3 lines...

[kad3t]

Yep, thanks again for your help. It is bit tricky to run each game through terminal with 'sudo optirun game's_name' but I suppose I'll just make some shortcuts for my desktop for each game. Still, what's important is that I can use my GPU under Linux again.

[Theo81]

Hi guys, I've just installed Mint 13 on a Samsung NP300V5A with intel i5 sandybridge and nvidia 520MX, already installed bumblebee but i get this error everytime that i try to launch a program with optirun:

Code: Select all

~ $ optirun glxgears -info
[ERROR]Cannot access secondary GPU - error: [XORG] (EE) NVIDIA(0): Failed to initialize the display subsystem for the NVIDIA

[ERROR]Aborting because fallback start is disabled.

Any suggestions?

[mint-me]

Try this:

1. Set Driver=nvidia in /etc/bumblebee/bumblebee.conf
Open as root the file for editing, use a terminal <Ctrl>+<Alt>+T
enter this:

Code: Select all

gksudo gedit /etc/bumblebee/bumblebee.conf

where you see "Driver=", just add nvidia to it, so it says Driver=nvidia
also make sure where it says "KernelDriver=" is KernelDriver=nvidia-current

2. Blacklist nouveau - this is to make sure it will use nvidia, and stop nouveau from interference
enter in terminal:

Code: Select all

sudo echo "blacklist nouveau" >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
sudo update-initramfs -u

be patient the last step takes half a minute to update.
REBOOT

Let us know how you go.

[Theo81]

Try this:

1. Set Driver=nvidia in /etc/bumblebee/bumblebee.conf
Open as root the file for editing, use a terminal <Ctrl>+<Alt>+T
enter this:
CODE: SELECT ALL
gksudo gedit /etc/bumblebee/bumblebee.conf

where you see "Driver=", just add nvidia to it, so it says Driver=nvidia
also make sure where it says "KernelDriver=" is KernelDriver=nvidia

Already set Driver=nvidia, but in the section nvidia there is KernelDriver=nvidia-current, is right or i need to set to KernelDriver=nvidia.

2. Blacklist nouveau - this is to make sure it will use nvidia, and stop nouveau from interference
enter in terminal:
CODE: SELECT ALL
sudo echo "blacklist nouveau" >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
sudo update-initramfs -u

be patient the last step takes half a minute to update.
REBOOT

In /etc/modprobe.d/ there is already a file called nvidia-current_hybrid.conf that include this code:

Code: Select all

# This file was installed by nvidia-current
# Do not edit this file manually

blacklist nouveau
blacklist lbm-nouveau
alias nouveau off
alias lbm-nouveau off

seems that all this passages are already done, i need to update the initframs?

[mint-me]

youre right, sorry I've been working in Debian too, it is KernelDriver=nvidia-current in Mint, and I corrected the post above.

the above is my first idea at a fix - if you can't fix it like that, you should check out
https://github.com/Bumblebee-Project/Bu ... ing-Issues
https://github.com/Bumblebee-Project/Bu ... leshooting

[mint-me]

I just thought, try the following command in terminal, to see if your system sees both cards:

Code: Select all

inxi -xG

[Theo81]

Already sent an email like their specifications, and already read all the trobleshooting page

I just thought, try the following command in terminal, to see if your system sees both cards:

Code: Select all

inxi -xG

OK here the output, and the problem too:

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$ inxi -xG
Graphics:  Card: Intel 2nd Generation Core Processor Family Integrated Graphics Controller bus-ID: 00:02.0 
           X.Org: 1.11.3 drivers: intel (unloaded: vesa,fbdev) Resolution: 1366x768@60.1hz 
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel Sandybridge Mobile GLX Version: 3.0 Mesa 8.0.2 Direct Rendering: Yes

In fact when i had launch lspci i get this response:

Code: Select all

00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation 2nd Generation Core Processor Family Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 09)
01:00.0 3D controller: NVIDIA Corporation GF119 [GeForce GT 520MX] (rev ff)

What do you think about?

[mint-me]

Strange? Since Bumblebee 3 and Mint 12/13 i reckon 99% of the time it works fine - there are a few notebook models that require special fix. I have few basic fixes up my sleeve, but beyond that, I recommend putting the issue forward on the development github https://github.com/Bumblebee-Project/Bumblebee and of course sending in the bug reports. Lekensteyn is the dev with great experience on Ubuntu/Mint Bumblebee, and you WILL get it done with a little patience. I managed to get it working good in Debian Squeeze and Wheezy too. In 6 months we may have David Airlie's Prime which will give Optimus support out-of-the-box.
Let us know how you go...

[jarav]

hi mint-me,

Am planning to buy an Inspiron 17r.

Would like to know the frame rates you get for glxspheres with Bumblebee. With and without optirun.

Thanks.

[mint-me]

Jarav, you are courageous to choose Optimus for Linux - even the developers at Bumblebee state that it is only a "workaround". Mainstream support may come 2013, but will believe it when I see it! If you need the power for games, try get dedicated Nvidia graphics, if you don't need that, Intel graphics is the best supported of all in Linux.

glxspheres in Mint without optirun is running quite slow here for some reason, only few frames/sec, in SolusOS (Debian) around 50-60 frames/sec at 50-60Mpixels/sec on standard output (nearly fullscreen).

In Mint 13 here is typical output with optirun:

~ $ optirun glxspheres
Polygons in scene: 62464
Visual ID of window: 0x21
Context is Direct
OpenGL Renderer: GeForce GT 525M/PCIe/SSE2
130.157964 frames/sec - 119.271552 Mpixels/sec
132.218937 frames/sec - 121.160145 Mpixels/sec
137.419681 frames/sec - 125.925898 Mpixels/sec
136.217809 frames/sec - 124.824551 Mpixels/sec
136.711343 frames/sec - 125.276806 Mpixels/sec
136.856334 frames/sec - 125.409670 Mpixels/sec
135.158680 frames/sec - 123.854008 Mpixels/sec
139.649204 frames/sec - 127.968945 Mpixels/sec
135.235819 frames/sec - 123.924695 Mpixels/sec
137.137531 frames/sec - 125.667348 Mpixels/sec
136.098855 frames/sec - 124.715547 Mpixels/sec
140.067772 frames/sec - 128.352503 Mpixels/sec
136.656039 frames/sec - 125.226128 Mpixels/sec