Ubuntu
xserver-xorg-video-nv package

10.10 Beta NVIDIA update broke Sony Vaio VPCF136FM

Asked by Michael E. Adams

I have been using 10.10 beta on my new Sony Vaio VPCF136FM configured as follows:

Processor: i7-740QM / 1.73 GHz
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M GPU
Display: 16.4" / 1600 x 900
Memory: 6 GB

Ubuntu can't sense my display to set up native x-server properly - it defaults to 800x600.
I installed the NVIDIA driver when I originally installed 10.10 beta. Worked perfectly.
Yesterdays (10/04/10) NVIDIA driver update broke my system - won't boot into desktop. I had to reboot into safe mode and remove the new NVIDIA driver. I am now only able to run in safe mode 800x600 because Ubuntu can't detect my display.

I have tried reinstalled the NVIDIA driver and no-joy. I just have to remove it again to regain use of my system.

How can I install the previous NVIDIA driver. Only the new one, which doesn't work is available to me to enable in the "Additional Drivers" application.

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

If you run:

sudo nvidia-xconfig

and reboot, is it ok?

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Michael E. Adams (meadams) said : 		#2

Thank you for responding actionparsnip.

I reinstalled the NVIDIA driver. Rebooted to a failsafe root terminal. Ran: nvidia-xconfig and received the following message:

Using X configuration file:
    "/etc/X11/xorg.conf"

VALIDATION ERROR:
    Data incomplete in file /etc/X11/xorg.conf.
    Undefined Device "(null)" referenced by Screen "Default Screen".

Backup file '/etc/X11/xorg.conf' as '/etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup'

New X configuration file written to '/etc/X11/xorg.conf'

I try to reboot and I get a blank screen with a color background. I can't Ctrl-Alt-Del to reboot, I can't Ctrl-Alt F# to a virtual terminal. I have to do a cold restart (i.e. hold the power button down to shutdown and then reboot into failsafe graphics mode so I can remove the NVIDIA driver to regain control of my system again.

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Michael E. Adams (meadams) said : 		#3

Thank you for responding actionparsnip.

I reinstalled the NVIDIA driver. Rebooted to a failsafe root terminal. Ran: nvidia-xconfig and received the following message:

Using X configuration file:
    "/etc/X11/xorg.conf"

VALIDATION ERROR:
    Data incomplete in file /etc/X11/xorg.conf.
    Undefined Device "(null)" referenced by Screen "Default Screen".

Backup file '/etc/X11/xorg.conf' as '/etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup'

New X configuration file written to '/etc/X11/xorg.conf'

I try to reboot and I get a blank screen with a color background. I can't Ctrl-Alt-Del to reboot, I can't Ctrl-Alt F# to a virtual terminal. I have to do a cold restart (i.e. hold the power button down to shutdown and then reboot into failsafe graphics mode so I can remove the NVIDIA driver to regain control of my system again.

Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#4

Cool, restart the x server (or reboot). Does it work ok?

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Michael E. Adams (meadams) said : 		#5

When I am in failsafe graphics mode, remove the NVIDIA driver and reboot. Ubuntu is able to boot into the desktop at the default 800x600 graphics resolution, only. I have control of my system back (i.e. can use it to write these messages), but I can't change video resolution - Ubuntu is not able to sense my display type and I can't set it.

I have now created a bug report for this issue (#655078).

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Michael E. Adams (meadams) said : 		#6

I am placing all further entries into the bug report I created (#665078). I hope I haven't caused a problem by starting this as a question and then spawning a bug report.

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Launchpad Janitor (janitor) said : 		#7

This question was expired because it remained in the 'Open' state without activity for the last 15 days.