Ultimate Edition Forum

I have a problem when switching over to the bigger Nvidia. It is a GeForce MX4000 D128.
The problem:
Works fine until the log - in screen SHOULD pop up; then I get a flashing cursor in upper left a few second, then a black screen...forever...
I have tried:
Dialing back the resolution to 800x600 while using the ATI, then shutting down and switching cards out. Same problem
I WAS able to get it to fire up in safe mode during a LIVE (DVD) session, but have no safe mode option appear at the Grub screen. How would I comment one in? Or does anyone have a better Idea?

Hello, I have had a problem like you describe when changing from ATI to Nvidia. I assume the ati drivers are creating the problem. But I solved my problem but saving any data with the ATI card installed and then adding in the Nvidia card and booting from the live CD and reinstalling the system. I then know that any ATI junk is gone, I will never use anything ATI again with LINUX systems, or windows!There might be other ways to solve your problem, but I don't know what they might be. Remember to save your data files.

Thanks for the reply!

I was hoping to fix it without a re-install, however, because I just did a fresh intall to upgrade from 2.0 to 2.1....AND, I will be juming RIGHT over to 2.2 when it is released. SO, that is a lot of data shuffling in a short time.
I've kind of been leaning the OPPOSITE way with the vid card manufacturers...I've had the most problems with the nvidia cards, but since this is a free uprgrade I salvaged from my volunteer group (FreeGeek, Michiana), I will take it! I just need to know if there is a way to fire up the kernel in safe graphics mode, from the HD...NOT the DVD.

If a fresh install with the new card is what others agree to be the best route, I'll do that, but I will wait a while and see.......

Thanks again!

Hello, Thee Mahn has just put the main web page back up-though not complete- the new 2.2 can't be too far away hopefully. Since you want to go to 2.2, may I suggest you live with the ATI card installed and then when 2.2 comes out do a fresh install with the Nvidia card installed. I am sure that will fix your problem as long as the Nvidia card you got for free is working correctly!

Yes, I was debating that, as well. Sounds like good advice. Like I said, it had no problem booting up a Live session, so I suspect it has to do with THIS install and the ATI card drivers (though I'm not showing any proprietary drivers)....

I will just go ahead and live with it...that way my system will get TWO major upgrades...ext4, and double the 3D!...

THANKS!

Wolfie,
Fresh install of Ultimate Edition 2.2 using Ext4 file system is the way to go. I've made the change from ATI to nVidia twice on two different systems. Both times I tried to "completely remove" the ATI drivers and config information. I actually got it to run the nVidia card and drivers (Ultimate Edition 2.0), but the system was a little "finicky" after that. I backed up my /home folder amd the /media folder (I put my Downloads there), did a fresh install, and that system ran very smoothly from that point on.
FYI: I have run both ATI and nVidia on Ubuntu and Ultimate Edition since Fiesty Fawn, and nVidia has the better cards by far, for Linux, IMHO.
My advice is to do a Fresh/Clean install when you're ready for 2.2 with EXT4. If that card is any good, and supported, then your system should be stable and pretty darn fast, too!! ;)

Yes.....I Really do have by far the nicest rig I've ever had, even theough it is a "Frankenstien Freebie" LOL.....The ext4 sounds super sweet......2.2 available, already? If so, I was unaware.

Yes, the problems I encountered with prior Nvidia cards / installs involved the gui app. "ENVY"...I think the app. / repo was a bit screwy.....had to take it to my FreeGeek volunteer group to have the system admin, "Goose" fix the xorg config before I could run it again, with NO acceleration ......

So, I hope you're right, about nvidia, as I'd rather NOT run into those kinds of problems again...

Thanks, all!

Ah, well; I think I got a bad card...
I re-installed Ultimate Edition 2.1 after swaping in the Nvidia, and it was all good until I activated the 3D and re-booted...black screen before OR after log-in (did this last week, can't rember for sure). So came to the conclusion that I have a bad card...But will give it another whirl when 2.2 comes out...just to close the case out for good.

man, I remember those days, sheesh, I remember when I was cock of the block with a 756 meg hard drive and an intel 90... man am I old... I remember going from 4 megs of onboard video to a PCI "voodoo2 card" 32 meg I believe? had to build a new system just to benefit, AMD 3dnow 500 cpu and with 100 FSB asus, first time I ever rendered 3D, 20 seconds of clip took like 4 hours to complete, the good ol' days..

until you upgrade to around a 512 meg GPU and a decent 3gig CPU the interwebs waiting on you....

lol you must be just a tad older than me.....my first drive was 2 gigs,and my IBM was running at 400 megs I think.