daniewicz

Is gcc installed?

I am able to install the nvidia driver from their website on my Mandriva 2008.1 system. I need to have the following packages installed before I attempt to install the nvidia driver:

kernel-desktop-2.6.24.7-2mnb

kernel-desktop-devel-2.6.24.7-2mnb

kernel-desktop-latest

kernel-headers

Welcome to the MUB

You should install KsmoothDock from the repositories instead of from the tar file.

Which Mandriva are you running?

In my Mandriva 2008.1, using the GUI:

Tools

System Tools

Configure Your Computer

Install and Remove Software

and this is what i get when i type in mount /media/cdrom in terminal:

 

[am@localhost ~]$ mount /media/cdrom

mount: I could not determine the filesystem type, and none was specified

Was there a CD in the tray when you typed this command?

Bottom line - unplugging the reserve battery definitely hasn't fixed it.

Well sorry to hear that. This easy process is always my first attempt when trying to fix a hardware problem.

it should be like a small coin battery

Yes, that's right.

Find that motherboard battery and remove it for a time.

@daniewicz, what did you mean about CMOS? I've no real idea what CMOS is or how it could go bad or what the effect of it going bad would be... or how I would clear it given that it's a laptop and I've never opened the guts of it. Would CMOS failure/corruption be consistent with the weird RAM fix?

If you clear your CMOS, you will reset the BIOS and start fresh with the defaults. On a desktop motherboard there is a switch to clear the CMOS. Another way to clear the CMOS is to remove the motherboard battery for a few minutes and then reattach it. Do you know where your battery is located?

CMOS corruption is consistent with many kinds of hardware glitches. It is something I always try first because it is easy (on a desktop).

Thanks for the powertop tip, is that in Mandriva repos or does it need compiling from source?

My laptop runs Mandriva 2008.0 and powertop was in the repos for this version of Mandriva.

I don't have much experience with laptop hardware. On desktop motherboards, there is a switch to clear the CMOS. Can the same be done on a laptop? It is possible that your CMOS has been corrupted. I would certainly try to clear the CMOS before buying a new laptop.

Thanks Dexter. Firefox 3.5 is running fine with Mandriva 2008.1. Seems very snappy and quick, but maybe that is the wine talking...... :D

Scarecrow's recommendation for powertop is a good one. This program deserves a look.

You could install emerald, the windows decorator for compiz.

After you install it, launch the CompizConfig Settings Manager and select Window decorations. In the text box next to Command, type "emerald".

use this:

ln -s /usr/java/jre1.6.0_14/plugin/i386/ns7/libjavaplugin_oji.so

I think you may have erased your MBR (Master Boot Record) instead which has nothing to do with the bios.

I agree with AussieJohn.

Now is it just my imagination or does 3.1 run at about a tenth of the speed of earlier versions?

I have not observed this with Mandriva 2008.1

so is it just all or nothing?

Yes, that is my understanding. I recently installed 3.1 from the OOo website and have the following:

Base

Draw

Math

Printer Admin

Impress

Calc

Writer

At the beginning of the installation process, the gui listed these items and asked OK to install? Perhaps at this point I could have requested specific items? I am not sure.

What do you get as /etc/xorg.conf after running

# nvidia-xconfig --composite

In case there is any question, ilia_kr, this request is directed to you. I already have a xorg.conf on my Mandriva 2008.1 box

My Xorg.0.log looks similar scarecrow. I am running 2.6.24.7-desktop-2mnb and have never run 2.6.24.5-server-2mnb.

X.Org X Server 1.4.0.90

Release Date: 5 September 2007

X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0

Build Operating System: Linux_2.6.24.5-server-2mnb Mandriva

Current Operating System: Linux localhost 2.6.24.7-desktop-2mnb #1 SMP Thu Oct 30 18:03:14 EDT 2008 i686

Build Date: 16 September 2008 04:45:14PM

You said previously that you use GeForce4 card too. Do you use it on Mandriva 2009.1 and is working ok?

I use Mandriva 2008.1

Then I decided to install earlier version (96.43.05) also downloaded from their site but this time installer told me that i have no suitable kernel sources. Weird...

I have seen that kind of problem as well when trying older versions of their drivers.

So, for now i have excellent 3D and no(?) 2D acceleration.

I don't have any other suggestions I can offer. I wish I did.

I use the NVidia drivers from their website exclusively, because the drivers from Mandriva are not updated as frequently.

Your card is running with AGP 4X, so that is good.

I am running out of ideas.

What is the output from cat /proc/driver/nvidia/agp/status

I am just throwing out ideas here.

Is there a 2.6.29.3-desktop-1mnb kernel you could use instead of 2.6.29.3-desktop586-1mnb? As I understand things, the 586 version is made to be compatible with a wide range of older hardware and could be giving you a problem.

Can you copy a few lines of Xorg.0.log which show where the old kernel is mentioned and post here?