Why won't my tnt2 go any higher than 800x600 with the official nvidia drivers?

[Miths/3K]

I've just installed (from tar, not rpm) the official nvidia drivers, because I want to run 3d games etc.
I followed the instructions for my system (see below), and X Windows start up alright, nvidia logo and all. Problem is that it won't go any higher than 800x600x16, whereas the standard "nv" driver had no problems with higher resolutions and color depths.

I've tried to manually change the screen section in XF86Config-4, but it just responds with something like "mode not supported".
What's wrong?

_____________
System:

Mandrake 8
XFree86 4.0.3
TNT2 M64

[carwyn]

Could be a number of things really.

Firstly I'd check the documentation that came with the drivers just to make sure that there isn't some sort of hardcoded limit, (I doubt this but its worth a look). May be some stuff there about configuration.

Secondly could be to do with your monitor settings, namely the VertRefresh and HorizSync entries.

Be nice to see the entries you are using for the screen size etc.. Have you looked at the output that x generates during startup.

Take a look at

/var/log/XFree86.0.log

This will list all the output generated during startup. Might be something in here that will help you solve your problem.

[Miths/3K]

I have looked at the log file, but the modes seem to be in hex decimals (or something like that - I'm no math expert :-).
What I can make out from the visible output in the console after shutting down x, is, as stated above, that certain modes are not supported.

Why would the monitor sync rates be different, just because of a driver switch? I'm still using the same XF86Config-4 file, where I've changed only the driver name and loaded glx.
Nevertheless I'll check it out when I'm back at my Linux comp.

As for the built-in maximum resolution: What purpose would that serve?

[carwyn]

The reason I mentioned the monitor syncs is cos on my setup (Rage 128) the syncs affect the available resolutions. I just thought that maybe your current setup was causing anything above 800x600 to be rejected.

[ronmon]

It's almost certainly your monitor settings and it is best to enter the vertical and horizontal refresh rates manually. Check your manual or the maker's web site. If your exact model (NOT something close) is listed as an option in setup you might be okay using that. Similar model numbers from the same manufacturer can have totally different specs and using the wrong settings can actually destroy your monitor. No kidding.

[bdl]

This is kind of an oddball problem that I also ran into when switching over to the newest driver. It's the "IgnoreEDID" option that will allow you to get around it:

[cut-n-paste]
Option "IgnoreEDID" "boolean"
Disable probing of EDID (Extended Display Identification
Data) from your monitor. Requested modes are compared
against values gotten from your monitor EDIDs (if any)
during mode validation. Some monitors are known to lie
about their own capabilities. Ignoring the values that
the monitor gives may help get a certain mode validated.
On the other hand, this may be dangerous if you don't
know what you are doing. Default: Use EDIDs.
[/cut-n-paste]

So under your 'Device' section, add the line:

Option "IgnoreEDID" "True"


Obviously you'll have to have a correctly configured XF86Config-4 file with the right sync rates for your display and appropriate Mode lines in your Screen section for this to work. Anytime you monkey with sync/refresh rates you're asking for trouble, so make sure you either have the display manual in front of you or allow X to probe the card and display with 'XFree86 -configure'.

Luck!

[ 05 July 2001: Message edited by: bdl ]