Need help with GeForce 8400 GS in Ubuntu 18.04
By John Thompson
I have a Dell Optiplex 790 and have installed a GeForce 8400GS card. I installed the Ubuntu base from the mini.iso file and added the LXDE-core desktop environment. Everything works with the Intel integrated card, but there are a few symptoms that something is a bit off with that connection (screen is pixely for a moment after logging in and at times there is a wave-like behavior). The main issue is with the GeForce card. When I boot-up with the cable connected to it, the monitor acts like nothing is connected (screen is black, light is blinking). If I move the cable to the integrated card, I can see the desktop on the monitor.
After I first installed the OS, the card worked, but everything was extremely slow to respond, like I had only 256mb of ram installed (there are 8GB installed. with over 7gb free). I concluded something was amiss with the drivers. Here are the steps I have taken to resolve, but haven't been able to fix it:
- Blacklisted the Nouveau driver (which was what originally showed when I did
sudo lshw -c display. Now it shows Nvidia. - Opened TTY and did:
sudo apt-get purge nvidia*thensudo service lightdm stop, thensudo add-apt-repository ppa:graphics-drivers, thensudo apt-get update, thensudo apt-get install nvidia-340 - I then rebooted and went to Additional drivers and made sure the 340 card was selected.
- I rebooted. It didn't work. I then opened Nvidia Server Settings and installed Prime. It showed Nvidia as the selected card. I then did
Prime-Select queryand it showed Nvidia.
I think that is all the steps I have done so far. It appears that the system sees the cards, sees the driver, is thinking the Nvidia card is the one I am using (which may explain why things are a bit hinky with the Intel card), but I can't get the system to actually use the Nvidia card. I am sure I am missing something basic and important....I just can't figure it out.
10/05/19 Responding to N0rbert's suggestion, I tried plugging in the DVI cable (there are only DVI and VGA options on this card). The monitor was recognized, but didn't wake-up until the start-up process got to the desktop. No splash screen or anything else. Also, when I look at Monitor Settings, it only shows the DVI monitor, even after plugging in the VGA cable as well. I know the VGA works as it worked at the beginning, just really slow (like the computer had only 256mb of ram installed). In addition, when opening a program (like Firefox), it is unrolling the window, rather than just appearing, if that makes sense.
Responding to OldFred Thanks for the suggestion!
I am wanting to use the card as it will allow me to use 2 monitors. It worked well for 16.04. I am having difficulty after upgrading.
Update 10/7/19 2:42p
When connecting the DVI cable to the GEForce card, I am able to use the integrated VGA at the same time. I am wondering if there is a correlation between that and the GeForce card VGA not working.
5 Reset to default
