How to disable Nouvea before Linux boots

I am trying to install the proprietary Nvidia driver on my linux machine ( Nvidia GeForce GTX 750, Debian w/Linux 4.1.2.1 ). In order to use Nvidia's .run file, I need to disable nouveau. The .run creates a file that will do this task, but a reboot is required. However, disabling nouveau has broken the boot cycle. What am I supposed to do?

Carl

Posted 2015-08-03T17:18:34.277

Reputation: 160

Did you try to boot into text mode? See here for example: http://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/15527/how-to-boot-debian-into-text-mode-without-using-gui

– Sleafar – 2015-08-03T18:17:32.573

yes, and .run still says nouveau is in use ( and it is correct ) – Carl – 2015-08-03T18:30:01.807

Answers

Newer Linux kernals are given the job of setting video modes ( archlinux.org... ) and as such, Nouveau is being used at boot time ( even without an X server ).

In order to disable Nouveau and boot use the argument nomodeset in your Grub configuration. ubuntuforums.org...

Carl

Posted 2015-08-03T17:18:34.277

Reputation: 160

Adding nouveau.blacklist=1 on the linux line might help, or...

$ cat /etc/modprobe.d/nvidia-installer-disable-nouveau.conf
# generated by nvidia-installer
blacklist nouveau
options nouveau modeset=0

The linux line is what I have seen earlier, that has obviously changed...
the '...disable-nouveau.conf' file is what there is now.

Oh, if you try to install the driver from the Text login (CTRL-ALT-F1) then you need to sudo -i and then do

stop lightdm # or whatever window manager you have
init 3

before you attempt to install/uninstall.

For what it is worth:
I'm on Ubuntu 14.04.2, 3.16 kernel, with a GTX 780, v352.30 proprietary driver

I normally boot into rescue mode to remedy problems with the driver, lately that has most often been as simple as
bash NVIDIA...run --uninstall immediately followed by a
bash NVIDIA...run and necessary only as some sort of graphics system component, or kernel, has been updated.

Hannu

Posted 2015-08-03T17:18:34.277

Reputation: 4 950

nouveau.blacklist=1 --> unknown parameter 'blacklist' ...ignored – Carl – 2015-08-03T20:20:34.303

I've solved my problem and then asked the question a little better ( I hope ). I also supplied an answer ( which I apparently have to wait a while before accepting :) ). Thanks – Carl – 2015-08-04T00:52:07.803

=) - I'll leave this as is, maybe someone else finds it useful. – Hannu – 2015-08-05T20:07:34.983