Many things not working in recovered Desktop

[makem]

Ubuntu Support Template

Ubuntu Version:
24.04

Desktop Environment (if applicable):
XFCE in dual boot with Windows 11

Graphics:

GeForce RTX 3060 Lite Hash Rate with driver nvidia-driver-580-open

Hardware:

11th Gen Intel Core i7-11700K bits

Problem Description:

Today I recovered from installing the wrong graphics driver but that has left me with some problems I did not have before installing the driver Nouveau in error.

No Panel, No ‘X’ in Terminal or webpages. Unable to type in Terminal. Unable to move for example, a web page. Some of these do start working after a long delay. The panel has not returned.

As it is now the system is virtually unusable.

Relevant System Information:
NVIDIA GA 106 [GeForce RTX 3060 Lite Hash Rate] with driver nvidia-driver-580-open

What I’ve Tried:
Having ‘lost’ the Desktop once I am loath to ‘try’ anything being a self confessed newbie.

[pavlos]

in summary, purge all nvidia drivers, reboot, verify nouveau driver is active.

sudo apt-get remove --purge '^nvidia-.*'
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop
sudo rm /etc/X11/xorg.conf
echo 'nouveau' | sudo tee -a /etc/modules

[makem]

Thank you pavlos for taking the time to reply but it turns out that Nouveau is the wrong driver and caused all the trouble I am having.

I am looking for a solution using the driver which I used before Nouveau.

[ogra]

To figure out if this has to do with your users settings or if it is more on a system level I’d create a fresh test user and log in as that (you can delete that user afterwards), that will give you a pristine desktop with unmodified settings, see if it works there, else there might be a more systemic issue

[pavlos]

I assume secure boot is disabled. mokutil --sb-state

This link suggests to use the 525 driver.

https://forums.developer.nvidia.com/t/nvidia-smi-doesnt-recognize-geforce-rtx-3060-in-ubuntu-22-04/241313

[peterwhite23]

@pavlos

in summary, purge all nvidia drivers, reboot, verify nouveau driver is active.

Seriously?! Did you not read how OP got to this point?

Here is the thread with all the gory details:

Disapearing web pages: Continuing

See also: - Disappearing web pages Ubuntu Version: Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS Desktop Environment (if applicable): XFCE dual screen with Windows 11 dual boot. Web Page: Brave 1.89.143 (Official Build) (64-bit) Chromium: 147.0.7727.117 Problem Description: I open a Brave web page noticing now that the ?Lion used by Brave cab be black, not its usual red. I select the menu and the web page disappears. I click on the top to move the page and it disappears. I select a favourite from the ‘bar’, and th…

@pavlos

I assume secure boot is disabled. mokutil --sb-state

What does that have to do with anything?

[pavlos]

Take it easy, Peter.

[peterwhite23]

Sorry, I cannot stand it when someone suggests the very thing that caused the mess, I’ve just helped to clean up, especially when the OP wrote:

@makem

Today I recovered from installing the wrong graphics driver but that has left me with some problems I did not have before installing the driver Nouveau in error.

[peterwhite23]

@makem, have you tried the “Additional Drivers” tool, to check if the driver is fully installed? And, more importantly, have you rebooted the system without going through recovery mode first? Because nomodeset is implied in that mode, and the Nvidia driver might not like that; there’s a warning to that effect somewhere in recovery mode.

So I think you should do a clean reboot first. One that brings you directly to the Desktop without detours.

You may also elaborate more on what else you did to get the Nouveau driver installed.

[makem]

Yes I have done full reboot from grub choosing Ubuntu, the first grub list option

No, I have not tried the “Additional Drivers” tool, being fully occupied getting something going.

As for the Nouveau driver, if you really want me to explain that again then I can only do it in the previous thread. I was hoping to keep this thread ‘clean’. At that time I can also explain about the AD tool.

[peterwhite23]

@makem

No, I have not tried the “Additional Drivers” tool, being fully occupied getting something going.

You should start there.

As for the Nouveau driver, if you really want me to explain that again then I can only do it in the previous thread. I was hoping to keep this thread ‘clean’. At that time I can also explain about the AD tool.

You should at least give a rundown which HowTo you followed.

[makem]

@ogra

To figure out if this has to do with your users settings or if it is more on a system level I’d create a fresh test user and log in as that (you can delete that user afterwards), that will give you a pristine desktop with unmodified settings, see if it works there, else there might be a more systemic issue

Sounds like a plan, thank you.

[makem]

@peterwhite23

You should start there.

If you had the problems I have at the moment you would wait.

I will I promise again try to explain the incorrect install and why, but in the previous thread.

[peterwhite23]

@makem

If you had the problems I have at the moment you would wait.

No, I would suspect some driver in limbo state and check there first.

@makem

I will I promise again try to explain the incorrect install and why, but i the previous thread.

It is relevant here, so no need to juggle different threads. But maybe see what @ogra’s suggestion turns up, first.

[makem]

Fellas I started this thread to get some help, nobody is going to want to read all this stuff before helping! Good job ogra got in quick.

Thanks to Peter I have got a desktop but it is a mess. Looks like I may have to live with it until all this dies down and start requesting help once again. 30 days to go.

I don’t have a lot of time but I think I can beat anyone who comments on that comment. If we can use PM then I will explain. It is nothing to do with at 11 using a piece of wood to which I had to attach a piece of metal to dip in the inkwell either.

[makem]

You are right I am sure but a) I don’t know how to check, even if I had the AD going and b) I need to get some information back from the mess before I continue.

[makem]

@ogra

To figure out if this has to do with your users settings or if it is more on a system level I’d create a fresh test user and log in as that (you can delete that user afterwards), that will give you a pristine desktop with unmodified settings, see if it works there, else there might be a more systemic issue

At first glance it appears pristine but I think I will add user to sudoers and check at that level. It will also help me to clear up some things

[peterwhite23]

@makem

Fellas I started this thread to get some help, nobody is going to want to read all this stuff before helping!

You’ve got it backwards. You should always provide as much info as possible, so people can get an idea what might be the issue. It’s like pulling teeth with your help requests, to be perfectly honest; pardon my French.

Thanks to Peter I have got a desktop but it is a mess. Looks like I may have to live with it until all this dies down and start requesting help once again. 30 days to go.

What’s supposed to die down? Usually problems don’t solve themselves.

I don’t have a lot of time but I think I can beat anyone who comments on that comment. If we can use PM then I will explain. It is nothing to do with at 11 using a piece of wood to which I had to attach a piece of metal to dip in the inkwell either.

PM’s are for stuff that should not be public. If it’s relevant to the issue publish the info for everyone, otherwise you are not getting all the eyes.

@makem

You are right I am sure but a) I don’t know how to check, even if I had the AD going and b) I need to get some information back from the mess before I continue.

Just opening the “Additional Drivers” tab in “Software & Updates” should suffice. If anything is amiss, it should suggest versions to install.

But:

@makem

@ogra

To figure out if this has to do with your users settings or if it is more on a system level I’d create a fresh test user and log in as that (you can delete that user afterwards), that will give you a pristine desktop with unmodified settings, see if it works there, else there might be a more systemic issue

At first glance it appears pristine but I think I will add user to sudoers and check at that level. It will also help me to clear up some things

This looks like it’s just some configuration issue with your user. What does “pristine” mean in this context? Is everything working as expected? Then you really shouldn’t do anything beyond checking that. And hands off sudo, that’s how you break stuff on a system level. There is no safety net. A saying about Unix goes like this:

Unix gives you just enough rope to hang yourself - and then a couple of more feet, just to be sure. – Eric Allman

And Ubuntu is pretty much Unix, for all intents and purposes.

Baby steps!

[pavlos]

your cpu has an integrated Intel UHD 750. Can you use that instead of the nvidia?

[wgarcia]

Moderators’ warning: When giving advise on removing and reinstalling graphics drivers it is important to also give advise on how to recover the desktop in case the changes make it impossible to log into it.