Someone have any guide to use Nouveau Video Driver on FreeBSD 10?

W

wisdown

Hey Guys,

After finally get up FreeBSD 10 on my old laptop, I have noticed this become very lagged for use as regular workstation because the graphics video driver.

Using the official Nvidia Graphics Driver, I'm able to watch some youtube videos at 240p with minor lags... By the way, If I let youtube open and try open VLC or an spreadsheet for example, the system become super lagged, so this become unproductive for daily user.

I have read on lists about there no estimated date for nouveau become usable on FreeBSD:

http://lists.freebsd.org/pipermail/freebsd-x11/2015-February/016154.html

So, my question is about if someone would have an link from an step by step guide on how to port drivers, then I woult try port the nouveau driver following the guide.

PS.: On Linux I have same issue, using Nvidia Drivers system become almostly useless (youtube videos need stay on 240p), using nouveau I'm able to see high definition videos without lag (youtube can open without lag 1080p).

Thanks in advice.
 
My Current Setup using the lagged nvidia driver:

/etc/X11/xorg.conf

Code: 
# nvidia-xconfig: X configuration file generated by nvidia-xconfig
# nvidia-xconfig:  version 310.14  (root@WIZARDY)  Dom 21 Jun 2015 15:47:21 BRT


Section "ServerLayout"
   Identifier   "Layout0"
   Screen 0   "Screen0" 0 0
   InputDevice   "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
   InputDevice   "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
   Option     "Xinerama" "0"
EndSection

Section "Files"
   ModulePath   "/usr/local/lib/xorg/modules"
   FontPath   "/usr/local/share/fonts/misc"
   FontPath   "/usr/local/share/fonts/TTF"
   FontPath   "/usr/local/share/fonts/OTF"
   FontPath   "/usr/local/share/fonts/Type1"
   FontPath   "/usr/local/share/fonts/100dpi"
   FontPath   "/usr/local/share/fonts/75dpi"
EndSection

Section "Module"
   Load     "freetype"
   Load     "bitmap"
   Load     "type1"
   Load     "glx"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
   # generated from default
   Identifier   "Mouse0"
   Driver     "mouse"
   Option     "Protocol" "auto"
   Option     "Device" "/dev/sysmouse"
#   Option     "Emulate3Buttons" "no"
   Option     "ZAxisMapping" "4 5 6 7"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
   # generated from default
   Identifier   "Keyboard0"
   Driver     "keyboard"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
   Identifier   "Monitor0"
   VendorName   "Toshiba"
   ModelName   "Seiko/Epson"
#   HorizSync   28.0 - 33.0
#   VertRefresh   43.0 - 72.0
# From nvidia-config
   HorizSync   30.0 - 75.0
   VertRefresh   60.0
   Option     "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Device"
   Identifier   "Device0"
   Driver     "nvidia"
   VendorName   "NVIDIA Corporation"
   BoardName   "GeForce Go 7900 GS"
   Option     "NoLogo"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
   Identifier   "Screen0"
   Device     "Device0"
   Monitor     "Monitor0"
   DefaultDepth   24
   Option     "Stereo" "0"
   Option     "nvidiaXineramaInfoOrder" "DFP-0"
   Option     "metamodes" "nvidia-auto-select +0+0"
   Option     "SLI" "Off"
   Option     "MultiGPU" "Off"
   Option     "BaseMosaic" "off"
   SubSection   "Display"
     Depth     24
   EndSubSection
EndSection

My /var/log/Xorg.0.log

Code: 
[  133.682]
X.Org X Server 1.14.7
Release Date: 2014-06-05
[  133.682] X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0
[  133.682] Build Operating System: FreeBSD 10.1-RELEASE-p10 amd64
[  133.682] Current Operating System: FreeBSD WIZARDY 10.1-RELEASE-p10 FreeBSD 10.1-RELEASE-p10 #0: Wed May 13 06:54:13 UTC 2015  root@amd64-builder.daemonology.net:/usr/obj/usr/src/sys/GENERIC amd64
[  133.682] Build Date: 21 June 2015  01:06:59PM
[  133.682]
[  133.682] Current version of pixman: 0.32.6
[  133.682]    Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.x.org
   to make sure that you have the latest version.
[  133.682] Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
   (++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
   (WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
[  133.683] (==) Log file: "/var/log/Xorg.0.log", Time: Mon Jul 13 01:42:01 2015
[  133.722] (==) Using config file: "/etc/X11/xorg.conf"
[  133.722] (==) Using system config directory "/usr/local/share/X11/xorg.conf.d"
[  133.745] (==) ServerLayout "Layout0"
[  133.745] (**) |-->Screen "Screen0" (0)
[  133.745] (**) |  |-->Monitor "Monitor0"
[  133.745] (**) |  |-->Device "Device0"
[  133.745] (**) |-->Input Device "Keyboard0"
[  133.745] (**) |-->Input Device "Mouse0"
[  133.745] (**) Option "Xinerama" "0"
[  133.745] (==) Automatically adding devices
[  133.745] (==) Automatically enabling devices
[  133.745] (==) Not automatically adding GPU devices
[  133.941] (**) FontPath set to:
   /usr/local/share/fonts/misc,
   /usr/local/share/fonts/TTF,
   /usr/local/share/fonts/OTF,
   /usr/local/share/fonts/Type1,
   /usr/local/share/fonts/100dpi,
   /usr/local/share/fonts/75dpi,
   /usr/local/share/fonts/misc/,
   /usr/local/share/fonts/TTF/,
   /usr/local/share/fonts/OTF/,
   /usr/local/share/fonts/Type1/,
   /usr/local/share/fonts/100dpi/,
   /usr/local/share/fonts/75dpi/
[  133.941] (**) ModulePath set to "/usr/local/lib/xorg/modules"
[  133.941] (WW) Hotplugging is on, devices using drivers 'kbd', 'mouse' or 'vmmouse' will be disabled.
[  133.941] (WW) Disabling Keyboard0
[  133.941] (WW) Disabling Mouse0
[  133.941] (II) Loader magic: 0x7fd8d0
[  133.941] (II) Module ABI versions:
[  133.941]    X.Org ANSI C Emulation: 0.4
[  133.941]    X.Org Video Driver: 14.1
[  133.941]    X.Org XInput driver : 19.1
[  133.941]    X.Org Server Extension : 7.0
[  133.941] (--) PCI:*(0:1:0:0) 10de:0298:1179:ff31 rev 161, Mem @ 0xd1000000/16777216, 0xc0000000/268435456, 0xd0000000/16777216, I/O @ 0x00002000/128, BIOS @ 0x????????/65536
[  133.942] Initializing built-in extension Generic Event Extension
[  133.942] Initializing built-in extension SHAPE
[  133.942] Initializing built-in extension MIT-SHM
[  133.942] Initializing built-in extension XInputExtension
[  133.942] Initializing built-in extension XTEST
[  133.942] Initializing built-in extension BIG-REQUESTS
[  133.942] Initializing built-in extension SYNC
[  133.942] Initializing built-in extension XKEYBOARD
[  133.942] Initializing built-in extension XC-MISC
[  133.942] Initializing built-in extension XINERAMA
[  133.942] Initializing built-in extension XFIXES
[  133.942] Initializing built-in extension RENDER
[  133.943] Initializing built-in extension RANDR
[  133.943] Initializing built-in extension COMPOSITE
[  133.943] Initializing built-in extension DAMAGE
[  133.943] Initializing built-in extension MIT-SCREEN-SAVER
[  133.943] Initializing built-in extension DOUBLE-BUFFER
[  133.943] Initializing built-in extension RECORD
[  133.943] Initializing built-in extension DPMS
[  133.943] Initializing built-in extension X-Resource
[  133.943] Initializing built-in extension XVideo
[  133.943] Initializing built-in extension XVideo-MotionCompensation
[  133.943] Initializing built-in extension XFree86-VidModeExtension
[  133.943] Initializing built-in extension XFree86-DGA
[  133.943] Initializing built-in extension XFree86-DRI
[  133.943] Initializing built-in extension DRI2
[  133.943] (II) "glx" will be loaded. This was enabled by default and also specified in the config file.
[  133.943] (II) LoadModule: "glx"
[  134.022] (II) Loading /usr/local/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libglx.so
[  135.737] (II) Module glx: vendor="NVIDIA Corporation"
[  135.737]    compiled for 4.0.2, module version = 1.0.0
[  135.737]    Module class: X.Org Server Extension
[  135.738] (II) NVIDIA GLX Module  304.125  Mon Dec  1 20:17:06 PST 2014
[  135.738] Loading extension GLX
[  135.738] (II) LoadModule: "nvidia"
[  135.768] (II) Loading /usr/local/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/nvidia_drv.so
[  135.885] (II) Module nvidia: vendor="NVIDIA Corporation"
[  135.885]    compiled for 4.0.2, module version = 1.0.0
[  135.885]    Module class: X.Org Video Driver
[  135.925] (II) NVIDIA dlloader X Driver  304.125  Mon Dec  1 19:57:47 PST 2014
[  135.925] (II) NVIDIA Unified Driver for all Supported NVIDIA GPUs
[  135.926] (--) Using syscons driver with X support (version 134217730.0)
[  135.926] (++) using VT number 9

[  135.945] (II) Loading sub module "fb"
[  135.945] (II) LoadModule: "fb"
[  135.946] (II) Loading /usr/local/lib/xorg/modules/libfb.so
[  135.988] (II) Module fb: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[  135.988]    compiled for 1.14.7, module version = 1.0.0
[  135.989]    ABI class: X.Org ANSI C Emulation, version 0.4
[  135.989] (II) Loading sub module "wfb"
[  135.989] (II) LoadModule: "wfb"
[  136.008] (II) Loading /usr/local/lib/xorg/modules/libwfb.so
[  136.115] (II) Module wfb: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[  136.115]    compiled for 1.14.7, module version = 1.0.0
[  136.115]    ABI class: X.Org ANSI C Emulation, version 0.4
[  136.115] (II) Loading sub module "ramdac"
[  136.115] (II) LoadModule: "ramdac"
[  136.115] (II) Module "ramdac" already built-in
[  136.117] (WW) VGA arbiter: cannot open kernel arbiter, no multi-card support
[  136.117] (**) NVIDIA(0): Depth 24, (--) framebuffer bpp 32
[  136.117] (==) NVIDIA(0): RGB weight 888
[  136.117] (==) NVIDIA(0): Default visual is TrueColor
[  136.117] (==) NVIDIA(0): Using gamma correction (1.0, 1.0, 1.0)
[  136.117] (**) NVIDIA(0): Option "NoLogo"
[  136.117] (**) NVIDIA(0): Option "Stereo" "0"
[  136.117] (**) NVIDIA(0): Option "nvidiaXineramaInfoOrder" "DFP-0"
[  136.118] (**) NVIDIA(0): Option "SLI" "Off"
[  136.118] (**) NVIDIA(0): Option "MultiGPU" "Off"
[  136.118] (**) NVIDIA(0): Option "BaseMosaic" "off"
[  136.118] (**) NVIDIA(0): Stereo disabled by request
[  136.119] (**) NVIDIA(0): NVIDIA SLI disabled.
[  136.119] (**) NVIDIA(0): NVIDIA Multi-GPU disabled.
[  136.119] (**) NVIDIA(0): Option "MetaModes" "nvidia-auto-select +0+0"
[  136.119] (**) NVIDIA(0): Enabling 2D acceleration
[  138.091] (II) NVIDIA(0): NVIDIA GPU GeForce Go 7900 GS (G71) at PCI:1:0:0 (GPU-0)
[  138.091] (--) NVIDIA(0): Memory: 262144 kBytes
[  138.091] (--) NVIDIA(0): VideoBIOS: 05.71.22.08.a8
[  138.091] (II) NVIDIA(0): Detected PCI Express Link width: 16X
[  138.091] (--) NVIDIA(0): Interlaced video modes are supported on this GPU
[  138.091] (--) NVIDIA(0): Valid display device(s) on GeForce Go 7900 GS at PCI:1:0:0
[  138.091] (--) NVIDIA(0):  CRT-0
[  138.091] (--) NVIDIA(0):  TV-0
[  138.091] (--) NVIDIA(0):  Seiko/Epson (DFP-0) (connected)
[  138.091] (--) NVIDIA(0):  DFP-1
[  138.091] (--) NVIDIA(0): CRT-0: 400.0 MHz maximum pixel clock
[  138.091] (--) NVIDIA(0): TV-0: 400.0 MHz maximum pixel clock
[  138.091] (--) NVIDIA(0): TV encoder: Unknown
[  138.091] (--) NVIDIA(0): Seiko/Epson (DFP-0): 330.0 MHz maximum pixel clock
[  138.091] (--) NVIDIA(0): Seiko/Epson (DFP-0): Internal Dual Link LVDS
[  138.092] (--) NVIDIA(0): DFP-1: 165.0 MHz maximum pixel clock
[  138.092] (--) NVIDIA(0): DFP-1: Internal Single Link TMDS
[  138.092] (**) NVIDIA(0): Using HorizSync/VertRefresh ranges from the EDID for display
[  138.092] (**) NVIDIA(0):  device Seiko/Epson (DFP-0) (Using EDID frequencies has
[  138.092] (**) NVIDIA(0):  been enabled on all display devices.)
[  138.092] (II) NVIDIA(0): Validated MetaModes:
[  138.092] (II) NVIDIA(0):  "nvidia-auto-select+0+0"
[  138.092] (II) NVIDIA(0): Virtual screen size determined to be 1440 x 900
[  138.093] (WW) NVIDIA(0): Unable to support custom viewPortOut 1440 x 810 +0 +45
[  138.093] (WW) NVIDIA(0): Unable to support custom viewPortOut 1200 x 900 +120 +0
[  138.093] (WW) NVIDIA(0): Unable to support custom viewPortOut 1200 x 900 +120 +0
[  138.093] (WW) NVIDIA(0): Unable to support custom viewPortOut 1200 x 900 +120 +0
[  138.094] (WW) NVIDIA(0): Unable to support custom viewPortOut 1440 x 810 +0 +45
[  138.094] (--) NVIDIA(0): DPI set to (98, 99); computed from "UseEdidDpi" X config
[  138.094] (--) NVIDIA(0):  option
[  138.094] (--) Depth 24 pixmap format is 32 bpp
[  138.111] (II) NVIDIA(0): Setting mode "nvidia-auto-select+0+0"
[  138.155] Loading extension NV-GLX
[  138.198] (==) NVIDIA(0): Disabling shared memory pixmaps
[  138.198] (==) NVIDIA(0): Backing store disabled
[  138.198] (==) NVIDIA(0): Silken mouse enabled
[  138.198] (**) NVIDIA(0): DPMS enabled
[  138.199] Loading extension NV-CONTROL
[  138.199] Loading extension XINERAMA
[  138.199] (II) Loading sub module "dri2"
[  138.199] (II) LoadModule: "dri2"
[  138.199] (II) Module "dri2" already built-in
[  138.199] (II) NVIDIA(0): [DRI2] Setup complete
[  138.199] (II) NVIDIA(0): [DRI2]  VDPAU driver: nvidia
[  138.200] (--) RandR disabled
[  138.212] (II) Initializing extension GLX
[  139.025] (II) config/hal: Adding input device AT Keyboard
[  139.025] (II) LoadModule: "kbd"
[  139.026] (II) Loading /usr/local/lib/xorg/modules/input/kbd_drv.so
[  139.039] (II) Module kbd: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[  139.039]    compiled for 1.14.7, module version = 1.8.0
[  139.039]    Module class: X.Org XInput Driver
[  139.039]    ABI class: X.Org XInput driver, version 19.1
[  139.039] (II) Using input driver 'kbd' for 'AT Keyboard'
[  139.039] (**) AT Keyboard: always reports core events
[  139.040] (**) AT Keyboard: always reports core events
[  139.040] (**) Option "Protocol" "standard"
[  139.040] (WW) Option "Device" requires a string value
[  139.040] (**) Option "XkbRules" "base"
[  139.040] (**) Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
[  139.040] (**) Option "XkbLayout" "us"
[  139.040] (**) Option "config_info" "hal:/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/atkbd_0"
[  139.040] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "AT Keyboard" (type: KEYBOARD, id 6)
[  139.067] (II) config/hal: Adding input device PS/2 Mouse
[  139.067] (II) LoadModule: "mouse"
[  139.068] (II) Loading /usr/local/lib/xorg/modules/input/mouse_drv.so
[  139.142] (II) Module mouse: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[  139.142]    compiled for 1.14.7, module version = 1.9.1
[  139.142]    Module class: X.Org XInput Driver
[  139.142]    ABI class: X.Org XInput driver, version 19.1
[  139.142] (II) Using input driver 'mouse' for 'PS/2 Mouse'
[  139.142] (**) PS/2 Mouse: always reports core events
[  139.142] (**) Option "Device" "/dev/sysmouse"
[  139.142] (==) PS/2 Mouse: Protocol: "Auto"
[  139.142] (**) PS/2 Mouse: always reports core events
[  139.142] (==) PS/2 Mouse: Emulate3Buttons, Emulate3Timeout: 50
[  139.142] (**) PS/2 Mouse: ZAxisMapping: buttons 4 and 5
[  139.143] (**) PS/2 Mouse: Buttons: 5
[  139.143] (**) Option "config_info" "hal:/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/psm_0"
[  139.143] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "PS/2 Mouse" (type: MOUSE, id 7)
[  139.143] (**) PS/2 Mouse: (accel) keeping acceleration scheme 1
[  139.143] (**) PS/2 Mouse: (accel) acceleration profile 0
[  139.143] (**) PS/2 Mouse: (accel) acceleration factor: 2.000
[  139.143] (**) PS/2 Mouse: (accel) acceleration threshold: 4
[  139.143] (II) PS/2 Mouse: SetupAuto: hw.iftype is 4, hw.model is 0
[  139.143] (II) PS/2 Mouse: SetupAuto: protocol is SysMouse
[  157.702] (**) NVIDIA(0): Using HorizSync/VertRefresh ranges from the EDID for display
[  157.702] (**) NVIDIA(0):  device Seiko/Epson (DFP-0) (Using EDID frequencies has
[  157.702] (**) NVIDIA(0):  been enabled on all display devices.)
[  169.499] (**) NVIDIA(0): Using HorizSync/VertRefresh ranges from the EDID for display
[  169.499] (**) NVIDIA(0):  device Seiko/Epson (DFP-0) (Using EDID frequencies has
[  169.499] (**) NVIDIA(0):  been enabled on all display devices.)
[  194.577] (**) NVIDIA(0): Using HorizSync/VertRefresh ranges from the EDID for display
[  194.577] (**) NVIDIA(0):  device Seiko/Epson (DFP-0) (Using EDID frequencies has
[  194.577] (**) NVIDIA(0):  been enabled on all display devices.)
[  202.148] (**) NVIDIA(0): Using HorizSync/VertRefresh ranges from the EDID for display
[  202.148] (**) NVIDIA(0):  device Seiko/Epson (DFP-0) (Using EDID frequencies has
[  202.148] (**) NVIDIA(0):  been enabled on all display devices.)

This load without problems,very lagged for daily use in multitask for example, or watch videos in low resolution, and impossible to watch movies in high definition.

Already tried use nvidia-settings tool and setup for high-perfomance, no luck...

The utility glxgear says:

Code: 
Running synchronized to the vertical refresh.  The framerate should be
approximately the same as the monitor refresh rate.
194 frames in 5.0 seconds = 38.733 FPS
163 frames in 5.0 seconds = 32.549 FPS
202 frames in 5.0 seconds = 40.160 FPS
210 frames in 5.0 seconds = 41.866 FPS
205 frames in 5.0 seconds = 40.968 FPS
202 frames in 5.0 seconds = 40.382 FPS
207 frames in 5.0 seconds = 41.374 FPS
204 frames in 5.0 seconds = 40.774 FPS
XIO:  fatal IO error 35 (Resource temporarily unavailable) on X server ":0"
  after 51 requests (49 known processed) with 0 events remaining.

One weird thing is the thermal info inside nvidia-settings app, the value on GPU 0 -(GeForce Go 7900 GS) / Thermal Settings / Target: GPU PROVIDER: GPU Internal 256C is fixed, never change... The value on same screen on Target: item BOARD PROVIDER: LM64 is around 55C.
 
For test the nouveau nv driver, I have used the default Xorg file from the command:

Xorg -configure

And then:

cp /root/xorg.conf.new /etc/X11/xorg.conf

I have disabled too from /boot/loader.conf:

Code: 
nvidia_load="NO"

So the error I have found on /var/log/Xorg.0.log, is about:

Code: 
NV: Failed to load module "xaa" (module does not exist, 0)

And get stuck on that white screen saying something get wrong.
Note: The screen have an wierd configuration, seems like 800*600 instead 1440*900 (Default from NVidia Driver).
 
Nouveau is not available for FreeBSD. I remember the efforts to port it in pre-10 era, but it was abandoned. nv driver is not the nouveau and practically dead.
You can try to find traces of nouveau porting project, but I doubt it helps as the porting is very complicated process due to difference in data structures between FreeBSD and Linux. I'd wait the shim https://wiki.freebsd.org/Graphics/ Jean-Sébastien Pédron plans to implement, maybe it opens the way of painless porting of recent Linux drivers.

Untill then maybe it will be better to try xubuntu.
 
I have problems with the Nvidia driver, when composite is enabled in the WM/DE. Not that it lags, but I got a lot of vertical lines when playing video. Try disable composite, and see if that helps.
 
FreeMWP said:
I have problems with the Nvidia driver, when composite is enabled in the WM/DE. Not that it lags, but I got a lot of vertical lines when playing video. Try disable composite, and see if that helps.
Click to expand...

No luck, I have tried compile the driver with ACPI support ON / OFF, the WBINVD ON/OFF too and get same results, probaly for my situation the only solution would be like linux, have nouveau to use the graphical system without lag in this old hardware.
Gonna back to Debian while will keep an eye about the port status from nouveau, I have no idea on how ports work, or how start try port it.

Thanks for the support guys.
 
No alternative then, gonna need stay on Debian with video working at 1024x768x32bits vga=792 on vesa mode (max resolution from nouveau on Debian / Archlinux), on FreeBSD I got the native resolution 1440×900.

Already have tried use 1024*768 on FreeBSD, and lag still.

Thanks for the help, gonna still testing other distros trying get 1440×900 without lag.
 
I know that this thread is old, but I have some recent experience / opinion to share. Nvidia-driver-304 has always worked fine for me, but the problem is that it does not work anymore with xorg-server-1.20 with older chips that only support ABI 23. Nvidia very unfortunately has dropped support for that. So I cannot get to work an integrated Geforce 6100 graphic chip with FreeBSD anymore. Just to see how nouveau would work with that chip, I decided to try an installation of OpenSUSE and it works pretty fine out of the box. I am not happy that I cannot use FreeBSD with older nvidia cards or chips anymore. I just want to state here that it would be nice to have nouveau on FreeBSD, as Nvidia has screwed everyone who still want to use older cards. People with older Radeon cards are lucky though...
 
SirDice said:
maybe someone might be willing to give it another shot.
Click to expand...
Well, that would be nice indeed, but I don't know if someone wanted to make that effort for maybe a handful of people in the world who would want to run older nvidia cards and chips on FreeBSD. Maybe some people could at least express their interest here to make it look worthwhile?
 
Yeah, that's what I thought...^^. Linux it is then for that machine, unless I get my hands on some old PCIE-Radeon card... What I still would like to know: What was the motivation to make nouveau for Linux in the first place so many years ago when support from nvidia was fully provided? The "anti-commercial" ideology of the Linuxers?
 
cabriofahrer said:
What was the motivation to make nouveau for Linux in the first place so many years ago when support from nvidia was fully provided? The "anti-commercial" ideology of the Linuxers?
Click to expand...
A few I can think of:
  • Lifespan NVIDIA drops support in drivers for GPUs that are about 5+ years old. Nouveau doesn't.
  • Integration Nouveau in kernel tree works better with other subsystems. It is still not ideal getting NVIDIA blobs working with Wayland for example. KMS and suspend / resume is another.
  • Maintenance Not having to update the drivers each time the kernel updates is nice. Especially for large enterprises
  • Plug-and-play If all you are doing is using a word processor anyway, it is nicer just to install linux and no faffing with kernel modules. Especially if you are a beginner
I am still impressed NVIDA provides blobs for FreeBSD. I think an important future aim could be to get Nouveau support in place in FreeBSD for a time when NVIDIA does pull the plug (luckily it doesn't look like that will be soon with the recent Vulkan support).

Plus, I don't think it is anti-commercial. I think it is anti-closed-source that is (was) an issue. It has served Linux (and BSD) well so far, so it has proven to be fairly important; replacing most other proprietary UNIX.

(Sad, because I am a bit of a commercial UNIX hobbyist historian. But honestly it is better for innovation to let them... *ehem* rest ;)
 
kpedersen said:
NVIDIA drops support in drivers for GPUs that are about 5+ years old.
Click to expand...
It's 10-12 years. More to the point, GeForce 6100 doesn't provide any useful 3d acceleration (for today's apps) even with working drivers. I mean look at the supported OpenGL version. Something like 8800 GTX might be worth some work, this one is just not.
 
shkhln said:
It's 10-12 years. More to the point, GeForce 6100 doesn't provide any useful 3d acceleration (for today's apps) even with working drivers. I mean look at the supported OpenGL version. Something like 8800 GTX might be worth some work, this one is just not.
Click to expand...
I won't argue with that. The case is just that after many years I have bought a quad-core processor with mainboard and RAM to replace my old PC, an Athlon X2 6400+ and my Geforce 750 GTX went into the new PC, of course. So the good old Athlon X2 will still be put to use in my girlfriend's house. The mainboard happens to have that integrated chip. Of course I would have preferred to put in an old Radeon HD 4850 card, but for some reason it does not work anymore. I also have an old Geforce 6600 lying around, but it would need nvidia-driver-304 as well, so same problem.
I really wish I could get an old Radeon PCIE card somewhere, but unfortunately the shipping costs I see on ebay are much to high. So if someone here lives in the EU and has and old Radeon, let's say at least something like HD 4850, I am willing to hear offers...
 
shkhln said:
It's 10-12 years. More to the point, GeForce 6100 doesn't provide any useful 3d acceleration (for today's apps) even with working drivers. I mean look at the supported OpenGL version. Something like 8800 GTX might be worth some work, this one is just not.
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True enough. Though again, if I am just using a word processor, an ancient NVIDIA GPU will be good enough, but only with supported drivers.

Yes, after 12 years it is likely to be faulty with age anyway but the principle is there ;)
 
Getting the userland bits to build was trivial. The big lift is going to be adding the kernel module. I have zero experience with Freebsd kernel modules. Maybe this is a good project to get some even if I fail. Another problem is getting sufficiently ancient Nvidia hardware. I think I have a 32-bit system with an onboard Nvidia chip that'll fit the bill, but I haven't tried to boot it in years. It all depends on how bored I get this weekend.
 
kpedersen said:
True enough. Though again, if I am just using a word processor, an ancient NVIDIA GPU will be good enough, but only with supported drivers.
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Well, from my experience I can tell you that I have an old Acer Laptop with a Geforce 7300 Go (unfortunately I cannot use it anymore though because the cooling does not work anymore) and I used to have it connected to my TV set (1920x1080) for watching Kodi and with the nvidia-driver-304 playback was perfect, although video is not hardware-decoded, but with a i386 2-core CPU it was not necessary.

So what I want to say is that old nvidia-chips are still really worth it for much more than just wordprocessing, so Jose , go ahead, please!
 

wisdown​

instead of chasing the green dragon, you could just write an optimized vesa vbe based driver for x, because its performance equals to a 386 with dos6.22 in 1996 with a half mbyte tseng labs isa card. and this is probably also the date when the last actual development was done on the code base, before the genie left the bottle forever.
 
Geri said:
you could just write an optimized vesa vbe based driver for x, because its performance equals to a 386 with dos6.22 in 1996 with a half mbyte tseng labs isa card.
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To be fair, I would be fairly happy with this. The Nouveau is really just for a "native" resolution on my LCD screen (unlike CRT, non-native sizes look terrible). Especially annoying widescreen.

I am quite a big fan of this project (https://bearwindows.zcm.com.au/index.htm) for Win9x in an emulator and as of yet, the VBE spec resolutions seem to be absolute.

And arguably in the past with Nouveau, the acceleration has proven to be quite buggy so software rendering with LLVMpipe had ended up as a good alternative for things like web browsers.
 
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