xserver cannot read V_BIOS of second graphics card

xorg.conf file from Ubuntu v8.10 which shows this all working in an older version.

(Xorg -version)
X.Org X Server 1.5.2
Release Date: 10 October 2008
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0
Build Operating System: Linux 2.6.24-19-server i686 Ubuntu
Current Operating System: Linux mduncan 2.6.27-14-generic #1 SMP Mon Aug 31 13:01:41 UTC 2009 i686
Build Date: 09 March 2009 10:48:54AM
xorg-server 2:1.5.2-2ubuntu3.1 (<email address hidden>)
 Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.x.org
 to make sure that you have the latest version.
Module Loader present

(lspci)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation NV44 [Quadro NVS 285] (rev a1)
05:04.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc Radeon RV100 QY [Radeon 7000/VE]

I have the problem too. Only bios setup primary card is working.

00:0d.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation C61 [GeForce 6150SE nForce 430] (rev a2)
01:08.0 VGA compatible controller: S3 Inc. 86c764/765 [Trio32/64/64V+]

00:0d.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation C61 [GeForce 6100 nForce 405] (rev a2)
01:07.0 VGA compatible controller: S3 Inc. 86c325 [ViRGE] (rev 05)

I have the problem too. Only bios setup primary card is working.
In Hardy its devices al work. Dont work in karmic

I can also confirm this behaviour on Karmic (Works fine under Hardy)

00:05.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation C51PV [GeForce 6150] (rev a2)
04:0e.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation NV34 [GeForce FX 5200] (rev a1)

/var/log/kdm.log.2.gz:(EE) NV(1): Cannot read V_BIOS (3) Input/output error
/var/log/Xorg.0.log:(II) NV(0): Primary V_BIOS segment is: 0xc000
/var/log/Xorg.0.log.old:(II) NV(0): Primary V_BIOS segment is: 0xc000

/var/log/kdm.log.2.gz:(EE) NV(1): Cannot read V_BIOS (3) Input/output error
/var/log/Xorg.failsafe.log:(II) VESA(0): Primary V_BIOS segment is: 0xc000
/var/log/Xorg.failsafe.log.old:(II) VESA(0): Primary V_BIOS segment is: 0xc000

Seems to be explained here https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=18160

Also here...

00:00.0 Host bridge: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] 661FX/M661FX/M661MX Host (rev 11)
00:01.0 PCI bridge: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] SiS AGP Port (virtual PCI-to-PCI bridge)
00:02.0 ISA bridge: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] SiS964 [MuTIOL Media IO] (rev 36)
00:02.5 IDE interface: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] 5513 [IDE] (rev 01)
00:02.7 Multimedia audio controller: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] AC'97 Sound Controller (rev a0)
00:03.0 USB Controller: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] USB 1.1 Controller (rev 0f)
00:03.1 USB Controller: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] USB 1.1 Controller (rev 0f)
00:03.2 USB Controller: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] USB 1.1 Controller (rev 0f)
00:03.3 USB Controller: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] USB 2.0 Controller
00:05.0 IDE interface: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] SATA (rev 01)
00:08.0 VGA compatible controller: S3 Inc. 86c764/765 [Trio32/64/64V+] (rev 54)
00:0b.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL-8139/8139C/8139C+ (rev 10)
00:0c.0 FireWire (IEEE 1394): Texas Instruments TSB43AB22/A IEEE-1394a-2000 Controller (PHY/Link)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation NV17 [GeForce4 MX 420] (rev a3)

[This is an automatic notification.]

Hi Mark,

This bug was reported against an earlier version of Ubuntu, can you
test if it still occurs on Lucid?

Please note we also provide technical support for older versions of
Ubuntu, but not in the bug tracker. Instead, to raise the issue through
normal support channels, please see:

    http://www.ubuntu.com/support

If you are the original reporter and can still reproduce the issue on
Lucid, please run the following command to refresh the report:

  apport-collect 430919

If you are not the original reporter, please file a new bug report, so
we can work with you as the original reporter instead (you can reference
bug 430919 in your report if you think it may be related):

  ubuntu-bug xorg

If by chance you can no longer reproduce the issue on Lucid or if you
feel it is no longer relevant, please mark the bug report 'Fix Released'
or 'Invalid' as appropriate, at the following URL:

  https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/430919

Hi Ubuntu Folks,
Tested on Lucid Lynx 10.04. I think this problem is worse on laptop for processors that has built-in Intel HD graphics (i3 and newer i5 and i7). For example, mine is an Intel core i5 cpu (i5 520M 2.40GHz) and BIOS is defaulted to the HD graphics and there are no BIOS options to change the default. Now, my 512 MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4550 Graphics card could not be used at all. After the installation of proprietary as well as open source driver for ATI - ended up getting a blank screen if explicitly xorg.conf is used for loading driver radeon or fglrx. Following are the details with regards to the attached /var/log/Xorg.0.log file.

PC Model: DV4 HP-Pavilion 2112Tx
CPU: Intel Core i5 520M, 2.40GHz
OS: Ubuntu Lucid Lynx - 10.04
Graphics Card: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4550

Output of lspci | grep VGA:
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Core Processor Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 02)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc M93 [Mobility Radeon HD 4500 Series]

In the /var/log/Xorg.0.log file please observe the following:

(II) RADEON(0): initializing int10
(EE) RADEON(0): Cannot read V_BIOS (3) Input/output error
(WW) RADEON(0): Failed to read PCI ROM!
(II) RADEON(0): Attempting to read un-POSTed bios
(WW) RADEON(0): Failed to read PCI ROM!
(WW) RADEON(0): Unrecognized BIOS signature, BIOS data will not be used
(II) UnloadModule: "radeon"
(II) UnloadModule: "int10"

Hi guys, i have exactly the same problem with my HP dv4-2080br with Intel Core I5 and Radeon Mobility 4550:

lspci | grep VGA
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Core Processor Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 02)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc M93 [Mobility Radeon HD 4500 Series]

/var/log/Xorg.log

(II) Loading extension DRI2
(II) LoadModule: "fglrx"
(II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/extra-modules/modules/drivers/fglrx_drv.so
(II) Module fglrx: vendor="FireGL - ATI Technologies Inc."
    compiled for 1.7.1, module version = 8.72.11
    Module class: X.Org Video Driver
(II) Loading sub module "fglrxdrm"
(II) LoadModule: "fglrxdrm"
(II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/extra-modules/modules/linux/libfglrxdrm.so
(II) Module fglrxdrm: vendor="FireGL - ATI Technologies Inc."
    compiled for 1.7.1, module version = 8.72.11
(II) ATI Proprietary Linux Driver Version Identifier:8.72.11
(II) ATI Proprietary Linux Driver Release Identifier: 8.723.1

(II) ATI Proprietary Linux Driver Build Date: Apr 8 2010 21:40:58
(II) Primary Device is: PCI 0...@00:02:0
(WW) Falling back to old probe method for fglrx
(II) Loading PCS database from /etc/ati/amdpcsdb
(--) Chipset Supported AMD Graphics Processor (0x9555) found
(WW) fglrx: No matching Device section for instance (BusID PCI:0...@1:0:1)
found
(II) AMD Video driver is running on a device belonging to a group targeted for
this release
(II) AMD Video driver is signed
(II) fglrx(0): pEnt->device->identifier=0x1a855e0
(II) fglrx(0): === [atiddxPreInit] === begin
(II) Loading sub module "vgahw"
(II) LoadModule: "vgahw"
(II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/libvgahw.so
(II) Module vgahw: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
    compiled for 1.7.6, module version = 0.1.0
    ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 6.0
(**) fglrx(0): Depth 24, (--) framebuffer bpp 32
(II) fglrx(0): Pixel depth = 24 bits stored in 4 bytes (32 bpp pixmaps)
(==) fglrx(0): Default visual is TrueColor
(**) fglrx(0): Option "DPMS" "true"
(==) fglrx(0): RGB weight 888
(II) fglrx(0): Using 8 bits per RGB
(==) fglrx(0): Buffer Tiling is ON
(II) Loading sub module "fglrxdrm"
(II) LoadModule: "fglrxdrm"
(II) Reloading /usr/lib/xorg/extra-modules/modules/linux/libfglrxdrm.so
ukiDynamicMajor: found major device number 250
ukiDynamicMajor: found major device number 250
ukiOpenByBusid: Searching for BusID PCI:1:0:0
ukiOpenDevice: node name is /dev/ati/card0
ukiOpenDevice: open result is 11, (OK)
ukiOpenByBusid: ukiOpenMinor returns 11
ukiOpenByBusid: ukiGetBusid reports PCI:1:0:0
(--) fglrx(0): Chipset: "ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4500 Series " (Chipset =
0x9555)
(--) fglrx(0): (PciSubVendor = 0x103c, PciSubDevice = 0x1409)
(==) fglrx(0): board vendor info: third party graphics adapter - NOT original
ATI
(--) fglrx(0): Linear framebuffer (phys) at 0xc0000000
(--) fglrx(0): MMIO registers at 0xe8400000
(--) fglrx(0): I/O port at 0x00006000
(==) fglrx(0): ROM-BIOS at 0x000c0000
(II) fglrx(0): AC Adapter is used
(II) fglrx(0): Bad V_BIOS checksum
(II) fglrx(0): Primary V_BIOS segment is: 0xc000
(II) fglrx(0): Invalid ATI BIOS from int10, the adapter...

Same problem with Aspire TimelineX 4820TG (i5 and Radeon HD5650).

lspci | grep VGA:

00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Core Processor Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 12)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc Redwood [Radeon HD 5600 Series]

/var/log/Xorg.0.log:

X.Org X Server 1.7.6
Release Date: 2010-03-17
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0
Build Operating System: Linux 2.6.24-27-server x86_64 Ubuntu
Current Operating System: Linux manugal-laptop 2.6.34-020634-generic #020634 SMP Mon May 17 19:27:49 UTC 2010 x86_64
Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.34-020634-generic root=UUID=a6e9db0e-1827-4b28-a994-edab9c4bc21c ro i8042.reset=1 quiet splash
Build Date: 16 June 2010 09:34:29AM
xorg-server 2:1.7.6-2ubuntu7.2 (For technical support please see http://www.ubuntu.com/support)
Current version of pixman: 0.16.4
 Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.x.org
 to make sure that you have the latest version.
Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
 (++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
 (WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
(==) Log file: "/var/log/Xorg.0.log", Time: Thu Jul 1 20:31:49 2010
(==) Using config file: "/etc/X11/xorg.conf"
(==) Using config directory: "/usr/lib/X11/xorg.conf.d"
(==) ServerLayout "aticonfig Layout"
(**) |-->Screen "aticonfig-Screen[0]-0" (0)
(**) | |-->Monitor "aticonfig-Monitor[0]-0"
(**) | |-->Device "aticonfig-Device[0]-0"
(==) Automatically adding devices
(==) Automatically enabling devices
(WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/cyrillic" does not exist.
 Entry deleted from font path.
(==) FontPath set to:
 /usr/share/fonts/X11/misc,
 /usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi/:unscaled,
 /usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi/:unscaled,
 /usr/share/fonts/X11/Type1,
 /usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi,
 /usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi,
 /var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType,
 built-ins
(==) ModulePath set to "/usr/lib/xorg/extra-modules,/usr/lib/xorg/modules"
(II) The server relies on udev to provide the list of input devices.
 If no devices become available, reconfigure udev or disable AutoAddDevices.
(II) Loader magic: 0x7ca300
(II) Module ABI versions:
 X.Org ANSI C Emulation: 0.4
 X.Org Video Driver: 6.0
 X.Org XInput driver : 7.0
 X.Org Server Extension : 2.0
(--) using VT number 8

(--) PCI:*(0:0:2:0) 8086:0046:1025:0359 Intel Corporation Core Processor Integrated Graphics Controller rev 18, Mem @ 0xd8000000/4194304, 0xc0000000/268435456, I/O @ 0x00004050/8
(--) PCI: (0:1:0:0) 1002:68c1:1025:0359 ATI Technologies Inc Redwood [Radeon HD 5600 Series] rev 0, Mem @ 0xd0000000/134217728, 0xdc400000/131072, I/O @ 0x00003000/256, BIOS @ 0x????????/131072
(II) Open ACPI successful (/var/run/acpid.socket)
(II) "extmod" will be loaded by default.
(II) "dbe" will be loaded by default.
(II) "glx" will be loaded by default.
(II) "record" will be loaded by default.
(II) "dri" will be loaded by default.
(II) "dri2" will be loaded by default.
(II) LoadModule: "extmod"
(II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libextmod.so
(II) Module extmod: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
 compiled for 1.7.6, module version = 1.0.0
 Modu...

My problem is exactly as the OP describes. I am running 10.04 AMD64 with 2 nvidia cards GE Force 5200 & GE Force 7200. Whichever card is set as primary in bios works fine. Running X -configure from a terminal creates what appears to be a viable xorg.conf for two cards, but X does not start, and Xorg.0.log ends with

(EE) NV(1): Cannot read V_BIOS (3) Input/output error

relevant lines from lspci:

01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation G72 [GeForce 7300 SE/7200 GS] (rev a1)
04:05.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation NV34 [GeForce FX 5200] (rev a1)

Please let me know if I should open a new bug report or provide additional information.

Thanks,

Dave cameron

On Mon, Nov 22, 2010 at 02:22:40AM -0000, David Cameron wrote:
> My problem is exactly as the OP describes. I am running 10.04 AMD64
>
> (EE) NV(1): Cannot read V_BIOS (3) Input/output error
>
> Please let me know if I should open a new bug report or provide
> additional information.

The -nv driver does not support this configuration and in fact was
deprecated in favor of the -nouveau driver in 10.10. You would need to
use the -nvidia driver.

I would suggest seeking out technical support to help walk you through
the process, such as askubuntu.com.

Thank you for that very succinct answer. It has been difficult to get information on exactly what configurations are supported. Am I correct in interpreting your answer that nouveau also does not support this configuration? I have tried 10.10 with nouveau with similar results. I could never get the nvidia driver with 10.04 to be stable, X crashes were commonplace.

Thanks again,
Dave cameron

To the extent of my knowledge, none of the open source video drivers support multi-card. See bug #316514 which is the primary master bug for this issue. It sounds like this bug report is essentially a dupe of that one.

The closed source binary -nvidia driver supports this configuration via Xinerama. Again, look to the support fora for assistance in making that work. Regarding the -nvidia driver stability, I acknowledge that it can be hit or miss; we conducted a concerted QA effort around it in Lucid and found it was generally solid for many users. Ultimately though, even if we find bugs in the closed source drivers pre-release there's often not much we can do about that at the distro level. Perhaps the newer -nvidia in maverick will give you better luck, or you could use one of the (unsupported) versions from nvidia's website.

Again though, this is treading into the realm of technical support so I'd encourage you to seek help in the nvidia user's forums or askubuntu.com or similar.

I came across this bug after hitting the V_BIOS problem running Xorg -configure on Linux Mint XFCE 11 and in Ubuntu. The comment above those isn't accurate, so I wanted to correct it in case people were having the same problem I was. I have an AMD64 setup that has three different nvidia cards in it driving 6 monitors. This works fine using the nouveau drivers, you have to configure xorg.conf with a separate screen, monitor and device setting, and list the Bus ID (which you can get from lspci). This worked fine for me in Fedora Core 14. So the nouveau drivers do support multicard. Just a word of warning though, the nouveau drivers tend to break frequently.

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Is it possible to post/send your xorg.conf file as an example
of what does work.
Thanks.

John Buswell wrote:
> *** This bug is a duplicate of bug 316514 ***
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/316514
>
> I came across this bug after hitting the V_BIOS problem running Xorg
> -configure on Linux Mint XFCE 11 and in Ubuntu. The comment above those
> isn't accurate, so I wanted to correct it in case people were having the
> same problem I was. I have an AMD64 setup that has three different
> nvidia cards in it driving 6 monitors. This works fine using the nouveau
> drivers, you have to configure xorg.conf with a separate screen, monitor
> and device setting, and list the Bus ID (which you can get from lspci).
> This worked fine for me in Fedora Core 14. So the nouveau drivers do
> support multicard. Just a word of warning though, the nouveau drivers
> tend to break frequently.
>

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