Building/reinstalling video drivers and modules

DHOC_TAZH

I've been racking my head over this for more than a week now on my spare time. Made a few attempts at this point to install a few extras to enable either the GTX 1050, and the UHD 630 on the 8th Gen i7/8750H CPU. Neither of them work, still stuck with the scfb driver.

Would it be OK to try drivers/packages from the FreeBSD repos, provided it's one from a version of the system that matches what GhostBSD is currently based on? Or is that likely to break my installation, meaning I should just stick to the GhostBSD repos?

vimanuelt

DHOC_TAZH
Kindly keep your updates in a single thread rather than spreading them across multiple ones. It helps everyone follow your progress more easily. Thank you!

ericbsd

FreeBSD packages will not change anything. It is basically the same.

What is complicated is supporting hybrid, GPU systems. I have read that it is easier to make it work with nvidia-drm-kmod, but I am unsure how that would work.

ericbsd

I am unsure how legit this is, but that is what Grok gave me.

Install Drivers
- Command: pkg install nvidia-driver nvidia-drm-kmod
- (No direct link; standard FreeBSD package install assumed.)

Enable NVIDIA DRM (NVIDIA README #1)

Edit /boot/loader.conf:

     nvidia_load="YES"
     nvidia-drm_load="YES"
     hw.nvidia-modeset=1

Reboot.

Identify GPU BusIDs (Xorg Man #2)
- Run: pciconf -lv | grep -B 3 -i vga
- Example:
  - Intel: PCI:0:2:0
  - NVIDIA: PCI:1:0:0

Configure Xorg for Hybrid (Xorg Man #2, Reddit #4)

Create /usr/local/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/10-hybrid.conf:

     Section "Device"
         Identifier  "IntelGPU"
         Driver      "intel"        # Or "modesetting"
         BusID       "PCI:0:2:0"    # Adjust from pciconf
     EndSection

     Section "Device"
         Identifier  "NvidiaGPU"
         Driver      "nvidia"
         BusID       "PCI:1:0:0"    # Adjust from pciconf
         Option      "AllowEmptyInitialConfiguration" "true"
     EndSection

     Section "Screen"
         Identifier  "IntelScreen"
         Device      "IntelGPU"
     EndSection

Intel displays; NVIDIA offloads.

vimanuelt

Your system is running Optimus-style hybrid graphics (Intel UHD 630 + NVIDIA GTX 1050). These are notoriously tricky on BSD systems, as FreeBSD lacks full PRIME or nvidia-prime support like Linux.

You have three main choices:
Option 1: Use Intel Only (Simpler, More Stable)
Option 2: Use Nvidia GPU only
Option 3: Hybrid GPU with Offloading (Advanced)

Eric suggested Option 3.

vimanuelt

Here is a script to help. It does the following:

GPU detection
Driver and config installation
Three GPU modes: intel, nvidia, hybrid
Mode persistence across reboots via /etc/gpu-mode.conf
Startup service via /usr/local/etc/rc.d/gpu-mode

#!/bin/sh
# Name: setup-gpu-modes.sh

set -eu

# Require root privileges
if [ "$(id -u)" -ne 0 ]; then
  echo "This script must be run as root." >&2
  exit 1
fi

fail() {
  echo "Error: $1" >&2
  exit 1
}

echo "Detecting GPUs..."

GPU_OUTPUT=$(pciconf -lv)
INTEL_BUSID=$(echo "$GPU_OUTPUT" | awk '/VGA compatible controller: Intel/ {getline; print $2}' | cut -d@ -f2 || true)
NVIDIA_BUSID=$(echo "$GPU_OUTPUT" | awk '/VGA compatible controller: NVIDIA/ {getline; print $2}' | cut -d@ -f2 || true)

[ -n "$INTEL_BUSID" ] || fail "Intel GPU not detected."
[ -n "$NVIDIA_BUSID" ] || fail "NVIDIA GPU not detected."

echo "Intel GPU BusID: PCI:$INTEL_BUSID"
echo "NVIDIA GPU BusID: PCI:$NVIDIA_BUSID"

for pkgname in nvidia-driver nvidia-drm-kmod; do
  if ! pkg info -e "$pkgname"; then
    echo "Installing $pkgname..."
    pkg install -y "$pkgname" || fail "Failed to install $pkgname"
  else
    echo "$pkgname is already installed."
  fi
done

LOADER_CONF="/boot/loader.conf"

add_sysrc_if_missing() {
  local key=$1
  local value=$2
  if ! grep -q "^$key=" "$LOADER_CONF" 2>/dev/null; then
    sysrc -f "$LOADER_CONF" "${key}=${value}" || fail "Failed to add $key to loader.conf"
  else
    echo "$key is already set in loader.conf"
  fi
}

echo "Enabling NVIDIA kernel modules..."
add_sysrc_if_missing nvidia_load YES
add_sysrc_if_missing nvidia-drm_load YES
add_sysrc_if_missing hw.nvidia.modeset 1

X11_DIR="/usr/local/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d"
mkdir -p "$X11_DIR" || fail "Failed to create $X11_DIR"

OFFLOAD_BIN="/usr/local/bin/nvidia-offload"
if [ ! -f "$OFFLOAD_BIN" ]; then
  echo "Creating nvidia-offload launcher..."
  cat <<'EOF' > "$OFFLOAD_BIN"
#!/bin/sh
export DRI_PRIME=1
exec "$@"
EOF
  chmod +x "$OFFLOAD_BIN" || fail "Failed to make nvidia-offload executable"
else
  echo "nvidia-offload already exists: $OFFLOAD_BIN"
fi

MODE_SWITCHER="/usr/local/sbin/gpu-mode"
if [ ! -f "$MODE_SWITCHER" ]; then
  echo "Creating GPU mode switcher..."
  cat <<EOF > "$MODE_SWITCHER"
#!/bin/sh
MODE="\$1"
CONF_DIR="/usr/local/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d"
CONF_FILE="/etc/gpu-mode.conf"

if [ -z "\$MODE" ]; then
  echo "Usage: gpu-mode {intel|nvidia|hybrid}"
  exit 1
fi

case "\$MODE" in
  intel)
    echo "Switching to Intel-only mode..."
    rm -f "\$CONF_DIR"/10-*.conf
    cat <<EOT > "\$CONF_DIR/10-intel-only.conf"
Section "Device"
    Identifier "IntelOnly"
    Driver "modesetting"
    BusID "PCI:$INTEL_BUSID"
EndSection
EOT
    ;;
  nvidia)
    echo "Switching to NVIDIA-only mode..."
    rm -f "\$CONF_DIR"/10-*.conf
    cat <<EOT > "\$CONF_DIR/10-nvidia-only.conf"
Section "Device"
    Identifier "NvidiaOnly"
    Driver "nvidia"
    BusID "PCI:$NVIDIA_BUSID"
    Option "AllowEmptyInitialConfiguration" "true"
EndSection
EOT
    ;;
  hybrid)
    echo "Switching to Hybrid mode..."
    rm -f "\$CONF_DIR"/10-*.conf
    cat <<EOT > "\$CONF_DIR/10-hybrid.conf"
Section "Device"
    Identifier  "IntelGPU"
    Driver      "modesetting"
    BusID       "PCI:$INTEL_BUSID"
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier  "NvidiaGPU"
    Driver      "nvidia"
    BusID       "PCI:$NVIDIA_BUSID"
    Option      "AllowEmptyInitialConfiguration" "true"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier  "IntelScreen"
    Device      "IntelGPU"
EndSection
EOT
    ;;
  *)
    echo "Invalid mode: \$MODE"
    echo "Usage: gpu-mode {intel|nvidia|hybrid}"
    exit 1
    ;;
esac

echo "\$MODE" > "\$CONF_FILE"
echo "Mode set to \$MODE. Please restart your display manager or reboot."
EOF

  chmod +x "$MODE_SWITCHER" || fail "Failed to make gpu-mode executable"
else
  echo "GPU mode switcher already exists: $MODE_SWITCHER"
fi

RC_SCRIPT="/usr/local/etc/rc.d/gpu-mode"
if [ ! -f "$RC_SCRIPT" ]; then
  echo "Creating GPU mode boot-time loader..."
  mkdir -p /usr/local/etc/rc.d
  cat <<EOF > "$RC_SCRIPT"
#!/bin/sh

# PROVIDE: gpu_mode
# REQUIRE: mountcritlocal
# KEYWORD: shutdown

. /etc/rc.subr

name="gpu_mode"
rcvar="gpu_mode_enable"
start_cmd="gpu_mode_start"
stop_cmd=":"

gpu_mode_start() {
    if [ -f /etc/gpu-mode.conf ]; then
        MODE=\$(cat /etc/gpu-mode.conf)
        echo "Restoring GPU mode at boot: \$MODE"
        /usr/local/sbin/gpu-mode "\$MODE"
    else
        echo "No saved GPU mode found, skipping..."
    fi
}

load_rc_config \$name
run_rc_command "\$1"
EOF

  chmod +x "$RC_SCRIPT"
  sysrc gpu_mode_enable=YES
else
  echo "Boot loader script already exists: $RC_SCRIPT"
fi

echo
echo "Setup complete."
echo
echo "To switch GPU modes now, run:"
echo "  gpu-mode intel     # Use Intel GPU only"
echo "  gpu-mode nvidia    # Use NVIDIA GPU only"
echo "  gpu-mode hybrid    # Hybrid mode (Intel display, NVIDIA offload)"
echo
echo "To launch a program on NVIDIA in hybrid mode:"
echo "  nvidia-offload firefox"
echo
echo "Your selected mode will be restored automatically on next boot."

DHOC_TAZH

OK, sorry about the multiple threads. I'll stick the rest of the graphical issues here.

DHOC_TAZH

Ok... still can't load either GPU at boot time in any mode. Been at this for about two hours now.

Trying to get the scfb driver back on, but I have to stop the nvidia modules from loading. I do know how to use single mode with the specific command for invoking read-write mode.

I'm really tired now so I'll continue trying to fix this problem later.

vimanuelt

DHOC_TAZH
Did you receive any errors when running the script?

DHOC_TAZH

I didn't use the script, I ran the method posted by ericbsd above. Ended up reinstalling GhostBSD. Just finished reconfiguring the system, on it as I type this.

If I run the script, do I need to run it in terminal mode, outside of the desktop? I've no clue about using a wireless connection for internet away from the desktop. If I have to I could briefly use Ethernet, but prefer to go wireless.

vimanuelt

DHOC_TAZH
Yes, you will need to be at a terminal console shell prompt and have network access.

DHOC_TAZH

Made a few trial runs with the script.

It stops at "Intel GPU not detected." Not sure how that happens as the command for detecting the GPUs indicates it's present.

vimanuelt

DHOC_TAZH
Try this script.

#!/bin/sh
# Name: setup-gpu-modes.sh

set -eu

# Require root privileges
if [ "$(id -u)" -ne 0 ]; then
  echo "This script must be run as root." >&2
  exit 1
fi

fail() {
  echo "Error: $1" >&2
  exit 1
}

echo "Detecting GPUs..."

INTEL_LINE=$(pciconf -lv | awk '/Intel Corporation/ && /VGA|display controller/ {print; exit}')
NVIDIA_LINE=$(pciconf -lv | awk '/NVIDIA Corporation/ && /VGA|display controller/ {print; exit}')

echo "Detected Intel GPU Line: $INTEL_LINE"
echo "Detected NVIDIA GPU Line: $NVIDIA_LINE"

INTEL_BUSID=$(echo "$INTEL_LINE" | sed -E 's/.*@pci([0-9:]+).*/\1/')
NVIDIA_BUSID=$(echo "$NVIDIA_LINE" | sed -E 's/.*@pci([0-9:]+).*/\1/')

[ -n "$INTEL_BUSID" ] || fail "Intel GPU not detected."
[ -n "$NVIDIA_BUSID" ] || fail "NVIDIA GPU not detected."

echo "Intel GPU BusID: PCI:$INTEL_BUSID"
echo "NVIDIA GPU BusID: PCI:$NVIDIA_BUSID"

for pkgname in nvidia-driver nvidia-drm-kmod; do
  if ! pkg info -e "$pkgname"; then
    echo "Installing $pkgname..."
    pkg install -y "$pkgname" || fail "Failed to install $pkgname"
  else
    echo "$pkgname is already installed."
  fi
done

LOADER_CONF="/boot/loader.conf"

add_sysrc_if_missing() {
  local key=$1
  local value=$2
  if ! grep -q "^$key=" "$LOADER_CONF" 2>/dev/null; then
    sysrc -f "$LOADER_CONF" "${key}=${value}" || fail "Failed to add $key to loader.conf"
  else
    echo "$key is already set in loader.conf"
  fi
}

echo "Enabling NVIDIA kernel modules..."
add_sysrc_if_missing nvidia_load YES
add_sysrc_if_missing nvidia-drm_load YES
add_sysrc_if_missing hw.nvidia.modeset 1

X11_DIR="/usr/local/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d"
mkdir -p "$X11_DIR" || fail "Failed to create $X11_DIR"

OFFLOAD_BIN="/usr/local/bin/nvidia-offload"
if [ ! -f "$OFFLOAD_BIN" ]; then
  echo "Creating nvidia-offload launcher..."
  cat <<'EOF' > "$OFFLOAD_BIN"
#!/bin/sh
export DRI_PRIME=1
exec "$@"
EOF
  chmod +x "$OFFLOAD_BIN" || fail "Failed to make nvidia-offload executable"
else
  echo "nvidia-offload already exists: $OFFLOAD_BIN"
fi

MODE_SWITCHER="/usr/local/sbin/gpu-mode"
if [ ! -f "$MODE_SWITCHER" ]; then
  echo "Creating GPU mode switcher..."
  cat <<EOF > "$MODE_SWITCHER"
#!/bin/sh
MODE="\$1"
CONF_DIR="/usr/local/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d"
CONF_FILE="/etc/gpu-mode.conf"

INTEL_BUSID="$INTEL_BUSID"
NVIDIA_BUSID="$NVIDIA_BUSID"

if [ -z "\$MODE" ]; then
  echo "Usage: gpu-mode {intel|nvidia|hybrid}"
  exit 1
fi

case "\$MODE" in
  intel)
    echo "Switching to Intel-only mode..."
    rm -f "\$CONF_DIR"/10-*.conf
    cat <<EOT > "\$CONF_DIR/10-intel-only.conf"
Section "Device"
    Identifier "IntelOnly"
    Driver "modesetting"
    BusID "PCI:\$INTEL_BUSID"
EndSection
EOT
    ;;
  nvidia)
    echo "Switching to NVIDIA-only mode..."
    rm -f "\$CONF_DIR"/10-*.conf
    cat <<EOT > "\$CONF_DIR/10-nvidia-only.conf"
Section "Device"
    Identifier "NvidiaOnly"
    Driver "nvidia"
    BusID "PCI:\$NVIDIA_BUSID"
    Option "AllowEmptyInitialConfiguration" "true"
EndSection
EOT
    ;;
  hybrid)
    echo "Switching to Hybrid mode..."
    rm -f "\$CONF_DIR"/10-*.conf
    cat <<EOT > "\$CONF_DIR/10-hybrid.conf"
Section "Device"
    Identifier  "IntelGPU"
    Driver      "modesetting"
    BusID       "PCI:\$INTEL_BUSID"
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier  "NvidiaGPU"
    Driver      "nvidia"
    BusID       "PCI:\$NVIDIA_BUSID"
    Option      "AllowEmptyInitialConfiguration" "true"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier  "IntelScreen"
    Device      "IntelGPU"
EndSection
EOT
    ;;
  *)
    echo "Invalid mode: \$MODE"
    echo "Usage: gpu-mode {intel|nvidia|hybrid}"
    exit 1
    ;;
esac

echo "\$MODE" > "\$CONF_FILE"
echo "Mode set to \$MODE. Please restart your display manager or reboot."
EOF

  chmod +x "$MODE_SWITCHER" || fail "Failed to make gpu-mode executable"
else
  echo "GPU mode switcher already exists: $MODE_SWITCHER"
fi

RC_SCRIPT="/usr/local/etc/rc.d/gpu-mode"
if [ ! -f "$RC_SCRIPT" ]; then
  echo "Creating GPU mode boot-time loader..."
  mkdir -p /usr/local/etc/rc.d
  cat <<EOF > "$RC_SCRIPT"
#!/bin/sh

# PROVIDE: gpu_mode
# REQUIRE: mountcritlocal
# KEYWORD: shutdown

. /etc/rc.subr

name="gpu_mode"
rcvar="gpu_mode_enable"
start_cmd="gpu_mode_start"
stop_cmd=":"

gpu_mode_start() {
    if [ -f /etc/gpu-mode.conf ]; then
        MODE=\$(cat /etc/gpu-mode.conf)
        echo "Restoring GPU mode at boot: \$MODE"
        /usr/local/sbin/gpu-mode "\$MODE"
    else
        echo "No saved GPU mode found, skipping..."
    fi
}

load_rc_config \$name
run_rc_command "\$1"
EOF

  chmod +x "$RC_SCRIPT"
  sysrc gpu_mode_enable=YES
else
  echo "Boot loader script already exists: $RC_SCRIPT"
fi

echo
echo "Setup complete."
echo
echo "To switch GPU modes now, run:"
echo "  gpu-mode intel     # Use Intel GPU only"
echo "  gpu-mode nvidia    # Use NVIDIA GPU only"
echo "  gpu-mode hybrid    # Hybrid mode (Intel display, NVIDIA offload)"
echo
echo "To launch a program on NVIDIA in hybrid mode:"
echo "  nvidia-offload firefox"
echo
echo "Your selected mode will be restored automatically on next boot."

DHOC_TAZH

OK... just looked into some things. I noticed when I went to check the kernel version, it is this:

home@home-ghostbsd ~> uname -a FreeBSD alvr-ghostbsd 14.2-RELEASE-p2 FreeBSD 14.2-RELEASE-p2 n230744-26127ca9fef GENERIC amd64

Isn't that kernel newer than what the latest GhostBSD install ships with? So... I'm guessing I will need to update my ports and dev repos, yes? Then proceed with recompiling the i915kms and nvidia modules and drivers... maybe that's why I'm having issues getting either GPU to work for me.

(Then again I have no issues with i915kms on an older PC that has GhostBSD installed...)

grahamperrin

Patch level 2 is packaged for GhostBSD.

DHOC_TAZH

Ah, ok, thanks. So theoretically, the current Intel and Nvidia drivers compiled for GhostBSD should work with my Intel 8th Gen i7 and GTX 1050 then.

My guess at this point is if I didn't have any other OS's on that PC, it would likely work without issues (as it does with my older 2012 PC, there's no other OS on that one...). Unfortunately for me, I still use the newer one for work (using Win11 and some Linux programs) so it would be tricky to uproot the thing to find out. Ugh. :/

vimanuelt

DHOC_TAZH
Yes, it's true, having one computer is never enough.