How to install nvidia-legacy-340xx-driver on Debian 12 Bookworm

How to install nvidia-legacy-340xx-driver (or nvidia-legacy-390xx-driver) on Debian 12 Bookworm.md

How to install nvidia-legacy-340xx-driver on Debian 12 Bookworm

This guide will show you how to download, compile and install the nvidia-legacy-340xx-driver on Debian 12. Some people install the driver directly from sid but this will mix packages from both stable and unstable which may create issues. It's recommended to update and upgrade your system before you start.

It was reported to work with nvidia-legacy-390xx-driver just replace the appropriate package names.

Step 1. Download the source code.

Install these packages.

sudo apt install build-essential fakeroot devscripts

You can manually download the source code from debian.org and go to Step 2 or continue with Step 1. Don't worry you won't be able to install packages from sid.
Add 'deb-src http://httpredir.debian.org/debian unstable main non-free contrib' to '/etc/apt/sources.list'.
Update your system.

sudo apt update

Create these folders.

mkdir -p Build/nvidia340 Build/nvidia-settings

Download the driver in 'Build/nvidia340'.

apt source nvidia-legacy-340xx-driver

Download the nvidia-settings in 'Build/nvidia-settings'.

apt source nvidia-settings-legacy-340xx

Delete 'deb-src http://httpredir.debian.org/debian unstable main non-free contrib' from '/etc/apt/sources.list'.
Update your system.

sudo apt update

Step 2. Compile the driver.

Run

debuild -b -uc -us

in both folders 'Build/nvidia340/nvidia-graphics-drivers-legacy-340xx-340.108' and 'Build/nvidia-settings/nvidia-settings-legacy-340xx-340.108'.
It will complain about missing build dependencies. Install them.

# Example
# sudo apt install debhelper-compat m4 libgl-dev libgtk2.0-dev libjansson-dev libvdpau-dev libxext-dev libxv-dev libxxf86vm-dev pkg-config xserver-xorg-dev debhelper dh-dkms patchelf po-debconf quilt linux-headers-amd64

Run again

debuild -b -uc -us

in both folders 'Build/nvidia340/nvidia-graphics-drivers-legacy-340xx-340.108' and 'Build/nvidia-settings/nvidia-settings-legacy-340xx-340.108' to compile the driver.

Step 3. Make a local repository.

Make a new folder '/nvidia'.

sudo mkdir /nvidia

Copy all *.deb files from 'Build/nvidia340' and 'Build/nvidia-settings' inside '/nvidia'.

sudo cp *.deb /nvidia

Create 'Packages'.

cd /nvidia
sudo sh -c 'dpkg-scanpackages . > Packages'

Add 'deb [trusted=yes] file:/nvidia ./' to '/etc/apt/sources.list'.
Enable 'contrib' in your '/etc/apt/sources.list'.

# Example
# deb http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm main non-free-firmware contrib

Step 4. Install the driver.

For each additional kernel you have to manually install the respective linux-headers.
Update your system and install the driver.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install nvidia-legacy-340xx-driver nvidia-settings-legacy-340xx
# If the above line doesn't work try with
# sudo apt install --no-install-recommends --no-install-suggests nvidia-legacy-340xx-driver nvidia-settings-legacy-340xx libgles1-nvidia-legacy-340xx libgles2-nvidia-legacy-340xx

It's recommended to uninstall all other video drivers or at least nouveau.

sudo apt autoremove xserver-xorg-video-nouveau

Step 5. Configure Xorg.

Create a file /etc/X11/xorg.conf (to configure NVIDIA Optimus - read the comments).

Section "Device"
    Identifier     "Device0"
    Driver         "nvidia"
    VendorName     "NVIDIA Corporation"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
    Option         "IgnoreABI" "1"
EndSection

Step 6. Clean up. OPTIONAL.

I would definitely keep the source code because I might have to rebuild the driver in the future otherwise you can run.

rm -r Build/nvidia340 Build/nvidia-settings
rmdir Build

You can remove 'deb [trusted=yes] file:/nvidia ./' from '/etc/apt/sources.list' and update your system.
You can also delete '/nvidia' and all *.deb files.

sudo rm -r /nvidia

Sources:

https://wiki.debian.org/SourcesList
https://wiki.debian.org/BuildingTutorial
https://wiki.debian.org/DebianRepository/Setup

Thanks, this also works with nvidia-settings-legacy-390xx

This all worked for me, except steam won't run as it expects the LibGL1 32 bit files. How to build or install these?

@pcmaker401 @marques576 I've updated the guide with the new information. @it0it0 I can't help you with 32-bit libraries.

@pcmaker401 @marques576 I've updated the guide with the new information. @it0it0 I can't help you with 32-bit libraries.

@Anakiev2 thanks for the reply. As I see the 32 bit Nvidia package being downloaded which includes the libraries and assume these are not recompiled , I would expect to copy them to /use/local/lib and run ldconfig, but it didn't work for me. Steam no longer showed the missing libgl error but still crashed. Any suggestions what I could do.

Has anyone been able to get cuda 9.2 working with driver nvidia-390?

works with lmde 6 with debian 12.1?

According to the web site LMDE 6 is based on Debian 12 Bookworm. Then it should work.

works with lmde 6 with debian 12.1?

nvm it did. Anyways thanks for the tutorial bro, I finally been able to install it without being stuck in initramfs

another question: is it okay to use the latest nvidia-settings package or should I use the 340xx version?

Thx. Although I still get this error:
systemd-modules-load[301]: modprobe: FATAL: Module nvidia-legacy-340xx not found in directory /lib/modules/6.11.10+bpo-amd64
systemd-modules-load[274]: Error running install command 'modprobe -i nvidia-legacy-340xx ' for module nvidia: retcode 1
systemd-modules-load[274]: Failed to insert module 'nvidia': Invalid argument

Any insights for it?

I'm just using this GT240 for a headless old pc (core2duo E8400) - I'm happy as long fan cooler work.

Well... I rebuild everything. I think doing the build as root did breaks something, also changed the CPU to a core2quad Q8300.
-Debian 6.11.10-1~bpo12+1 (2024-12-19)
-core2quad Q8300, GT240 1Gb VRAM, 8gb ram ddr2

Well... I rebuild everything. I think doing the build as root did breaks something, also changed the CPU to a core2quad Q8300. -Debian 6.11.10-1~bpo12+1 (2024-12-19) -core2quad Q8300, GT240 1Gb VRAM, 8gb ram ddr2

Faced the same issue...
Could you comment, what was the remedy)

@grosioso I don't know and why you want that? Everything you need to set is done in the xorg config file. You have to expect compatibility issues.

@estapeluo @MaximSAzh First you shouldn't compile as root. Only the commands starting with sudo should. Second the information you provide is not enough for me to understand what's wrong. The most probable reasons I can think of are:

You don't have the kernel headers - install the kernel header from the backports.
The backports kernel is not supported - install the older one.
Your source is too old - re download.
You don't have dkms installed.

@estapeluo @MaximSAzh First you shouldn't compile as root. Only the commands starting with sudo should. Second the information you provide is not enough for me to understand what's wrong. The most probable reasons I can think of are:

You don't have the kernel headers - install the kernel header from the backports. The backports kernel is not supported - install the older one. Your source is too old - re download. You don't have dkms installed.

I'm following your guide for a proxmox 8.3 installation, if it makes sense.
And "yes", I've done debuild from a root.. Will try to compile from another user.

Thank you very much, that helped!

It goes perfect on a fresh minimal Debian 12 install and GeForce9400 nvidia340
The only question i have is related to X11, that was the auto-selected environment for my Gnome. Is it working even with wayland? I don't want to break the system just for this thing...
Anyway, my performance with youtube are really horrible with firefox... instead the system flies in any other aspect

Wayland is not supported.

Someone makes this work with VA-API? I installed many times but I can't run vainfo command using https://wiki.debian.org/HardwareVideoAcceleration

Output:

libva info: VA-API version 1.17.0
libva error: vaGetDriverNameByIndex() failed with unknown libva error, driver_name = (null)
vaInitialize failed with error code -1 (unknown libva error),exit

You can use VDPAU only.

For NVIDIA Optimus use this configuration file. Modify BusID with your Nvidia GPU ID.

Section "Module"
  Load "modesetting"
EndSection

Section "Device"
  Identifier "Nvidia Card"
  Driver "nvidia"
  VendorName "NVIDIA Corporation"
  BusID "MODIFY_HERE"
  Option "AllowEmptyInitialConfiguration"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
  Option "IgnoreABI" "1"
EndSection

https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Lenovo_ThinkPad_P52

You have two GPUs with different BusID and your laptop defaults to the Intel one. This is why the Nvidia driver can't find the Nvidia GPU and reports (EE) No devices detected and (EE) no screens found(EE).

More useful links: https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=223581 https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/NVIDIA_Optimus

To find your BusID you can run grep -r PCI /etc/optimus-manager/xorg/: Askannz/optimus-manager#471 (comment) https://unix.stackexchange.com/a/633709 https://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/585910/setting-busid-in-xorg-conf

What do i need to change on this config to use iGPU as the default GPU? Now my system is just using Nvidia GPU and never the integrated one to save power.

I am not sure if it's possible with driver version 340/390. You can read about different methods here.
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/NVIDIA_Optimus#Using_PRIME_render_offload

Just followed the instructions and I'm not able to get a working X display with lightdm, sddm, or gdm on my old macbook after the install

It's been tested with lxdm but shouldn't be a problem. Did you configure /etc/X11/xorg.conf as shown? What's the output in /var/log/Xorg.0.log?

I've configured it with both of the provided xorg.conf
Just installed and tested with lxdm, but the DM just keeps trying to start but crashes as well

following is the whole Xorg.0.log

[ 51503.575] Current Operating System: Linux Debi-Mac 6.1.0-32-amd64 #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Debian 6.1.129-1 (2025-03-06) x86_64
[ 51503.575] Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-32-amd64 root=UUID=3c6172cd-95ac-4ff2-9cd9-1a3b42e97d76 ro reboot=acpi quiet nomodeset
[ 51503.575] xorg-server 2:21.1.7-3+deb12u9 (https://www.debian.org/support) 
[ 51503.575] Current version of pixman: 0.42.2
[ 51503.575] 	Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.x.org
	to make sure that you have the latest version.
[ 51503.575] Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
	(++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
	(WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
[ 51503.576] (==) Log file: "/var/log/Xorg.0.log", Time: Tue Apr  8 10:15:51 2025
[ 51503.576] (==) Using config directory: "/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d"
[ 51503.576] (==) Using system config directory "/usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d"
[ 51503.577] (==) No Layout section.  Using the first Screen section.
[ 51503.577] (==) No screen section available. Using defaults.
[ 51503.577] (**) |-->Screen "Default Screen Section" (0)
[ 51503.577] (**) |   |-->Monitor ""
[ 51503.577] (==) No device specified for screen "Default Screen Section".
	Using the first device section listed.
[ 51503.577] (**) |   |-->Device "Device0"
[ 51503.577] (==) No monitor specified for screen "Default Screen Section".
	Using a default monitor configuration.
[ 51503.577] (**) Option "IgnoreABI" "1"
[ 51503.577] (**) Ignoring ABI Version
[ 51503.577] (==) Automatically adding devices
[ 51503.577] (==) Automatically enabling devices
[ 51503.577] (==) Automatically adding GPU devices
[ 51503.577] (==) Automatically binding GPU devices
[ 51503.577] (==) Max clients allowed: 256, resource mask: 0x1fffff
[ 51503.577] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/cyrillic" does not exist.
[ 51503.577] 	Entry deleted from font path.
[ 51503.578] (==) 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,
	built-ins
[ 51503.578] (**) ModulePath set to "/usr/lib/xorg/modules/linux,/usr/lib/xorg/modules"
[ 51503.578] (II) The server relies on udev to provide the list of input devices.
	If no devices become available, reconfigure udev or disable AutoAddDevices.
[ 51503.578] (II) Loader magic: 0x5625ef148f00
[ 51503.578] (II) Module ABI versions:
[ 51503.578] 	X.Org ANSI C Emulation: 0.4
[ 51503.578] 	X.Org Video Driver: 25.2
[ 51503.578] 	X.Org XInput driver : 24.4
[ 51503.578] 	X.Org Server Extension : 10.0
[ 51503.584] (++) using VT number 7
[ 51503.584] (II) systemd-logind: logind integration requires -keeptty and -keeptty was not provided, disabling logind integration

[ 51503.585] (II) xfree86: Adding drm device (/dev/dri/card0)

[ 51503.585] (II) Platform probe for /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:01.0/0000:01:00.0/drm/card0

[ 51503.591] (--) PCI:*(1@0:0:0) 10de:0407:106b:00a4 rev 161, Mem @ 0xd2000000/16777216, 0xc0000000/268435456, 0xd0000000/33554432, I/O @ 0x00007000/128, BIOS @ 0x????????/131072

[ 51503.591] (II) "glx" will be loaded by default.

[ 51503.591] (II) LoadModule: "modesetting"

[ 51503.591] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/modesetting_drv.so

[ 51503.592] (II) Module modesetting: vendor="X.Org Foundation"

[ 51503.592] 	compiled for 1.21.1.7, module version = 1.21.1

[ 51503.592] 	Module class: X.Org Video Driver

[ 51503.592] 	ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 25.2

[ 51503.592] (II) LoadModule: "glx"

[ 51503.592] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/linux/libglx.so

[ 51503.618] (II) Module glx: vendor="NVIDIA Corporation"

[ 51503.618] 	compiled for 4.0.2, module version = 1.0.0

[ 51503.618] 	Module class: X.Org Server Extension

[ 51503.618] (II) NVIDIA GLX Module  340.108  Wed Dec 11 14:26:50 PST 2019

[ 51503.618] (II) LoadModule: "nvidia"

[ 51503.618] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/nvidia_drv.so

[ 51503.619] (II) Module nvidia: vendor="NVIDIA Corporation"

[ 51503.619] 	compiled for 4.0.2, module version = 1.0.0

[ 51503.619] 	Module class: X.Org Video Driver

[ 51503.619] ================ WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING ================

[ 51503.619] This server has a video driver ABI version of 25.2 that this

driver does not officially support.  Please check

http://www.nvidia.com/ for driver updates or downgrade to an X

server with a supported driver ABI.

[ 51503.619] =================================================================

[ 51503.619] (WW) NVIDIA: The driver will continue to load, but may behave strangely.

[ 51503.619] (WW) NVIDIA: This driver was compiled against the X.Org server SDK from commit e6ef2b12404dfec7f23592a3524d2a63d9d25802 and may not be compatible with the final version of this SDK.

[ 51503.619] (II) modesetting: Driver for Modesetting Kernel Drivers: kms

[ 51503.619] (II) NVIDIA dlloader X Driver  340.108  Wed Dec 11 14:06:00 PST 2019

[ 51503.619] (II) NVIDIA Unified Driver for all Supported NVIDIA GPUs

[ 51503.619] (WW) Falling back to old probe method for modesetting

[ 51503.619] (WW) Falling back to old probe method for modesetting

[ 51503.619] (EE) No devices detected.

[ 51503.619] (EE)

Fatal server error:

[ 51503.619] (EE) no screens found(EE)

[ 51503.620] (EE)

Please consult the The X.Org Foundation support

at http://wiki.x.org

for help.

[ 51503.620] (EE) Please also check the log file at "/var/log/Xorg.0.log" for additional information.

[ 51503.620] (EE)

[ 51503.624] (EE) Server terminated with error (1). Closing log file.

edit: also here is LXDE's log

[ 51503.575] Current Operating System: Linux Debi-Mac 6.1.0-32-amd64 #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Debian 6.1.129-1 (2025-03-06) x86_64
[ 51503.575] Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-32-amd64 root=UUID=3c6172cd-95ac-4ff2-9cd9-1a3b42e97d76 ro reboot=acpi quiet nomodeset
[ 51503.575] xorg-server 2:21.1.7-3+deb12u9 (https://www.debian.org/support) 
[ 51503.575] Current version of pixman: 0.42.2
[ 51503.575] 	Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.x.org
	to make sure that you have the latest version.
[ 51503.575] Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
	(++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
	(WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
[ 51503.576] (==) Log file: "/var/log/Xorg.0.log", Time: Tue Apr  8 10:15:51 2025
[ 51503.576] (==) Using config directory: "/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d"
[ 51503.576] (==) Using system config directory "/usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d"
[ 51503.577] (==) No Layout section.  Using the first Screen section.
[ 51503.577] (==) No screen section available. Using defaults.
[ 51503.577] (**) |-->Screen "Default Screen Section" (0)
[ 51503.577] (**) |   |-->Monitor ""
[ 51503.577] (==) No device specified for screen "Default Screen Section".
	Using the first device section listed.
[ 51503.577] (**) |   |-->Device "Device0"
[ 51503.577] (==) No monitor specified for screen "Default Screen Section".
	Using a default monitor configuration.
[ 51503.577] (**) Option "IgnoreABI" "1"
[ 51503.577] (**) Ignoring ABI Version
[ 51503.577] (==) Automatically adding devices
[ 51503.577] (==) Automatically enabling devices
[ 51503.577] (==) Automatically adding GPU devices
[ 51503.577] (==) Automatically binding GPU devices
[ 51503.577] (==) Max clients allowed: 256, resource mask: 0x1fffff
[ 51503.577] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/cyrillic" does not exist.
[ 51503.577] 	Entry deleted from font path.
[ 51503.578] (==) 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,
	built-ins
[ 51503.578] (**) ModulePath set to "/usr/lib/xorg/modules/linux,/usr/lib/xorg/modules"
[ 51503.578] (II) The server relies on udev to provide the list of input devices.
	If no devices become available, reconfigure udev or disable AutoAddDevices.
[ 51503.578] (II) Loader magic: 0x5625ef148f00
[ 51503.578] (II) Module ABI versions:
[ 51503.578] 	X.Org ANSI C Emulation: 0.4
[ 51503.578] 	X.Org Video Driver: 25.2
[ 51503.578] 	X.Org XInput driver : 24.4
[ 51503.578] 	X.Org Server Extension : 10.0
[ 51503.584] (++) using VT number 7
[ 51503.584] (II) systemd-logind: logind integration requires -keeptty and -keeptty was not provided, disabling logind integration

[ 51503.585] (II) xfree86: Adding drm device (/dev/dri/card0)

[ 51503.585] (II) Platform probe for /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:01.0/0000:01:00.0/drm/card0

[ 51503.591] (--) PCI:*(1@0:0:0) 10de:0407:106b:00a4 rev 161, Mem @ 0xd2000000/16777216, 0xc0000000/268435456, 0xd0000000/33554432, I/O @ 0x00007000/128, BIOS @ 0x????????/131072

[ 51503.591] (II) "glx" will be loaded by default.

[ 51503.591] (II) LoadModule: "modesetting"

[ 51503.591] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/modesetting_drv.so

[ 51503.592] (II) Module modesetting: vendor="X.Org Foundation"

[ 51503.592] 	compiled for 1.21.1.7, module version = 1.21.1

[ 51503.592] 	Module class: X.Org Video Driver

[ 51503.592] 	ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 25.2

[ 51503.592] (II) LoadModule: "glx"

[ 51503.592] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/linux/libglx.so

[ 51503.618] (II) Module glx: vendor="NVIDIA Corporation"

[ 51503.618] 	compiled for 4.0.2, module version = 1.0.0

[ 51503.618] 	Module class: X.Org Server Extension

[ 51503.618] (II) NVIDIA GLX Module  340.108  Wed Dec 11 14:26:50 PST 2019

[ 51503.618] (II) LoadModule: "nvidia"

[ 51503.618] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/nvidia_drv.so

[ 51503.619] (II) Module nvidia: vendor="NVIDIA Corporation"

[ 51503.619] 	compiled for 4.0.2, module version = 1.0.0

[ 51503.619] 	Module class: X.Org Video Driver

[ 51503.619] ================ WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING ================

[ 51503.619] This server has a video driver ABI version of 25.2 that this

driver does not officially support.  Please check

http://www.nvidia.com/ for driver updates or downgrade to an X

server with a supported driver ABI.

[ 51503.619] =================================================================

[ 51503.619] (WW) NVIDIA: The driver will continue to load, but may behave strangely.

[ 51503.619] (WW) NVIDIA: This driver was compiled against the X.Org server SDK from commit e6ef2b12404dfec7f23592a3524d2a63d9d25802 and may not be compatible with the final version of this SDK.

[ 51503.619] (II) modesetting: Driver for Modesetting Kernel Drivers: kms

[ 51503.619] (II) NVIDIA dlloader X Driver  340.108  Wed Dec 11 14:06:00 PST 2019

[ 51503.619] (II) NVIDIA Unified Driver for all Supported NVIDIA GPUs

[ 51503.619] (WW) Falling back to old probe method for modesetting

[ 51503.619] (WW) Falling back to old probe method for modesetting

[ 51503.619] (EE) No devices detected.

[ 51503.619] (EE)

Fatal server error:

[ 51503.619] (EE) no screens found(EE)

[ 51503.620] (EE)

Please consult the The X.Org Foundation support

at http://wiki.x.org

for help.

[ 51503.620] (EE) Please also check the log file at "/var/log/Xorg.0.log" for additional information.

[ 51503.620] (EE)

[ 51503.624] (EE) Server terminated with error (1). Closing log file.

Your driver is installed properly and loaded. You either have Nvidia Optimus but you haven't configured it properly or your GPU needs different driver/version.

[ 51503.619] (EE) No devices detected.
Fatal server error:
[ 51503.619] (EE) no screens found(EE)

Sorry for the delayed response,

running nvidia-detect gives

Detected NVIDIA GPUs:
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: NVIDIA Corporation G84M [GeForce 8600M GT] [10de:0407] (rev a1)

Checking card:  NVIDIA Corporation G84M [GeForce 8600M GT] (rev a1)
Your card is only supported by the 340 legacy drivers series, which is only available up to buster.

And the output I gave was while it had the Optimus config set, but the same error pops up with the standard one aswell

Sorry for the delayed response,

running nvidia-detect gives

Detected NVIDIA GPUs:
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: NVIDIA Corporation G84M [GeForce 8600M GT] [10de:0407] (rev a1)

Checking card:  NVIDIA Corporation G84M [GeForce 8600M GT] (rev a1)
Your card is only supported by the 340 legacy drivers series, which is only available up to buster.

And the output I gave was while it had the Optimus config set, but the same error pops up with the standard one aswell

Hi DanHolli,

Try not changing anything with the xorg.conf, or rename it to xorg.conf.old.
I had an Optimus laptop as well and found that it was designed where the Intel graphics is hardwired to be the primary display. So modifying the xorg config to point to nvidia gpu kept causing errors.

Try not changing anything with the xorg.conf, or rename it to xorg.conf.old.

That returns it to software rendering returning my access to X11, but there's no acceleration

Doing lspci provides
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: NVIDIA Corporation G84M [GeForce 8600M GT] (rev a1)
but no mention of and Intel card

for some further information the is a MacBook Pro 4,1 with an Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 (no integrated graphics)

Here is the new Xorg.0.log in case it's helpful

[    60.930] (--) Log file renamed from "/var/log/Xorg.pid-715.log" to "/var/log/Xorg.0.log"
[    61.073]
X.Org X Server 1.21.1.7
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0
[    61.074] Current Operating System: Linux Debi-Mac 6.1.0-32-amd64 #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Debian 6.1.129-1 (2025-03-06) x86_64
[    61.074] Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-32-amd64 root=UUID=3c6172cd-95ac-4ff2-9cd9-1a3b42e97d76 ro reboot=acpi quiet nomodeset
[    61.074] xorg-server 2:21.1.7-3+deb12u9 (https://www.debian.org/support)
[    61.074] Current version of pixman: 0.42.2
[    61.074]    Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.x.org
        to make sure that you have the latest version.
[    61.074] Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
        (++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
        (WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
[    61.075] (==) Log file: "/var/log/Xorg.0.log", Time: Thu Apr 10 14:59:15 2025
[    61.272] (==) Using system config directory "/usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d"
[    61.469] (==) No Layout section.  Using the first Screen section.
[    61.470] (==) No screen section available. Using defaults.
[    61.470] (**) |-->Screen "Default Screen Section" (0)
[    61.470] (**) |   |-->Monitor ""
[    61.510] (==) No monitor specified for screen "Default Screen Section".
        Using a default monitor configuration.
[    61.510] (==) Automatically adding devices
[    61.510] (==) Automatically enabling devices
[    61.510] (==) Automatically adding GPU devices
[    61.510] (==) Automatically binding GPU devices
[    61.510] (==) Max clients allowed: 256, resource mask: 0x1fffff
[    61.752] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/cyrillic" does not exist.
[    61.752]    Entry deleted from font path.
[    61.976] (==) 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,
        built-ins
[    61.976] (**) ModulePath set to "/usr/lib/xorg/modules/linux,/usr/lib/xorg/modules"
[    61.976] (II) The server relies on udev to provide the list of input devices.
        If no devices become available, reconfigure udev or disable AutoAddDevices.
[    61.976] (II) Loader magic: 0x557b1b404f00
[    61.976] (II) Module ABI versions:
[    61.976]    X.Org ANSI C Emulation: 0.4
[    61.976]    X.Org Video Driver: 25.2
[    61.976]    X.Org XInput driver : 24.4
[    61.976]    X.Org Server Extension : 10.0
[    61.978] (++) using VT number 7
[    61.978] (II) systemd-logind: logind integration requires -keeptty and -keeptty was not provided, disabling logind integration

[    61.979] (II) xfree86: Adding drm device (/dev/dri/card0)

[    61.979] (II) Platform probe for /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:01.0/0000:01:00.0/drm/card0

[    61.990] (--) PCI:*(1@0:0:0) 10de:0407:106b:00a4 rev 161, Mem @ 0xd2000000/16777216, 0xc0000000/268435456, 0xd0000000/33554432, I/O @ 0x00007000/128, BIOS @ 0x????????/131072

[    62.068] (II) LoadModule: "glx"

[    62.260] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/linux/libglx.so

[    68.080] (II) Module glx: vendor="NVIDIA Corporation"

[    68.081]    compiled for 4.0.2, module version = 1.0.0

[    68.081]    Module class: X.Org Server Extension

[    68.150] (II) NVIDIA GLX Module  340.108  Wed Dec 11 14:26:50 PST 2019

[    68.219] (II) Applying OutputClass "nvidia" to /dev/dri/card0

[    68.219]    loading driver: nvidia

[    68.668] (==) Matched nvidia as autoconfigured driver 0

[    68.668] (==) Matched nouveau as autoconfigured driver 1

[    68.668] (==) Matched nv as autoconfigured driver 2

[    68.668] (==) Matched modesetting as autoconfigured driver 3

[    68.668] (==) Matched fbdev as autoconfigured driver 4

[    68.668] (==) Matched vesa as autoconfigured driver 5

[    68.669] (==) Assigned the driver to the xf86ConfigLayout

[    68.669] (II) LoadModule: "nvidia"

[    68.746] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/nvidia_drv.so

[    69.358] (II) Module nvidia: vendor="NVIDIA Corporation"

[    69.358]    compiled for 4.0.2, module version = 1.0.0

[    69.358]    Module class: X.Org Video Driver

[    69.358] ================ WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING ================

[    69.358] This server has a video driver ABI version of 25.2 that this

driver does not officially support.  Please check

http://www.nvidia.com/ for driver updates or downgrade to an X

server with a supported driver ABI.

[    69.358] =================================================================

[    69.358] (EE) NVIDIA: Use the -ignoreABI option to override this check.

[    69.358] (II) UnloadModule: "nvidia"

[    69.358] (II) Unloading nvidia

[    69.359] (EE) Failed to load module "nvidia" (unknown error, 0)

[    69.359] (II) LoadModule: "nouveau"

[    69.359] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/nouveau_drv.so

[    69.553] (II) Module nouveau: vendor="X.Org Foundation"

[    69.553]    compiled for 1.21.1.3, module version = 1.0.17

[    69.553]    Module class: X.Org Video Driver

[    69.553]    ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 25.2

[    69.553] (II) LoadModule: "nv"

[    69.592] (WW) Warning, couldn't open module nv

[    69.592] (EE) Failed to load module "nv" (module does not exist, 0)

[    69.592] (II) LoadModule: "modesetting"

[    69.593] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/modesetting_drv.so

[    69.734] (II) Module modesetting: vendor="X.Org Foundation"

[    69.734]    compiled for 1.21.1.7, module version = 1.21.1

[    69.734]    Module class: X.Org Video Driver

[    69.734]    ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 25.2

[    69.734] (II) LoadModule: "fbdev"

[    69.735] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/fbdev_drv.so

[    69.783] (II) Module fbdev: vendor="X.Org Foundation"

[    69.783]    compiled for 1.21.1.3, module version = 0.5.0

[    69.783]    Module class: X.Org Video Driver

[    69.783]    ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 25.2

[    69.783] (II) LoadModule: "vesa"

[    69.784] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/vesa_drv.so

[    69.944] (II) Module vesa: vendor="X.Org Foundation"

[    69.944]    compiled for 1.21.1.3, module version = 2.5.0

[    69.944]    Module class: X.Org Video Driver

[    69.944]    ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 25.2

[    69.944] (II) NOUVEAU driver Date:   Sat Jan 23 12:24:42 2021 -0500

[    69.944] (II) NOUVEAU driver for NVIDIA chipset families :

[    69.944]    RIVA TNT            (NV04)

[    69.944]    RIVA TNT2           (NV05)

[    69.944]    GeForce 256         (NV10)

[    69.944]    GeForce 2           (NV11, NV15)

[    69.944]    GeForce 4MX         (NV17, NV18)

[    69.944]    GeForce 3           (NV20)

[    69.945]    GeForce 4Ti         (NV25, NV28)

[    69.945]    GeForce FX          (NV3x)

[    69.945]    GeForce 6           (NV4x)

[    69.945]    GeForce 7           (G7x)

[    69.945]    GeForce 8           (G8x)

[    69.945]    GeForce 9           (G9x)

[    69.945]    GeForce GTX 2xx/3xx (GT2xx)

[    69.945]    GeForce GTX 4xx/5xx (GFxxx)

[    69.945]    GeForce GTX 6xx/7xx (GKxxx)

[    69.945]    GeForce GTX 9xx     (GMxxx)

[    69.945]    GeForce GTX 10xx    (GPxxx)

[    69.945] (II) modesetting: Driver for Modesetting Kernel Drivers: kms

[    69.945] (II) FBDEV: driver for framebuffer: fbdev

[    69.945] (II) VESA: driver for VESA chipsets: vesa

[    72.451] (EE) [drm] Failed to open DRM device for (null): -22

[    72.452] (EE) [drm] Failed to open DRM device for pci:0000:01:00.0: -22

[    72.452] (WW) Falling back to old probe method for modesetting

[    72.452] (II) Loading sub module "fbdevhw"

[    72.452] (II) LoadModule: "fbdevhw"

[    72.452] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/libfbdevhw.so

[    72.464] (II) Module fbdevhw: vendor="X.Org Foundation"

[    72.464]    compiled for 1.21.1.7, module version = 0.0.2

[    72.464]    ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 25.2

[    72.464] (EE) Unable to find a valid framebuffer device

[    72.464] (WW) Falling back to old probe method for fbdev

[    72.464] (II) Loading sub module "fbdevhw"

[    72.464] (II) LoadModule: "fbdevhw"

[    72.465] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/libfbdevhw.so

[    72.465] (II) Module fbdevhw: vendor="X.Org Foundation"

[    72.465]    compiled for 1.21.1.7, module version = 0.0.2

[    72.465]    ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 25.2

[    72.465] (II) FBDEV(2): using default device

[    72.465] vesa: Refusing to run on UEFI

[    72.465] (EE) [drm] Failed to open DRM device for (null): -22

[    72.465] (EE) Screen 0 deleted because of no matching config section.

[    72.465] (II) UnloadModule: "modesetting"

[    72.465] (EE) Screen 0 deleted because of no matching config section.

[    72.465] (II) UnloadModule: "fbdev"

[    72.465] (II) UnloadSubModule: "fbdevhw"

[    72.465] (II) FBDEV(0): Creating default Display subsection in Screen section

"Default Screen Section" for depth/fbbpp 24/32

[    72.465] (==) FBDEV(0): Depth 24, (==) framebuffer bpp 32

[    72.465] (==) FBDEV(0): RGB weight 888

[    72.465] (==) FBDEV(0): Default visual is TrueColor

[    72.465] (==) FBDEV(0): Using gamma correction (1.0, 1.0, 1.0)

[    72.465] (II) FBDEV(0): hardware: EFI VGA (video memory: 8448kB)

[    72.465] (DB) xf86MergeOutputClassOptions unsupported bus type 0

[    72.465] (II) FBDEV(0): checking modes against framebuffer device...

[    72.465] (II) FBDEV(0): checking modes against monitor...

[    72.465] (II) FBDEV(0): Virtual size is 1680x1050 (pitch 1680)

[    72.465] () FBDEV(0):  Built-in mode "current": 176.4 MHz, 82.9 kHz, 77.2 Hz

[    72.465] (II) FBDEV(0): Modeline "current"x0.0  176.43  1680 1712 1920 2128  1050 1054 1058 1074 -hsync -vsync -csync (82.9 kHz b)

[    72.465] (==) FBDEV(0): DPI set to (96, 96)

[    72.465] (II) Loading sub module "fb"

[    72.465] (II) LoadModule: "fb"

[    72.465] (II) Module "fb" already built-in

[    72.465] () FBDEV(0): using shadow framebuffer

[    72.465] (II) Loading sub module "shadow"

[    72.465] (II) LoadModule: "shadow"

[    72.465] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/libshadow.so

[    72.466] (II) Module shadow: vendor="X.Org Foundation"

[    72.466]    compiled for 1.21.1.7, module version = 1.1.0

[    72.466]    ABI class: X.Org ANSI C Emulation, version 0.4

[    72.467] (II) FBDEV(0): FBIOBLANK: Invalid argument (Screen blanking not supported by kernel - disabling)

[    72.521] (==) FBDEV(0): Backing store enabled

[    72.524] (==) FBDEV(0): DPMS enabled

[    72.524] (II) Initializing extension Generic Event Extension

[    72.525] (II) Initializing extension SHAPE

[    72.525] (II) Initializing extension MIT-SHM

[    72.525] (II) Initializing extension XInputExtension

[    72.526] (II) Initializing extension XTEST

[    72.527] (II) Initializing extension BIG-REQUESTS

[    72.527] (II) Initializing extension SYNC

[    72.528] (II) Initializing extension XKEYBOARD

[    72.528] (II) Initializing extension XC-MISC

[    72.528] (II) Initializing extension SECURITY

[    72.529] (II) Initializing extension XFIXES

[    72.529] (II) Initializing extension RENDER

[    72.530] (II) Initializing extension RANDR

[    72.530] (II) Initializing extension COMPOSITE

[    72.531] (II) Initializing extension DAMAGE

[    72.531] (II) Initializing extension MIT-SCREEN-SAVER

[    72.531] (II) Initializing extension DOUBLE-BUFFER

[    72.532] (II) Initializing extension RECORD

[    72.532] (II) Initializing extension DPMS

[    72.533] (II) Initializing extension Present

[    72.533] (II) Initializing extension DRI3

[    72.533] (II) Initializing extension X-Resource

[    72.533] (II) Initializing extension XVideo

[    72.534] (II) Initializing extension XVideo-MotionCompensation

[    72.534] (II) Initializing extension SELinux

[    72.534] (II) SELinux: Disabled on system

[    72.534] (II) Initializing extension XFree86-VidModeExtension

[    72.534] (II) Initializing extension XFree86-DGA

[    72.534] (II) Initializing extension XFree86-DRI

[    72.534] (II) Initializing extension DRI2

[    72.535] (II) Initializing extension GLX

[    72.553] (EE) Failed to initialize GLX extension (Compatible NVIDIA X driver not found)

[    72.941] (II) config/udev: Adding input device Power Button (/dev/input/event4)

[    72.941] () Power Button: Applying InputClass "libinput keyboard catchall"

[    72.941] (II) LoadModule: "libinput"

[    72.941] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/input/libinput_drv.so

[    72.997] (II) Module libinput: vendor="X.Org Foundation"

[    72.997]    compiled for 1.21.1.3, module version = 1.2.1

[    72.997]    Module class: X.Org XInput Driver

[    72.997]    ABI class: X.Org XInput driver, version 24.4

[    72.997] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Power Button'

[    72.997] () Power Button: always reports core events

[    72.997] () Option "Device" "/dev/input/event4"

[    73.038] (II) event4  - Power Button: is tagged by udev as: Keyboard

[    73.038] (II) event4  - Power Button: device is a keyboard

[    73.039] (II) event4  - Power Button: device removed

[    73.060] () Option "config_info" "udev:/sys/devices/LNXSYSTM:00/LNXPWRBN:00/input/input4/event4"

[    73.060] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "Power Button" (type: KEYBOARD, id 6)

[    73.060] () Option "xkb_model" "pc105"

[    73.060] () Option "xkb_layout" "us"

[    73.061] (II) event4  - Power Button: is tagged by udev as: Keyboard

[    73.062] (II) event4  - Power Button: device is a keyboard

[    73.063] (II) config/udev: Adding input device Video Bus (/dev/input/event1)

[    73.063] () Video Bus: Applying InputClass "libinput keyboard catchall"

[    73.063] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Video Bus'

[    73.063] () Video Bus: always reports core events

[    73.063] () Option "Device" "/dev/input/event1"

[    73.065] (II) event1  - Video Bus: is tagged by udev as: Keyboard

[    73.065] (II) event1  - Video Bus: device is a keyboard

[    73.065] (II) event1  - Video Bus: device removed

[    73.128] () Option "config_info" "udev:/sys/devices/LNXSYSTM:00/LNXSYBUS:00/PNP0A08:00/device:01/LNXVIDEO:00/input/input1/event1"

[    73.128] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "Video Bus" (type: KEYBOARD, id 7)

[    73.128] () Option "xkb_model" "pc105"

[    73.128] () Option "xkb_layout" "us"

[    73.129] (II) event1  - Video Bus: is tagged by udev as: Keyboard

[    73.130] (II) event1  - Video Bus: device is a keyboard

[    73.131] (II) config/udev: Adding input device Power Button (/dev/input/event2)

[    73.131] () Power Button: Applying InputClass "libinput keyboard catchall"

[    73.131] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Power Button'

[    73.131] () Power Button: always reports core events

[    73.131] () Option "Device" "/dev/input/event2"

[    73.132] (II) event2  - Power Button: is tagged by udev as: Keyboard

[    73.132] (II) event2  - Power Button: device is a keyboard

[    73.132] (II) event2  - Power Button: device removed

[    73.156] () Option "config_info" "udev:/sys/devices/LNXSYSTM:00/LNXSYBUS:00/PNP0C0C:00/input/input2/event2"

[    73.156] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "Power Button" (type: KEYBOARD, id 8)

[    73.156] () Option "xkb_model" "pc105"

[    73.156] () Option "xkb_layout" "us"

[    73.157] (II) event2  - Power Button: is tagged by udev as: Keyboard

[    73.157] (II) event2  - Power Button: device is a keyboard

[    73.158] (II) config/udev: Adding input device Lid Switch (/dev/input/event0)

[    73.158] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.

[    73.158] (II) This device may have been added with another device file.

[    73.159] (II) config/udev: Adding input device Sleep Button (/dev/input/event3)

[    73.159] () Sleep Button: Applying InputClass "libinput keyboard catchall"

[    73.159] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Sleep Button'

[    73.159] () Sleep Button: always reports core events

[    73.159] () Option "Device" "/dev/input/event3"

[    73.160] (II) event3  - Sleep Button: is tagged by udev as: Keyboard

[    73.160] (II) event3  - Sleep Button: device is a keyboard

[    73.161] (II) event3  - Sleep Button: device removed

[    73.192] () Option "config_info" "udev:/sys/devices/LNXSYSTM:00/LNXSYBUS:00/PNP0C0E:00/input/input3/event3"

[    73.192] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "Sleep Button" (type: KEYBOARD, id 9)

[    73.192] () Option "xkb_model" "pc105"

[    73.192] () Option "xkb_layout" "us"

[    73.196] (II) event3  - Sleep Button: is tagged by udev as: Keyboard

[    73.197] (II) event3  - Sleep Button: device is a keyboard

[    73.199] (II) config/udev: Adding input device HDA Digital PCBeep (/dev/input/event10)

[    73.199] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.

[    73.200] (II) This device may have been added with another device file.

[    73.201] (II) config/udev: Adding input device HDA Intel Line (/dev/input/event11)

[    73.201] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.

[    73.201] (II) This device may have been added with another device file.

[    73.203] (II) config/udev: Adding input device HDA Intel Headphone (/dev/input/event12)

[    73.203] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.

[    73.203] (II) This device may have been added with another device file.

[    73.207] (II) config/udev: Adding input device Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver (/dev/input/event5)

[    73.207] () Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver: Applying InputClass "libinput keyboard catchall"

[    73.207] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver'

[    73.207] () Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver: always reports core events

[    73.207] () Option "Device" "/dev/input/event5"

[    73.214] (II) event5  - Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver: is tagged by udev as: Keyboard

[    73.214] (II) event5  - Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver: device is a keyboard

[    73.215] (II) event5  - Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver: device removed

[    73.252] () Option "config_info" "udev:/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.2/usb7/7-1/7-1:1.0/0003:05AC:8242.0001/input/input5/event5"

[    73.252] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver" (type: KEYBOARD, id 10)

[    73.252] () Option "xkb_model" "pc105"

[    73.252] () Option "xkb_layout" "us"

[    73.256] (II) event5  - Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver: is tagged by udev as: Keyboard

[    73.256] (II) event5  - Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver: device is a keyboard

[    73.258] (II) config/udev: Adding input device Apple, Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad (/dev/input/event6)

[    73.258] () Apple, Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad: Applying InputClass "libinput keyboard catchall"

[    73.258] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Apple, Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad'

[    73.258] () Apple, Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad: always reports core events

[    73.258] () Option "Device" "/dev/input/event6"

[    73.262] (II) event6  - Apple, Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad: is tagged by udev as: Keyboard

[    73.262] (II) event6  - Apple, Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad: device is a keyboard

[    73.262] (II) event6  - Apple, Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad: device removed

[    73.280] () Option "config_info" "udev:/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.2/usb7/7-2/7-2:1.0/0003:05AC:0230.0002/input/input6/event6"

[    73.280] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "Apple, Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad" (type: KEYBOARD, id 11)

[    73.280] () Option "xkb_model" "pc105"

[    73.280] () Option "xkb_layout" "us"

[    73.283] (II) event6  - Apple, Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad: is tagged by udev as: Keyboard

[    73.284] (II) event6  - Apple, Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad: device is a keyboard

[    73.286] (II) config/udev: Adding input device bcm5974 (/dev/input/event9)

[    73.286] () bcm5974: Applying InputClass "libinput touchpad catchall"

[    73.286] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'bcm5974'

[    73.286] () bcm5974: always reports core events

[    73.286] () Option "Device" "/dev/input/event9"

[    73.291] (II) event9  - bcm5974: is tagged by udev as: Touchpad

[    73.293] (EE) event9  - bcm5974: kernel bug: missing right button, assuming it is a clickpad.

[    73.294] (II) event9  - bcm5974: device is a touchpad

[    73.294] (II) event9  - bcm5974: device removed

[    73.345] () Option "config_info" "udev:/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.2/usb7/7-2/7-2:1.2/input/input9/event9"

[    73.345] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "bcm5974" (type: TOUCHPAD, id 12)

[    73.348] () Option "AccelerationScheme" "none"

[    73.348] () bcm5974: (accel) selected scheme none/0

[    73.348] () bcm5974: (accel) acceleration factor: 2.000

[    73.348] () bcm5974: (accel) acceleration threshold: 4

[    73.354] (II) event9  - bcm5974: is tagged by udev as: Touchpad

[    73.355] (EE) event9  - bcm5974: kernel bug: missing right button, assuming it is a clickpad.

[    73.356] (II) event9  - bcm5974: device is a touchpad

[    73.358] (II) config/udev: Adding input device bcm5974 (/dev/input/mouse0)

[    73.358] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.

[    73.358] (II) This device may have been added with another device file.

[    73.359] (II) config/udev: Adding input device Built-in iSight (/dev/input/event13)

[    73.359] () Built-in iSight: Applying InputClass "libinput keyboard catchall"

[    73.359] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Built-in iSight'

[    73.359] () Built-in iSight: always reports core events

[    73.360] () Option "Device" "/dev/input/event13"

[    73.362] (II) event13 - Built-in iSight: is tagged by udev as: Keyboard

[    73.362] (II) event13 - Built-in iSight: device is a keyboard

[    73.363] (II) event13 - Built-in iSight: device removed

[    73.392] () Option "config_info" "udev:/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.7/usb3/3-4/3-4:1.0/input/input13/event13"

[    73.392] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "Built-in iSight" (type: KEYBOARD, id 13)

[    73.392] () Option "xkb_model" "pc105"

[    73.392] () Option "xkb_layout" "us"

[    73.394] (II) event13 - Built-in iSight: is tagged by udev as: Keyboard

[    73.394] (II) event13 - Built-in iSight: device is a keyboard

[    73.398] (II) config/udev: Adding input device applesmc (/dev/input/event8)

[    73.398] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.

[    73.398] (II) This device may have been added with another device file.

[    73.398] (II) config/udev: Adding input device applesmc (/dev/input/js0)

[    73.398] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.

[    73.398] (II) This device may have been added with another device file.

[    73.399] (II) config/udev: Adding input device PC Speaker (/dev/input/event7)

[    73.399] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.

[    73.399] (II) This device may have been added with another device file.

I noticed it seems to not try to load the Nvidia driver without ABI being ignored

following is the whole Xorg.0.log with `Option "IgnoreABI" "1"`

[    52.925] (--) Log file renamed from "/var/log/Xorg.pid-718.log" to "/var/log/Xorg.0.log"
[    53.014]
X.Org X Server 1.21.1.7
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0
[    53.015] Current Operating System: Linux Debi-Mac 6.1.0-32-amd64 #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Debian 6.1.129-1 (2025-03-06) x86_64
[    53.015] Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-32-amd64 root=UUID=3c6172cd-95ac-4ff2-9cd9-1a3b42e97d76 ro reboot=acpi quiet nomodeset
[    53.015] xorg-server 2:21.1.7-3+deb12u9 (https://www.debian.org/support)
[    53.015] Current version of pixman: 0.42.2
[    53.015]    Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.x.org
        to make sure that you have the latest version.
[    53.015] Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
        (++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
        (WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
[    53.015] (==) Log file: "/var/log/Xorg.0.log", Time: Thu Apr 10 15:23:02 2025
[    53.215] (==) Using config directory: "/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d"
[    53.215] (==) Using system config directory "/usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d"
[    53.465] (==) No Layout section.  Using the first Screen section.
[    53.465] (==) No screen section available. Using defaults.
[    53.465] (**) |-->Screen "Default Screen Section" (0)
[    53.465] (**) |   |-->Monitor ""
[    53.531] (==) No monitor specified for screen "Default Screen Section".
        Using a default monitor configuration.
[    53.531] (**) Option "IgnoreABI" "1"
[    53.531] (**) Ignoring ABI Version
[    53.531] (==) Automatically adding devices
[    53.531] (==) Automatically enabling devices
[    53.531] (==) Automatically adding GPU devices
[    53.531] (==) Automatically binding GPU devices
[    53.531] (==) Max clients allowed: 256, resource mask: 0x1fffff
[    53.807] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/cyrillic" does not exist.
[    53.807]    Entry deleted from font path.
[    54.150] (==) 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,
        built-ins
[    54.150] (**) ModulePath set to "/usr/lib/xorg/modules/linux,/usr/lib/xorg/modules"
[    54.150] (II) The server relies on udev to provide the list of input devices.
        If no devices become available, reconfigure udev or disable AutoAddDevices.
[    54.150] (II) Loader magic: 0x561d80484f00
[    54.150] (II) Module ABI versions:
[    54.150]    X.Org ANSI C Emulation: 0.4
[    54.151]    X.Org Video Driver: 25.2
[    54.151]    X.Org XInput driver : 24.4
[    54.151]    X.Org Server Extension : 10.0
[    54.153] (++) using VT number 7
[    54.153] (II) systemd-logind: logind integration requires -keeptty and -keeptty was not provided, disabling logind integration

[    54.155] (II) xfree86: Adding drm device (/dev/dri/card0)

[    54.155] (II) Platform probe for /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:01.0/0000:01:00.0/drm/card0

[    54.171] (--) PCI:*(1@0:0:0) 10de:0407:106b:00a4 rev 161, Mem @ 0xd2000000/16777216, 0xc0000000/268435456, 0xd0000000/33554432, I/O @ 0x00007000/128, BIOS @ 0x????????/131072

[    54.223] (II) LoadModule: "glx"

[    54.515] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/linux/libglx.so

[    60.413] (II) Module glx: vendor="NVIDIA Corporation"

[    60.413]    compiled for 4.0.2, module version = 1.0.0

[    60.413]    Module class: X.Org Server Extension

[    60.449] (II) NVIDIA GLX Module  340.108  Wed Dec 11 14:26:50 PST 2019

[    60.518] (II) Applying OutputClass "nvidia" to /dev/dri/card0

[    60.518]    loading driver: nvidia

[    60.924] (==) Matched nvidia as autoconfigured driver 0

[    60.924] (==) Matched nouveau as autoconfigured driver 1

[    60.924] (==) Matched nv as autoconfigured driver 2

[    60.924] (==) Matched modesetting as autoconfigured driver 3

[    60.924] (==) Matched fbdev as autoconfigured driver 4

[    60.924] (==) Matched vesa as autoconfigured driver 5

[    60.924] (==) Assigned the driver to the xf86ConfigLayout

[    60.924] (II) LoadModule: "nvidia"

[    61.144] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/nvidia_drv.so

[    61.868] (II) Module nvidia: vendor="NVIDIA Corporation"

[    61.868]    compiled for 4.0.2, module version = 1.0.0

[    61.869]    Module class: X.Org Video Driver

[    61.869] ================ WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING ================

[    61.869] This server has a video driver ABI version of 25.2 that this

driver does not officially support.  Please check

http://www.nvidia.com/ for driver updates or downgrade to an X

server with a supported driver ABI.

[    61.869] =================================================================

[    61.869] (WW) NVIDIA: The driver will continue to load, but may behave strangely.

[    61.869] (WW) NVIDIA: This driver was compiled against the X.Org server SDK from commit e6ef2b12404dfec7f23592a3524d2a63d9d25802 and may not be compatible with the final version of this SDK.

[    61.931] (II) LoadModule: "nouveau"

[    61.954] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/nouveau_drv.so

[    62.242] (II) Module nouveau: vendor="X.Org Foundation"

[    62.242]    compiled for 1.21.1.3, module version = 1.0.17

[    62.242]    Module class: X.Org Video Driver

[    62.242]    ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 25.2

[    62.242] (II) LoadModule: "nv"

[    62.347] (WW) Warning, couldn't open module nv

[    62.347] (EE) Failed to load module "nv" (module does not exist, 0)

[    62.347] (II) LoadModule: "modesetting"

[    62.348] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/modesetting_drv.so

[    62.505] (II) Module modesetting: vendor="X.Org Foundation"

[    62.505]    compiled for 1.21.1.7, module version = 1.21.1

[    62.505]    Module class: X.Org Video Driver

[    62.505]    ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 25.2

[    62.505] (II) LoadModule: "fbdev"

[    62.506] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/fbdev_drv.so

[    62.559] (II) Module fbdev: vendor="X.Org Foundation"

[    62.559]    compiled for 1.21.1.3, module version = 0.5.0

[    62.559]    Module class: X.Org Video Driver

[    62.559]    ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 25.2

[    62.559] (II) LoadModule: "vesa"

[    62.560] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/vesa_drv.so

[    62.684] (II) Module vesa: vendor="X.Org Foundation"

[    62.727]    compiled for 1.21.1.3, module version = 2.5.0

[    62.727]    Module class: X.Org Video Driver

[    62.727]    ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 25.2

[    62.727] (II) NVIDIA dlloader X Driver  340.108  Wed Dec 11 14:06:00 PST 2019

[    62.727] (II) NVIDIA Unified Driver for all Supported NVIDIA GPUs

[    62.846] (II) NOUVEAU driver Date:   Sat Jan 23 12:24:42 2021 -0500

[    62.846] (II) NOUVEAU driver for NVIDIA chipset families :

[    62.846]    RIVA TNT            (NV04)

[    62.847]    RIVA TNT2           (NV05)

[    62.847]    GeForce 256         (NV10)

[    62.847]    GeForce 2           (NV11, NV15)

[    62.847]    GeForce 4MX         (NV17, NV18)

[    62.847]    GeForce 3           (NV20)

[    62.847]    GeForce 4Ti         (NV25, NV28)

[    62.848]    GeForce FX          (NV3x)

[    62.848]    GeForce 6           (NV4x)

[    62.848]    GeForce 7           (G7x)

[    62.848]    GeForce 8           (G8x)

[    62.848]    GeForce 9           (G9x)

[    62.849]    GeForce GTX 2xx/3xx (GT2xx)

[    62.849]    GeForce GTX 4xx/5xx (GFxxx)

[    62.849]    GeForce GTX 6xx/7xx (GKxxx)

[    62.849]    GeForce GTX 9xx     (GMxxx)

[    62.849]    GeForce GTX 10xx    (GPxxx)

[    62.849] (II) modesetting: Driver for Modesetting Kernel Drivers: kms

[    62.849] (II) FBDEV: driver for framebuffer: fbdev

[    62.849] (II) VESA: driver for VESA chipsets: vesa

[    64.641] (II) Loading sub module "fb"

[    64.641] (II) LoadModule: "fb"

[    64.641] (II) Module "fb" already built-in

[    64.641] (WW) Unresolved symbol: fbGetGCPrivateKey

[    64.641] (II) Loading sub module "wfb"

[    64.641] (II) LoadModule: "wfb"

[    64.642] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/libwfb.so

[    64.658] (II) Module wfb: vendor="X.Org Foundation"

[    64.658]    compiled for 1.21.1.7, module version = 1.0.0

[    64.658]    ABI class: X.Org ANSI C Emulation, version 0.4

[    64.658] (II) Loading sub module "ramdac"

[    64.658] (II) LoadModule: "ramdac"

[    64.659] (II) Module "ramdac" already built-in

[    64.695] (WW) Falling back to old probe method for modesetting

[    64.695] (WW) Falling back to old probe method for fbdev

[    64.695] (II) Loading sub module "fbdevhw"

[    64.695] (II) LoadModule: "fbdevhw"

[    64.696] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/libfbdevhw.so

[    64.731] (II) Module fbdevhw: vendor="X.Org Foundation"

[    64.731]    compiled for 1.21.1.7, module version = 0.0.2

[    64.731]    ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 25.2

[    64.731] (II) NVIDIA(0): Creating default Display subsection in Screen section

"Default Screen Section" for depth/fbbpp 24/32

[    64.731] (==) NVIDIA(0): Depth 24, (==) framebuffer bpp 32

[    64.731] (==) NVIDIA(0): RGB weight 888

[    64.731] (==) NVIDIA(0): Default visual is TrueColor

[    64.731] (==) NVIDIA(0): Using gamma correction (1.0, 1.0, 1.0)

[    64.732] (**) NVIDIA(0): Enabling 2D acceleration

[    64.793] (EE) NVIDIA(GPU-0): Failed to initialize the NVIDIA GPU at PCI:1:0:0.  Please

[    64.793] (EE) NVIDIA(GPU-0):     check your system's kernel log for additional error

[    64.793] (EE) NVIDIA(GPU-0):     messages and refer to Chapter 8: Common Problems in the

[    64.793] (EE) NVIDIA(GPU-0):     README for additional information.

[    64.793] (EE) NVIDIA(GPU-0): Failed to initialize the NVIDIA graphics device!

[    64.793] (EE) NVIDIA(0): Failing initialization of X screen 0

[    64.793] (II) UnloadModule: "nvidia"

[    64.793] (II) UnloadSubModule: "wfb"

[    64.793] (EE) Screen(s) found, but none have a usable configuration.

[    64.794] (EE)

Fatal server error:

[    64.794] (EE) no screens found(EE)

[    64.794] (EE)

Please consult the The X.Org Foundation support

at http://wiki.x.org

for help.

[    64.794] (EE) Please also check the log file at "/var/log/Xorg.0.log" for additional information.

[    64.794] (EE)

[    64.801] (EE) Server terminated with error (1). Closing log file.

Here is the output of "sudo journalctl --system -f" when restarting SDDM

Apr 10 15:32:40 Debi-Mac systemd[1]: Started sddm.service - Simple Desktop Display Manager.
Apr 10 15:32:40 Debi-Mac sddm[6349]: Initializing...
Apr 10 15:32:40 Debi-Mac sddm[6349]: Starting...
Apr 10 15:32:40 Debi-Mac sddm[6349]: Logind interface found
Apr 10 15:32:40 Debi-Mac sddm[6349]: Adding new display on vt 7 ...
Apr 10 15:32:40 Debi-Mac sddm[6349]: Loading theme configuration from ""
Apr 10 15:32:40 Debi-Mac sddm[6349]: Display server starting...
Apr 10 15:32:40 Debi-Mac sddm[6349]: Adding cookie to "/var/run/sddm/{388fc15e-1596-4c56-b79e-9f54de9157d0}"
Apr 10 15:32:40 Debi-Mac sddm[6349]: Running: /usr/bin/X -nolisten tcp -auth /var/run/sddm/{388fc15e-1596-4c56-b79e-9f54de9157d0} -background none -noreset -displayfd 17 -seat seat0 vt7
Apr 10 15:32:40 Debi-Mac kernel: NVRM: failed to copy vbios to system memory.
Apr 10 15:32:40 Debi-Mac kernel: NVRM: RmInitAdapter failed! (0x30:0xffffffff:747)
Apr 10 15:32:40 Debi-Mac kernel: NVRM: rm_init_adapter failed for device bearing minor number 0
Apr 10 15:32:40 Debi-Mac kernel: NVRM: nvidia_frontend_open: minor 0, module->open() failed, error -5
Apr 10 15:32:40 Debi-Mac sddm[6349]: Failed to read display number from pipe
Apr 10 15:32:40 Debi-Mac sddm[6349]: Could not start Display server on vt 7

The output of LXDM gives the same kernel lines

I had the same issue as @DanHolli (no screens found(EE))

9800 GS, Intel Core2Duo P8700, MX Linux (kernel 6.1.133-1)
X.org X Server 1.21.1.7
X Protocol Version 11
LightDM 1.32.0

After going through the process again, making sure nothing would conflict with the driver, and installing and running nvidia-xconfig I was able to start lightdm.

MX Linux (kernel 6.1.133-1)

Doesn't MX Linux already have this driver in the repositories?