My screen is flashing on and off

[nikgnomic]

inxi data from 17 Aug 2023 shows system was using nouveau GPU driver and Ext4 filesystem, but also showed non-free legacy driver could be installed.

@newbietolinux

Graphics:
  Device-1: NVIDIA GK208B [GeForce GT 730] vendor: ASUSTeK driver: nouveau 
    v: kernel  non-free: series: 470.xx+ status: legacy-active (EOL~2023/24)
    arch: Kepler code: GKxxx process: TSMC 28nm built: 2012-18 pcie: gen: 1

Partition:
  ID-1: / raw-size: 476.64 GiB size: 468.09 GiB (98.21%)
    used: 55.06 GiB (11.8%) fs: ext4

That is why it was suggested to install

@nikgnomic

sudo mhwd -i pci video-nvidia-470xx

Or use Manjaro Settings Manager > Other Hardware GUI

@newbietolinux

Graphics:
  Device-1: NVIDIA GK208B [GeForce GT 730] vendor: ASUSTeK driver: nvidia
    v: 470.223.02 

Partition:
  ID-1: / raw-size: 476.64 GiB size: 468.09 GiB (98.21%)
    used: 200.81 GiB (42.9%) fs: ext4

data from 22 Aug 2025 shows reinstalled system was using nouveau GPU driver and Ext4 filesystem

@newbietolinux

Graphics:
  Device-1: NVIDIA GK208B [GeForce GT 730] vendor: ASUSTeK driver: nouveau
    v: kernel

Partition:
  ID-1: / raw-size: 467.84 GiB size: 459.43 GiB (98.20%)
    used: 19.99 GiB (4.4%) fs: ext4

but data posted recently shows system is now using BTRFS rather than Ext4, so system must have been reinstalled recently

I have not considered using BTRFS because ext4 has been working well on my system for many years - optimal for my system or workflow

In my opinion Manjaro Team should not have made BTRFS default filesystem if it does not work with manjaro-chroot

@newbietolinux

I have downloaded the latest GT-730 update I can find from the Nvidia site (but it says August 2022) and it is in my Downloads folder on the live USB. Should i run this?

No

Manjaro team builds Manjaro kenel-specific drivers (linux612-nvidia-470xx for kernel v6.12)
that is best installed using Manjaro Hardware Detection GUI or CLI tools because they reconfigure system (/var/lib/mhwd/db/pci/graphic_drivers/hybrid-intel-nvidia-470xx-prime/MHWDCONFIG ) and provide additional tools to configure GPU (nvidia-utils and nvidia-settings)

There is also a non-cost-free option for this system - replace GT 730 with GT 1030 and use latest nVidia drivers

@newbietolinux

I have now done a complete reinstall, this time booting with proprietary drivers

Latest nVidia drivers cannot support this GPU

@newbietolinux

:: libxnvctrl-470xx-470.256.02-1 and libxnvctrl-580.82.09-1 are in conflict
Error: pacman failed!
Error: script failed!

I suggest:

1. Re-install with FREE drivers selected in Live ISO

2. Install legacy driver using the automated command to detect correct GPU driver

    sudo mhwd -a pci nonfree 0300
   

   Copy and paste full output here to confirm if 470xx is installed

3. If, and only if, driver is installed correctly, reboot system and check if legacy driver is loaded in inxi