Installing Nvidia driver - problem

[Knut Arne Vedaa]

The manual says install nvidia-glx and run sudo nvidia-glx-config enable.

However, I then get the error message "Error: unable to load nvidia kernel driver! Be sure to have installed
the nvidia driver for your running kernel."

My video card is GeForce FX 5200.

[arochester]

Re: Installing Nvidia driver - problem

What manual?

If you use Dapper see http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Dapper#H...r_.28NVIDIA.29

If you use Edgy see http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu_E...r_.28NVIDIA.29

[Knut Arne Vedaa]

Re: Installing Nvidia driver - problem

What manual?

help:/kubuntu/desktopguide/hardware.html

It's available from the initial home page in Konqueror.

If you use Edgy see http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu_E...r_.28NVIDIA.29

I have installed the appropriate packages. After editing xorg.conf as shown, nvidia-glx-config executes correctly. However, upon restarting X, it hangs, and on next boot I only get a console.

(I've been able to restore from the backup copy of xorg.conf, though. But that brings me almost back to start.)

These things are really a lot easier on Windows.

[Knut Arne Vedaa]

Re: Installing Nvidia driver - problem

What I really wanted to do was just setting the resolution to 1280x1024. It seemed that it could not be set higher than 1024x768, so I assumed that I had to install some driver. However, after specifying the correct monitor for my system, I was able to set the video card resolution to 1280x1024. Weird. How are you supposed to know these things? I can't see it's written about anywhere.

So now I'm satisfied but still has not installed the nvidia-glx driver- whatever is that?

[Tynach]

Re: Installing Nvidia driver - problem

I had this problem too. I'm sorry to say that there is only ONE way around it that I know of, but luckily it will be the only time you will need to do this.

First, with a console open (as you said, this is all you can get right now anyways), type:

sudo nano /etc/xorg.conf

This will bring you into a simple text editor called nano. It is about the Linux equivilent to Edit in the old DOS. Now, try to go down towards the bottom of the page where you will see something like:

driver: "nvidia"

(this is not precise, so bear with me. I'm at school now, and they have Windows.)
Now, change the "nvidia" with "nv" and reboot with Ctrl+Alt+Delete.

You will now be able to boot with KDE and a GUI, but it will be the old driver. Now, backup all your data to a CD or external hard-drive. Then, re-install Kubuntu from scratch. Make sure it is a completely fresh install.

When you have done that, install the nvidia drivers by opening konsole and typing:

sudo apt-get install nvidia-glx

Now, wait for it to finish, and DO NOT ENABLE IT!!!

Instead, go to the directory /etc/ (make sure in Konqueror you have "Show hidden files and folders," enabled. I think it's in the "Veiw," menu at the top.. If not, browse the menus. it's not in the settings like in Windows, it's actually right there in the menus), and right click on the file called "xorg.conf" go to actions, and click on "Edit as Root." It will open up Kwrite, or some other text editor. Now, go down to the line that says:

Driver: "nv"

(again, not exactly word for word) and change "nv" with "nvidia" and then reboot. You now have the nvidia drivers installed!

You asked what the drivers where for. Well, without them, no 3D graphics will work, and when you drag the rectangle selection tool around the screen (like in Windows), it goes slowly. Also, there are a lot of things that work slower or not at all, like scrolling down web-pages too fast. With the driver, everything works as it should.

[Knut Arne Vedaa]

Re: Installing Nvidia driver - problem

Hm, that's about what I did, but I can't see that I needed the nvidia-glx at all...what's the use of it if you don't enable it?

I know what a driver is, but I'm confused as to how they are installed and configured in Linux...

[dibl]

Re: Installing Nvidia driver - problem

Having previously had a miserable experience with an ATI card while trying to set up an Edgy system, I put an Nvidia GeForce 7900GS in my new computer. I followed the advice of others on this excellent forum, and went straight to Automatix2, which is available here:

http://www.getautomatix.com/

I would try a fresh install of Kubuntu, then go straight to the link and get your Automatix2 downloaded and installed, and then have it install your Nvidia driver. Worked like a charm for me, and spared me all of that xorg.conf editing and editing and editing ......

[Tynach]

Re: Installing Nvidia driver - problem

I answered your question already. Please READ my post, not skim through it.

[huckem]

Re: Installing Nvidia driver - problem

You could just make it really really easy and use Automatix2

http://www.getautomatix.com

easiest way to install a lot of things in (K)Ubuntu

[Tynach]

Re: Installing Nvidia driver - problem

Problem with Automatix is that it doesn't only change one thing. So, the problem will persist. At least, that's what happened to me. I found that it was much easier to just edit xorg.conf.

[jonesyp]

Re: Installing Nvidia driver - problem

Try this, it worked for me.


Don't type "sudo nvidia-glx-config enable" as shown in the drivers description. Use "sudo nvidia-xconfig"

Now run glxinfo |grep rendering and it should reply Yes. If so the drivers are installed!

[Tynach]

Re: Installing Nvidia driver - problem

Installing the drivers and enabling them are different. You need to install them, but enable them by editing xorg.conf.

[Knut Arne Vedaa]

Re: Installing Nvidia driver - problem

There is a setting in System Settings -> Monitor & Display -> Hardware -> Graphics card where you can choose between standard and proprietary driver. Is this the same as "nv" vs. "nvidia" in xorg.conf?

From glxinfo I got "direct rendering: yes" without/before running ndivia-xconfig, and without running nvidia-glx-config. What are the functions of the latter two?

I'm not only interested in getting things to work (it does work now), but also understanding why and how it works.

[Tynach]

Re: Installing Nvidia driver - problem

Well, the options in the GUI are supposed to change the xorg.conf file, and they do, but if you change only one thing in the display settings, it changes a lot of things in the xorg.conf file. So, I found that the only safe route is to edit the xorg.conf file directly.

nvidia-glx-config enable does the same thing as the system settings, so I avoid it as well.

I actually had to re-install Kubuntu almost 20 times before I figured out just to edit xorg.conf myself. I learned the hard way.

I've also backed up my original xorg.conf file.