2.4.2 Kernel, SMP, & latest nVidia Drivers

[XxMaCaBrExX]

Well, the problem I'm having is with the three items mentioned in the subject. I cannot seem to get the "NVdriver" to load after I compile it. I can compile it fine, and install it, but if I boot off of my SMP kernel, it gives me a bunch of "Undefined Symbol" errors. It loads fine under my single-cpu kernel, but no go on the SMP. Anybody else have any luck with this???

[XxMaCaBrExX]

BUMP :p

[XxMaCaBrExX]

Well, I guess I really am the only one. :(

[CMonster]

I am certainly not in your situation but I can only ask the obivous question - are you sure you downloaded the SMP version of the Nvidia kernel driver?

[XxMaCaBrExX]

The thing is, There is no smp version of the source. I've tried rebuilding the general non-distro specific rpm and the tarball, but it seems to crap out everytime. None of the pre-built packages will work with the 2.4.2 kernel. It seems as if it compiles with no errors, but when you tried to insmod the NVdriver, it gives the errors. Same compiled binary works great on my single-cpu kernel, though. :confused:

[XxMaCaBrExX]

Maybe there is a smp specific flag that I need to use when compiling, but if there is, it's sure as fsck not in the docs. :(

[XxMaCaBrExX]

Well, does anybody at least know how I can contact nVidia to ask them about it?

[Avatar]

Question for you. When you built the kernel driver, were you running the SMP kernel at the time, or the single?

[XxMaCaBrExX]

Tried it both ways. The Makefile tries to insmod it automatically when it's done compiling, it insmods fine if I'm running the single-cpu kernel, no go on the smp kernel, though.

[XxMaCaBrExX]

One more time. Can anybody help me??? PLEAAAAAAAAAASEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bdg1983]

If I knew the answer, I most certainly would reply.

You can take my name off the list now. ;)

[XxMaCaBrExX]

Uhh, this sux. I have this awesome system, and an awesome video card, and they don't work in Linux. Guess I'll have to install Windows2000, huh? :p

[EyesWideOpen]

This isn't an answer. Just an FYI (if you didn't already know).

Red Hat 7.1 (shipping April 24th) will have kernel 2.4 and improved SMP support.

Check the new features here:
http://www.redhat.com/products/software/linux/rhl_new_features.html

[XxMaCaBrExX]

Uhh, I'm running Mandrake 8 RC1. It's got the 2.4 kernel, and X4.0.3. I believe that's plenty of SMP support. I don't need SMP support, I need NVidia support. The SMP support is already there.

[EyesWideOpen]

Originally posted by XxMaCaBrExX:
<STRONG>Uhh, I'm running Mandrake 8 RC1. It's got the 2.4 kernel, and X4.0.3. I believe that's plenty of SMP support. I don't need SMP support, I need NVidia support. The SMP support is already there.</STRONG>

Woops! Sorry about that. I saw "rpm" in your earlier post and I immediately thought of Red Hat! :(

[bdg1983]

Well, does anybody at least know how I can contact nVidia to ask them about it?

We all know the 1-800 number for nVidia support, but we're not telling. ;)

Never owning a nVidia based card myself, have you tried their website, knowledgebase or any support contacts listed?

Searched for a solution anywhere else? Google or other search engines?

Not much help, but hope you can find the answer somewhere...

[XxMaCaBrExX]

poop! I've looked everywhere you can imagine. I even called Mandrake, and they were like, "Uhh, DUHHHHHHH!" Oh, well. I guess Win2k, here I come.

[ 17 April 2001: Message edited by: XxMaCaBrExX ]

[Kid98]

You may have already tried this, but rpm --rebuild the thing from the source rpm. But before installing the rpm, be sure to read the text file that comes with the tar. It has some specific things you must do and has apendicies that answer different questions. If you have done all this, try finding a message board based on your distro. I use Redhat and find the mailing list to be of infinite help. In fact, it helped me get the nvdriver working with my Wolverine beta. Post back and let us know if we have helped.

Good luck,
Kid

[XxMaCaBrExX]

Yes, I've already tried the rpm --rebuild thing. I'll see if I can put in a bug report for the Mandrake 8 beta and see if one of the developers will catch it. ;)

[Avatar]

Hey! Sorry I haven't responded. Someone gave me this hint for you.

Use the Mandrake 7.2 SMP RPMs to install the drivers and see how that goes.

[XxMaCaBrExX]

Originally posted by Avatar:
<STRONG>Hey! Sorry I haven't responded. Someone gave me this hint for you.

Use the Mandrake 7.2 SMP RPMs to install the drivers and see how that goes.</STRONG>

That wouldn't work. Mandrake 7.2 runs on the old school kernel. I'm running 2.4.2 here. I'll try it when I get home, but I'm pretty sure it won't work because the driver is actually a kernel module, specific to a certain standard kernel.

[sincka]

When you downloaded the drivers... make sure you read what it said. Change in your /etc/X11/XF86Config-4

nv -&gt; nvidia
and some other stuff...

Just read the README that come with the packages... I'm assuming you got:

NVIDIA_kernel-0.9-769.tar.gz
NVIDIA_GLX-0.9-769.tar.gz

downloaded if not, well you need BOTH of those. Now come on and fight... for... eh... smash the windows!!!

[XxMaCaBrExX]

Originally posted by sincka:
<STRONG>When you downloaded the drivers... make sure you read what it said. Change in your /etc/X11/XF86Config-4

nv -&gt; nvidia
and some other stuff...

Just read the README that come with the packages... I'm assuming you got:

NVIDIA_kernel-0.9-769.tar.gz
NVIDIA_GLX-0.9-769.tar.gz

downloaded if not, well you need BOTH of those. Now come on and fight... for... eh... smash the windows!!!</STRONG>

Read all the threads closer. I'm not having a problem with my configs. It's the actual NVdriver kernel module.

[Avatar]

Hey! Did you try it? I talked to a couple other folks using Mandrake 8 and the 7.2 RPMS worked out for them, so I am hoping yours will as well.

[tiw]

I have the same problem except my problem is on a single CPU system. When i build the kernel , it builds fine, but when i try to load X , it craps out

[Avatar]

There appears to be an issue with tarballs putting GLX in the wrong place. Use the RPMs from Mandrake 7.2 instead and you should be good to go.

[XxMaCaBrExX]

Tried it. Same thing. When I try to insmod the "NVdriver" module while booted off of the SMP kernel, I get about 50 Unresolved Symbol errors. The 7.2 SMP tarballs work great while in single mode though. :p

[Avatar]

Hmmmm. Okay, which kernel did you start with? The single or dual CPU one?

[XxMaCaBrExX]

tried it both ways. :)

[Avatar]

No no. What I mean is which kernel was installed by the distro and which one did you compile?

[XxMaCaBrExX]

It automatically installed both, and set them up in Lilo after installation. They are both compiled form the same source-tree, but one was pre-compiled for SMP, and the other one was the standard kernel.

[Avatar]

While not totally sure, I think the problem is that the kernel sources are configged for the uni, which is why when you make the NVIDIA drivers they only work with the uni kernel. The only possible workaround that I know of is to recompile the SMP kernel & modules. No need to actually use the new kernel, just compile. (Sounds strange, I know.)

[XxMaCaBrExX]

Good idea, I never thought of that. ;) That would have to be the case, becuase the SMP kernel they threw in there would have to be pre-compiled elsewhere. I probably won't even have to compile it, just configure it. ;)

[XxMaCaBrExX]

WooHooooo!!! It was just crazy enough to work! :D Thanks Avatar and everybody for you suggestions. Man, we should make an NHF on this bad boy. ;)

[XxMaCaBrExX]

PS - You wouldn't believe how fast X flies on a dual P-III 1Ghz system. I ran the "Gears" Mesa demo and I'm getting about 1000 FPS! This is with a GeforceII MX 32M. :p

[Avatar]

Sweet! Glad to hear it is working correctly now. No back to RH7.1 problems. :)

[bdg1983]

Congrats Avatar on a job well done. Not many here that would have known the solution.

Stick around. :)

[Avatar]

Thanks mdwatts! I am sticking around, as well. Afterall, being the 5th user registered here is kinda cool. :)