HELP! Installing nVidia drivers on RH 7.2

[Ozzy22]

I have a serious problem with RH 7.2 I can't start X server, after I've installed the nVidia drivers (I Have nVidia GeForce MX-400)..I think the problem is with the nVidia kernel version, it does not match with my linux kernel, so I need to uninstall the NVIDIA_GLX and NVIDIA_kernel packages (rpm) ... Pls help :(

[mdwatts]

rpm -e NVIDIA_GLX

rpm -e NVIDIA_kernel

man rpm for lots more good stuff on using commandline rpm.

[Ozzy22]

huh, thanx alot dude, you really saved me, now i'm back where i started.. :D I was wondering if anyone could give me a hint which packages to use to install the nVidia drivers succesfully... I got 2.4.7-10 kernel version , based on i686 architecture... thanx again..

[mdwatts]

RedHat 7.2 UP kernel i686 Architecture
NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2880.rh72up.i686.rpm

or

RedHat 7.2 SMP kernel i686 Architecture
NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2880.rh72smp.i686.rpm

depending on your kernel.

uname -a should tell you if you are using a UP or SMP kernel.

If those still fail, try the generic kernel source rpm

Kernel Source RPM
NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2880.src.rpm

For the GLX, use either the binary rpm or rebuild the source rpm as described in the readme.

GLX RPM
NVIDIA_GLX-1.0-2880.i386.rpm

GLX SOURCE RPM
NVIDIA_GLX-1.0-2880.src.rpm

[do_guh_new]

I just beat this problem with the help of many people here wattsmd included. Seems we have the same arch so try the NVIDIA_GLX and for the kernel download try the i686 one NVIDIA_kernel. After installing those please please!! make sure you read the readme file to find out how to edit the Xfree86conf file it's real real simple.

[Ozzy22]

I've tried to rebuild the source RPM for my kernel, but here's what I did and here's what I got :
I've executed rpm --rebuild NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2280.src.rpm:
-------------------------------------------
Installing NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2880.src.rpm
Executing(%prep): /bin/sh -e /var/tmp/rpm-tmp.14517
+ umask 022
+ cd /usr/src/redhat/BUILD
+ cd /usr/src/redhat/BUILD
+ rm -rf NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2880
+ /bin/gzip -dc /usr/src/redhat/SOURCES/NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2880.tar.gz
+ tar -xf -
+ STATUS=0
+ '[' 0 -ne 0 ']'
+ cd NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2880
++ /usr/bin/id -u
+ '[' 0 = 0 ']'
+ /bin/chown -Rhf root .
++ /usr/bin/id -u
+ '[' 0 = 0 ']'
+ /bin/chgrp -Rhf root .
+ /bin/chmod -Rf a+rX,g-w,o-w .
+ exit 0
Executing(%build): /bin/sh -e /var/tmp/rpm-tmp.14517
+ umask 022
+ cd /usr/src/redhat/BUILD
+ cd NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2880
+ set +e
++ rpm -q --queryformat '%{VERSION}' rpm
+ RPMVERSION=4.0.3
++ echo 4.0.3
++ awk -F . '{print $1;}'
+ RPMMAJOR=4
++ echo 4.0.3
++ awk -F . '{print $2;}'
+ RPMMINOR=0
++ echo 4.0.3
++ awk -F . '{print $3;}'
+ RPMPATCH=3
+ '[' 4 -le 3 -a 0 -le 0 -a 3 -lt 4 ']'
+ make NVdriver
cc -c -Wall -Wimplicit -Wreturn-type -Wswitch -Wformat -Wchar-subscripts -Wparentheses -Wpointer-arith -Wcast-qual -Wno-multichar -O -MD -D__KERNEL__ -DMODULE -D_LOOSE_KERNEL_NAMES -D_X86=1 -Di386=1 -DUNIX -DLINUX -DNV4_HW -DNTRM -DRM20 -D_GNU_SOURCE -DRM_HEAPMGR -D_LOOSE_KERNEL_NAMES -D__KERNEL__ -DMODULE -DNV_MAJOR_VERSION=1 -DNV_MINOR_VERSION=0 -DNV_PATCHLEVEL=2880 -I. -I/usr/src/linux/include -Wno-cast-qual nv.c
In file included from nv.c:22:
/usr/include/linux/modversions.h:1:2: #error Modules should never use kernel-headers system headers,
/usr/include/linux/modversions.h:2:2: #error but rather headers from an appropriate kernel-source package.
/usr/include/linux/modversions.h:3:2: #error Change -I/usr/src/linux/include (or similar) to
/usr/include/linux/modversions.h:4:2: #error -I/lib/modules/$(uname -r)/build/include
/usr/include/linux/modversions.h:5:2: #error to build against the currently-running kernel.
make: *** [nv.o] Error 1
+ exit 0
Executing(%install): /bin/sh -e /var/tmp/rpm-tmp.40819
+ umask 022
+ cd /usr/src/redhat/BUILD
+ cd NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2880
+ rm -f /tmp/files.lst
+ '[' -z '' ']'
++ uname -r
+ export TARGET_KERNEL=2.4.7-10
+ TARGET_KERNEL=2.4.7-10
+ '[' -d /lib/modules/2.4.7-10/kernel ']'
+ INSTALLPATH=/lib/modules/2.4.7-10/kernel/drivers/video
+ mkdir -p /var/tmp/NVIDIA_kernel-1.0//lib/modules/2.4.7-10/kernel/drivers/video+ install -m 0444 NVdriver /var/tmp/NVIDIA_kernel-1.0//lib/modules/2.4.7-10/kernel/drivers/video
install: cannot stat `NVdriver': No such file or directory
error: Bad exit status from /var/tmp/rpm-tmp.40819 (%install)


RPM build errors:
Bad exit status from /var/tmp/rpm-tmp.40819 (%install)

----------------------------------------

The errors are noticable, but I don't know what causes them, help pls
:(

[mdwatts]

That error rings a bell.

I remember I had the same problem where one of the source rpm's would build while the other wouldn't.

I believe I installed the binary kernel rpm and rebuilt the source glx rpm.

uname -a will tell you what kernel (UP for uniprocessor or SMP for multi) you are running.

[Ozzy22]

When I type uname -a I get this:

Linux localhost.localdomain 2.4.7-10 #1 Thu Sep 6 16:46:36 EDT 2001 i686 unknown

I've tried the nVidia kernel for Red Hat 7.2 i686, but it didn't work.. so, what other package do you suggest?

[mdwatts]

So you are using Intel and not AMD?

AMD would use

RedHat 7.2 UP kernel Athlon Architecture
NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2880.rh72up.athlon.rpm

Intel in the order I think you should try

RedHat 7.2 UP kernel i686 Architecture
NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2880.rh72up.i686.rpm

RedHat 7.2 UP kernel i386 Architecture
NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2880.rh72up.i386.rpm

RedHat 7.2 Enterprise i686 Architecture
NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2880.rh72enterprise.i686.rpm

If none of those work, then try compiling from source (tar.gz).

[mychl]

How come you don't just use the tar.gz files and compile them yourself, then you don't have to worry about what architecture you have.

It's real easy... just tar zxvf NVIDIA_(kernel/GLX) of the same release, then run make in each new directory.

Should take you about 10 minutes. Then change the driver line in your config file and you're good to go.

[Ozzy22]

I DID IT! finally, thanx ALL you guys for your help, I owe you one ;)

[mdwatts]

Originally posted by Ozzy22:
<STRONG>I DID IT! finally, thanx ALL you guys for your help, I owe you one ;)</STRONG>

Which one finally worked?