installing the linux diriver for a NIVIDIA card

[pepper]

I am about to install the video drivers for my NIVIDIA GeForce 2 MX 400 video card. I was reading the readme file, in that file it states that I should exit the X server and also set my default run level to boot to console and not start the X server. Is this really something I should be doing or can I just instal the RPM's? How do I shut down the X server and modify the run level so I won't boot to the X server? Also, if anyone has installed the drivers for this card or any other NIVIDIA card successfully would you please post how you did it.

thanks,

Pepper

[Hayl]

I installed the NVidia driver for my GeForce 3 with no problems by compiling from the source available on NVidia's site.

(I tried it once with the RPMs and it f**cked up badly)

[pepper]

I think I see what Cybor099 was saying about installing the Nvidia drivers with the RPM's. I just did installed the drivers with the RPM's. After I installed the RPM's I then edited the XFree86 config file. This what I did.

replace
Driver "nv"
with

Driver "nvidia"

In the Module section, make sure you have:

Load "glx"

You should also remove the following lines:

Load "dri"
Load "GLcore"

I made these changes and then rebooted. After I rebooted I get as far as the System trying to boot to X. Right now it just keeps trying to go to X. I never changed my run level to not go to X. So I need help in getting my system to stop before it goes to X and help in fixing my display problem.

thanks

pepper

[rapture]

If you want to have it boot up to the command line instead of X add this id:3:initdefault: to your inittab file located in your /etc directory.

[Hayl]

check the X log files when you get into a terminal session.

(the X server should stop trying to load after a few mins automatically)

the log file is at:

/var/log/XFree86.0.log

[RWiggum]

I just went through a week long debacle installing the NVidia driver, so I thought I could add a little to the conversation.

Here's my story:
I logged on as root in "failsafe" mode, thinking that was "not starting the X server." I installed the RPM's with no problem and made the necessary XF86Config-4 changes. When my installation failed and it booted to a black screen, I thought I'd have to reformat to start over. I went back to the install CD (RH7.3) and found a "rescue mode" that allowed me to boot to a text login. I used this mode to recheck the config file and log files. I also learned that I should have set the run level with /etc/inittab like rapture mentioned.

(One caveat, rapture: runlevel 3 is the proper value for text login in RedHat, but not all distros. I understand Debian has different values. Check the comments in /etc/inittab to be sure.)

So now I could boot without the install CD, but still no X server. Everything looked fine in the logs and configs, until I started reading about module loading problems.

I did some searching on the web and found some additional info. I had to add the following lines to /etc/modules.conf:
alias char-major-10-175 agpgart
alias char-major-195 NVdriver

These lines load the kernel modules needed for AGP support and the NVidia driver upon starting the X server. After this addition, the X server still wouldn't start properly but the failure acted differently from before. As a last ditch effort, I checked the BIOS and discovered AGP 2X support was on. I set it to 1X and rebooted. Eureka! A working box again. I'm still not sure why I can't get AGP 2X to work, but it's not a big deal right now. Tuxracer only renders at about 20fps in 800x600 on my TNT2, but it wasn't my intention to build a game machine. I've just added this to my "To Figure Out Later" list.

Pepper, I hope some of that helps. In particular, try the /etc/modules.conf aliases and try a lower AGP acceleration if you've got it on 2X or 4X. If you can't find /etc/modules.conf, look for /etc/conf.modules, which is the same file in other distros.

[pepper]

Can anyone tell me what I should be looking for in the /var/log/XFree86.0.log file to fix my display problem. I have learned a lot abot linux in the past few weeks but I am still a newbie and I need help figuring out how to get my X server to work correctly

thanks,

pepper

[RWiggum]

In the log file, you're mainly looking for lines starting with (EE) - for errors. The nvidia.install.readme.txt file lists some possible reasons for any errors you may encounter and possible solutions. The readme file isn't included with the driver download. Get it from the link at the top of the NVidia Linux driver page.

[Hayl]

i wouldn't be surprised if it can't find the nvidia driver.

i had to sym link to it get it to work.

[pepper]

Thank you for all your help. I found where the error was. The problem was that in my /etc/modules.conf file, alias char-major-195 NVdriver was concatinated with another alias that I have in that file. Once I put the nvidia alias on a seperate line the X server started to work.

thanks again,

pepper