How to install Nvidia drivers

[sk8bloke87]

ok, first grab these two files from www.nvidia.com, NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-4191.src.rpm and NVIDIA_GLX-1.0-4191.src.rpm.

Now navigate to the directory you downloaded those two files in and open a terminal. Make sure you ARE logged in as root. Don't SU as i dont believe in it.

before you rebuild and install these files, make sure you have installed the kernel source or header for your particular distro.

you are now gonna rebuild your nvidia kernel. type 'rpm --rebuild NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-4191.src.rpm' without the quotes and it should begin rebuilding. When it's done, type 'rpm -ivh /usr/src/RPM/RPMS/i586/NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-4191.i586.rpm'.

Now you are gonna rebuild and install your GLX file. type 'rpm --rebuild NVIDIA_GLX-1.0-4191.src.rpm' and it will begin rebuilding. when it's done, again install it by typing in 'rpm -ivh /usr/src/RPM/RPMS/i586/NVIDIA_GLX-1.0-4191.i586.rpm

now navigate to /etc/X11/XF86Config-4. you will have to edit your XF86Config-4 file. change driver to nvidia and In the Module section, make sure you have:

Load "glx"

You should also remove the following lines:

Load "dri"
Load "GLcore"

you're done now! enjoy your 3d games ; )

[Genteel]

Before you grab the files, you need to download their bash script(NVchooser.sh) that checks to see what files you need, depending on the kernel, etc.

Download it, execute it, and write down what it says. Go to their website, and download the correct drivers for your machine.


After that, go into your X config file, and make sure the driver in your monitor section is "nvidia", and not "nv".

The location of your X config file depends on your distro, etc., so you'll have to find that out on your own, but it's generally in /etc/X11/, or /etc/X11R6/, or some variation of that, I believe.

[rooty]

You do not need the NVchooser script. Tarball version will work 99% of the time for everyone.

untar GLX, cd into GLX, make;make install
untar kernel, cd into kernel, make;make install
edit XF86Config :)

[sk8bloke87]

isnt rebuilding drivers to match your hardware and config better though?

sorry, I'm a n00b at linux.

[Shawn Curry]

MAKE SURE you read the pdf file they give ya. There's a list of some symlinks that may cause problems. Personally, I reccommend the tar package. It's really pretty painless - and it's universal - you don't need one that's pre-compiled for a specific kernel. It's really just as easy to install.

1. Backup files.
- #mkdir /home/billyjoebob/X11backup
- #cp /etc/X11/XF86Config /home/billyjoebob/X11backup/etc/X11/
- your XF86Config may be called something else.
- look in the pdf file for any other conflicting files (page 30). I copied the directory structure from the ones I backed up under /home/shawn/backupX11/ so I would know where they went in case I ran into trouble. You could also just rename them (probably less trouble)

2. Restart in runlevel 3
- in RH8, there is a file called /etc/inittab . Read it.
- DO NOT SET THE DEFAULT RUNLEVEL TO 0 OR 6

3. log in as root & untar packages and install
# mkdir /usr/local/NVIDIA
# cp /home/shawn/NVIDIA_kernel.tar.gz /usr/local/NVIDIA
# cp /home/shawn/NVIDIA_GLX.tar.gz /usr/local/NVIDIA
- ***MAKE SURE the kernel and GLX versions are the same***
# cd /usr/local/NVIDIA
# tar -xvzf NVIDIA_kernel.tar.gz
# tar -xvzf NVIDIA_GLX.tar.gz
# cd NVIDIA_kernel
# make install
# cd ../NVIDIA_GLX
# make install

4. Modify the XF86Config file.
- in the Device section you must change the line " Driver "nv" " to " Driver "nvidia" " (He left that out)
- follow the instructions from the first (sk8bloke's) post

5. Change your runlevel back to 5 and restart.

You should get a cool little nVidia startup screen, and WAY better performance. It's using about 12% less CPU now, and my screensavers are CRUISIN' - FAST, no stutters.

[sk8bloke87]

[i]

now navigate to /etc/X11/XF86Config-4. you will have to edit your XF86Config-4 file. change driver to nvidia and In the Module section, make sure you have:

[/B]

no i didnt.

[Genteel]

sk8bloke:

===
isnt rebuilding drivers to match your hardware and config better though?

sorry, I'm a n00b at linux.
===

That depends. It's usually a trade-off between ease of use, and speed. RPM's are a lot easier to get going, but they aren't going to be as fast as a a package compiled on your machine, especially if it's compiled with the -march=i686, and -O3 switches.

So which is better? The speed, or the ease of use? It really depends on what you use your system for. If it's for a lot of intense 3-d games, you'll definately want to compile the source yourself, but if it's not, why bother, as the speed isn't much of an issue, and it's a LOT easier to get going.


Despite what rooty, in his all knowing wisdom, stated, for the more inexperienced users, running NVChooser.sh can be a lot easier, thus "better"

Note:

The -O3 switch can be unstable I've heard. I haven't run into any problems with it, but who knows, maybe I'm just getting lucky :) A more conservative person would compile it with -O2.

Also, if you're that worried about it, use an SRPM, if nothing else :)

[choff]

Took me a few tries using the srpm method, as I had not installed al of the kernel development tools and development tools when I installed. When I installed them, and then rebuilt the srpms, the install went GREAT and worked right away. Now Tux Racer works, anyway, fwiw...

What do you get when you run rpmbuild --rebuild on the system kernel srpm? Just curious... would that give you a custom kernel?

Chris

[nonz]

How do you upgrade to a newer version?

Under two scenarios:

Originally Installed from tar
Originally Installed from src.rpm

[bwkaz]

Originally posted by nonz
How do you upgrade to a newer version?

Originally Installed from tar You grab the newer tar file, and do the exact same thing you did with the old version. Then you're done.

Originally Installed from src.rpm You remove the old RPM, grab the new one, rpm --rebuild, and reinstall it. One step more than from tar files, which is part of the reason why I don't use the src.rpms (the other part is that I don't use an RPM distro, but I used the tar drivers back in Mandrake as well).

[davo]

After compiling my kernel several times in a couple of days my nvidia drivers would no longer install. After I RTFM I found I had to install from the tarball and use the command:

make SYSINCLUDE=/lib/modules/2.4.20/build/include

instead of "make install"! Seems that it was grabbing the wrong kernel headers. Also note that the 2.4.20 is the current version of my kernel; find yours by typing:

uname -r



The first time I upgraded the kernel NVchooser told me to use the 2960 version eventhough I had been using the 3123 version. I wasted a couple of hours before going back to my origional 3123 version.

I hope this helps someone,

Davo

[HLUSN8]

ok heres the thing.... on my install of REDHAT 8.0 it detected my MSI gf 4 128mb ddr as an vesa generic???? ive installed newest nvidia drivers but when i look @ the xf86config i see vesa as device vesa as module vesa as driver vesa as board manufacture....do i have to change all that to nvidia??? Heres my xf86config file can someone please help???? Only been on linux for 3 dayz..=)

[davo]

HLUSN8,

Several posts above are some good directions on what to do to install the drivers. It seems that all you need to do is to modify your xf86config file. Directions are in the README file on iNividia's site and in the tarball if you downloaded it. One note use the cp comand to backup your xf86config file. [cp XF86Config XF86Config.old] That way if it will not allow X to start you can copy it back and restart X using the command:

startx

Remember, you've only been using Linux for 3 days. Enjoy what you are learning, you this is fairly heavy surgery on your system. After all you wouldn't expect to drive in the Indy 500 I you'd driven a car for the first time 3 days ago. Also you don't need the drivers unless you've got some 3-d application that you've got to run.

Lots of good Red Hat 8.0 setup info at this link:

http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=1890&page=all

Hope this helps,

Davo

[chris27]

I tried to install the Nvidia drivers under mandrake 8.2 several times. Following the directions I actually noticed a DECREASE in glxgears. I reinstalled it a few times and got it back up to a tad above my orginal level. Currently my glxgears goes up to about 950 or so. (If its in the background, it gets up to 1500) IS that what everyone else has? Or am I too slow?

There are a few games that refuse to run for me, like uplink. It starts to load then gives up on me. However, flight gear runs on my system, so I assume my 3d is working. Is there a way to tell if the driver install was good or not?

[davo]

Chris27 just what graphics card do you have?

My glxgears gives me 710 - 780 fps in the small window, if I fullscreen it my fps drops to just under 200.

If your XF86Config file calls the nvidia driver and not nv and x will even start then your drivers are installed correctly. If you're still in doubt start tuxracer, if it is unplayable (looks like about 1 fps or less) then your drivers are not working.

Davo

[chris27]

Sorry for the late reply.
Ive got a Gforce 2mx, 400. (64mb)

Ive been thinking about upgrading to the gforce 4 (the expensive one) but I everytime I put in a new Gforce card I have to spend weeks getting it to work right.

Ill try Tuxracer tonight and see if it loads up.

[bwkaz]

You should have to do exactly nothing to get a new GeForce card to work right. The nVidia drivers will work for all GeForce cards, the same. As long as your current driver version supports the card (3123 and 4191 both support all GF4's), you're OK just swapping the hardware.