NVidia gfx driver in a fresh Debian install

**Cruithne** · 08-13-2005

I know there was a topic on this before, but even with the search I can't seem to find it right now and it didn't help me at the time.

Distro: Debian Sarge 3.1
Kernel: 2.6-k7
Graphics card: Leadtek NVidia 6600TD.

The problem: I can't get to X, because of my NV drivers, or lack thereof. I found a guide and followed it, adding "unstable/contrib non-free" variants of each server in my apt-sources.

then

Code:

apt-get install nvidia-kernel-source nvidia-kernel-common

then

Code:

apt-get install kernel-headers-`uname -r`

then

Code:

export KVERS=`uname -r`
export KSRC=/usr/src/kernel-headers-`uname -r`

this all goes well. Then I untar the drivers, enter:

Code:

dpkg -i nvidia-kernel-`uname -r`*deb
depmod -a

it whinges at this point. Before I even get to the depmod.

Now, there's a few more steps, but I want this bit sorted first. Please note that I am totally new to Debian, and not too literate with Linux outside of GUI, so if you tell me to do something, can you also tell me HOW? (I find this to be the biggest problem I have with getting help, people assume I know how to do everything.)

Thanks.

**jens** · 08-13-2005

this all goes well. Then I untar the drivers, enter:
Code:
dpkg -i nvidia-kernel-`uname -r`*deb
depmod -a

it whinges at this point. Before I even get to the depmod.

Make sure you untar it in /usr/src :
cd /usr/src
tar xvzf nvidia-kernel-source.tar.gz

Next do:
cd modules/nvidia-kernel

debian/rules binary_modules

cd ..

dpkg -i nvidia-kernel-`uname -r`*deb

depmod -a

apt-get install nvidia-glx nvidia-glx-dev xserver-xfree86

Now just configure(dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86) or edit X:
su
vi /etc//etc/X11/XF86Config-4
press insert
In the section "mudule" remove:
Load "dri"
Load "GLCore"
and add:
Load "glx"

In the section "Device" remove:
Driver "nv" (or Driver "vesa")
and add:
Driver "nvidia"

...reboot or restart X

**Cruithne** · 08-13-2005

ok, now have an output for you, and the news my kernel is 2.4.27-2-k7 should check these things first. anyway. output:

Code:

/usr/src/modules# dpkg -i nvidia-kernel-`uname -r` *deb
dpkg&#58; error processing nvidia-kernel-2.4.27-2-k7 &#40;--install&#41;
cannot access archive&#58; no such file or directory
&#40;reading database... 96305 files and directories currently installed&#41;
preparing to replace nvidia-kernel- 1.0.7174-4 &#40;using nvidia-kernel-_1.0.7174-4-i386.deb&#41;...
unpacking replacement nvidia-kernel...
setting up nvidia-kernel &#40;1.0.7174-4&#41;...

errors were encountered while processing&#58;
nvidia-kernel-2.4.27-2-k7

now, right now i cant access internet while in debian, as this pc is away from the broadband and is using a dial-up in windows to post this, so i cant apt-get the 2.6 kernel and a new nvidia kernel. (unless someone can tell me how to get debian to dial up while in shell)

**jens** · 08-13-2005

Originally Posted by Cruithne

ok, now have an output for you, and the news my kernel is 2.4.27-2-k7 should check these things first. anyway. output:

Code:

/usr/src/modules# dpkg -i nvidia-kernel-`uname -r` *deb
dpkg&#58; error processing nvidia-kernel-2.4.27-2-k7 &#40;--install&#41;
cannot access archive&#58; no such file or directory
&#40;reading database... 96305 files and directories currently installed&#41;
preparing to replace nvidia-kernel- 1.0.7174-4 &#40;using nvidia-kernel-_1.0.7174-4-i386.deb&#41;...
unpacking replacement nvidia-kernel...
setting up nvidia-kernel &#40;1.0.7174-4&#41;...

errors were encountered while processing&#58;
nvidia-kernel-2.4.27-2-k7

now, right now i cant access internet while in debian, as this pc is away from the broadband and is using a dial-up in windows to post this, so i cant apt-get the 2.6 kernel and a new nvidia kernel. (unless someone can tell me how to get debian to dial up while in shell)

You need an internet connection for this,
Apt-get take it's packages from a server(resporitory).

see: http://www.aboutdebian.com/modems.htm

**Cruithne** · 08-13-2005

This i knew. I did the apt-get commands while i was connected, but right now i'm not, so i'm stuck with what's on my pc until around monday.

what i'll do, is come monday, i'll reinstall deb clean again, and run through the entire procedure again and see if i still get errors.

**jens** · 08-13-2005

Originally Posted by Cruithne

what i'll do, is come monday, i'll reinstall deb clean again, and run through the entire procedure again and see if i still get errors.

Don't.
Just restart were you left...

**Cruithne** · 08-13-2005

well, the main point is do i need to be connected to dkpg the kernel?

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