Could not open ...nvidia.ko

[KHall]

I just got handed a linux machine that doesn't boot, with who-knows-what on it.

The error message I get when I try to run "startx" is:

FATAL: Could not open '/lib/modules/2.6.9-55.0-2.ELsmp/kernel/drivers/video/nvidia.ko': No such file or directory

I don't know what's on the machine, but it's the only machine we have that will run certain code on it, so I don't dare attempt to reinstall without knowing what I'm doing. Could someone please give me some assistance/walk me through what I need to do to fix it so the machine boots properly?

I do not have any experience with linux configuration or installs -- I've always run Windows.

[devils casper]

Execute this

grep -i driver /etc/X11/xorg.conf
g rep -i driver /etc/X11/XF86Config
su -
lspci | grep -i vga

Post output here.

Which version of RedHat/Fedora are you using?

[KHall]

grep -i driver /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Driver "kbd"
Driver "mouse"
Driver "nvidia"

g rep -i driver /etc/X11/XF86Config

No such file or directory

su -

Nobody around here knows the su password; we're trying to get in touch with the previous person who owned the system.

lspci | grep -i vga

Command not found

The version of Linux is Red Hat Enterprise WS Release 4 (Nahant Update 5).

[devils casper]

Nobody around here knows the su password; we're trying to get in touch with the previous person who owned the system.

Its not possible to fix problem without root password. If its possible to boot up in Single User Mode then reset root password.

Either boot up in Rescue mode using RHEL installation CD or follow these instructions :

Highlight RHEL title in GRUB Menu and press 'e'. Select 'kernel' line and press 'e' again. Add <space> 1 at the end of line and hit 'Enter' key.
Press 'b' and RHEL will boot up in command line mode and drop you at Login Prompt.

Highlight RHEL title -- e -- select kernel line -- e -- type 1 -- hit Enter key -- b
Sample Kernel Line :

kernel /vmlinuz-xxx ro root=xxxxx 1

Execute this at the prompt of Single User Mode :

passwd
shutdown -r now

Assign new root password. It won't ask for earlier password.


Now coming to the nvidia problem, something is wrong with Nvidia Driver only. You have to re-install Nvidia Driver. Use "nv" or "vesa" driver for a while. Note that both nv and vesa don't support 3D.


Execute this

su -
nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Replace "nvidia" with "vesa" in Video Card section. Press Ctrl+X, Y and hit Enter key to save file.
Reboot machine.