Nvidia hell

[idk]

I've read several posts on how to install Nvidia drivers but I haven't had any luck. I'm running a Sager X2 notebook with a 7800GTX VC. Here is what I've tried:

1. Installed with no network and no updates. Booted great into Gnome and then I installed the "gcc" and "kernel-source" packages along with "tiny-nvidia-installer". I got my network up and running and logged in under root. I ran everything in "init 3" and ran tiny-nvidia-installer. It downloaded my driver from nvidia but it didn't have something for my version of the kernel. It finished and everything looked good. I booted up and I heard Gnome loading but I had a black screen.

2. I installed with network support and had everything done in set up, all my drivers and updates. I booted and I got an error on line 145 of my xconf.conf (I'm pretty sure that was the file) it said ",Option" not found. Same thing black screen.

I'm pulling my hair out right now. I hate XP and I can't wait to get rid of everything Microsoft.

The nvidia installer backed up my old .conf file but I don't know how to reload it, any advice?

[mahlerfan]

I had the same problems-- I had to enable the net through the control center first time. After that it always came on. And for Nvidia, I had the same problem. I'll let a pro tell you a way to get it to work, but here is my hack way--

run xorgconfig and select the open source Nvidia driver "nv". Or simply directly edit your xorg.conf file to change the driver from nvidia to nv.

Once you have your net up and you can get into X windows, download the driver from Nvidia's website and follow the instructions to install it. With the kernel source it goes smoothly. It *****es about not finding things, but it always says that. This worked for me at least in Suse 10.1. If you're using another version, heck I don't know.

[idk]

Thanks for the help I'll give it a try. At least that will get me back into gnome.

I spent the last hour playing around with it and it seems it cannot find my display. Thats the error I have now. I tried installing again and I ran "sax2 -r -m 0=nvidia" and still nothing. I ran GDL (???) after reading the man page I entered, "gdlsetup" to configure everything and it said that I didn't have a display. Any ideas? Why do I see AGP when it's PCI-E? Just a question. Thanks.

[mahlerfan]

Oh "nv" is the open source nvidia driver. Xorg's driver. It's a safe driver it will work for you, work better than using vesa or vga but it won't have the acceleration that you get by using the propietary driver.

Have you tried yet using the latest driver from Nvidia's website btw?

[Flight_118]

I think it's easier to follow this little tutorial:

http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux_d..._1.0-8776.html

Then run Sax in terminal:

sax2

Configure your display and it'll work 99 out of a 100 times with NVidia cards.

That tiny-installer never did any good to me, on several systems. It is possible but it's take time to configure everyting.....

[idk]

So it's sax2 that configures my display? I keep getting an error saying that X can't find my display. Everytime I run sax2 it has errors, might I be forgetting a dep. file??? Thanks for the help guys. BTW what is nvidia-xconfig-1.0.tar.gz for, I have yet to unpack a .tar file and I don't have Gnome up and running now so I'll have to do it from the shell. Any tips?

[mahlerfan]

Could you post the contents of /var/log/Xorg.0.log please?

I have a feeling that I know what it will say-- it can't find nvidia. One way to check for badness in the log quickly is

cat /var/log/Xorg.0.log | grep error

The problem about trying to install different versions of a driver is the previous attempt can prevent correct installation of another driver if the older one is not cleanly removed.

[sliding]

I first had some problem with installing the nvidia driver.
Finally I got it done well after a hint from the NV forum.
which suggested me to try the latest driver.
It's in the archive folder on the nVidia linux downloads
http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux_d..._1.0-9626.html
I used the NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-1.0-9626-pkg2.run
after the version suggested for Suse 10.1 hung at the
nVidia installer screen while installing from init 3.
This latest driver is Beta according to the nVidia screen
at X startup. I have a perfect display now at 1280x1024/85Hz
Do not use the suggested Suse install using Yast
May be trying this driver help for you as well

[mahlerfan]

You are using the 64 bit (x86-64) driver. If he's using the 32 bit OS, then he shouldn't use that driver.