New to Linux, questions about drivers...

[Nirzhul]

Note: I am booting Ubuntu (Hardy) from a CD at the moment. I want to make sure I can get it running before removing Windows and installing Ubuntu.

My first question is... Can I install drivers while booting from a CD?

I've been trying and so far, have had no luck with my NVIDIA driver. I downloaded it from the NVIDIA website, and have tried...

CTRL-ALT-F1

sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop

it says...
*Stopping GNOME Display Manager... [OK]

then I...

sudo sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86-180.29-pkg1.run

It begins to run but I get the error...

ERROR: You appear to be running an X server; please exit X before installing. For further details, please see the section INSTALLING THE NVIDIA DRIVER in the README available on the Linux driver download page at Welcome to NVIDIA - World Leader in Visual Computing Technologies.

ERROR: Installing has failed. Please see the file '/var/log/nvidia-installer.log' for details.

Here is the printout:

nvidia-installer log file '/var/log/nvidia-installer.log'
creation time: Fri Mar 6 00:14:01 2009
installer version: 1.0.7

option status:
license pre-accepted : false
update : false
force update : false
expert : false
uninstall : false
driver info : false
precompiled interfaces : true
no ncurses color : false
query latest version : false
OpenGL header files : true
no questions : false
silent : false
no recursion : false
no backup : false
kernel module only : false
sanity : false
add this kernel : false
no runlevel check : false
no network : false
no ABI note : false
no RPMs : false
no kernel module : false
force SELinux : default
no X server check : false
no cc version check : false
force tls : (not specified)
X install prefix : (not specified)
X library install path : (not specified)
X module install path : (not specified)
OpenGL install prefix : (not specified)
OpenGL install libdir : (not specified)
utility install prefix : (not specified)
utility install libdir : (not specified)
doc install prefix : (not specified)
kernel name : (not specified)
kernel include path : (not specified)
kernel source path : (not specified)
kernel output path : (not specified)
kernel install path : (not specified)
proc mount point : /proc
ui : (not specified)
tmpdir : /tmp
ftp mirror : ftp://download.nvidia.com
RPM file list : (not specified)

Using: nvidia-installer ncurses user interface
-> The file '/tmp/.X0-lock' exists and appears to contain the process ID '8508'
of a runnning X server.
ERROR: You appear to be running an X server; please exit X before installing.
For further details, please see the section INSTALLING THE NVIDIA DRIVER
in the README available on the Linux driver download page at
Welcome to NVIDIA - World Leader in Visual Computing Technologies.
ERROR: Installation has failed. Please see the file
'/var/log/nvidia-installer.log' for details. You may find suggestions
on fixing installation problems in the README available on the Linux
driver download page at Welcome to NVIDIA - World Leader in Visual Computing Technologies.

One other question, I have a Linksys Compact Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster, how would I go about getting this to work on Linux? I'm sick of Windows and want to switch as soon as possible to Linux. Thanks in advance for any help on these issues.

[jmadero]

For the most part you can't because the two things that require drivers (most of the time) video and wireless, require reboot after you install them. I would recommend dual booting and trying that way, then if you get comfortable enough with Linux (Ubuntu or any other distro) move to delete Windows. I rarely would suggest just abandoning Windows because people start realizing certain things they want don't work with Linux.

[Nirzhul]

What about Wubi 8.10? I actually began the download a few minutes ago, as someone at my college suggested to me to download it this way first. Do you have any other suggestions or advice in getting it setup with Wubi?

[rokytnji]

After you are done with your Wubi install of Ubuntu and boot into Ubuntu again. Make sure you are connected to the internet via cable first. Then do your updates first. After that go to System>Administration>Hardware Drivers and see if your Nvidia Driver shows up in there.

You will probably either have a working wireless out of the box. Or you will need to start a new thread in this section Wireless Internet - Linux Forums of the forum. Follow the read me first there before you post for best results. The search tool at the top of Forum Page is also great
help in finding solutions and google also. Have fun with your new Ubuntu Install. I do.

[rokytnji]

Found this in Ubuntu forums in their How to section

Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid) Deprecates This HOWTO!
That's right! This HOWTO is officially deprecated as of Ubuntu Intrepid. ndiswrapper is no longer needed. As soon as you plug in the WUSB54GS while running Ubuntu Intrepid, it should immediately function!

Link is here : HOWTO: WUSB54GS v1 (only?) on (X)(K?)Ubuntu - Ubuntu Forums

[jmadero]

If you're serious about possibly switching over I would not recommend Wubi for several reasons:

1. There are a few bugs that I've heard about, I've never personally used it but I have been told that some people have problems with it

2. It becomes just another piece of software instead of becoming your main OS it's just, something else to play with for a week and then let go of

Dual booting is simple enough and then Linux becomes your primary operating system. I did that for a few years before finally ditching Windows completely a few years back (now unfortunately I have it installed in a virtualbox for two things, Netflix instant view and Microsoft Access for work).