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Nvidia driver - Debian way, custom (or not) kernel.

Share your HowTo, Documentation, Tips and Tricks. Not for support questions!.
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Jackiebrown
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#121 Post by Jackiebrown »

run startx and report the problem - that should give you some error output

- if not, check your xorg error logs and see what they say (/var/logs)

- best to open a thread for your problem, though

estus
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Joined: 2008-10-04 15:54

#122 Post by estus »

i cant use terminal and ctrl+alt+f2 dont work

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mzilikazi
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#123 Post by mzilikazi »

estus wrote:i cant use terminal and ctrl+alt+f2 dont work
Reboot.
At the boot prompt add this to the end:

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single
When asked for the root password, provide it.

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update-rc.d -f gdm remove
Now GDM will not start

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nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Change your driver from nvidia to nv or vesa

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init 5
Log in as user

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startx
Then we need to see if you have built nvidia and installed all components.

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dpkg -l|grep nvidia
You can also try to reconfigure xorg.

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apt-get install nvidia-xconfig
nvidia-xconfig
Debian Sid Laptops:
AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor TK-55 / 1.5G
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tommcd
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Location: Philadelphia, USA

#124 Post by tommcd »

I just installed Lenny from the Lenny beta 2 install CD. I followed the tutorial from the Debian wiki:
http://wiki.debian.org/NvidiaGraphicsDrivers

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# apt-get install module-assistant gcc nvidia-kernel-common
# m-a update
# m-a prepare
# m-a auto-install nvidia
I also had to install nvidia-xconfig, mesa-utils, and nvidia-settings. I then ran "nvidia-xconfig".

I also apparently ran into this bug mentioned in the Debian wiki article:
BUG: There is a bug when you 'apt-get install nvidia-kernel-common' you are asked to insall 40+ packages. (http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=303521)
Well, I did not read that far in the wiki untill I had already installed the driver. Fortunately, it all went well. The driver runs well.

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tom@debian:/data/sauerbraten$ cd /data/
tom@debian:/data$ glxinfo | grep -i direct
direct rendering: Yes
tom@debian:/data$ 
This has been a very informative thread. I learned a lot.

mdevour
Posts: 334
Joined: 2006-03-05 17:55

Doing this HowTo in fresh Lenny install...

#125 Post by mdevour »

I'm following the HowTo in hopes of enabling 3d acceleration on my fresh Lenny net install from the current weekly build image.

The first hitch I ran into was that, by default, only the main repositories are included in sources.list. mzilikazi, you might want to mention that contrib and/or non-free need to be added before you can install the nvidia kernel source and other pakages, for the benefit of others working on a fresh install?

The next hitch is that, with the newfangled stripped down version of xorg.conf, there is no 'nv' or 'vesa' driver line to change to 'nvidia.' So I'm off to find a representative xorg.conf "Device" entry...

In the Debian Wiki, nVidia Graphics Drivers page,the section on how to configure X to use the nvidia driver the manual way says:
Edit /etc/X11/xorg.conf:

* If it contains a "Module" section, be sure that it contains a line:

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Load "glx"
... and remove or comment out (prepend with a #) any lines that refer to the "dri" or "GLCore" modules.

* In the "Device" section for your video card, change the driver (normally nv or vesa) to nvidia. If the driver is not defined, add the line

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Driver "nvidia"
Well, I don't have a "Module" section, but I added the Driver line so my Device section now looks like:

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Section "Device"
   Identifier   "Configured Video Device"
   Driver   "nvidia"
EndSection
Adding a little more detail to this part of the HowTo would be helpful, I think.

Now to save, then restart gnome... It says there's a display manager running on display 0 and do I want to go ahead anyway... yes... some flickering and transient blackness, a grey screen with the "X" in the middle, and another dialog warning that this session was started on display 1...

Finally, I've managed to log into a new session which seems to be functional.

Lets try:

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# glxinfo|grep rendering
bash: glxinfo: command not found
Okay, Debian's package database tells me that glxinfo is in package mesa-utils... Load Synaptic and install it.

Is this another thing to add to the HowTo?

Try again:

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# glxinfo|grep rendering
direct rendering: Yes
Wahoo! YES! :mrgreen:

Allright, now to try nvidia-settings... Opens a very pretty looking GUI configuration window showing all sorts of stuff. It seems to have identified my GeForce 8600 GT; the thermal monitor is even working. This is good.

Okay, now it's off to see if I can break it on something that uses 3d... Hmmm... Synaptic... Neverball...

Lordy, it works!!! I've never seen how the game's supposed to behave before! :lol:

Okay then, the upgrade to Lenny is paying off!

Thanks to mzilikazi for maintaining this HowTo, and anarchyinc666 for his index of HowTo's.

Now to bring over some more of my configuration stuff and data!! Oh, and maybe install a few more 3d games! 8)

Mike D.

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mzilikazi
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#126 Post by mzilikazi »

Thanks for the suggestions mdevour. Good ideas! Glad I thought of them. ;) I kid I kid....

It's been updated.
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mdevour
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#127 Post by mdevour »

mzilikazi wrote:Thanks for the suggestions mdevour. Good ideas! Glad I thought of them. ;) I kid I kid....

It's been updated.
Great! It's nice to actually contribute something to the community that's helped me so much.

Mike D.

frenchn00b
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#128 Post by frenchn00b »

Hello,

I just installed a kernel 2.6.27.8 #1 SMP Mon Dec 29 15:13:50 CET 2008 i686 GNU/Linux
method debian & method lavene, it's working so great :) !

So the nvidia isnt working :( :( via the debian way.

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     aptitude install module assistant build-essential
        m-a update
        m-a prepare
        m-a auto-install nvidia -f
        modprobe nvidia
I get those error messages :
:/var/cache/modass$ for each in nvid* ; do echo "$each" >> /tmp/nvidialog ; echo "------------" >> /tmp/nvidialog ; cat "$each" >> /tmp/nvidialog ; done ; gedit /tmp/nvidialog

http://pastebin.com/f23dfe3ab

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nvidia-kernel-legacy-source.avail_version
------------
1.0.7184-3nvidia-kernel-source.avail_version
------------
1.0.8776-4nvidia-kernel-source.buildlog.2.6.27.8.1230590616
------------
/usr/bin/make  -f debian/rules clean
make[1]: Entering directory `/usr/src/modules/nvidia-kernel'
# select which makefile to use.
rm -f /usr/src/modules/nvidia-kernel/nv/Makefile || true
if [ 6 = 6  ]; then \
	     cd /usr/src/modules/nvidia-kernel/nv ; \
	     ln -s Makefile.kbuild Makefile ; \
	     cd .. ; \
	     if [ 0  = 1 ] ; then \
	        dpatch apply 04_minion ; \
	     fi ; \
	     if [ 0 = 1 ]; then \
	     	dpatch apply 01_sysfs ; \
		dpatch status 01_sysfs >patch-stamp ; \
		dpatch apply 02_pcialias ; \
               	dpatch status 02_pcialias >>patch-stamp ; \
	     fi ; \
	fi.... 


bla bla 

...

inter type
make[4]: *** [/usr/src/modules/nvidia-kernel/nv/nv.o] Error 1
make[3]: *** [_module_/usr/src/modules/nvidia-kernel/nv] Error 2
make[3]: Leaving directory `/usr/src/linux-2.6.27.8'
NVIDIA: left KBUILD.
nvidia.ko failed to build!
make[2]: *** [mdl] Error 1
make[2]: Leaving directory `/usr/src/modules/nvidia-kernel/nv'
make[1]: *** [build-stamp] Error 2
make[1]: Leaving directory `/usr/src/modules/nvidia-kernel'
make: *** [kdist_image] Error 2
nvidia-kernel-source.cur_version
------------
1.0.8776-4

EDIT UPDATE, some success in some way :

Hi !

Succcess.

I just installed thislinux-image-2.6.26-bpo.1-686 from the backport:

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i  libsilc-1.1-2                        1.1.7-1~bpo40+1                          SILC library (silc-toolkit)
ii  linux-headers-2.6.26-bpo.1-686       2.6.26-12~bpo40+1                        Header files for Linux 2.6.26-bpo.1-686
ii  linux-headers-2.6.26-bpo.1-common    2.6.26-12~bpo40+1                        Common header files for Linux 2.6.26-bpo.1
ii  linux-image-2.6.26-bpo.1-686         2.6.26-12~bpo40+1                        Linux 2.6.26 image on PPro/Celeron/PII/PIII/
ii  
and m-a a-i gspca failed but :
http://mxhaard.free.fr/spca50x/Download ... 224.tar.gz
succeeded !

It seems that the method to compile kernel we did (lavene method) is far different to the kernel in the backport (made by linux professionals)

So, what is it ?
The deb is here :
http://www.backports.org/debian/pool/main/l/linux-2.6/
those bpo kernels


How to compile kernel well, like very debian way/professionals ?

at least for the webcam running lol

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Bro.Tiag
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Re: Nvidia driver - Debian way, custom (or not) kernel.

#129 Post by Bro.Tiag »

Fibonacci wrote:
mzilikazi wrote:
Standard method

Add contrib and non-free to /etc/apt/sources.list.d/sources.list

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deb ftp://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ sid main contrib non-free
deb ftp://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ testing main contrib non-free
deb ftp://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ stable main contrib non-free
Well first problem.. I am logged in as a root, but I can not add the source.list. And there seems to be no list atm. I just installed Debian, quite new to Linux, first time on Debian.. Maybe I am doing something wrong. Please try to explain me.. :)

Here is screenshot

So I logged in as a root, wrote in editor the above quite from the creator of this thread so that I can actually get smth but it won't allow me to add this list of sources.


Edit: Link
I believe that that is a folder you are trying to write to. Your source list is in /etc/apt/sources.list

Cheers

Fibonacci
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#130 Post by Fibonacci »

You are very fast Bro.Tiag :)

As I managed to delete that post, but you were already into replay to it. I have solved that issue but thanks a lot anyways. I was mixing folders, you were right :)

But here is the thing, I managed to install Nvidia drivers, properly or so I think, because I got Nvidia splash screen. Is that enough to prove installation went well? :)

What I would like to point out is the following. Maybe for begginers like me, there should be a line saying that when we change xorg.conf the PC Bus, we should check ourselves before for our specific graphic card. Because what happened is I used the one supplied in this topic. And it didn't work, the X wouldn't start.. went on internet through phone and found PCI Bus ID for my graphic card, edited xorg.conf and it seems that it worked out.

Eitherway, the last thing.. I suppose this line is supposed to check if installation went well..

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glxinfo|grep rendering
But all I get as an answer is..

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bash: glxinfo: command not found
or logged as root

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-su: glxinfo: command not found

Hence, my question is, beside Nvidia splash screen while booting, how else to check 3D works, as I havn't noticed any difference from what my desktop looked like before?

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Telemachus
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#131 Post by Telemachus »

Fibonacci wrote:Either way, the last thing.. I suppose this line is supposed to check if installation went well..

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glxinfo|grep rendering
But all I get as an answer is..

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bash: glxinfo: command not found
or logged as root

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-su: glxinfo: command not found
You have to install a package called mesa-utils in order to have glxinfo.
"We have not been faced with the need to satisfy someone else's requirements, and for this freedom we are grateful."
Dennis Ritchie and Ken Thompson, The UNIX Time-Sharing System

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Bro.Tiag
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#132 Post by Bro.Tiag »

Telemachus wrote:
Fibonacci wrote:Either way, the last thing.. I suppose this line is supposed to check if installation went well..

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glxinfo|grep rendering
But all I get as an answer is..

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bash: glxinfo: command not found
or logged as root

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-su: glxinfo: command not found
You have to install a package called mesa-utils in order to have glxinfo.
Not to be a pain in the arse, and maybe I missed it in the OP, but installing mesa-utils is not included there, yet it is suggest to do the the following.
mzilikazi wrote:
After you've gotten the driver to build and Xwindows working you can do a quick test for Direct Rendering:

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glxinfo|grep rendering
Also of interest is nvidia-settings
Cheers

GNU.Wasabi
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#133 Post by GNU.Wasabi »

Actually mesa-utils isn't needed. nvidia-settings --glxinfo
Cheers, GNU.Wasabi

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mzilikazi
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#134 Post by mzilikazi »

Thanks Bro.Tiag & GNU.Wasabi - made a small edit to include this info.
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monacelli
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#135 Post by monacelli »

A simple "apt-get install nvidia-glx" worked for me on a fresh testing install with non-free and contrib added to the sources.list. After install nvidia-glx all I had to do was add the appropriate driver line to xorg.conf and restart x. Maybe I'm missing something but it seems like you guys are making the process harder than it really is.
Image

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#136 Post by julian67 »

monacelli wrote:A simple "apt-get install nvidia-glx" worked for me on a fresh testing install with non-free and contrib added to the sources.list. After install nvidia-glx all I had to do was add the appropriate driver line to xorg.conf and restart x. Maybe I'm missing something but it seems like you guys are making the process harder than it really is.
And now try that on a custom kernel with the latest nvidia driver. Yes, you are missing plenty.
Wisdom from my inbox: "do not mock at your pottenocy"

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mzilikazi
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#137 Post by mzilikazi »

monacelli wrote:A simple "apt-get install nvidia-glx" worked for me on a fresh testing install with non-free and contrib added to the sources.list. After install nvidia-glx all I had to do was add the appropriate driver line to xorg.conf and restart x. Maybe I'm missing something but it seems like you guys are making the process harder than it really is.
Are you saying that you didn't use module-assistant? What does this say:

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lsmod|grep nv
Debian Sid Laptops:
AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor TK-55 / 1.5G
Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU T2390 @ 1.86GHz / 3G

monacelli
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#138 Post by monacelli »

mzilikazi wrote:Are you saying that you didn't use module-assistant? What does this say:

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lsmod|grep nv
Indeed, I didn't use module-assistant.

lsmod|grep nv returns:

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nvidia               7086148  26 
i2c_core               19828  2 nvidia,i2c_i801
agpgart                28776  2 nvidia,intel_agp
Image

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mzilikazi
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#139 Post by mzilikazi »

monacelli wrote:
mzilikazi wrote:Are you saying that you didn't use module-assistant? What does this say:

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lsmod|grep nv
Indeed, I didn't use module-assistant.

lsmod|grep nv returns:

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nvidia               7086148  26 
i2c_core               19828  2 nvidia,i2c_i801
agpgart                28776  2 nvidia,intel_agp
OK then how about this:

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modinfo nvidia
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didi
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#140 Post by didi »

I can confirm that you can (also) install it by just using aptitude, did it recently on my laptop.

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# modinfo nvidia
filename:       /lib/modules/2.6.26-1-686-bigmem/nvidia/nvidia.ko
license:        NVIDIA
alias:          char-major-195-*
alias:          pci:v000010DEd*sv*sd*bc03sc02i00*
alias:          pci:v000010DEd*sv*sd*bc03sc00i00*
depends:        agpgart,i2c-core
vermagic:       2.6.26-1-686-bigmem SMP mod_unload modversions 686
parm:           NVreg_EnableVia4x:int
parm:           NVreg_EnableALiAGP:int
parm:           NVreg_ReqAGPRate:int
parm:           NVreg_EnableAGPSBA:int
parm:           NVreg_EnableAGPFW:int
parm:           NVreg_Mobile:int
parm:           NVreg_ResmanDebugLevel:int
parm:           NVreg_RmLogonRC:int
parm:           NVreg_ModifyDeviceFiles:int
parm:           NVreg_DeviceFileUID:int
parm:           NVreg_DeviceFileGID:int
parm:           NVreg_DeviceFileMode:int
parm:           NVreg_RemapLimit:int
parm:           NVreg_UpdateMemoryTypes:int
parm:           NVreg_UseVBios:int
parm:           NVreg_RMEdgeIntrCheck:int
parm:           NVreg_UsePageAttributeTable:int
parm:           NVreg_RegistryDwords:charp
parm:           NVreg_NvAGP:int

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