Nvidia on debian sarge

Ftroop · 03-14-2005, 07:45 AM

I am using debian sarge with the 2.6 kernel ,download the new drivers from nVidia i think they are 7*** something now .
log in with console only you can do this from the log in screen so X isnt running.
cd to the directory where downloaded the drivers.
then change to root su or what ever.
make sure the package is executable ,permissions etc.
./NVIDIA- whatever

follow on screen prompts
when finished and module is loaded.
open your favourite editor nano,vim,emacs etc
then open the file like /etc/X11/XF86Config-4
and comment out the lines load Gl core and load dri with the hash (#)
then change the driver name from (nv)
and change it to nvidia
reboot and every thing shouldwork you will be greeted with a nVidia splash if everything has worked ok.
If not check your config file and make sure every is ok if still no joy revert back to your original X config and try something else

Tons of Fun · 03-14-2005, 12:19 PM

I tried getting nvidea drivers to work with Sarge and had no luck, reverted back to Vesa. I did not try FTroops way of doing it though. I am going to try that tonight, hopefully that will work.

Ftroop · 03-15-2005, 12:42 PM

I have tried this method again tonight on another box using debian "sarge" and it works fine too

ToastedToad · 03-15-2005, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Norb
I had many problems also with NVIDIA, after coming across this link and following it word for word my problems ended. I'm using the 2.6.8-2-686 kernel and the 1.0-6111-pkg1.run Nvidia drivers, for a MX4000 card. I've never been able to upgrade to the 1.0-6629 drivers it seems there's a problem with my card.
Good luck

http://serios.net/content/debian/nvi...ay-drivers.php

Just followed this link and worked perfectly. 277 fps in glxgears with my RIVA TNT 16meg PCI card.

Getting a 5600 Ultra in a few days, will I have to do anything special when I install it. Such as reinstall drivers or edit x86 config?

Thanks.

R00ts · 03-20-2005, 12:01 PM

Ok, I have no idea what's going on but I can not get the nvidia installer to....well install.

Here's my kernel and everything I've installed/done. I'm using this guide: http://serios.net/content/debian/nvi...ay-drivers.php

Kernel: 2.6.10-9-amd64-k8
CHECK

Kernel headers installed? /usr/src/kernel-headers-2.6.10-9-amd64-k8/
CHECK

Symbolic link setup correctly?

Code:

 ls -l /lib/modules/2.6.10-9-amd64-k8/build
lrwxrwxrwx  1 root root 41 2005-03-19 13:39 /lib/modules/2.6.10-9-amd64-k8/build -> /usr/src/kernel-headers-2.6.10-9-amd64-k8

CHECK

nvidia driver version being installed: NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-1.0-7167-pkg2.run
CHECK

Now I booted into the right kernel, and I have X shutdown so I can get into the installer menu. After accepting the license agreement it says no pre-compiled interface or something found for your kernel, so then it tries to compile it and fails. Here's the /var/log/nvidia-installer.lo output.

Code:

creation time: Sun Mar 20 06:35:15 2005

option status:
  license pre-accepted    : false
  update                  : false
  force update            : false
  expert                  : false
  uninstall               : false
  driver info             : false
  no precompiled interface: false
  no ncurses color        : false
  query latest driver ver : false
  OpenGL header files     : false
  no questions            : false
  silent                  : 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
  force tls               : (not specified)
  force compat32 tls      : (not specified)
  X install prefix        : /usr/X11R6
  OpenGL install prefix   : /usr
  compat32 install prefix : /emul/ia32-linux
  installer install prefix: /usr
  utility install prefix  : /usr
  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
   that the installer will need to compile a new kernel interface.
-> Kernel source path: '/lib/modules/2.6.10-9-amd64-k8/build'
-> Performing CC test with CC="cc".
-> Performing rivafb check.
-> Performing change_page_attr() check.
WARNING: Your Linux kernel has problems in its implementation of 
         the change_page_attr kernel interface.  The NVIDIA kernel 
         module will attempt to work around these problems, but 
         system stability may be affected.  It is recommended that 
         you update to a 2.6.11 or newer kernel.
         
         Please see APPENDIX N: KNOWN ISSUES in NVIDIA's README for 
         more details.
-> Cleaning kernel module build directory.
   executing: 'cd ./usr/src/nv; make clean'...
   rm -f -f nv.o nv-vm.o os-agp.o os-interface.o os-registry.o nv.o nv-vm.o os-
   agp.o os-interface.o os-registry.o nvidia.mod.o
   rm -f -f build-in.o nv-linux.o *.d .*.{cmd,flags}
   rm -f -f nvidia.{o,ko,mod.{o,c}} nv_compiler.h *~
   rm -f -rf .tmp_versions
-> Building kernel module:
   executing: 'cd ./usr/src/nv; make module SYSSRC=/lib/modules/2.6.10-9-amd64-
   k8/build SYSOUT=/lib/modules/2.6.10-9-amd64-k8/build'...
   
   NVIDIA: calling KBUILD...
   make CC=cc  KBUILD_VERBOSE=1 -C /lib/modules/2.6.10-9-amd64-k8/build SUBDIRS
   =/tmp/selfgz4523/NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-1.0-7167-pkg2/usr/src/nv modules
   mkdir -p /tmp/selfgz4523/NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-1.0-7167-pkg2/usr/src/nv/.tmp_v
   ersions
   make -f scripts/Makefile.build obj=/tmp/selfgz4523/NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-1.0-7
   167-pkg2/usr/src/nv
   echo \#define NV_COMPILER \"`cc -v 2>&1 | tail -n 1`\" > /tmp/selfgz4523/NVI
   DIA-Linux-x86_64-1.0-7167-pkg2/usr/src/nv/nv_compiler.h
     cc -Wp,-MD,/tmp/selfgz4523/NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-1.0-7167-pkg2/usr/src/nv/.n
   v.o.d -nostdinc -iwithprefix include -D__KERNEL__ -Iinclude  -Wall -Wstrict-
   prototypes -Wno-trigraphs -fno-strict-aliasing -fno-common -O2     -fomit-fr
   ame-pointer -march=k8 -mno-red-zone -mcmodel=kernel -pipe -fno-reorder-block
   s     -Wno-sign-compare -fno-asynchronous-unwind-tables   -I/tmp/selfgz4523/N
VI
   DIA-Linux-x86_64-1.0-7167-pkg2/usr/src/nv -Wall -Wimplicit -Wreturn-type -Ws
   witch -Wformat -Wchar-subscripts -Wparentheses -Wpointer-arith  -Wno-multich
   ar  -W
   error -O -fno-common -mno-red-zone -MD   -Wsign-compare -Wno-cast-qual -Wno-
   error -D_LOOSE_KERNEL_NAMES -D__KERNEL__ -DMODULE  -mcmodel=kernel -DNTRM -D
   _GNU_SOURCE -D_LOOSE_KERNEL_NAMES -D__KERNEL__ -DMODULE  -DNV_MAJOR_VERSION=
   1 -DNV_MINOR_VERSION=0 -DNV_PATCHLEVEL=7167  -DNV_UNIX  -DNV_LINUX  -DNV_INT
   64_OK  -DNVCPU_X86_64  -DNV_64_BITS    -UDEBUG -U_DEBUG -DNDEBUG -DNV_SIGNAL
   _STRUCT_RLIM -DNV_CHANGE_PAGE_ATTR_PRESENT -DNV_PCI_DISABLE_DEVICE_PRESENT  
   -DMODULE -DKBUILD_BASENAME=nv -DKBUILD_MODNAME=nvidia -c -o /tmp/selfgz4523/
   NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-1.0-7167-pkg2/usr/src/nv/.tmp_nv.o /tmp/selfgz4523/NVIDI
   A-Linux-x86_64-1.0-7167-pkg2/usr/src/nv/nv.c
   /tmp/selfgz4523/NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-1.0-7167-pkg2/usr/src/nv/nv.c:1: error: 
   code model `kernel' not supported in the 32 bit mode
   make[3]: *** [/tmp/selfgz4523/NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-1.0-7167-pkg2/usr/src/nv/n
   v.o] Error 1
   make[2]: *** [_module_/tmp/selfgz4523/NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-1.0-7167-pkg2/usr/
   src/nv] Error 2
   NVIDIA: left KBUILD.
   nvidia.ko failed to build!
   make[1]: *** [module] Error 1
   make: *** [module] Error 2
-> Error.
ERROR: Unable to build the NVIDIA kernel module.
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 www.nvidia.com.

I think this is another wonderful 64-bit/32-bit problem I've been having lately.

I'm going to read through the readme and if I can't find anything and I don't hear anything back from this thread, I'm just going to screw 64-bit because it's been more trouble than what it's worth.

Ftroop · 03-22-2005, 03:50 AM

Sorry not to sure about the drivers for 64 bit ,have you tried the nvidia forum itself there might be a workaround on that ?

macondo · 03-22-2005, 10:06 AM

I always do it with Debfoster, but you can also install Synaptic, choose the list of 'installed packages', hilite the package and get rid of it.

feldux · 03-28-2005, 10:25 PM

for whatever reason, as of today (3/28/05) and possibly some time earlier, the sarge repositories
don't contain nvidia-glx or nvidia-kernel-settings pacakges.

using the module-assistant method, is there any way to make sarge install the nvidia drivers?
(the nvidia binary doesn't seem to like the stock debian 686-smp kernel i'm using)

R00ts · 04-09-2005, 04:15 PM

***** EDIT *****
I resolved the issue. The problem is that I forgot that --append-to-version needs a 'make-kpkg clean' in order to work. Once I applied that command, it worked. I'm leaving this post up here for reference in case others encounter the same problem.

Ok, I'm giving this a shot again and I managed to get the nvidia module installed (!!!) but to the wrong directory.

The problem is I'm using a custom kernel that I built, in which I used the --append-to-version=NAME to create a kernel called:

Code:

harima:/usr/src/linux# uname -r
2.6.10-sawachika

So my modules directory for this kernel is in: /lib/modules/2.6.10-sawachika/

To build my nvidia kernel module, I installed "nvidia-kernel-source" and "nvidia-kernel-common" from the unstable debian repository. I followed the instructions in the file for how to create your module:

Code:

METHOD #2: Using your own kernel source headers
***********************************************************************

To build the nvidia-kernel deb you need to first make sure you have
kernel-package installed, then do the following:

As root
1. cd /usr/src
   tar xzvf nvidia-kernel-source.tar.gz -C <YOUR BUILD LOCATION>         
   (It will install in <YOU BUILD LOCATION>/modules) 
   - or -
   tar xzvf nvidia-kernel-source.tar.gz  (if building in /usr/src) 

2. If you are NOT using the default modules location /usr/src/modules
   then you must set an environment variable that points to your modules
   location.
     
     export MODULE_LOC=<YOUR BUILD LOCATION>/modules
     
   This is needed by make-kpkg which is used later. If 
   <YOUR BUILD LOCATION> is /usr/src there is no need to set this.
     
3. Build the modules under MODULE_LOC i.e. <YOU BUILD LOCATION>/modules 

     cd linux (or your kernel source directory)
     make-kpkg modules_image

4. Install nvidia-kernel-common:

   apt-get install nvidia-kernel-common

5. Install the nvidia-kernel package:
     
     cd <YOUR BUILD LOCATION>    (e.g. /usr/src)
     dpkg -i nvidia-kernel-KVER*.deb

I followed the instructions and it worked. However, when I tried to modprobe nvidia it didn't work, and I found out that the nvidia modules had been installed to /lib/modules/2.6.10! Grrr. So I went back and in step 3 I tried to do the following:

Code:

     make-kpkg --append-to-version=-sawachika modules_image

So I gave it the same name as my kernel. Everything should be happy, right? Wrong. It refuses to build and spits out this error:

Code:

harima:/usr/src/linux# make-kpkg --append-to-version=-sawachika modules_image
Warning: The file include/linux/version.h exists
The contained UTS_VERSION string:
                        "2.6.10"
does not match expectations:
                        "2.6.10-sawachika"
I'll try and recover
Please ignore the warning about overriding and ignoring targets above.
These are harmless. They are only invoked in a part of the process
that tries to snarf variable values for the conf.vars file.
echo done >  stamp-configure
The changelog says we are creating 2.6.10, but I thought the version is 2.6.10-sawachika
make: *** [modules_image] Error 1

I've been scratching my head trying to fix this one but I don't know how to. I found a note at the bottom of the Debian installation README file:

Code:

Notes for method #2: 

- It is advised not to clean the kernel source tree between 
"make-kpkg kernel_image" and "make-kpkg modules_image".

Unfortunately, I *did* clean the kernel source tree between when I built this kernel (months ago) and when I tried to build the modules_image.

Does anyone know how to ameliorate this issue? In a way that hopefully doesn't require me to re-compile and re-install my kernel again? Thank you so much for any wisdom you can share.

R00ts · 04-09-2005, 05:42 PM

***** EDIT *****
Nevermind again, I fixed it myself. The problem was that I forgot I uninstalled nvidia-glx once while I was fiddling with this stuff. Once I installed that package again, everything worked fine. WOOHOO 3d accelerated graphics!!

Ok, as I have edited in my post above I fixed the problem. I now have nvidia-kernel-2.6.10-sawachika sucessfully installed and in the proper directories.

However startx still fails! It says it could not found the nvidia module and I was like WTF!? Because before I typed startx I checked to see if the module was loaded, just in case.

Code:

roots@harima:~$ lsmod
Module                  Size  Used by
nvidia               3914876  0

Ok! it's there! I don't know what else xserver wants from me.

The modifications I made to my XFree86-4 file to use the new video drivers were the following:

- Comment out these two lines
# Load "dri"
# Load "GLCore"

- Change driver name from vesa to nvidia
driver "nvidia"

- Add option under new driver name
Option "NvAGP" "3"

What is there left for me to do? That should be all I need! Oh woe is me.