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How could i update/install the driver for my VGA card?

I've downloaded the .run file for my Asus EN8500GT 512MB Silent Magic PCI-e Graphics card. How can i install the driver to my Ubuntu 12.04?
And how can i install java for this copy of ubuntu?
I just installed the ubuntu recently as a back-up OS, since Windblows got error every day. So, i'm still a newbie at using ubuntu. Thx

A .run file is a script file, but it's usually distributed (such as with nVidia) without the executable bit set. If this is the case with yours, you must first make the file executable and then run it.

Open a terminal window and do the following:

First change to the directory where you downloaded the file. Assuming it's in the Download directory of your HOME directory:

Code:

cd ~/Downloads

BASH replaces the ~ character with your $HOME environment variable. This variable is set to /home/username.

Since you did not give the full name of the file, let's assume it's silentmagic.run. To make the file executable, enter the following command in the terminal window:

Code:

chmod +x silentmagic.run

Now run the file as the superuser, enter your password when prompted:

Code:

sudo sh silentmagic.run

This will execute the .run file and install the driver. Note though, there may be some options that you may need to specify. You may be able to get help with:

Code:

sh silentmagic.run --help

Hope this helps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by towheedm (Post 4781357)

Code:

cd ~/Downloads

Code:

chmod +x silentmagic.run

Now run the file as the superuser, enter your password when prompted:

Code:

sudo sh silentmagic.run

This will execute the .run file and install the driver. Note though, there may be some options that you may need to specify. You may be able to get help with:

Code:

sh silentmagic.run --help

Hope this helps.

So, i have to type in the full name of the file to make it an executeable?

Btw, what about .tar.gz file for java? What should i do with it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by strzz (Post 4781360)

So, i have to type in the full name of the file to make it an executeable?

Technically, no. You can of course use wildcards. But since you mentioned that you're new to Linux, I'd advice that you type in the full name to prevent messing up other files.

Quote:

Originally Posted by strzz (Post 4781360)

Btw, what about .tar.gz file for java? What should i do with it?

A .tar.gz file is a compressed archive file. If you downloaded it for an application, it usually means that it contains the source code for the program. This requires that you extract the files from the archive, then compile and install the application manually.

If you are referring to the java browser plugin, I'd seriously recommend that you install one from the repos. There are two that comes to mind, the Sun java and the iced-tea plugins.

You can use the Synaptic Package Manager to search for and install it.