Hi, I have a quick question,
Basically, after several hours of following online advice to install the driver for the nvidia geforce 4, it simply doesn't work. For this computer at least, Ubuntu is as user friendly as a soviet nuclear power plant. +1 for Windows in the OS battle.
At the moment the current error (have so far defeated about 4), is that the driver installer (which is being executed with sh), can't find a kernel interface on the nvidia ftp site, and can't compile one because of the kernel (not sure what any of that means).
So some guy said he got around this by 'installing these packages':
kernel-generic-smp-2.6.24.3_smp-i686-2
kernel-headers-2.6.24.3_smp-x86-2
kernel-modules-smp-2.6.24.3_smp-i686-2
kernel-source-2.6.24.3_smp-noarch-2

How do I find/install these?

Thanks all, RM

PS. Why is it that Windows has no problem with proprietary nvidia drivers, but linux 'cracks the shits' as we Aussies say?

PPS. In ubuntu's defence, when it does work, compiz fusion is way awesome.

Look, if you want to get help quickly, could you please keep opinions away and stick to your problem (at least in the future)? This way you'll get info much faster. If you have problems with installing drivers, you should first check if you are doing it right.

What is the version of your ubuntu distribution?

Have you tried to install drivers using method described in this article?

About installing packages, try reading this and this.

Most computers you purchase with Windows pre-installed also come with CD/DVD(s) that include all drivers for the hardware in the computer, or a recovery partition with the same.

Did they also give you that Ubuntu disc with all the drivers?

Probably not, you probably downloaded Ubuntu for free off the www.
If Linux developers could get around license issues and include proprietary drivers for every possible hardware item available, you would need to download about 10 DVDs to do a successful installation.
Would you jump on it if you were required to spend a week downloading DVDs?

On the Nvidia homepage, you will see
'96.43.xx' recommended for geforce 4.
http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux_d..._96.43.07.html

It's not going to be easy, maybe, the only
package I can identify in the package manager
is 'nvidia-glx-envy' ( 1:96.43.05.. ) but try
it as a starting point.
....

In your Synaptic Package Manager your find nvidia drivers. Have you tried them?

I am informed that the nvidia driver that comes with ubuntu is for newer cards. It didn't work for my older card .
No, because I am both looking for help and trying to fathom how people can think linux can defeat windows with its current level of user-friendliness.
I tryed apt-get, but it says the package doesn't exist.
Im afraid I don't understand. My problem is not that I have to obtain the driver, but that it will not simply install and shut-up like it does in windows (XP!). Now to be fair, in the case of the Printer and my Wireless Cards, the driver installation was tenfold easier than in Windows. In windows I had to decypher the card model from the PCI number, then go find its driver, install it etc. In ubuntu, I booted up and it worked instantly. The printer was selected from a list and worked instantly, whereas in windows it takes a 30 minute install from a HP CD. However, it only takes one issue (and the display not working is a BIGGIE) to render the system 100% user unfriendly. Ubuntu was installed on this computer 1 week ago, and I have been working on it a bit each day to fix it, and it has successfully resisted repair. Im saying this can't happen if ubuntu is to defeat the evil empire and its shitty (read: Vista) exorbitantly priced software. No?
Thats what I am trying to get to work (post1).
I will check this out.

Thanks all! RM

never mind, I give up

RM