Nvidia support in debian...

rickh · 01-28-2008, 10:03 PM

Quote:

The following packages have unmet dependencies:
nvidia-glx: Depends: xserver-xorg-core (>= 2:1.4) but 2:1.3.0.0.dfsg-12 is to be installed

I'm not entirely convinced. I wonder what would happen if you built the nvidia-kernel-source before attempting to install nvidia-glx ... per my instructions.

Edit: Checking out the Debian forums, it appears that some people are getting in installed successfully in Lenny, using my method.

jay73 · 01-28-2008, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Give it a try then it won't work anyways enough of this foolishness...

Well, you should do it as rickh says. Do not start with glx. And as I pointed out, I did all of this only yesterday on a fresh install of Lenny... Either your system is not up to date or you haven't got a clue how to build this sort of thing.

eerok · 01-29-2008, 10:54 AM

I failed to get the nvidia card on my new machine working from any guide -- in fact I ended up with an unbootable system after trying two methods without cleaning up in between. So I did a fresh install (etch), went to the nvidia site, followed their instructions, and now everything works. No kernel compile was necessary.

If you're not a purist and just want it to work, this is worth trying IMO.

IcoNyx · 01-29-2008, 07:13 PM

ok, this is my third attempt,

I have finally found the ONLY way to get the nvidia kernel module to install is to recompile my kernel.

so I did so and the nvidia module is compiling without any errors, however I realized something... I STILL have no way to know for certain that the module is loading properly... can someone tell me a sure way to be certain that the module is installed and running?

the original suggestion to try glxgears... yeah, that works fine even if I'm useing the NON 3d drivers native to Debian. and glx info gives me this:

Code:

hermes:/etc/apt# glxinfo
name of display: :0.0
display: :0  screen: 0
direct rendering: No (If you want to find out why, try setting LIBGL_DEBUG=verbose)
server glx vendor string: SGI
server glx version string: 1.2
server glx extensions:
    GLX_ARB_multisample, GLX_EXT_visual_info, GLX_EXT_visual_rating, 
    GLX_EXT_import_context, GLX_EXT_texture_from_pixmap, GLX_OML_swap_method, 
    GLX_SGI_make_current_read, GLX_SGIS_multisample, GLX_SGIX_hyperpipe, 
    GLX_SGIX_swap_barrier, GLX_SGIX_fbconfig, GLX_MESA_copy_sub_buffer
client glx vendor string: SGI
client glx version string: 1.4
client glx extensions:
    GLX_ARB_get_proc_address, GLX_ARB_multisample, GLX_EXT_import_context, 
    GLX_EXT_visual_info, GLX_EXT_visual_rating, GLX_MESA_allocate_memory, 
    GLX_MESA_copy_sub_buffer, GLX_MESA_swap_control, 
    GLX_MESA_swap_frame_usage, GLX_OML_swap_method, GLX_OML_sync_control, 
    GLX_SGI_make_current_read, GLX_SGI_swap_control, GLX_SGI_video_sync, 
    GLX_SGIS_multisample, GLX_SGIX_fbconfig, GLX_SGIX_pbuffer, 
    GLX_SGIX_visual_select_group, GLX_EXT_texture_from_pixmap
GLX version: 1.2
GLX extensions:
    GLX_ARB_get_proc_address, GLX_ARB_multisample, GLX_EXT_import_context, 
    GLX_EXT_visual_info, GLX_EXT_visual_rating, GLX_MESA_copy_sub_buffer, 
    GLX_OML_swap_method, GLX_SGI_make_current_read, GLX_SGIS_multisample, 
    GLX_SGIX_fbconfig, GLX_EXT_texture_from_pixmap
OpenGL vendor string: Mesa project: www.mesa3d.org
OpenGL renderer string: Mesa GLX Indirect
OpenGL version string: 1.4 (2.1 Mesa 7.0.3)
OpenGL extensions:
    GL_ARB_depth_texture, GL_ARB_draw_buffers, GL_ARB_fragment_program, 
    GL_ARB_imaging, GL_ARB_multisample, GL_ARB_multitexture, 
    GL_ARB_occlusion_query, GL_ARB_point_parameters, GL_ARB_point_sprite, 
    GL_ARB_shadow, GL_ARB_shadow_ambient, GL_ARB_texture_border_clamp, 
    GL_ARB_texture_compression, GL_ARB_texture_cube_map, 
    GL_ARB_texture_env_add, GL_ARB_texture_env_combine, 
    GL_ARB_texture_env_crossbar, GL_ARB_texture_env_dot3, 
    GL_ARB_texture_mirrored_repeat, GL_ARB_texture_non_power_of_two, 
    GL_ARB_texture_rectangle, GL_ARB_transpose_matrix, GL_ARB_vertex_program, 
    GL_ARB_window_pos, GL_EXT_abgr, GL_EXT_bgra, GL_EXT_blend_color, 
    GL_EXT_blend_equation_separate, GL_EXT_blend_func_separate, 
    GL_EXT_blend_logic_op, GL_EXT_blend_minmax, GL_EXT_blend_subtract, 
    GL_EXT_clip_volume_hint, GL_EXT_copy_texture, GL_EXT_draw_range_elements, 
    GL_EXT_fog_coord, GL_EXT_framebuffer_object, GL_EXT_multi_draw_arrays, 
    GL_EXT_packed_pixels, GL_EXT_paletted_texture, GL_EXT_point_parameters, 
    GL_EXT_polygon_offset, GL_EXT_rescale_normal, GL_EXT_secondary_color, 
    GL_EXT_separate_specular_color, GL_EXT_shadow_funcs, 
    GL_EXT_shared_texture_palette, GL_EXT_stencil_wrap, GL_EXT_subtexture, 
    GL_EXT_texture, GL_EXT_texture3D, GL_EXT_texture_edge_clamp, 
    GL_EXT_texture_env_add, GL_EXT_texture_env_combine, 
    GL_EXT_texture_env_dot3, GL_EXT_texture_lod_bias, 
    GL_EXT_texture_mirror_clamp, GL_EXT_texture_object, 
    GL_EXT_texture_rectangle, GL_EXT_vertex_array, GL_APPLE_packed_pixels, 
    GL_ATI_draw_buffers, GL_ATI_texture_env_combine3, 
    GL_ATI_texture_mirror_once, GL_ATIX_texture_env_combine3, 
    GL_IBM_texture_mirrored_repeat, GL_INGR_blend_func_separate, 
    GL_MESA_pack_invert, GL_MESA_ycbcr_texture, GL_NV_blend_square, 
    GL_NV_fragment_program, GL_NV_light_max_exponent, GL_NV_point_sprite, 
    GL_NV_texgen_reflection, GL_NV_texture_rectangle, GL_NV_vertex_program, 
    GL_NV_vertex_program1_1, GL_SGI_color_matrix, GL_SGI_color_table, 
    GL_SGIS_generate_mipmap, GL_SGIS_texture_border_clamp, 
    GL_SGIS_texture_edge_clamp, GL_SGIS_texture_lod, GL_SGIX_depth_texture, 
    GL_SGIX_shadow, GL_SGIX_shadow_ambient, GL_SUN_multi_draw_arrays

   visual  x  bf lv rg d st colorbuffer ax dp st accumbuffer  ms  cav
 id dep cl sp sz l  ci b ro  r  g  b  a bf th cl  r  g  b  a ns b eat
----------------------------------------------------------------------
0x23 16 tc  0 16  0 r  y  .  5  6  5  0  0 16  0  0  0  0  0  0 0 None
0x24 16 tc  0 16  0 r  y  .  5  6  5  0  0 16  8 16 16 16  0  0 0 None
0x25 16 tc  0 24  0 r  y  .  5  6  5  8  0 16  8 16 16 16 16  0 0 None
0x26 16 tc  0 24  0 r  .  .  5  6  5  8  0 16  8 16 16 16 16  0 0 None
0x27 16 dc  0 16  0 r  y  .  5  6  5  0  0 16  0  0  0  0  0  0 0 None
0x28 16 dc  0 16  0 r  y  .  5  6  5  0  0 16  8 16 16 16  0  0 0 None
0x29 16 dc  0 24  0 r  y  .  5  6  5  8  0 16  8 16 16 16 16  0 0 None
0x2a 16 dc  0 24  0 r  .  .  5  6  5  8  0 16  8 16 16 16 16  0 0 None

all I noticed in this somewhat "useful" code: "direct rendering: No"

so... how do I confirm this?

rickh · 01-29-2008, 07:35 PM

Quote:

all I noticed in this somewhat "useful" code: "direct rendering: No"

That means you screwed it up again. Sorry for the lack of sympathy, but this ain't rocket science.

IcoNyx · 01-29-2008, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickh

That means you screwed it up again. Sorry for the lack of sympathy, but this ain't rocket science.

wow, you really aren't, kind... you know? it's rude answers like this that make micro$oft look good.

however, I am forced to respond; you're right! its not rocket science. here, allow me to detail what I did:

Install Debian (lenny 4.0 r2) from netinstall cdrom created on a seperate system running debian (sarge)

on completion, logged in and openec terminal then performed the following:

Code:

hermes:/# gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

I then cleared the file and entered the following:

Code:

#deb cdrom:[Debian GNU/Linux testing _Lenny_ - Official Snapshot i386 NETINST Binary-1 20080125-21:12]/ lenny main

##Distro Specific
#deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ lenny main
#deb-src http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ lenny main

#deb http://security.debian.org/ lenny/updates main
#deb-src http://security.debian.org/ lenny/updates main

##Generation Specific
##Stable
# deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ stable main non-free contrib  
# deb-src http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ stable main non-free contrib  
# deb http://non-us.debian.org/debian-non-US/ stable/non-US main contrib non-free 

##Testing
deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ testing main non-free contrib 
deb-src http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ testing main non-free contrib 
# deb http://non-us.debian.org/debian-non-US/ testing/non-US main contrib non-free 

##Unstable
 deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ unstable main non-free contrib  
 deb-src http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ unstable main non-free contrib  
# deb http://non-us.debian.org/debian-non-US/ unstable/non-US main contrib non-free 

##Multimedia
# deb http://www.debian-multimedia.org/ stable main 
deb http://www.debian-multimedia.org/ testing main

I saved the file and then using a similar method I created a new file (/etc/apt/preferances) containing the following:

Code:

Package: *
Pin: release a=testing
Pin-Priority: 700

Package: *
Pin: release a=unstable
Pin-Priority: 650

Package: *
Pin: release a=lenny
Pin-Priority: 600

I then ran the follwing commands in this order:

Code:

hermes:/# apt-get update
hermes:/# apt-get dist-upgrade
hermes:/# apt-get install make gcc g++ bin86 libc6-dev kernel-package ncurses-base libncurses5-dev qt3-apps-dev mesa-utils
hermes:/# # cd /usr/src/
hermes:/# wget http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/linux-2.6.24.tar.bz2
hermes:/# tar -xvjf linux-2.6.24.tar.bz2
hermes:/# ln -s /usr/src/linux-2.6.24 linux
hermes:/# cd /usr/src/linux
hermes:/# make xconfig

I then loaded the 2.6.18 config file from /boot/ and made some changes to the processor (as debian thinks I have a P4 pro and I have a core 2) saved it and then ran:

Code:

hermes:/# make-kpkg clean
hermes:/# make-kpkg --initrd kernel_image
hermes:/# dpkg -i /usr/src/linux-image-2.6.24_2.6.24-10.00.Custom_i386.deb
hermes:/# reboot

this of course caused a reboot... after which I went to a console (ctrl+alt+f2) and ran:

Code:

hermes:/# /etc/init.d/gdm stop
hermes:/# cd /usr/src/
hermes:/# wget http://us.download.nvidia.com/XFree86/Linux-x86/169.09/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-169.09-pkg1.run
hermes:/# sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86-169.09-pkg1.run

this started the installer...

I Accepted the agreement, I know my soul isn't mine anyway... Micro$oft already stole it. hence the reason I'm installing debian...

I opted NOT to try to download a pre-compiled kernel module... there isn't one.

It successfully built the kernel module (no gcc errors here!) then I allowed it to run the xconfig. and it took me back to a prompt... then I typed in "reboot" through I could have just ran "/etc/init.d/gdm start" but I opted to restart...

and after all that was done... well you know the rest... now, tell me (Mr "rocket man") where the fark did I go wrong?

Look, no flaming here, I do have a semblance of knowledge here, I DO actually know what the hell I'm doing, I just am not familiar with this particular distro, Im coming in from fedora. I really would prefer NOT to go back because fedora is guilty of the same crap as Winblows (they load it down with crap that takes up resources and bog the system down unnecessarily)

if the driver is loaded then I can accept that. After all, glx appears to be working. I just need to know it is running. hell if someone could tell me what to add to my xorg.conf to get the nvidia splash screen to come up, I'd acutally be happy with that! I just want to have some kind of demonstration it works.

and please, for the love of all that's holy, dont treat people badly because you assume they are an idiot. Sometimes it just makes you look bad.

rickh · 01-29-2008, 09:22 PM

Sorry about my brusque attitude, but I laid out the process very specifically above, and you didn't follow it. Not even close. I have no idea why you are building new kernels from kernel.org, downloading the Nvidia installer, working the sources list from both testing and unstable (with pinning), etc.

There is a Debian Way to do things. None of what you are trying to do is wrong, but in order to learn Debian, you should learn the Debian Way before branching out on your own.

IcoNyx · 01-29-2008, 09:56 PM

ok, dude... I just followed your guide... and it killed my xserver... I get video but I have NO mouse or keyboard control...

IcoNyx · 01-29-2008, 10:07 PM

after some digging it appears it broke because lenny has some packages NOT compatable with some dependancies that aptitude installed in step 1... so aptitude REMOVED those packages... and guess what... they would be packages like xserver-xorg-input-all and this all creates dependancy hell.

when was the last time you did this? and did you actually try it in lenny?

IcoNyx · 01-29-2008, 10:22 PM

ok, I did this:

Code:

# apt-get remove xserver-xorg-core

which ripped out the rest of xorg

then I did:

Code:

# aptitude install xserver-xorg-input-all

which reinstalled xorg
I then reran the nvidia config app and restarted x... it failed to load. so I rebooted and reinstalled the nvidia module useing :

Code:

# m-a prepare
# m-a a-i nvidia-kernel

and reran the xconfig again to be sure... still no dice. Its dead... I hate my life.

I'm sorry rickh Im a magnet for wierd $#!@. just another FYI, I checked the error log and it appears it cant find the nvidia module after reinstalling xorg... so I modified the xorg.conf and am back up... sort of...

Look I think I'll stick with my method, it actually works... badly I know but at least my kernel knows what proc I have and things perform better. thanks anyway.

rickh · 01-29-2008, 10:58 PM

What is the output of ...
$ apt-cache policy nvidia-kernel-$(uname -r)

IcoNyx · 01-29-2008, 11:08 PM

dont know, I'm reinstalling again...

I'm conflicted... I have always respected debian, my server runs it... I have always wanted to run it on my laptop too... but I have 4 problems that always trip me up; performance, sound, wifi, and video

For some reason Debian installs a kernel that detects my processor as a pentium pro. I have a core 2. also USB support is notoriously slow. these issues are fixed with a fresh kernel build which fixes my performance issues, but then I lose sound and wifi. with the default kernel install I can typically find a kernel module package for the wifi and the sound almost always works, but then I cant install the video drivers and my performance is crap.

there are several guides for installing debian on my laptop but they all have missing pieces... they are close but off just enough to just not work!

I dont want stable, its just too old for a laptop. and I dont want unstable because... well, it's unstable...

rickh, what do you recommend I do?

rickh · 01-29-2008, 11:19 PM

What release are you installing ... It should be the AMD64 one. You can either install Etch and upgrade to Lenny, or install Lenny directly. When you get it installed, stick with Debian built kernels and drivers until you get everything working. If you feel it's necessary to install a 32-bit system instead, make sure you get a 686 kernel.

Here's my HowTo for getting the basic system set up correctly.

IcoNyx · 01-29-2008, 11:27 PM

I am installing debian testing (lenny) i386 version. I'm not sure where you got the amd64... my server (which I am using now) runs amd64 but my laptop is a dell xps m1210, it has an intel core 2 processor.

I'm almost done with a clean install now. once that is done I typically try to get my video card working... I'll run over your how to momentarily...

rickh · 01-29-2008, 11:50 PM

Quote:

it has an intel core 2 processor.

I run an Intel Core 2. As far as I know, all versions of that processor are EMT64 (AMD64). 32-bit OSes will obviously also run on them. With the Debian releases, though, only 686 and up kernels are smp aware. That's not a problem. Once the base system is installed, just update the kernel to a 686 version.