Trouble installing latest Nvidia driver on Debian Squeeze
 

Hello all, I installed Debian Squeeze with no issues. I went to install latest Nvidia driver as done previously with Lenny. Used instructions that worked on lenny from "the trooper" http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...-linux-749929/

Downloaded th latest driver for my GeForce 7300 GS vidio card, driver package NVIDIA-Linux-x86-260.19.12.run

Used "method # 2 as described in HOW TO,as it worked perfectly in the past on Lenny. Only syntax I changed was instead of gdm I typed gdm3 as it appears that is the new name for gnome in Squeeze.

Did as folows

aptitude install module-assistant build-essential

m-a update

m-a prepare, (took some time for all the copying and crunching to stop)

ctrl-alt-f1, logged in as root

/etc/init.d/gdm stop

cd /home/jon (where i put the driver)

sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86-260.19.12.run

now the trouble showed up, Unfortunatly I can only go off my memory. A question was asked stating that something did not match, it needed a 3 and the driver had a 4 version or somethng of this sort. then it asked if I new what I was doing (and I lied) and selected yes. And whammo, it didn't work. (This question was asked when i did in Lenny and it is working perfectly still on that system). I now can not boot to GUI, I notice when system boots it starts in "S" mode although I select normal boot from grub2.

Not too bad if I got to reinstall as little is on the system. I just want to know what I am missing on the instalation deal or should I be going about this difrently with Squeeze.

Still somewhat new to Linux, detailed syntax appriciated. Thanks, Jon

Run it again and tell us the actual error. I suspect that's the important part. The last time I did this, there was a mismatch between versions of gcc. I ended up installing the gcc it wanted from the repositories (say gcc-4.1) and then had to delete the /usr/bin/gcc symlink and recreate it to point at the gcc the nvidia driver wanted /usr/bin/gcc-4.1.

Why not install from the package that is in the repos, driver 195.x that is?

@Elixer,

I suspect pljvaldez is on the money with the gcc version error,however,temporarily using a different gcc version is really easy with Debian.
See the following link here:

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...ersion-690246/

You can also ignore the warning and the module will normally compile without problems anyway.
But you must select 'no I don't want to abort the installation'.
Your machine,your call.

Answer to jim p
As to why I wanted to install the latest Nvidia driver is the default 195xxx driver was dificult for me to set up duel monitors on my Lenny system with Xinerama and all. The Nvidia X Server Settings pannell with about 256.53 and up is realy slick, simpler and a breeze to get set up. If all think it best to reinstall OS and install the 195xx deal I will reluctanly do. So I perhaps wrongly assumed the latest would be the best.

Anyway, I replicated the method #2 in the trooper's instructions with exception of the ctrl-alt-f1 as gui was not on screen. I did type the "/etc/init.d/gdm3 stop" line (because I have no idea if part of it is running) and nothing reported. after the sh NVIDIA-Linux260 xx line I get the stuff we are interested in.

Reports:

The CC Version check failed. The compiler used to compile the kernel (gcc 4.3) does not exactly match the current compiler gcc4.4. The Linux 2.6 kernel modual loader rejects kernel modual built with version of gcc that does not exactly match that of the compiler used to build running kernel. If you know what you are doing and want to ignore the gcc version check, select yes to abort install, set CC enviroment variable to name of compiler used to compile your kernel and restart install. Abort now?

I probobly wrongfully answered no and let it do it's thing as I had done in Lenny with no issues.


After a few reboots there were slightly difrent results, on about reboot # 3 there was or a brief fraction of a second message that looked as if gui was going to start and reported something like not configured with ( i think X)

I had a look at xorg.conf and it does not look like monitor resolution and multiple monitors are set up. This I recall was the case with Lenny but I at least had a gui to run the graphical Nvidia config program.

Anyway, something is keeping gdm3 from starting. If I go to etc/init.d and type "gdm3 start" I get nothing.

I figure I need understand what statement "CC version" means and what this "gcc" thing is so I can make sense of how this all interacts.

I anyone thinks I fowled up things too much i will reinstall OS. I would appriciate suggestions on which driver to install and how if I so elect to reintall.

Oh, please just another little help, is there a suggested list of repositories I should have in my sources list for Squeeze? Seems this was always a hang up for me with other things on Lenny.

Thanks, Jon

gcc is the compiler used. Basically it wants you to use version 4.3. So do the following:
1) aptitude install gcc-4.3
2) when it's done, cd /usr/bin
3) rm gcc (this deletes the symlink currently created)
4) ln -s /usr/bin/gcc-4.3 /usr/bin/gcc
5) install the nvidia driver as you tried before.

When you're done you can remove the symlink and recreate it so that it points to gcc-4.4 again.

Or just do it the easy way as shown in the link I posted(post #2).

@Elixer,

If you get no joy using a different gcc,give the smxi script a go.

Ok, that trick was so simple. I never got it why symbolic links were used but I now can see how they are handy. according to the screen the old driver compiled with the newer gcc was uninstalled (I hope completely) and the new one compiled with the 4.3 version went in without any complaints. I allowed it to modify my xorg.conf. Problem is I still can't boot to GUI. Took me some time to 1\2 understand grub legacy and now I need deal with grub2. I don't have reason to believe it is a problem but if anyone would like to look I will type out the commands.

Everthing goes by so fast at boot in the beginning I can not read it all to see what is going on. Old MS Dos would let you hit the pause key so as to read things but I can't seem to find a way to stop it temporarily or slow it down to do so. need time laps camera I guess.

I have tried disconnecting 1 monitor and only using an older vga with 768 X 1024 res with no help.

Perhaps xorg.conf is the problem. There are no screen reselutions in the file. will this cause Gnome not to start? Sorry to pig up this post but here is a copy.

# nvidia-xconfig: X configuration file generated by nvidia-xconfig
# nvidia-xconfig: version 260.19.12 (buildmeister@builder101) Fri Oct 8 13:54:10 PDT 2010


Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Layout0"
Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
EndSection

Section "Files"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"

# generated from default
Identifier "Mouse0"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "auto"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "no"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"

# generated from default
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "kbd"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
VendorName "Unknown"
ModelName "Unknown"
HorizSync 28.0 - 33.0
VertRefresh 43.0 - 72.0
Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Device0"
Driver "nvidia"
VendorName "NVIDIA Corporation"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Device0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection


Some other diferences than on the Lenny (same box). On Lenny OS working well, there is a section called "module" with dbe, extend,type1,freetype and glx in it. Monitors are listed, Under "device" it has the Geforce 7100 GS listed.

Thanks very much for all so far, Jon

Could you post /var/log/Xorg.0.log here to see what exactly is the problem? My bet is that the nouveau driver is preventing the nvidia proprietary module to load. If this is the case, you have two options: either purging the nouveau driver (it's what I did):

Or, following this advice.

Greetings.

His problem apparently was that the gcc compiler version that was default on his system did not match the compiler that was used to compile his kernel. The nvidia detected it and reminded that the kernel may refuse loading modules that are compiled with different compiler. He ignored it and it didnt work.

The solution is, like above stated, to make the compiler that was used for the kernel the default compiler (softlink to /usr/bin/gcc the /usr/bin/gcc-versionnumber, where versionnumber is 4.3, 4.4 etc).

First, remove the existing gcc (it is a softlink, no harm done):

sudo rm /usr/bin/gcc

link the version needed (here is an example with 4.3, you may have else) - first make sure it is actually installed:

sudo ln -s /usr/bin/gcc-4.3 /usr/bin/gcc

Then install the driver again.
Let it do the autoconfiguration of xorg.conf. It does it well in most cases 99%).

Two very good suggestions there.
I have come across the problem with the nouveau driver myself,and the log file will be also be very helpful.

Nouveau can be blacklisted easily:

sudo nano /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist

and append to the end of it in a new line:

blacklist nouveau

reboot.

For some reason, it didn't work for me when I tried it, and from what I've read in the net, it hasn't worked for other people either. That's why I suggested purging the driver, or editing grub to prevent the nouveau module from loading. Anyway, if you install the driver that is in the repositories, it automatically puts a file in /etc/modprobe.d which blacklists the nouveau module (right now, I'm not on my computer to check its name and contents) :).

Regards.

Well i blacklisted nouveau and rebooted and had no more problems on Squeeze after installing the driver from nvidia (i always install the latest available).

Maybe you should also try disabling kms from the boot options.

will need to break it in 2 pieces as it will only let me post 30k charitors


X.Org X Server 1.7.7
Release Date: 2010-05-04
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0
Build Operating System: Linux 2.6.32.23-dsa-ia32 i686 Debian
Current Operating System: Linux debsid 2.6.32-5-686 #1 SMP Sat Oct 30 22:47:19 UTC 2010 i686
Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-5-686 root=UUID=8cbdcc93-226d-4c35-a352-f022bb3f1965 ro quiet
Build Date: 10 October 2010 11:57:07AM
xorg-server 2:1.7.7-8 (Cyril Brulebois <kibi@debian.org>)
Current version of pixman: 0.16.4
Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.x.org
to make sure that you have the latest version.
Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
(++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
(WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
(==) Log file: "/var/log/Xorg.0.log", Time: Mon Nov 8 23:13:26 2010
(==) Using system config directory "/usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d"
(==) No Layout section. Using the first Screen section.
(==) No screen section available. Using defaults.
(**) |-->Screen "Default Screen Section" (0)
(**) | |-->Monitor "<default monitor>"
(==) No monitor specified for screen "Default Screen Section".
Using a default monitor configuration.
(==) Automatically adding devices
(==) Automatically enabling devices
(WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/cyrillic" does not exist.
Entry deleted from font path.
(==) FontPath set to:
/usr/share/fonts/X11/misc,
/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi/:unscaled,
/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi/:unscaled,
/usr/share/fonts/X11/Type1,
/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi,
/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi,
/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType,
built-ins
(==) ModulePath set to "/usr/lib/xorg/modules"
(II) The server relies on udev to provide the list of input devices.
If no devices become available, reconfigure udev or disable AutoAddDevices.
(II) Loader magic: 0x81ecca0
(II) Module ABI versions:
X.Org ANSI C Emulation: 0.4
X.Org Video Driver: 6.0
X.Org XInput driver : 7.0
X.Org Server Extension : 2.0
(++) using VT number 7

(--) PCI:*(0:1:0:0) 10de:016a:0000:0000 nVidia Corporation NV44 [GeForce 7100 GS] rev 161, Mem @ 0xfd000000/16777216, 0xd0000000/268435456, 0xfc000000/16777216, BIOS @ 0x????????/131072
(II) Open ACPI successful (/var/run/acpid.socket)
(II) LoadModule: "extmod"
(II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libextmod.so
(II) Module extmod: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
compiled for 1.7.7, module version = 1.0.0
Module class: X.Org Server Extension
ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 2.0
(II) Loading extension SELinux
(II) Loading extension MIT-SCREEN-SAVER
(II) Loading extension XFree86-VidModeExtension
(II) Loading extension XFree86-DGA
(II) Loading extension DPMS
(II) Loading extension XVideo
(II) Loading extension XVideo-MotionCompensation
(II) Loading extension X-Resource
(II) LoadModule: "dbe"
(II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libdbe.so
(II) Module dbe: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
compiled for 1.7.7, module version = 1.0.0
Module class: X.Org Server Extension
ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 2.0
(II) Loading extension DOUBLE-BUFFER
(II) LoadModule: "glx"
(II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libglx.so
(II) Module glx: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
compiled for 1.7.7, module version = 1.0.0
ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 2.0
(==) AIGLX enabled
(II) Loading extension GLX
(II) LoadModule: "record"
(II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/librecord.so
(II) Module record: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
compiled for 1.7.7, module version = 1.13.0
Module class: X.Org Server Extension
ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 2.0
(II) Loading extension RECORD
(II) LoadModule: "dri"
(II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libdri.so
(II) Module dri: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
compiled for 1.7.7, module version = 1.0.0
ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 2.0
(II) Loading extension XFree86-DRI
(II) LoadModule: "dri2"
(II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libdri2.so
(II) Module dri2: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
compiled for 1.7.7, module version = 1.1.0
ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 2.0
(II) Loading extension DRI2
(==) Matched nouveau as autoconfigured driver 0
(==) Matched nv as autoconfigured driver 1
(==) Matched vesa as autoconfigured driver 2
(==) Matched fbdev as autoconfigured driver 3
(==) Assigned the driver to the xf86ConfigLayout
(II) LoadModule: "nouveau"
(II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/nouveau_drv.so
(II) Module nouveau: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
compiled for 1.7.7, module version = 0.0.15
Module class: X.Org Video Driver
ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 6.0
(II) LoadModule: "nv"
(II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/nv_drv.so
(II) Module nv: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
compiled for 1.7.7, module version = 2.1.17
Module class: X.Org Video Driver
ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 6.0
(II) LoadModule: "vesa"
(II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/vesa_drv.so
(II) Module vesa: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
compiled for 1.7.7, module version = 2.3.0
Module class: X.Org Video Driver
ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 6.0
(II) LoadModule: "fbdev"
(II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/fbdev_drv.so
(II) Module fbdev: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
compiled for 1.7.6.901, module version = 0.4.2
ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 6.0
(II) NOUVEAU driver Date: Tue Mar 16 13:08:37 2010 +1000
(II) NOUVEAU driver for NVIDIA chipset families :
RIVA TNT (NV04)
RIVA TNT2 (NV05)
GeForce 256 (NV10)
GeForce 2 (NV11, NV15)
GeForce 4MX (NV17, NV18)
GeForce 3 (NV20)
GeForce 4Ti (NV25, NV28)
GeForce FX (NV3x)
GeForce 6 (NV4x)
GeForce 7 (G7x)
GeForce 8 (G8x)
(II) NOUVEAU driver Date: Tue Mar 16 13:08:37 2010 +1000
(II) NOUVEAU driver for NVIDIA chipset families :
RIVA TNT (NV04)
RIVA TNT2 (NV05)
GeForce 256 (NV10)
GeForce 2 (NV11, NV15)
GeForce 4MX (NV17, NV18)
GeForce 3 (NV20)
GeForce 4Ti (NV25, NV28)
GeForce FX (NV3x)
GeForce 6 (NV4x)
GeForce 7 (G7x)
GeForce 8 (G8x)
(II) VESA: driver for VESA chipsets: vesa
(II) FBDEV: driver for framebuffer: fbdev
(II) Primary Device is: PCI 01@00:00:0
drmOpenDevice: node name is /dev/dri/card0
drmOpenDevice: open result is 8, (OK)
drmOpenByBusid: Searching for BusID pci:0000:01:00.0
drmOpenDevice: node name is /dev/dri/card0
drmOpenDevice: open result is 8, (OK)
drmOpenByBusid: drmOpenMinor returns 8
drmOpenByBusid: drmGetBusid reports pci:0000:01:00.0
(II) [drm] nouveau interface version: 0.0.15
(WW) Falling back to old probe method for vesa
(WW) Falling back to old probe method for fbdev
(II) Loading sub module "fbdevhw"
(II) LoadModule: "fbdevhw"
(II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/linux/libfbdevhw.so
(II) Module fbdevhw: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
compiled for 1.7.7, module version = 0.0.2
ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 6.0
(II) Loading sub module "dri"
(II) LoadModule: "dri"
(II) Reloading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libdri.so
(II) NOUVEAU(0): Loaded DRI module
drmOpenDevice: node name is /dev/dri/card0
drmOpenDevice: open result is 9, (OK)
drmOpenDevice: node name is /dev/dri/card0
drmOpenDevice: open result is 9, (OK)
drmOpenByBusid: Searching for BusID pci:0000:01:00.0
drmOpenDevice: node name is /dev/dri/card0
drmOpenDevice: open result is 9, (OK)
drmOpenByBusid: drmOpenMinor returns 9
drmOpenByBusid: drmGetBusid reports pci:0000:01:00.0
(II) [drm] DRM interface version 1.3
(II) [drm] DRM open master succeeded.
(--) NOUVEAU(0): Chipset: "NVIDIA NV44"
(II) NOUVEAU(0): Creating default Display subsection in Screen section
"Default Screen Section" for depth/fbbpp 24/32
(==) NOUVEAU(0): Depth 24, (--) framebuffer bpp 32
(==) NOUVEAU(0): RGB weight 888
(==) NOUVEAU(0): Default visual is TrueColor
(==) NOUVEAU(0): Using HW cursor
(II) NOUVEAU(0): Output VGA-1 has no monitor section
(II) NOUVEAU(0): Output DVI-I-1 has no monitor section
(II) NOUVEAU(0): Output TV-1 has no monitor section
(II) NOUVEAU(0): EDID for output VGA-1
(II) NOUVEAU(0): Manufacturer: EPI Model: 770f Serial#: 294017
(II) NOUVEAU(0): Year: 2002 Week: 50
(II) NOUVEAU(0): EDID Version: 1.2
(II) NOUVEAU(0): Analog Display Input, Input Voltage Level: 0.700/0.700 V
(II) NOUVEAU(0): Sync: Separate
(II) NOUVEAU(0): Max Image Size [cm]: horiz.: 32 vert.: 24
(II) NOUVEAU(0): Gamma: 2.20
(II) NOUVEAU(0): DPMS capabilities: Off; RGB/Color Display
(II) NOUVEAU(0): First detailed timing is preferred mode
(II) NOUVEAU(0): redX: 0.626 redY: 0.340 greenX: 0.288 greenY: 0.608
(II) NOUVEAU(0): blueX: 0.148 blueY: 0.064 whiteX: 0.283 whiteY: 0.298
(II) NOUVEAU(0): Supported established timings:
(II) NOUVEAU(0): 720x400@70Hz
(II) NOUVEAU(0): 640x480@60Hz
(II) NOUVEAU(0): 640x480@75Hz
(II) NOUVEAU(0): 800x600@75Hz
(II) NOUVEAU(0): 1024x768@75Hz
(II) NOUVEAU(0): Manufacturer's mask: 0
(II) NOUVEAU(0): Supported standard timings:
(II) NOUVEAU(0): #0: hsize: 640 vsize 480 refresh: 85 vid: 22833
(II) NOUVEAU(0): #1: hsize: 800 vsize 600 refresh: 85 vid: 22853
(II) NOUVEAU(0): #2: hsize: 1024 vsize 768 refresh: 85 vid: 22881
(II) NOUVEAU(0): #3: hsize: 1280 vsize 1024 refresh: 60 vid: 32897
(II) NOUVEAU(0): Supported detailed timing:
(II) NOUVEAU(0): clock: 94.5 MHz Image Size: 310 x 230 mm
(II) NOUVEAU(0): h_active: 1024 h_sync: 1072 h_sync_end 1168 h_blank_end 1376 h_border: 0
(II) NOUVEAU(0): v_active: 768 v_sync: 769 v_sync_end 772 v_blanking: 808 v_border: 0