How do I update the Nvidia driver in antix-16?

Ptrjg · 12-07-2016, 04:11 AM

I have an old (2007) laptop onto which I have loaded antix-16 and dual boot with Windows Vista. Mostly antix works fine and I am very happy with it - except Google Chrome browser menu goes completely black when I try to select it - and other video quality leaves a lot to be desired.

I thought perhaps upgrading the video driver for antix may resolve the issues but ran into problems.
As soon as I press Ctrl+Alt+F1 to get to a terminal prompt, (with the intention of running sgfxi) the screen goes haywire and is unreadable. Also tried Ctrl+Alt+F2-F6 - with no improvement.

Details of PC: Acer Aspire 5520. 2GB ram. AMD 64x2 2.0 GHz processor. Nvidia GeForce 7000M/nForce610M video card.

Can anybody please help?
I am really new to Linux so please let me know the most easy method.

rokytnji · 12-07-2016, 08:41 AM

Look through the videos over here. Dolphin Oracle may have covered this already.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFW...KlXW5uE9opXukQ

and maybe you can learn how to run sgfxi from the link below.

link

You will need to put a number 3 at the end of kernel line to get a command line
login prompt instead of going into slim login manager.

Lastly. Have you md5sum checked your AntiX iso before you installed it.
This should be done before making the cd or usb install medium/media.
I ask because I have been a tester for years and sometimes I get a bad/corrupted iso download from sourceforge. I mention this also because you are the only one I know who mentions.

Quote:

As soon as I press Ctrl+Alt+F1 to get to a terminal prompt, (with the intention of running sgfxi) the screen goes haywire and is unreadable. Also tried Ctrl+Alt+F2-F6 - with no improvement.

Run in rox terminal

Code:

inxi -Fxx

and place the terminal readout in code tags (Go Advanced reply> # in tool bar> paste output between code tags)

So members here can see details on what you are running.

Example from my laptop.

Code:

harry@biker:~
$ inxi -Fxx
System:    Host: biker Kernel: 4.8.1-antix.1-686-smp-pae i686 (32 bit gcc: 4.9.3) Desktop: IceWM 1.3.8 dm: slim
           Distro: antiX-15-V_386-full Killah P 30 June 2015
Machine:   Device: laptop System: Dell product: Latitude E4310 v: 0001 Chassis: type: 9
           Mobo: Dell model: 0T6M8G v: A01 BIOS: Dell v: A03 date: 07/08/2010
Battery    BAT0: charge: 25.1 Wh 60.3% condition: 41.5/44.0 Wh (94%) volts: 11.0/11.1
           model: Samsung SDI DELL RM6618A serial: 0 status: Discharging
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core i5 M 520 (-HT-MCP-) cache: 3072 KB
           flags: (lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 9576
           clock speeds: min/max: 1199/2400 MHz 1: 1199 MHz 2: 1333 MHz 3: 1599 MHz 4: 1599 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel Core Processor Integrated Graphics Controller bus-ID: 00:02.0 chip-ID: 8086:0046
           Display Server: X.Org 1.16.4 drivers: intel (unloaded: modesetting,fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1366x768@60.00hz
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel Ironlake Mobile x86/MMX/SSE2
           GLX Version: 2.1 Mesa 10.3.2 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card Intel 5 Series/3400 Series High Definition Audio
           driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0 chip-ID: 8086:3b57
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.8.1-antix.1-686-smp-pae
Network:   Card-1: Intel 82577LM Gigabit Network Connection
           driver: e1000e v: 3.2.6-k port: 6040 bus-ID: 00:19.0 chip-ID: 8086:10ea
           IF: eth0 state: down mac: 5c:26:0a:06:32:15
           Card-2: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 driver: iwlwifi bus-ID: 02:00.0 chip-ID: 8086:422c
           IF: wlan0 state: up mac: 00:27:10:6a:ae:60
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 60.0GB (48.2% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: KINGSTON_SV300S3 size: 60.0GB serial: 50026B7743028DAC
Partition: ID-1: / size: 7.6G used: 3.9G (55%) fs: ext3 dev: /dev/sda2
           ID-2: /home size: 48G used: 24G (52%) fs: ext3 dev: /dev/sda1
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 53.0C mobo: N/A
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 182 Uptime: 10:17 Memory: 552.9/8021.7MB
           Init: SysVinit v: 2.88 runlevel: 5 default: 5 Gcc sys: 4.9.2 alt: 4.8
           Client: Shell (bash 4.3.301 running in roxterm) inxi: 2.3.5

rokytnji · 12-07-2016, 08:45 AM

Oh. Have you installed Chromium or Google Chrome browser?

The Meta package installer in the Antix control center > System > Meta Package Installer

is how we install Chromium in our boxes. If running Google Chrome browser instead.

Fill in missing details on how you installed it and from where.

snowday · 12-07-2016, 09:10 AM

Lots of good info here: https://wiki.debian.org/NvidiaGraphicsDrivers

I see that GeForce 7000M/nForce610M is listed as supported.

To answer your specific question, "How do I update the Nvidia driver in antix-16?" the answer is simply, "the same way you update everything else!" Linux is very easy to update. Unlike Windows (where each program/application might have its own update process) in Linux we can update the entire system with just a few mouse clicks or terminal commands.

Since you are using AntiX, I recommend you read the AntiX documentation and FAQ's, in particular the question "How do I keep the system up-to-date?"

http://download.tuxfamily.org/antix/...FAQ/index.html

Quote:

antiX is set up using Debian Stable repositories by default. This allows users to keep their system up to date with regular upgrades. antiX recommends using apt-get update followed by apt-get dist-upgrade. Alternatively, use smxi.

So, we see the recommendation of AntiX developers to update the Nvidia driver (as well as everything else at the same time!) is to either run:

Code:

apt-get update
apt-get dist-upgrade

or

Code:

smxi

(Note that these commands need to be run either as root or with 'sudo' depending on how you've set up your system.)

Ptrjg · 12-11-2016, 04:23 PM

Thanks for your replies and I apologise for not getting back sooner.

As I said, I am very new to Linux/Ubuntu, etc. I have read a number of articles, manuals, how to's, etc., but perhaps only enough to become totally confused on how to install the Nvidia drivers into Antix.

Every article seems to detail a different method, and keeping the system up to date with "apt-get update" and "apt-get dist-upgrade" doesn't seem to cover the Nvidia driver install. Then there is "smxi" and "sgfxi". But with all these options there always seems to be some instructions (for a newbie) missing.

I have reloaded Antix onto my laptop a few times now, concluding that this is the best way to start again with a clean install - after failing each time to get the Nvidia driver up and running, and/or creating other problems like a black screen!
Luckily because Antix is so light the installation only takes minutes.

For somebody coming from Windows with very little command prompt experience, Linux is quite daunting. However, I am not one to give up easily and will continue studying and playing around with Antix. Maybe I'll even stay with the driver supplied within Antix.

Quote:

Oh. Have you installed Chromium or Google Chrome browser?
The Meta package installer in the Antix control center > System > Meta Package Installer

Google Chrome browser was installed with Meta Package Installer.
The problem disappeared by changing the screen resolution through Control Centre. Even though the resolution returned to what it was originally, the fault has gone.

Quote:

Lastly. Have you md5sum checked your AntiX iso before you installed it.

I did check the md5sum before burning the Antix iso.

At the moment I have run "apt-get update" and "apt-get dist-upgrade", but still have no options for Nvidia. If somebody can tell me how to proceed from here, that would be good. Otherwise I will bumble along hopefully learning as I go.
The laptop is only a second PC to my desktop and is not used a lot.

Ptrjg · 12-11-2016, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Run in rox terminal

Code:

inxi -Fxx

and place the terminal readout in code tags (Go Advanced reply> # in tool bar> paste output between code tags)

So members here can see details on what you are running.

Code:

peter@antix1:~
$ inxi -Fxx
System:    Host: antix1 Kernel: 4.4.10-antix.1-amd64-smp x86_64 (64 bit gcc: 4.9.3)
           Desktop: IceWM 1.3.8 dm: slim
           Distro: antiX-16_x64-full Berta Cáceres 26 June 2016
Machine:   Device: laptop System: Acer product: Aspire 5520 v: V1.08
           Mobo: Acer model: Fuquene BIOS: Acer v: V1.08 date: 09/07/2007
           Chassis: type: 10
Battery    BAT1: charge: 36.4 Wh 100.0% condition: 36.4/40.0 Wh (91%)
           volts: 12.5/11.1
           model: ACER Primary serial: N/A status: Full
CPU:       Dual core AMD Turion 64 X2 Mobile TL-60 (-MCP-) cache: 1024 KB
           flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 svm) bmips: 3200
           clock speeds: min/max: 800/2000 MHz 1: 800 MHz 2: 800 MHz
Graphics:  Card: NVIDIA C67 [GeForce 7000M / nForce 610M]
           bus-ID: 00:12.0 chip-ID: 10de:0533
           Display Server: X.Org 1.16.4 drivers: vesa,nouveau (unloaded: modesetting,fbdev)
           Resolution: 1024x768@61.00hz
           GLX Renderer: N/A GLX Version: N/A Direct Rendering: N/A
Audio:     Card NVIDIA MCP67 High Definition Audio
           driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:07.0 chip-ID: 10de:055c
           Sound: ALSA v: k4.4.10-antix.1-amd64-smp
Network:   Card-1: NVIDIA MCP67 Ethernet
           driver: forcedeth port: 30f8 bus-ID: 00:0a.0 chip-ID: 10de:054c
           IF: eth0 state: down mac: 00:1b:38:5a:53:5f
           Card-2: Qualcomm Atheros AR242x / AR542x Wireless Network Adapter (PCI-Express)
           driver: ath5k bus-ID: 05:00.0 chip-ID: 168c:001c
           IF: wlan0 state: up mac: 00:1d:d9:2d:0c:3d
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 160.0GB (3.1% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: Hitachi_HTS54251 size: 160.0GB
           serial: 070926BB0C00WGG7H5WC
Partition: ID-1: / size: 35G used: 3.0G (9%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda5
           ID-2: swap-1 size: 1.87GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda6
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 51.0C mobo: N/A
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 152 Uptime: 1:32 Memory: 579.5/1751.0MB
           Init: SysVinit v: 2.88 runlevel: 5 default: 5 Gcc sys: 4.9.2
           Client: Shell (bash 4.3.301 running in roxterm) inxi: 2.3.5 
peter@antix1:~
$

rokytnji · 12-11-2016, 05:40 PM

Go here

http://download.tuxfamily.org/antix/...FAQ/index.html

Check out the smxi link in the l/h side of the page

Here is how I handle a proprietary graphics driver install in Antix
After I log and get to a desktop.

Ctrl+Alt+F1

Then after logging again I do

Code:

su

Till I get a root prompt. then I type in

Code:

smxi

It tells me it needs to shutdown the desktop or quit the script. I pick shutdown the desktop.

This takes be back to the slim login screen. So instead of logging in that way in the blank box in Slim login manager. I do

Ctrl+Alt+F1 again.

If it takes me back to the slim login again. I do Ctrl + Alt + F1 again.

Now I should be in the smxi screen command line mode.

I pick continue. It updates my all my packages 1st. After it finishes.
I pick continue again.
I keep picking continue till I see a graphics entry in the menu choices. Usually is number 7 of the choices. I type in 7. Hit enter. Next I will be given what drivers I can pick from.

If you screw up and install the wrong one. Reinstall and try over. Pick another driver listed. I don't know why you are running vesa along side with nouveau open source nvidia driver. Something hinky going on with that. But I am too busy to speculate on that presently.

rokytnji · 12-11-2016, 05:45 PM

Oh yeah. If you want to know where the link I posted is inside your install. It is in

/usr/share/antix/faq.html

If you left click it. Dillo browser will open it so you can view that way also.

dolphin_oracle · 12-12-2016, 07:40 AM

Did the OP run live with one of the failsafe options? The reason I ask is that your video driver is shown as vesa and the graphics acceleration is disabled. this is likely part of the graphics "quality" issue you are seeing...you are running in a relatively low 1024x768 resolution.

navigate to /etc/X11/ and look for an xorg.conf file (no xorg.conf.in or xorg.conf.d, which may also exist). if its there, you might try renaming the file

Code:

sudo mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.bak

and reboot. repost the new inxi -Fxx information after the reboot.

snowday · 12-12-2016, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ptrjg

Every article seems to detail a different method, and keeping the system up to date with "apt-get update" and "apt-get dist-upgrade" doesn't seem to cover the Nvidia driver install. Then there is "smxi" and "sgfxi". But with all these options there always seems to be some instructions (for a newbie) missing.

I apologize if my earlier post was misleading.

You asked two separate (but related) questions, and I tried to answer both of them: "How do I install nvidia drivers?" and "How do I update nvidia drivers?"

To install nvidia drivers, you could follow these instructions:

https://wiki.debian.org/NvidiaGraphicsDrivers

To update your nvidia drivers once they are successfully installed (along with all other software on your system), you could use these commands:

Code:

apt-get update
apt-get dist-upgrade

I hope that is clearer, and sorry for the confusion.