ERROR: Unable to load the kernel module 'nvidia.ko'. This happens most
frequently when this kernel module was built against the wrong or
improperly configured kernel sources, with a version of gcc that differs
from the one used to build the target kernel, or if a driver such as
rivafb/nvidiafb is present and prevents the NVIDIA kernel module from
obtaining ownership of the NVIDIA graphics device(s).


I am new at this, can someone tell me what to do once i download the driver for my video card from Nvidia and how to proceed so i can install it. I know how to quite xserver already, but when i go to install all i get is this same error.

How do i do this please ? Thank you

You really need to make an effort to research your problems first: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=how+to+install+...s+ubuntu+10.04

I actually tried that already, the part that got confused on was the blacklist stuff i'll try it again, thanks.

Follow directions to a T, as soon as i reboot the error message doesn't pop up saying that Ubuntu cannot load Nvidia drivers, so i just don't log in and Ctrl+Alt +F1, then i log in as root and start the driver but the same error message comes up. That is the issue.

No need to shout (CAPS). Many people find it offensive when someone yells at them when they're trying to help you out and will just ignore you. You're probably talking about blacklisting the nouveau driver (I'm guessing here). To do this, open /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist with your favorite text editor and add the lines: The # sign is a comment, the OS ignores everything after it on that line. It is optional to comment, but I personally make a habit of documenting what I did (cuts down on the head scratching later).

EDIT: As an aside, you can use this procedure (same file) to block any driver from being loaded at boot.

Did you not try the 'System->Adminstration->Hardware Drivers' menu option? It worked for me.

Cheers, Lou

When running high end 3d Application those drivers don't work very well , im sure that my quadro fx 3800 driver from NVidia will operate alot better that the proprietary ones if i can get it installed.

added lines to /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist then recheck the and blacklisted again, still no dice. this is my list ,


# This file lists those modules which we don't want to be loaded by
# alias expansion, usually so some other driver will be loaded for the
# device instead.

# evbug is a debug tool that should be loaded explicitly
blacklist evbug


# these drivers are very simple, the HID drivers are usually preferred
blacklist usbmouse
blacklist usbkbd


# replaced by e100
blacklist eepro100


# replaced by tulip
blacklist de4x5

# causes no end of confusion by creating unexpected network interfaces
blacklist eth1394

# snd_intel8x0m can interfere with snd_intel8x0, doesn't seem to support much
# hardware on its own (Ubuntu bug #2011, #6810)
blacklist snd_intel8x0m

# Conflicts with dvb driver (which is better for handling this device)
blacklist snd_aw2

# causes failure to suspend on HP compaq nc6000 (Ubuntu: #10306)
blacklist i2c_i801

# replaced by p54pci
blacklist prism54

# replaced by b43 and ssb.
blacklist bcm43xx

# most apps now use garmin usb driver directly (Ubuntu: #114565)
blacklist garmin_gps

# replaced by asus-laptop (Ubuntu: #184721)
blacklist asus_acpi

# low-quality, just noise when being used for sound playback, causes
# hangs at desktop session start (Ubuntu: #246969)
blacklist snd_pcsp

# ugly and loud noise, getting on everyone's nerves; this should be done by a
# nice pulseaudio bing (Ubuntu: #77010)
blacklist pcspkr

# EDAC driver for amd76x clashes with the agp driver preventing the aperture
# from being initialised (Ubuntu: #297750). Blacklist so that the driver
# continues to build and is installable for the few cases where its
# really needed.

blacklist amd76x_edac
blacklist vga16fb
blacklist nouveau
blacklist rivafb
blacklist nvidiafb
blacklist rivatv

Right, well, is it the nouveau driver you want to blacklist?

Maybe you need to blacklist the rivafb or nvidiafb driver(s) as the error message suggests?

EDIT: I was typing this as you posted. I see you tried this.

Did you restart X (or reboot) after you blacklisted the drivers?

I did a system restart after blacklisting , but the driver didn't install so i restart x and login.

I personally use sgfxi to install nvidias drivers to my debian installs. It should work for ubuntu as well. You might try it. I'm out of other ideas for the moment...

sgfxi doesn't work on Ubuntu 10.04

------------------------------------------------------------------
Error No: (3) The Ubuntu derived distro is not supported by smxi, sorry.
smxi cannot continue. Exiting now.
------------------------------------------------------------------

done, thanks