nVidia inside X
 

This is probably a really stupid question but I need to install nVidia drivers OUTSIDE of the X terminal. I am new and I dont know how to completely exit X and drop back into command line only. I've got to run the install from there.

Someone let me know...

open terminal

su to root

type telinit 3

this throws you out of X and back to a text login prompt
login as root

now you can install the nvidia drivers

when finished (remember to change the "nv" line to "nvidia" in /etc/X11/XF86Config)

still as root

type telinit 5

this will put you back into X

(this is one way, there are others)

Hey thanks for the tip. I got that done w/o a problem.

I actually don't notice a huge difference in the new driver but at least it is done.

it doesn't really make any difference
until you use something that requires 3d acceleration

such as unreal tournament or tux racer
and so on

It's also apparently necessary if you want to use TV Out -- I've never been able to get a stable TV Out using the nv drivers. (Although if someone knows how to do that -- I'm interested. The nvidia driver is causing stability problems lately...)
-->Zgwortz