RH8, NVidia, and kernel_source
 

Hi all,

Downloaded NVIDIA_GLX-1.0-3123.src.rpm and NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-3123.src.rpm. Saved them to their own DIR and ran

rpm -i NVIDIA*

This results in:

"error: cannot create %sourcedir /usr/src/redhat/SOURCES
error: cannot create %sourcedir /usr/src/redhat/SOURCES"

I am unable to browse to or list contents of this folder "/usr/src/redhat/SOURCES".

I was then told that i have to install the kernel_sources package, in order to create and populate /usr/src/redhat/SOURCES. Ok, fine....but when I checked the RH CD, I did not find a package named kernel_sources. Where is it located (or what it it's exact name), and how do I install it? Also appreciate any guidance on getting GEForce3 up and running on this....the ability to get these drivers loaded is, at the moment, the deal killer for me and Linux. Get those installed, and I'll begin thinking about RH as my default OS. I want to be MS free, but it has not been easy.

It is there, but it may not be on the 1st CD. It's called kernel-source-2.4.18-14.i386.rpm. Now, my advice is to go back to the nVidia site and download the .tar.gz files. And the readme, and read the readme, and search the forums for stuff on nvidia. I know that there is plenty of stuff about... I've answered much of it myself!

(nb: incase you can't find the file, I've linked to the one on ibiblio's download site :D)

Well, I found the file on CD2, right clicked, chose to install. Was going well, asked for CD1, inserted it. It read some of that, then errored out w. "Error installing packages". Install process ended with no further information. GRRR. What's the next step? Thanks.

Did you try
rpm --rebuild NVIDIA*
:) ?
They are source packages, not binary. So, first you need to recompile it with --rebuild flag, and then install them with -i flag.

I didn't get that far...errored out while installing the kernel_sources package (and dependent packages).

nvidia hasn't released the package for 8.0 yet, hmmm...

just a note:

in RHL 8.0, rpm --rebuild is now 'rpmbuild --rebuild'. RH seems to have concentrated all rpm building tasks to rpmbuild. :)

And i don't think the nvidia driver sources will work in RHL 8.0 'coz 8.0 has a 'restructured' gcc library that might not be compatible with the driver.

have you tried the vesa driver when u tried running 'redhat-config-xfree86'?

Doesn't neccessary mean that stuff won't work out anymore you know ;)

Woohoo! First post.

Does this mean that you know that there is a way to get the NVIDIA_kernel-* to compile under RH 8.0 or is it a generalisation?

I'd guess, and to be fair, I'm as much of a Noob with Linux as I am here, that there is a workaround, probably by fiddling with the makefile &/or specfiles. But I'd have no idea what to change and where. :confused:

There seems to be loads of "help" on this on the web, but so far nothing I've seen & tried has worked, I get a huge, long, and forbidding series of error messages when I try to rebuild, or when i get the tarball source and try to "make install". Same (as far as I can tell) errors every time.

I've started to wonder if the file/directory structure is somehow different when using RH8.0 on a fresh first install to that which you get by upgrading from RH 7.x, which if the gcc library is fubar'd would look like a possible/likely cause.

Has anyone got NVIDIA drivers working on a clean install of RH 8?

Good points here.....maybe I'll just chill for a bit and await official RH8 drivers from NVidia...and maybe save myself some headaches. I want to get into Linux in a big way, but don't want to begin changing over until I have driver issues worked out. Can't build a house without a good foundation....

I wouldn't worry about it too much, bill. I got Redhat up and running with no real problems.

The whole Nvidia drivers thing is a bit of a storm in a teacup, I'm sure some definative answer will come up soon. (As to if us Noobs are being plain dumb:eek: or Redhat have made some "enhancement" that's causing everyone to fall over.)

Without the Nvidia drivers I don't have 3D support but that's about all that I'm missing - 2D is fine through the default driver.

The only other thing is I've got a dodgy winmodem in this box so I can't properly dial-up. But that said, I'm getting a shiney DSL connection in a month or so, and it's giving me a chance to practice and "play" with my system before it's online.

I've got them installed.

First make sure you have the Kernal Developement packages installed.

To do this (From Gnome anyway):

Click:
Gnome menu from the panel. (The Red Hat Icon)....

System Settings...

Packages....(enter your password for root in the dialog)

The Add or Remove Packages Applet will open.
Scroll down to the Developement (White text in blue) catagory
Make sure there is a check mark beside "Kernel Developement"

After that follow the instruction on screen to load the packages. (Basically insert CD and drink coffee.)

This should get the packages for compiling installed.

You may need a Kernal update. I'm not sure (I've only been in linux for a month and RH8 for a week) but I think if you just click on the Update Icon (Blue circle with check mark in it) Up2Date will step you through this.)

If not you may need to go to Red Hat Network https://rhn.redhat.com/ and sign in and schedule an update of the kernel-headers. (Do some digging on this one cause I don't really remember the exact steps. I think it was something like this:

Click:
System list...
System Name...
Packages tab...
Install New Packages...
Filter the list with "kernel"...
Choose "kernel-source" (I think, it maybe "kernel-headers". Only one exists so choose the one that does.)
and follow it along. I confirmed the selection by clicking Scheduled Action in the left hand pane. Close Browser. BTW: You can't use Konkourer(SP?).)

I rebooted just cause I'm used to MS.

Log back in.

Click the Update Icon. Follow steps.

Reboot again cause Bill has trained us so well.

To install the drivers!!! WooHooo!!!

NOTE:

DO EVERYTHING LISTED BELOW IN A TERMINAL WINDOW AS SU.

IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE REDHAT WILL NOT LET YOU IN WHEN YOU REBOOT. IF YOU DUAL BOOT WITH WINDOWS I SUGGEST YOU BUY DRIVE IMAGE BY POWERQUEST AND MAKE IMAGES OF YOU LINUX PARTITION BEFORE DOING ANYTHING MAJOR.

USE THE NVIDIA DOCUMENTATION, NOT THIS. I DON'T WANT TO MESS YOUR SYSTEM UP. THIS IS JUST WHAT I DID. (REDHAT 8 AND GEFORCE 3)

GOOD LUCK!!! (scared yet?)


Go to the NVidia site download and run: NVChooser
It's on the driver page.

To run it:

open a terminal to the dir you downloaded to.
type:

su (to run as superuser)
***** (this would be your root password)

sh NVchooser.sh (Actually just type: "sh NV" then press TAB

Two file names will be displayed.
Download the files it lists.

This is what my system reported. If you got the same follow along. If not, sorry, I can't help you):

NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-3123.src.rpm
NVIDIA_GLX-1.0-3123.i386.rpm

Then:

Download and read the documentation. (Really...)

This is what I did after that.

Following the "INSTALLING/UPGRADING FROM SRPM" section of the documentation.

From terminal as SU in the directory where the files exist type:

rpmbuild --rebuild NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-3123..src.rpm (the TAB trick is good here)

Look for a line near the end that looks like:

Wrote: /usr/src/redhat/RPMS/i386/NVIDIA_kernel.i386.rpm

I think you can then just type the following.

rpm -ivh /usr/src/redhat/RPMS/i386/NVIDIA_kernel.i386.rpm

I actually navigated to the /usr/src/redhat/RPMS/i386/ dir and typed:

rpm -ivh NVIDIA_kernel.i386.rpm

DO ONE OR THE OTHER, NOT BOTH!!!!

Then make sure you are in the dir with the originally download files and type:

rpm -e NVIDIA_GLX
rpm -ivh NVIDIA_GLX-1.0-3123..i386.rpm

Next, go to /etc/X11/

type:

emacs XF86Config

In here you editing your config file, do the following:

replace the line:

Driver "nv"
(or Driver "vesa")

with

Driver "nvidia"

In the Module section, make sure you have:

Load "glx"

You should also remove the following lines:

Load "dri"
Load "GLcore"

save and exit and YOUR DONE.

Reboot and your on your way to 3D gaming.

NOTES:

DO EVERYTHING LISTED ABOVE IN A TERMINAL WINDOW AS SU.

THIS WORKED FOR ME. I HOPE IT WORKS FOR YOU, BUT IF IT DOESN'T DON'T BLAME ME.

SOME PORTIONS OF THIS POST WERE TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM THE NVIDIA INSTALL GUIDE.

Edit- I had commands infront of the files that NVChooser displayed for me. NVChooser doesn't list the commands, so I deleted them for clarity.

Holy #$*&!!! :)

After a post that long, how can I NOT do this?? To hell with waiting, I'll give this a shot tonight. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks VERY much for such a detailed list of steps....should be very helpful.

Oh, I already did the kernel patch....that was painless compared to what this driver install has been.

To anyone listening who cares, until Linux allows me to update drivers as elegantly and painlessly as Windows, Linux simply cannot succeed as the desktop of choice for the world (clueless lusers). The vast majority of people will not go online to try and figure stuff out, they'll usually just give up. Linux needs to make driver updates a click/double click process....once that's done, we'll talk again about Linux becoming the world's OS. Don't get me wrong, I'm on Linux's side, but there is still work that needs to be done. Thus endeth my rant.

Your Welcome. I hope it works for you.

So your trying to say that clicking the continue button in Windows installsheild is easier than this?

You may have a point...

:)

Thank you GarbagePro
 

Your instructions on how to install kernel_source were dead on perfect. After that, I was able to follow the instructions I had from Robert Dowdy's article on NVIDIA drivers and whatnot from osnews.com. Bottom line, I am running Tuxracer..sound doesn't work on it, but that's a TOTALLY sep. issue (sound works in OS, I'll dink with it).

Thanks again man...now I can move forward!!!

Bill:D

Garbagepro
One month on linux ?
You seems to know what your doing. THANX for the help it worked great!!!