The Nvidia 4191 Unresolved Symbols-thingie.

Udo von Dunke · 01-31-2003, 11:22 AM

I am puzzled by this.
I have browsed through alot of posts in this forum dealing with this matter, although I haven't been able to figure out how to fix it yet.

I run Debian 3.0 r1 (a fresh bf2.4 installation!), and I have been trying to get X running with my GeForce 4.
I've downloaded the 4191-drivers from Nvidia.com, and I have installed the GLX-part, but not the kernel-part.
First, there was the issue with the path (it searched for /usr/src/linux, when the stuff it was searching for was actually in /usr/src/kernel-headers-2.4.18-bf2.4). To fix that, i tried to make a link-thingie with 'ln', but for some reason it didn't work, so I edited the Makefile in the NVIDIA_kernel-directory to search in the correct location mentioned above, and then it worked.But then another error arrived.

As I typed: "make", I was informed that:
"depmod: *** unresolved symbols in /lib/modules/2.4.18-bf2.4/kernel/drivers/video/nvidia.o"

I tried 'depmod -ae" (I dunno what it does, I just figured I'd try.

), and I also tried to delete the nvidia.o-file, but it re-appeared when I ran 'make' in the NVIDIA_kernel-directory again.

I've installed the source for my kernel, and also I installed the headers. I ran 'make oldconfig' too, and rebooted (I am used to Windows..), just in case.

However, I STILL have the annoying 'unresolved symbols' grinning at me.

I was thinking I could get this solved, and I'll definatley start a troubleshooting-campaign to help newbies having the same problem. It does seem somewhat normal to have it, really.

Thanks in advance!

taz.devil · 01-31-2003, 01:39 PM

Possibly you can look for a broken link. You would want to install the nvidia kernel before the GLX component as well, so you may be getting some problems that way if that's the case. Instead of editing the makefile the ln option is easier syntax goes as such (I hope I remember LMAO!), if not switch the new with the source:

ln -s /new/dir /source/dir

bulliver · 01-31-2003, 06:23 PM

I think this happens because it gets confused about your kernel headers. Point it directly at the headers of the kernel that you want to use the driver with....

Code:

cd NVIDIA_Kernel.xxx
make install SYSINCLUDE=/path/to/headers
cd ../NVIDIA_GLX.xxx
make install

hope it works for ya...

Danleff · 01-31-2003, 07:35 PM

Yes, there do seem to be problems. I tried this a few weeks ago and ran into the same issues. I did run into this how-to , but have not gotten back to it yet. If you get it resolved with the help of all here, this would be great for my Nvidia card, as well.

Also take a look at the how-to here.

Udo von Dunke · 02-03-2003, 04:56 PM

*bellydances*

I works!

However, as many puzzled newbies before, I am not entirely on the clear exactly what made it work..

It appeard as if I had accidentally removed X the other day (don't ask.

), so I reinstalled Debian 3.0r1.

The things I did different, however, were only changing the display manager (from XDM to KDM), not updating X to 4.2.1 before installing drivers, installing kernel-headers right away, and installing the NVIDIA_kernel-xxx, before the NVIDIA_GLX-xxx (I started with the GLX last time), and making a working symbolic link (as taz.devil suggested).
Also, I believe I screwed up and installed the wrong kernel-headers last time during one of my frustration-periods. I installed the right ones after that though, but anyway.

And now it works splendidly. OpenGL does seem a bit choppy, but that's a minor issue for the moment.

Thanks alot! You people are invaluable!