I am new to linux, and I just download a nvidia-glx driver for debian. How would I use chmod to let me access the file?

you do not need to chmod it. its will be a .run file. so as root just navigate to the directory you saved the .run file in and type:

sh NVI.....run

FYI, tab is your friend here. you can just type in the first NV of the file name, then hit tab and it will auto-fill in the rest of the file name correctly so you do not have to worry about typos.

BEFORE you install the nvidia drivers make sure nothing involving X is running. so no kdm or gdm, or xdm, no gnome or kde, or what ever GUI you are running can be up.

chmod 777 /path-to-file will give the owner, people in the group, and all other users read, write, and execute permission

Thanks

The file is a .deb file so I would have to chmod. I tried without doing it already.

if it is a .deb then you are running debian based distro, it is even easier...

as ROOT

deb-pkg -i NV (hit the tab) and off you go.

again in order to install drivers you will need to be root, so no need to muck around with chmod and chmod 777 is a bad idea for drivers. this gives everyone read/write/execue permissions to the file even guest accounts have full access to that file. bad idea.

the easy way to install the nvidia drivers on your debian box will be as follows:

go here:

http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html

grab the drivers for your flavor 32bit or 64bit

this is the direct link to the 32bit vs:

http://us.download.nvidia.com/XFree8...-9755-pkg1.run

read this link:

http://us.download.nvidia.com/XFree8...DME/index.html

that is the detailed HOWTO guide for the nvidia drivers... very easy to follow.

apt-get install sysv-rc-conf ksysv

both of those tools are easy ways to configure your startup. in runlevel 3 remove everything that has to do with the GUI, also you can do this for runlevel 4. only runlevel 5 should have anything to do with the GUI. do not touch runlevel 1 or 2.

then set the default runlevel to 3. reboot the system.

http://qref.sourceforge.net/Debian/r...tombootscripts

read that link for more details on debian runlevels.

after you have those steps done, should not take but a few mn. longer to download the drivers then to do the runlevel steps. you can log into the CLI as root and navigate to the directory you downloaded the nvidia drivers from above.

type in sh NV (then hit the tab) and you will be set. follow the directions and make sure you have the proper headers installed for your kernel.

debian uses some odd name schemes from time to time to get things done but still a fast apt-cache search linux | grep 2.6.x.* to match your kernel vs will not take long.

with the .deb file you have you can also just do as i stated above and as ROOT from the CLI just type dpkg -i NV (hit the tab) and away you go.

sorry i goofed on the command earlier. been about 6 months since i did any debian work.

Ok, I used the wrong chmod before I asked on here and when I try and execute it, it gives me a syntax error. I tried downloading it and overwriting it, but it does the same thing. Is there a way to reverse this or delete it and start over?

Sorry, I am new to linux and I am not really understanding anything your saying.

me? follow the steps in my above post. list them in order as you follow them and post the exact error you are getting.

I got everything working now, thanks.

glad to hear it.