what is a kernel interface
 

this is a stupid newbie question, but i was wonder what is a kernel interface? because i was installing the geforce drivers, and it told me "no precompiled kernel interface was found...the installer will need to compile a kernel interface for your kernel"
I wanted to know what a kernel interface is, and what i could do, in case then happen again, or think about when compiling a newer kernel.

p.s.i use slackware 9.1 with a stock 2.4.22 kernel.
video card: geforce 5200
thanks.

The more recent kernels support direct rendering (kind of
like directX), and it needs to be built to match your kernel
(a layer between the hardware and X, loosely speaking,
thus the term interface).
What the nVidia installer does is it checks whether there's
already one available for download that matches your
installed kernel. Since Slack isn't main-stream there is no
such thing, and you need to compile it.


Cheers,
Tink

If you want to install the nvidia driver it should do it all for you assuming you have the build environment and kernel source installed. The nvidia installer first checks what you have then compiles the kernel interface and installs it and then you just need to edit the xfree or Xorg config to get the 3D going...

thanks, installed the nvidia drivers, ran xfree86setup, but when i run nvidia-settings to see if everyworks, i get an error:
<CODE>
(nvidia-settings:3151): Gtk-WARNING **: cannot open display:
</CODE>

why would this be the case

Because a) X isn't running or b) you're running nvidia-settings
as a different user than the one that owns the session...

If the latter is the case, type xhost +localhost as the user
who is running the session, and export DISPLAY=:0.0
as the user (in the same console!) that's trying to run nvidia-settings



Cheers,
Tink

i think i got everything striaght out, but when i start x by typing startx, the resolution is is 640 x 480, and i don't know how to change it. were should i look? i'm not sure what i'm looking for.

I'd have a play with

XFree86 -configure

xf86cfg

xf86config


Cheers,
Tink

is fame buffer the same as resolution? i know it's a stupid question, but i just want to make sure i understand this clear. thanks alot

i didn't all the options, but still no luck. here is my XF86config file: