Having trouble installing nvidia drivers
 

OK, bear with me now, I'm a little new to Linux. I just installed a fresh copy of Mandrake, and my driver is geforce4 generic. I don't like generic, so I went and downloaded nvidia drivers. When I try to install them, it tells me that I am running an X server and to disable it. What is an X server and how do I disable it? Thanks.

You're running the X Window System, which does the graphics stuff for linux. To turn it off and go to a command line, type "init 3" at a terminal window or in the run dialog.

Hi hbbtstar!!!

Welcome to LinuxQuestions.org. Follow this tutorial and you can't go wrong:

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...threadid=71711

Good luck!!!

Yes, the above is all correct. The nVidea drivers are great, once you get them going...however, you should do a couple more things so that you know what you are getting into.

First, you must read the read-me file ahead of time...it is provided on the nVidea site as a download. PRINT IT.

You must be in Run Level 3 during the install (X-server off). If you are using GRUB, you can just edit the kernel line (second line) on the edit menu with a space and the number 3. This will boot you into Run level three for THAT TIME ONLY.

After the install, you will HAVE TO EDIT your XF86.config file to have the module load. Follow instructions on the read-me files.

If you find a LONG DELAY for X to start on the next boot into Run Level 5 (like more than 15 seconds...and sometimes up to minutes...be patient) then you will have to put an Option line in your "device" section of the XF86.config file telling it to ignore display devices....that will make sure that it doesn't probe on every boot-up.

You may also need your source code for the Kernel to build the module. Make sure that is installed ahead of time.

The other caveat is that if you do a kernel update, you will have to go back to the old driver first...because the module won't load, most likely, with the new kernel. You will have to build another one.

I usually do a complete uninstall ahead of time.

I know this sounds all like a pain, but the first time you do all of this is a learning process. After that, the whole thing is just minutes because you will know EXACTLY what to do.

The new drivers work great...much faster, and give you Open GL support out of the box.

Good Luck