Nvidia drivers in Ubuntu- questions and rant
 

Much confusion and conflicting information in installing Nvidia drivers in Ubuntu. In my case Ubuntu-mate.

All I've learned so far is
- don't use Nouveau!
and
- 99% of problems I've encountered are due to improperly installed Nvidia drivers!

My goal is to use my Linux workstation exclusively for GPU rendering, so installing Nvidia drivers properly is of utmost importance!

The problem with most installation guides is they act as recipes, without actually telling you WHY this is a better approach or WHY you might try an alternative.
Ok Rant over :)

A quick google search turns up the following 5 recent (within the past year) installation guides for Nvidia drivers on Ubuntu

A very simple breakdown seems to be between what I would call 'fully manual' methods using the command line (link #3 below) vs some combination of PPA + using the Software & Updates menu.

Question #1
Why PPA, and in what way might this be 'better' than a fully manual install?
Link #5 below suggests PPA is untested (so does that mean beta and possibly avoid?)

Question #2
If using a fully manual install (link #3) should I simply choose the most recent driver version?
The reason i ask is in link#1 (official guide?) it says that the actual version Question #3
Is it one way or the other? ie If you install your driver manually should you avoid using the Software & Updates > Other Drivers window to avoid conflicts?

Question #4
If unsure what driver version you have currently installed, how do you properly remove ALL installed graphics drivers to start from scratch?


1 https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Bi...erHowto/Nvidia (using Software & Updates - additional drivers method only)

2 https://ubuntu-mate.community/t/how-...in-ubuntu/3228
(both auto using Software & Updates and manual, but no explanation as to why manual)

3 https://linuxconfig.org/how-to-insta...4-xenial-xerus
(manual using sudo apt-get install)

4 http://www.ubuntugeek.com/install-nv...6-0415-10.html
(manual using PPA +sudo apt-get install)

5 http://www.webupd8.org/2016/06/how-t...rivers-in.html
(using PPA + Software & Updates window, suggests PPA is untested)

Did you try any of the suggestions you were given in your duplicate thread? What were the results?

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...ay-4175595052/

It's like high school math class: "show your work please." ;)

[QUOTE=snowpine;5639924]Did you try any of the suggestions you were given in your duplicate thread? What were the results?

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...ay-4175595052/

Yes, reinstalled on existing partitions. Was able to eventually able to boot (updated post) . Of course needed to reinstall drivers, part of the reason for this post.

The easiest way to install the nvidia drivers is to do so using aptitude or apt-get (not sure which Ubuntu prefers) and install them from the repositories.
However, if you want to install the latest drivers then it may be easier to use the .run file directly from NVIDIA.
Personally I have no time for PPAs as I think they're more trouble than they're worth confirming that they're safe and that they're well-maintained. And if anything goes wrong with dependencies then it can cause issues working things out. I'm sure some swear by PPAs though.

The Correct method in Ubuntu is labeled "additional drivers" and It's is The Recommended Way.
Been that way for at least 8 years, IIRC </old_grain_of_salt>

I can't disagree that this is how Ubuntu recommends it is done, nor can I disagree that, on the surface, it is simpler than using a command-line method. The only reason I suggest a command-line method is that, from past experience (and admittedly it was at least 5 years ago) the graphical method can mess things up leaving a "broken" system needing command-line repair.
I have to admit that Habitual gives the real answer -- mine may well be out of date.