Kernel problem

Redeye2 · 02-17-2004, 05:11 PM

I just accidentaly installed another kernel (though it was the sources... *sigh*). Although I think it is the same one the default installation uses, now I can't get my nvidia drivers to work. In order to get to X I had to use the "nv" instead of "nvidia"... so, I got my X back but without drivers and it pretty much sucks.
Any suggestions? Any way to unistall the kernel I just accidentaly installed? Should I just reinstall mandrake? what will I lose if I do so? thanks

Andrew Benton · 02-17-2004, 05:38 PM

You could try installing the Nvidia drivers yourself. You'll need gcc-2.9 (the same compiler the kernel was compiled with), have you got it on your Mandrake CD's? If so, go to http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux.html and click on the 1.0-5336 link. I would compile them at the command prompt without Xwindows running. Put the driver in roots home folder and change it's properties to make sure it's executable. Open /etc/inittab in a text editor and change initdefault to 3 then reboot. It should take you to a command prompt. Login as root and type in

Code:

export CC=/opt/gcc-2.95.3/bin/gcc #or whatever is the correct path - you'll need to check this
sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86-1.0-5336-pkg1.run #answer the questions
init 5

edit /etc/inittab again and change nv back to nvidia in /etc/X11/XF86Config and then reboot. You would do well to get used to doing this as you won't be able to recompile the kernel yourself otherwise and there are some things that can only be changed by recompiling the kernel. Or you could just reinstall mandrake. it's your call. Good luck.

mishmash · 02-17-2004, 07:04 PM

Hi,

You have to know that the latest NVIDIA driver absolutely NEED the /lib/modules/2.4.22-10mdk/build symbolic link that points to the kernel source
If you have downloaded and installed (i.e. compiled) the NVIDIA driver before you installed a new source kernel,I do not think that you just installed a new source kernel /usr/src/linux-2.4.22-10mdk.

My past experience with Mdk 9.2 is that this symbolic link was not done properly, at least not when I installed the 2.4.22-26mdk kernel. In fact, there was some problem with the initial version of this kernel upgrade. I installed it right away when it was available. I know that they change it since then and now it is OK.

In any case, if you still can't correct your problem, just download and install the 2.4.22-26mdk binary rpm and then the 2.4.22-26mdk source rpm. These rpms are OK and work fine. Then, install the NVIDIA driver as indicated on the NVIDIA web site. For that, you need to boot linux in console mode (or execute the command "init 3" in a shell) and log as root. Then, move to the directory where you downloaded the NVIDIA driver and execute the command "sh ./NVIDIA*.run". Of course, set the device to "nvidia" instead of "nv" in the /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 file.

mishmash · 02-17-2004, 07:14 PM

Hi again,

I forgot to delete some lines at the beginning of my reply, the following is the reply you should have seen:

*********************
Hi,

You have to know that the latest NVIDIA driver absolutely NEED the /lib/modules/2.4.22-10mdk/build symbolic link that points to the kernel source /usr/src/linux-2.4.22-10mdk.

My past experience with Mdk 9.2 is that this symbolic link was not done properly, at least not when I installed the 2.4.22-26mdk kernel. In fact, there was some problems (i.e. the above problem, plus the bootsplash not working) with the initial version of this kernel upgrade. I installed it right away when it was available. I know that they change it since then and now it is OK.

In any case, if you still can't correct your problem, just download and install the 2.4.22-26mdk binary rpm and then the 2.4.22-26mdk source rpm. These rpms are OK and work fine. Then, install the NVIDIA driver as indicated on the NVIDIA web site. For that, you need to boot linux in console mode (or execute the command "init 3" in a linux shell) and log as root. Next, move to the directory where you downloaded the NVIDIA driver and execute the command "sh ./NVIDIA*.run". Of course, after that, set the device to "nvidia" instead of "nv" in the /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 file. Finally, enter the command "init 5" or "startx" to enter in X mode, or reboot.

_______________
Regards,

mishmash
*********************

Sorry!

Redeye2 · 02-17-2004, 08:59 PM

Thanks a lot guys. Here's the solution I found and a couple more questions...
1) download the 2.4.22-26mdk kernel source. I actually got 2. One, 40mb which didn't work :S and another, 180mb with rpmdrake that works perfectly.
2) go to the console with X closed and run the installation from nvidia. It will compile the drivers back for you and you're set

Questions:
I "lost" the loading and log off screens I previously had (tells you to press "esc" for verbose). I only get the verbose stuff now. Anyway to go back? thanks a lot!

mishmash · 02-17-2004, 09:26 PM

Hi,

What a timing...

Check the following post I just updated:

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...hreadid=140117

Now you make me wonder about what I said in that post... Were did you get your updates? Was it from an official Mandrake ftp site? Maybe this is part of the problem... The last time, I updated the kernel from 2.4.22-10mdk to 2.4.22-26mdk. The first time, I had installed the 2.4.22-20mdk in between. Maybe this is related to the problem... I really don't know anymore.