The only reason why compilation may be required is if you did something after installing the kernel source tree.

E.G. if you

"make clean"

or

"make dep"

This cleans up the source tree which puts it into a state where the nvidia driver relinking will not work.

Usually recompiling the kernel is not required at all.


Glad to see you got it working though.

For some reason, there was some fundamental difference between my running kernel and my kernel source, even though the numbers were the same. I didn't do anything but install the source then try to install the driver. After I got frustrated I decided to try to compile the source then boot into that kernel and it worked.

Who knows?



It's working.

If you "urpmi kernel-source" you'll get the LATEST kernel available on the repositories, which is usually not the one you are running.

In turn this causes the problem you've seen.

It would be easier if the version numbers were different. When the number in your src directory shows the same as uname -r, you think they are the same.

Hi,
I too went through the same torture but I got it, so lets see if you can to.
First off I hope the Radon in you signature is not your actual card? I assume you do have a GEforce same as I do(Fx5600 for me)..
Pre install: Know your monitor frequencies(Horizontal and vertical sweep)..
Find and download for the 2.6.8.1-12 MDK kernel the following source, 2.6-2.6.8.1-12mdk Yes thats the correct one even though it is a different number..

Exit the X server SU root init 3 log in and cd to where you stored the Nvidia driver..Follow the NVidia instructions to run it but when it says do you want to go online say NO and let it compile it..
If sucessful it will say so..
then edit the XF86Config file in the modules section ...Change nv to nvidia..Save the changes and
change cd to /etc/modprobe.preload file and add the line nvidia
then either reboot or startx.

The above worked for me..
One suggestion is to run through first so you can practice finding everything you need to edit..
I am not an expert so it took me longer than a real Linux guru but it is worth it to get it going..
After you get back into hopefully the GUI again you can check your results..
In a terminal type glxgears and let it run for a minute or so then stop it and then type
glxinfo | grep direct to see if you get a yes or no to direct rendering..
goodluck, hope this helps
jolphil

Yeah, the Nvida card is working fine now, thanks. I dumped the ATI pos and bought a GeForce 6800. It works really well.

Wow!!! Way to go...With the 6800 you ought to fly....
Goodluck and enjoy,
jolphil

44690 frames in 5.0 seconds = 8938.000 FPS
48411 frames in 5.0 seconds = 9682.200 FPS
48427 frames in 5.0 seconds = 9685.400 FPS
48445 frames in 5.0 seconds = 9689.000 FPS
48444 frames in 5.0 seconds = 9688.800 FPS
47530 frames in 5.0 seconds = 9506.000 FPS
50402 frames in 5.0 seconds = 10080.400 FPS
50454 frames in 5.0 seconds = 10090.800 FPS
50082 frames in 5.0 seconds = 10016.400 FPS
49154 frames in 5.0 seconds = 9830.800 FPS
50170 frames in 5.0 seconds = 10034.000 FPS
50406 frames in 5.0 seconds = 10081.200 FPS

Not Bad!