unable to update nvidia driver after installing multilib
 

Slackware 14.2

I installed multilib using the instructions in this document:
https://docs.slackware.com/slackware...?do=export_pdf

Then I tried to update my nvidia driver, but I could no longer run the installer.

The first error seemed solvable: gcc was different, do CC=gcc-5.3.0; export CC

The second error I was unable to solve:
> Unable to determine the version of the kernel sources located in '/lib/modules/4.4.14/source' [...] if you know the correct kernel source files are installed, you may specify the kernel source path with the '--kernel-source-path' command line option

As far as I can tell the path is correct. I tried different paths, but no luck. The installer wants to add "include/linux" and looks for "kernel.h"

However, "/lib/modules/4.4.14/source/include/linux/kernel.h" exists.
After searching I added "version.h", symlinked from "/lib/modules/4.4.14/source/include/linux/version.h". That did not help. So I'm stuck.

Thanks.

What graphics card do you have, or more to the point what version nvidia driver are you using? I ask this because later versions have an option to "Ignore GCC" and works a treat.

Well that is strange, because the multilib gcc package for Slackware 14.2 is version 5.5.0. This is the same version as the gcc package you which you can find in the patches section of the Slackware 14.2 repository. The gcc-5.3.0 version is the original gcc which was shipped with Slackware 14.2. It should no longer be present on your computer.

Is 4.4.14 the version of the kernel you are actually running? Or did you forget to update the kernel-source package when you updated your kernel?
What is the result of running ?

It sounds like you have an up-to-date multilib but haven't updated your base 14.2 install with all the latest patches. This will lead to package mismatches between your 32bit and 64bit versions and is likely leaving you vulnerable to security issues.

Make sure you select a mirror in /etc/slackpkg/mirrors (pick a 14.2 mirror, not a -current mirror), then run the following commands:

Once that is done, you will need to update your bootloader to point to the new kernel version. That process does vary based on what bootloader you use, so either google for your specific bootloader or post it here and we cna help walk you through it.

Thanks for responding.

Currently I’m using GeForce GT 740 with the driver 367.44. After adding multilib I tried reinstalling the same driver or installing the latest 410.93 driver. Same errors.

I was able to resolve the error about gcc with setting the CC environment variable to gcc-5.3.0. That seemed to me a better option than ignoring the difference. To quote

> ... mixing compiler versions between the kernel and kernel modules can result in subtle bugs that are difficult to diagnose.

If I install the driver ignoring gcc but as a result of this it wont run or only with errors, I can’t revert because of the problem at hand; I need to be sure I can do a successful install. 🤔

Thanks. That looks interesting.

I’ve never used slackpkg, I will look into it.

I followed the instructions by bassmadrigal, trusting the assigned “guru” status. ;-)

That seems to have solved my problem (I’ve upgraded to the latest nvidia driver and also installed the 32bit compatibility part). X runs fine. Mplayer runs fine. Haven’t tried anything else yet.

So thank you, bassmadrigal. ;-)

I now see I’ve also attracted the attention of Alien Bob. That is embarrassing. Yes, I plead guilty: for a long time I’ve had the bad habit of not updating everything promptly. I used to, but sometimes it brakes things that I installed later, and I don’t like spending hours correcting stuff.
I apologize.

Hi Eric,

Properly updating stuff solved the my problem. Sorry to have wasted your time. Over the years I fallen into the habit of updating less often, partly out of fear of breaking stuff, partly because, well serious lack of time. Thanks for all your contributions.

I do totally understand this. I tend to go long between my updates, which I do realize leaves me more open to possible vulnerabilities that have been patched. I will say that breakage doesn't happen very often on stable releases since Pat is pretty conservative in what updates he pushes out, but it's still possible.

As far as multilib, his packages are generated off a full patched 14.2 system, so if you decide to upgrade or install multilib, you'll want to make sure your base install is updated as well so that you won't get version mismatches.