[PLUG] Video problem with new PC

[Carlos Konstanski]

On Wed, 17 Dec 2008, Rich Shepard wrote:

> Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:49:53 -0800 (PST)
> From: Rich Shepard <rshepard at appl-ecosys.com>
> Reply-To: "General Linux/UNIX discussion and help;	civil and on-topic"
>     <plug at lists.pdxlinux.org>
> To: "General Linux/UNIX discussion and help;	civil and on-topic"
>     <plug at lists.pdxlinux.org>
> Subject: Re: [PLUG] Video problem with new PC
> 
> On Wed, 17 Dec 2008, David Kaplan wrote:
>
>> I would have to install it. but I can't see the bottom of some windows where
>> you have to click next.
>
> David,
>
>   If you visit the nVidia web site and download the linux driver for your
> card, it installs in text mode. You untar the download and end up with a
> file having an extension of .run. For my card I have a file called
> NVIDIA-Linux-x86-177.82-pkg1.run. As root, invoke it and an ncurses
> interface comes up in the middle of the monitor screen.
>
>   Accept the license, respond appropriately to the other prompts, and it
> will be installed for you. Check, using lsmod, and you should see something
> like this:
>
> nvidia               6904916  0
>
>   This works for me. If you go this route, keep that *.run file because you
> may need to reinstall it each time you reboot the machine. I've no idea why,
> but it's a small enough price to pay.
>
> Good luck,
>
> Rich

Not to confuse the issue, but you probably should know about this.
The 2.6.28 kernel contains changes that break both nvidia and fglrx
drivers.  Nvivia has a patch; perhaps ati does too.  Testing with vesa
will certainly circumvent this issue.  2.6.28 is super-nosebleed, but
you did mention fedora.

One reason that you might have to rerun the nvidia driver each reboot
is because you might be using a distro kernel, and have no
/lib/modules/`uname -r` directory.  That's where the module goes when
compiled.  Mine is in /lib/modules/2.6.26.7/video/nvidia.ko.  Building
a custom kernel is one way to ensure that all the parts are there.

Carlos