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Anti-Trend · 15-11-2006, 03:49 AM

Howto Install NVidia drivers In Debian or Ubuntu
-aka-
Getting 3D in Debian or Ubuntu with NVidia

Installing the proprietary NVidia drivers in Debian (or Ubuntu, a Debian spin-off) is surprisingly easy. Not as easy as they'd be if they were open-source, but I digress...

STOP! Before proceeding, make sure to backup your xorg.conf! Ubuntu may break your xorg.conf, and it's always nice to have a point of reference.
Also, I've written a script to make this much easier for *ubuntu users.

Requirements:

Your kernel headers must matched your installed kernel. If you roll your own kernels, this is already handled. Otherwise, use the command:
Code:
```
uname -a
```
...to identify your running kernel, and use your package manager to install the corresponding kernel header package.
Make sure the build-essential meta package is installed, which allows the drivers to compile in the first place.
Code:
```
apt-get install build-essential
```
If you do build your own kernels, leave out the Riva FB drivers, and do build the appropriate AGPart module if you have an AGP architecture.

Steps to install:

Download NVidia's Linux drivers and save them someplace where you'll remember them later.
Save anything you're working on and log out of your desktop session.
Go to a virtual terminal (ALT+CTRL+F1)
Login as root
Note: In Ubuntu, you are already root... sort of. Yes, I know, this is dumb. To get full root in Ubuntu, run the following command:
Code:
```
sudo su -
```
Terminate your graphical user environment. There are a few ways to do this; the easiest is to
Code:
```
/etc/init.d/kdm stop
```
if you're using the KDE display manager,
Code:
```
/etc/init.d/gdm stop
```
if you're running the Gnome display manager, or if you're using the X display manager:
Code:
```
/etc/init.d/xdm stop
```
Navigate to the directory where you downloaded your drivers earlier. Note: If you don't know how to do this part, you need to first go over the absolute basics: http://anti-trend.homelinux.org/lite...ect_02_02.html ...you can always post here if you need help with something specific, but please at least read that first if you're having trouble navigating in a non-graphical environment.
Install the NVidia drivers with the following command:
Code:
```
sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86-1.0-9629-pkg1.run --x-module-path=/usr/lib/xorg/modules/ -aqNX
```
...where "NVIDIA-Linux-x86-1.0-9629-pkg1.run" should be the actual name of the NVidia driver you're trying to install. Tip: You can start typing the name of the file, then hit the TAB key and your system will automatically complete the filename for you. That makes it a lot easier to type long filenames without making typos.
Once you've got the new drivers installed, just start your display manager back up and logout of your virtual terminal. Here are the commands to do so with KDM, GDM and XDM respectively:
Code:
```
/etc/init.d/kdm start && exit
```
Code:
```
/etc/init.d/gdm start && exit
```
Code:
```
/etc/init.d/xdm start && exit
```
To test your new 3D Drivers, log back in to a desktop session and run the following command in a terminal:
Code:
```
glxinfo | grep render
```
Note: the "|" is a pipe symbol, not an "i" or an "L". You should see something similar to the following:
Code:
```
direct rendering: Yes
OpenGL renderer string: GeForce 6800 GT/AGP/SSE/3DNOW!
    GL_NVX_conditional_render, GL_SGIS_generate_mipmap, GL_SGIS_texture_lod,
```
...If "Direct Rendering" reads as "yes", congratulations! If not, feel free to post here, and we'll see what we can do to help you out.

15-11-2006, 03:49 AM	#1 (permalink) Top
Anti-Trend Nonconformist Geek Join Date: Oct 2003 Age: 27 Male Posts: 4,880 Times Helpful: 536 Status: Offline My Computer	Howto: Install NVidia drivers In Debian or Ubuntu Howto Install NVidia drivers In Debian or Ubuntu -aka- Getting 3D in Debian or Ubuntu with NVidia Installing the proprietary NVidia drivers in Debian (or Ubuntu, a Debian spin-off) is surprisingly easy. Not as easy as they'd be if they were open-source, but I digress... STOP! Before proceeding, make sure to backup your xorg.conf! Ubuntu may break your xorg.conf, and it's always nice to have a point of reference. Also, I've written a script to make this much easier for ubuntu users. Requirements:* Your kernel headers must matched your installed kernel. If you roll your own kernels, this is already handled. Otherwise, use the command: Code: uname -a ...to identify your running kernel, and use your package manager to install the corresponding kernel header package. Make sure the build-essential meta package is installed, which allows the drivers to compile in the first place. Code: apt-get install build-essential If you do build your own kernels, leave out the Riva FB drivers, and do build the appropriate AGPart module if you have an AGP architecture. Steps to install: Download NVidia's Linux drivers and save them someplace where you'll remember them later. Save anything you're working on and log out of your desktop session. Go to a virtual terminal (ALT+CTRL+F1) Login as root Note: In Ubuntu, you are already root... sort of. Yes, I know, this is dumb. To get full root in Ubuntu, run the following command: Code: sudo su - Terminate your graphical user environment. There are a few ways to do this; the easiest is to Code: /etc/init.d/kdm stop if you're using the KDE display manager, Code: /etc/init.d/gdm stop if you're running the Gnome display manager, or if you're using the X display manager: Code: /etc/init.d/xdm stop Navigate to the directory where you downloaded your drivers earlier. Note: If you don't know how to do this part, you need to first go over the absolute basics: http://anti-trend.homelinux.org/lite...ect_02_02.html ...you can always post here if you need help with something specific, but please at least read that first if you're having trouble navigating in a non-graphical environment. Install the NVidia drivers with the following command: Code: sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86-1.0-9629-pkg1.run --x-module-path=/usr/lib/xorg/modules/ -aqNX ...where "NVIDIA-Linux-x86-1.0-9629-pkg1.run" should be the actual name of the NVidia driver you're trying to install. Tip: You can start typing the name of the file, then hit the TAB key and your system will automatically complete the filename for you. That makes it a lot easier to type long filenames without making typos. Once you've got the new drivers installed, just start your display manager back up and logout of your virtual terminal. Here are the commands to do so with KDM, GDM and XDM respectively: Code: /etc/init.d/kdm start && exit Code: /etc/init.d/gdm start && exit Code: /etc/init.d/xdm start && exit To test your new 3D Drivers, log back in to a desktop session and run the following command in a terminal: Code: glxinfo \| grep render Note: the "\|" is a pipe symbol, not an "i" or an "L". You should see something similar to the following: Code: direct rendering: Yes OpenGL renderer string: GeForce 6800 GT/AGP/SSE/3DNOW! GL_NVX_conditional_render, GL_SGIS_generate_mipmap, GL_SGIS_texture_lod, ...If "Direct Rendering" reads as "yes", congratulations! If not, feel free to post here, and we'll see what we can do to help you out. __________________ See My Desktop \| Try Linux \| Install Linux \| Visit My Server \| Support Hardware Forums \| Easily rip DVDs in Linux \| Remember Everything