To get the most out of Nvidia graphics cards, you need to download the drivers from nvidia. Because of Nvidia's licencing, these usually can not be included in Linux distributions. Most distros come with the open source nv driver. This works well but only provides basic functionality. It doesn't do 3D graphics acceleration, so can not support some games.

Preparation

Read the README file available from nvidia, this has lots of good detail on installation and troubleshooting.

To install the nvidia drivers, you will probably need the kernel source files. The nvidia driver needs components customised for the particular kernel. Although the installer has some of these for common kernel versions, it usually needs to make one for your kernel, and for this it needs the kernel source. Unless you are short on disc space, it is probably a good idea to have the kernel source installed anyway, as it may be needed to build other software. Make sure the kernel source matches the kernel version you are using. You can check this using these commands (this example is from Mandrake 10.1).

$uname -r 2.6.8.1-12mdk-i686-up-64GB $ rpm -qa | grep kernel kernel-2.6.8.1.12mdk-1-1mdk kernel-source-2.6-2.6.8.1-12mdk

Installation

To install the nvidia drivers, you need to shut down the X server, run the nvidia installer script, edit the X configuration file, and restart the X server. Here it is again, in a bit more detail.

1. Shut down all applications and log out of KDE or gnome or whatever you are using, then press

ctrl alt F1

This brings you to a console. Log in as root.

2. Shut down the X server.

init 3

3. Go to the directory holding the nvidia installer

cd /where/the/file/is/

4. Run the installer

sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86-1.0-6629-pkg1.run

This asks you to accept the licence, and guides you through installation. If this fails, read the README file again, carefully. Also check the installer log file, /var/log/nvidia-installer.log, for any error messages. If you still stuck, ask a smart question.

5. Edit the X configuration file This file is /etc/X11/XF86Config or similar, depending on your system. Edit this as directed in the nvidia README file, using your favourite text editor. Typically, this means making the following changes. In the Device section, change

Driver "nv"

to

Driver "nvidia"

In the Module section, make sure you have

Load "glx"

You should also remove the following lines

Load "dri" Load "GLcore"

Then save and close the X config file.

6. Restart the X server

init 5

Then log in and check it is working, eg at a console in X, try

glxgears

7. Shut down the terminal session

ctrl alt F1 ctrl d ctrl alt F7

Troubleshooting

If the X server doesn't start, you typically get a black screen or drop back to the command line at ctrl alt F1. This may be due to errors in the X config file, so double check that. Or read the log file, /var/log/Xorg.0.log or /var/log/XFree.0.log.