nForce + RedHat 7.3 Success Story

[rtz]

Here's how I did it and hopefully, this will help someone out in the future.

When you download RH 7.3, you might need all 3 CD's.. And if you only download the first one, it won't let you just skip the second one if you don't have it..

You more then likely won't need the 3rd disc though. But you will need the first 2.

I just did a typical default "workstation" install this time around. I'll do a custom install next time so I can chop down that 1.5 gig install to about ~500 megs. :)

At the end of the install, when you pick your resolution and color depth, don't do the test option... I did and I just got a black screen and had to do the install over again. :)

Also, choose to use LILO for the bootload and not GRUB. I used GRUB the first time and it said it "couldn't load it into memory, error 28" or some such nonsense, so I had to reinstall and use LILO instead.

Now, when you boot up for the first time, already have the nForce drivers and the latest detonators on a CD. When it's booting up(Use LILO), it will have a graphical menu and Linux will be the choice and in the lower left of the screen, it will say "Press CTL X" for something that I don't remember. Anyways, press CTL X and then type "Linux 3" and press enter. That way it won't try and boot up KDE/Gnome. It will boot to the command prompt and you can update your drivers since Nvidia won't open source them and RedHat won't include them on the CD. :mad:

Now, I installed the nForce RPM with no problem at all. I rebooted and the startup detected I now had a network card and I set it to use DHCP and that was that.

Now to install the GeForce drivers. I had to mount the cdrom.

mount /mnt/cdrom

Then you NEED to install the kernel source and the kernel headers that are listed as glibc-kernelheaders or something like that.

I first attempted to install both the Nvidia Kernel and GLX using RPMS and they both failed. Maybe because I didn't have the kernel source and headers installed first?

Why doesn't RedHat install GCC by default!!?? They need too!

I had to install a bunch of things because of dependinces.

So, in summary. Install RedHat, boot to run level 3. Then install the nForce drivers(I rebooted so I could take care of the NIC). Then install the kernel source and headers and gcc.. Then install the detonater kernel and glx from the tar files.

Maybe the rpm files will work after the kernel source and headers are installed?

Any questions just post them.

[FrankShieh]

hello
I meet the same situation as you
almost the total thing...
GRUB meet #28 error..
When install test the display and monitor fall in black...

well , it's so nice to know there is someone suffer those like me
and Thanks your post

Still work hard to enter XWindow...

:)

[oddjob]

Just a silly question (from a newbie):

By "Then you NEED to install the kernel source and the kernel headers that are listed as glibc-kernelheaders or something like that."

you must mean that they shall be installed and that the "kernel
source" must be compiled in some way?

[rtz]

No, I meant the Nvidia kernel driver. Just install the Linux kernel source and headers.

[shaun680]

I'm sorry if this sounds stupid but I am a total newbie and can't understand some of the instructions.

I ran a file called NVchooser.sh and it told me I needed two files: NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2313.src.rpm and NVIDIA_GLX-1.0-2313.i386.rpm. But these wern't on the NVidia site so I had to get them from somewere else. I also downloaded the linux Nforce driver which set up my network card like you said. But whats all this about detonator drivers? Could you please send the link to the ones I need.



Then you NEED to install the kernel source and the kernel headers that are listed as glibc-kernelheaders or something like that.



This may sound silly, but I don't really understand this line. Is the kernel source the "NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2313.src.rpm" or something else? What is "glibc-kernelheaders"?

When I tried to install the kernel and glx rpms, the kernel rpm worked, but I got this error on the GLX rpm:

Error: failed dependencies
NVIDIA_kernel is needed by NVIDIA_GLX-1.0-2313.i386.rpm

Also what is GCC?

[rtz]

Originally posted by shaun680
I ran a file called NVchooser.sh and it told me I needed two files: NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2313.src.rpm and NVIDIA_GLX-1.0-2313.i386.rpm. But these wern't on the NVidia site so I had to get them from somewere else.


What that says is, you need the files NVIDIA_kernel and NVIDIA_GLX. Not those old versions, the newest ones you can find.

Originally posted by shaun680
But whats all this about detonator drivers? Could you please send the link to the ones I need.


NVIDIA_kernel and NVIDIA_GLX are the Detonator drivers. It's what Nvidia calls their video card drivers. Without these, you can't run OpenGL apps.

http://nvidia.com/view.asp?IO=linux_display_1.0-2960


Originally posted by shaun680
This may sound silly, but I don't really understand this line. Is the kernel source the "NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2313.src.rpm" or something else? What is "glibc-kernelheaders"?

The Kernel source is the Linux kernel which is seperate and different then the Nvidia kernel. glibc-kernelheaders are on one of the CD's and and are the header files for the Linux kernel.

Originally posted by shaun680
When I tried to install the kernel and glx rpms, the kernel rpm worked, but I got this error on the GLX rpm:

Error: failed dependencies
NVIDIA_kernel is needed by NVIDIA_GLX-1.0-2313.i386.rpm

Also what is GCC?

It's a C compiler: http://gcc.gnu.org/

You'll need to install it off the CD to "make install" the drivers if you install using the tar version instead of the rpms.

Install the Nvidia kernel using the Kernel Tar File on Nvidia's site at the bottom of the page. I've never gotten any rpm's for this.

[shaun680]

OK, so now I presume by "kernel source" you mean the RPM "kernel-source*.rpm" on RedHat CD2 in the same directory as "glibc-kernheaders.rpm". When I tried to install kernel-source it came up with:

error: failed dependencies
gcc <= 2.96 needed by kernel-source*.rpm

(or words to that effect).

How can i fix this? (sorry if I'm being a pain)

[tandlj]

I too struggled with this situation (ie having to install the nvidia drivers on an nforce chipset PC with intergrated LAN, video and sound to make RH7.3 work).

In the end I started from scratch again and installed the 'development tools' (at the install screen where, for example, KDE or Gnome) - that got rid of all the gcc, kernel-header and related issues and errors.

Also, I used the source (ie SRC.RPM) files for all three packages (ie the nvidia kernel, GLX and the nforce driver 0241) and compiled them. That still left updates of the XFree86 and modules config files ... but I got it to work, even though it took three months elapsed (I am a week-end newbie...).

Good luck!
Joseph

[rtz]

Originally posted by shaun680
error: failed dependencies
gcc <= 2.96 needed by kernel-source*.rpm

(or words to that effect).

How can i fix this?

That's Linux dependency hell. Have to start chasing them down. Install what it needs until you can install what YOU need.

Install gcc. Then whatever else it needs. Don't give up now because your really close to getting them installed. Like the post above me said, if you ever install again, install the "developer tools" and it will install all this stuff so you don't have too. I didn't know about that either, so thanks for the tip/info. I'll be sure to do that next time I install.

People talk about Windows .dll hell. I think Linux dependency hell is worse. I've never had any dll problems in all my Windows years.

[shaun680]

OK, I reintalled Linux and i couldnt find Developer or Development tools or anything, so I went to custom install, clicked EVERYTHING and also installed every package there was going on the install. So as it stands now its a clean install.

So now all I need to do is install Nforce, NVIDIA_kernel and NVIDIA_GLX , and then edit XF86Config-4 in that order yeah? Or do I still need gcc?

I just don't want to do anything wrong and have to reinstall again!

Shaun

[rtz]

Originally posted by shaun680
install Nforce, NVIDIA_kernel and NVIDIA_GLX , and then edit XF86Config-4 in that order

That's all that's needed. GCC should already be installed. You only need it if you run make install.

[shaun680]

:( :mad:

Installed them all, but on the kernel rpm it said that it couldnt initialize the NVdriver for loads of files (the same error for about 15 files) but then at the end said "NVdriver installed sucessfully" :confused:

I tried to startx anyway and this came up still:

(EE) NVIDIA(0): Failed to initialize the NVdriver kernel module!
(EE) NVIDIA(0): *** Aborting ***
(EE) Screens found, but none have a useable configuration

Fatal screens error:
no screens found

This does seem to contradict itself :p

No more dependency errors though (yet) :rolleyes:

Shaun

[rtz]

Use the tar files, and run "make install" instead of the rpm files.

[ctaggart]

Hi all,

I've installed:
NVIDIA_nforce-1.0-0241.rh73up.athlon.rpm
NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2960.rh73up.i686.rpm
NVIDIA_GLX-1.0-2960.i386.rpm

but everytime I try to start X-Windows by running 'startx' all I get is a blank screen. I am able to restart by hitting ctrl+alt+delete, so it isn't totally frozen.

Motherboard = ASUS A7N266-E with NVidia nForce 420-D Chipset
Monitor = Samsung SyncMaster 955DF

I boot to runlevel 3 by default. I login as root. I then run 'lsmod NVdriver' to start it up and then I run 'startx'. I don't have any errors when booting. I've editted /etc/modules.conf. I ran Xconfigurator without testing (that would hang) and then editted /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 as described in one of the readme files.

I've attached the log file /var/log/XFree86.0.log. I'm not sure how to proceed. If there are any other files I can attach or paste, let me know. I would like to get Redhat Linux 7.3 up and running.

[rtz]

(II) LoadModule: "nvidia"


That's the problem. Edit your XF86Config-4 file. Change the word nvidia to nv.

[ctaggart]

The instructions that come with the rpm's say to change it. When I try to load it with 'nv' instead of 'nvidia' it freezes and I can't even use ctrl+alt+delete to reboot.

NVIDIA Accelerated Linux Driver Set README & Installation Guide
Last Updated: $Date: 2002/05/12 $
Most Recent Driver: 1.0-2960

That document in (sec-03) EDITING YOUR XF86CONFIG FILE says this:
----------------------------------------
If you already have an XF86Config file working with a different driver
(such as the 'nv' or 'vesa' driver), then all you need to do is find
the relevant Device section and replace the line:

Driver "nv"
(or Driver "vesa")

with

Driver "nvidia"

In the Module section, make sure you have:

Load "glx"

You should also remove the following lines:

Load "dri"
Load "GLcore"

if they exist. There are also numerous options that can be added to
the XF86Config file to fine-tune the NVIDIA XFree86 driver. Please see
Appendix D for a complete list of these options.
----------------------------------------

I've attached my /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 file. I'll probably reinstalling Redhat 7.3 and then try to compile the tarballs. I'm not sure if that will help any. The RPMs should work. I put in really low monitor requirements in that config file. My monitor supports much better.

One of these days I will have a GUI. :(

[shaun680]

I'd just like to say a big thankyou to everyone who helped me in this thread, especially rtz. Finally got X working now! Woo Hoo! :D Now all I gotta do is learn how to use it! :p

Thanks again,
Shaun

[targatop]

Has anybody had any issues getting the integrated sound to work on RH7.3? I am really struggling...I got the ethernet card and video card working, but I keep getting "unresolved symbols" error when I try to install nvaudio or load it up using "modprobe". Any ideas? I'm really desperate here. I'm about 1 step away from trashing this whole idea and buying a sound-blaster 16.

Thanks in advance!

[ctaggart]

After struggeling with the installation of Redhat 7.3 for a couple of days, I put it aside and downloaded Mandrake Linux 9.0 release candidate 1. It detected all my nVidia hardware and I was up and running X windows right away with sound!

[Andy Mecham]

Has anybody had any issues getting the integrated sound to work on RH7.3? I am really struggling...I got the ethernet card and video card working, but I keep getting "unresolved symbols" error when I try to install nvaudio or load it up using "modprobe". Any ideas? I'm really desperate here. I'm about 1 step away from trashing this whole idea and buying a sound-blaster 16.

Targatop: you shouldn't need to use the nvaudio.o driver. The i810_audio driver supports the nforce audio chip. Can you try insmod'ing i810_audio and see if that works for you? Also, you'll want to update to the latest nforce drivers (1.0-0241).

Thanks!

--andy

[doom]

try to set the partitions using fdisk. It seems to work better. And set Format type to ext3 for all except the swap partition.

Then maybe Grub would show linux. But make sure u understand all the fdisk commands, or just the ones your gonna use. My bootloader is set to grub and it shows Linux, without your "28" error.

[knchee]

Hi! I think I got all the difficult situations as discribed in your postings.

(1) I down loaded the NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2960.rh72.i386.rpm and NVIDIA_GLX-1.0-2960.i386.rpm and installed as per README. I am fine with the kernel installation. But, error message with thye GLX installation. However, when I tried to reinstall the GLX package again, it says GLX package is already installed?! I then double confirm kernel and GLX package installed. I editted the XFree86Config-4 file as recommended in README. I "startx", error message "
(EE) NVIDIA(0): Failed to initialize the NVdriver kernel module!
(EE) NVIDIA(0): *** Aborting ***
(EE) Screens found, but none have a useable configuration

Fatal screens error:
no screens found"

No way out, I tried the following!

(2) I downloaded the tarballs - NVIDIA_kernel.tar.gz and NVIDIA_GLX.tar.gz. Make install went well with the GLX but error message for the kernel "
......
/usr/include/linux/modversions.h:1:2: #error modules should never use kernel-headers system headers,
/usr/include/linux/modversions.h:2:2: #error but rather header from an appropriate kernel-source package
/usr/include/linux/modversions.h:3:2: #error Change -I/usr/src/linux/include (or similar) to
/usr/include/linux/modversions.h:4:2: # error - I/lib/modules/$ (uname -r)/build/include
/usr/include/linux/modversions.h:5:2: #error to build against the currently-running kernel.
make: *** [nv.o] Error 1"

What went wrong??!!

My notebook is Acer TravelMate 630 with Intel 1.6G, NVIDIA GForce 2 Go card, and LCD that can support 1024x768.

I appreciate for your help and guild.

Thanks

[doom]

what version of redhat are you using? 7.2?

[t00bad]

Originally posted by knchee
Hi! I think I got all the difficult situations as discribed in your postings.

(1) I down loaded the NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-2960.rh72.i386.rpm and NVIDIA_GLX-1.0-2960.i386.rpm and installed as per README. I am fine with the kernel installation. But, error message with thye GLX installation. However, when I tried to reinstall the GLX package again, it says GLX package is already installed?! I then double confirm kernel and GLX package installed. I editted the XFree86Config-4 file as recommended in README. I "startx", error message "
(EE) NVIDIA(0): Failed to initialize the NVdriver kernel module!
(EE) NVIDIA(0): *** Aborting ***
(EE) Screens found, but none have a useable configuration

Fatal screens error:
no screens found"

No way out, I tried the following!

(2) I downloaded the tarballs - NVIDIA_kernel.tar.gz and NVIDIA_GLX.tar.gz. Make install went well with the GLX but error message for the kernel "
......
/usr/include/linux/modversions.h:1:2: #error modules should never use kernel-headers system headers,
/usr/include/linux/modversions.h:2:2: #error but rather header from an appropriate kernel-source package
/usr/include/linux/modversions.h:3:2: #error Change -I/usr/src/linux/include (or similar) to
/usr/include/linux/modversions.h:4:2: # error - I/lib/modules/$ (uname -r)/build/include
/usr/include/linux/modversions.h:5:2: #error to build against the currently-running kernel.
make: *** [nv.o] Error 1"

What went wrong??!!

My notebook is Acer TravelMate 630 with Intel 1.6G, NVIDIA GForce 2 Go card, and LCD that can support 1024x768.

I appreciate for your help and guild.

Thanks

[t00bad]

edit FF86Config-4 add or change "Option NvAGP" "1"
under the device section, thats all i did,

(EE) NVIDIA(0): Failed to initialize the NVdriver kernel module!
(EE) NVIDIA(0): *** Aborting ***
(EE) Screens found, but none have a useable configuration

Fatal screens error:
no screens found"