error message

[jelenko]

I'm getting an error message when installing the kernel driver:

kernel = 2.4.7-10 is needed by NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-3123.rh72up

Can you tell what the problem is?

I'm logged in as root and running the command
"rpm -ivh NVIDIA_kernel-1.0-3123.rh72up.i686.rpm"
from a terminal window.
I am using Red Hat 7.2 with x86free 4.2.0-6.45 on a PIII. The display adapter is a G Force 2 with 32 mb from PNY.

Thanks

[volt]

Well does your Redhat have kernel 2.4.7-10 or newer?

[jelenko]

Boot manager says it is z-2.4.9-31. [I just figured out that the kernel the error message is referring to is the Linux kernel]

Will the nVidia driver not work with 2.4.9-31?

Thanks

[cool_nm]

is your prob. solved?

if not try downloading the source rpms (srpm) & then rebuild and install.

[jelenko]

Just to confirm. Since I'm using version 2.4.9 - is the only solultion to rebuild with an ealier version?

[bwkaz]

Yes, you do need to compile from source (though it's the exact same nVidia driver version... I'm not sure what you mean by your "an earlier version" comment...), unless you're using the exact version kernel as one of the prebuilt RPMs expect. It seems you aren't.

Make sure that kernel-source-2.4.9-31 is installed as well, because you'll need it.

[jelenko]

I'm still not clear.

Version 2.4.9 IS installed - I checked the LILO manager.

My question is: Since the error message I'm getting says that kernel 2.4.7 is need BUT the current version is 2.4.9, do I really have to revert back to 2.4.7?

If so, that means that the NVIDIA drivers will work with only the exact version? vs the required version or later?

Thanks

[mtrr]

no, you don't have to revert to an older kernel.
read the above posts carefully. install the kernel
source from your install cd (dunno which cd that is)
and then REBUILD the rpm.

the rebuild process is described excessively in
the readme from nvidia.


cheers

[bwkaz]

Originally posted by jelenko
Version 2.4.9 IS installed - I checked the LILO manager.OK, but you need the source code for that version of the kernel installed as well, because you need to actually rebuild the kernel module.

My question is: Since the error message I'm getting says that kernel 2.4.7 is need BUT the current version is 2.4.9, do I really have to revert back to 2.4.7? No, as posted, you can compile the kernel module from source. If you don't want to do that, you'd have to revert to 2.4.7-whatever, but it's not really all that hard to recompile it, as long as you have the right things installed.

If so, that means that the NVIDIA drivers will work with only the exact version? vs the required version or later?Yes. Well, the GLX portion will work with any NVIDIA_kernel that's the same release (3123, for example). But the NVIDIA_kernel has pieces of compiled code in it that actually become part of your kernel when you have it installed. Because of this, they have to match the running kernel exactly -- the absolute memory location of kernel interface functions changes with every version (since code gets added to the kernel, and some gets removed, addresses will change). The NVdriver kernel module must match with the address, the absolute memory location, in order to work.

Recompiling the NVdriver allows it to use the symbolic names of functions instead, during the compile phase. Then, once it's compiled, it will contain the correct addresses for these functions.

Does that make any more sense?

[jelenko]

Thanks for helping me on this. I think I'm beginning to get it.

FWIW, I don't have an install CD. I'm using an image built by the company's IT org.

If I've got it right, I can just use the source code version of the NVIDIA kernel driver [following the directions in the read me] and rebuild the NVIDIA kernel driver. By rebuilding the NVIDIA kernel driver on my Linux system, it will make the NVIDIA kernel driver compatible/work with the Linux system kernel that's installed.

I'm away from my Linux system right now. If I've still not got it right, please let me know. Otherwise, I will try it this evening.

[mtrr]

correct, but keep in mind without kernel sources around
it'll be a, errm...rather unsatisfying experience



cheers