Debian 3.0 + nVidia drivers

[Jack]

Hi,
I'm using Debian Linux 3.0 and I wonder how to get and install the latest drivers for my system, an easy way would be good, because I'm not a very experienced user.

System Information:
AMD Athlon Thunderbird 1,4 GHZ
nVidia GeForce 2 Pro

[gnalle]

I used the instructions from the following help site in danish. I don't have time to translate it, but you may use it as a starting point for a google search :)

http://debianguiden.dk/dists/stable/html/tredjeparts-ting.html

[bwkaz]

Basically, what that Danish page amounts to (and no, I can't read Danish either, but I think I can glark it from the commands) is, you apt-get install kernel-headers-$(uname -r) to install the proper kernel source files, then symlink (with the ln -s command they give) the header directory to /usr/src/linux, then grab the nVidia tarballs and use them.

I believe, though, that you can apt-get a package named something like nvidia_kernel_src or something, that's the equivalent of the kernel tarball, and then nvidia_glx_src or something, that's the equivalent of the GLX tarball. I don't know for sure if the names are right, or if the packages even still exist, but it might be worth a look.

[MonkeyNinja]

Heres how I used to do it on my old box (Debian 3.0 on a 500mhz p3 512ram Gforce1)

first of all make sure a kernel-source-2.4.*, kernel-package, x-window-system, wget, make and gcc are installed :)

next up apt-get install nvidia-kernel-src (this pulls the glx package along with it)

After the deb packs are in youll find (in /usr/src) a folder for GLX and a tgz file for the kernel, "tar -zxvf" the kernel file, then enter your "linux" symlink (if one is not there make one) and run "make-kpkg modules_image" go back to your /usr/src and run "dpkg -i nvidia-kernelsumpin" that installs the kernel binary.

For GLX enter the glx folder and run "dpkg-buildpackage -us -uc" this should make a glx deb package in /usr/src which you can then install by running "dpkg -i nvidia-glx-thingy" on it.

Im writing this from memory so dont even try to copy-paste it to your console :)

Finally check out /usr/share/doc/nvidiasomething for a longer version of the info I just posted :)

[mrsclaudio]

I have X working fine, but my problem is, sometimes, randomly, the system crashes when I switch from X to console, or back... Can someone give me a hint how to fix this??
I'm using
P4 1,7
Intel Mboard
Creative's GForce 4MX
Debian 3.0
Kernel 2.4.20
drivers 4191

[highonhelium]

I am also trying to get the nvidia drivers to work on debian. I am running kernel 2.4.20-686 that I installed via apt-get. I have tried the .deb packages for the nvidia drivers and I have tried installing the tarballs. The deb packages try to install the 3123 version of the drivers. The install script craps out at this point:

Setting up nvidia-kernel-2.4.20-686 (1.0.3123-3+) ...
depmod: *** Unresolved symbols in /lib/modules/2.4.20-686/kernel/drivers/video/NVdriver
depmod: *** Unresolved symbols in /lib/modules/2.4.20-686/kernel/drivers/video/nvidia.o

So evidently it is able to build the deb package needed to finish the install, but is not able to install it.

The tarball files on the other hand crap out with a makefile error 255 or something like that.

I have the kernel headers installed and a link set up like this:

ln -s /usr/src/kernel-headers-XXXX /usr/src/linux

If anyone can help me it would be great.

Thanks,

highonhelium

[anar]

I am currently writing a small guide how to install Debian on my laptop. Maybe you want to have a look at the X section:

http://www.StephanWehrheim.de/computer/dell8200+debian30/dell8200+debian30.html#X

[KarlArschus]

Originally posted by mrsclaudio
I have X working fine, but my problem is, sometimes, randomly, the system crashes when I switch from X to console, or back... Can someone give me a hint how to fix this??
I'm using
P4 1,7
Intel Mboard
Creative's GForce 4MX
Debian 3.0
Kernel 2.4.20
drivers 4191

Are you using the framebuffer on the console? If so, switch it off and try again. I had the same effect on my maschine and this solved the problem ;)

To switch framebuffer mode off edit
/etc/lilo.conf
set vga to normal, extended, ask, or <mode> [note: you can see all available <mode>s by using ask]
run lilo and reboot

This should help ...