Nvidia drivers and Suse 8.2
 

I've been using Suse 8.2 and the new NVidia kernel installer for a while now but recently, YOU (YAST Online Update) provided Linux kernel patches and now I can't get the NVidia installer to work.

If I install NVidia before YOU, I can't run Xwindows. I ran SAX2 too and made the proper changes to my XFREE86Config file but I still couldn't run Xwin

If I try to install NVidia after YOU, the Nvidia installer says there is no compiler interface for my present kernel and can't find header source files for my current kernel to compile Nvidia drivers with (even though I leave source files on the hard drive after YOU finishes). I've tried downloading what I believe are the source files for the Linux kernel patch from the Suse web sight but the installer says they are not the source for my current linux kernel.

I have also posted this issue to Suse tech support

Current kernel: 2.4.20-64GB-SMP
OS: Suse 8.2
Video Card: GeforceFX 9600 Ultra
System: IS7 motherboard w/ 1GB memory, 2.8GHz processor w/800MHz FSB

No answer?
 

No answer? Does this mean I have to dis Suse for posting non-standard Linux Kernel patches without source? Does this mean I have to switch over to RedHat?

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absoultly not, the GPL forbids it, who ever owns suse. All that is wrong is the NVIDIA prebuilt modules only work with the *release* kernel, not updated ones. Grab the suse kernel sources from YaST2, and the real nvidia driver (not the suse one) and it will build the required module for you.

Edit: Sorry if you already have the kernel sources read the --help with the nvidia installer and manually point it to your sources. If that doesn't work recompile the kernel and then install

What are you talking about, Suse alway provide the kernel-source, they have to anyway.

Besides redhat you have the same problem and you'll regrete it, go to SuSE ftp server

Thanks for your reply.

Startibardfast,
I downloaded what I thought was the source rpm for my current Linux kernel from the Suse FTP site. I then installed the source and ran the Nvidia installer with manual pointers to the source location. The installer says the source code doesn't match my current kernel. I will try this again.

Also, I may try installing the Kernel source from the CD and then run YOU to see if it updates the source code accordingly.

Lastly, if none of that works, I'll recompile the Linux kernel....something I've never done before. I guess It won't be too hard if I find out how from some web sites.

SuLinUx,
Honestly, the Nvidia installer says It does not have a compiler interface that matches my kernel version. It then procedes to check the web for kernel source code (from the Suse websight, since the installer recognizes that I have Suse distro) that matches my kernel and finds none. I already downloaded some source (correct source?) from the FTP server...(see above)

go for it. recompiling ain't so bad, just use your existing config! and do a make oldconfig, as step one. do check out some howtos to familarise yourself with the process. When you get used to it, go for 2.6! it's well worth it, even for the few fps in nwn

good luck

The fact is you have the wrong kernel-source, thats why the nvidia installer is saying whats it's saying, it doesnot download the kernel source for you, it downloads a matching PRECOMPILED kernel interface if there is one from the nvidia ftp site.

The package should be like this.
Kernel-source-2.4.21-????.i586.rpm