Slackware 10, kernel 2.4.26, FX 5600?

[ateam]

I am looking to buy an nVIDIA FX 5600 card in the very near future, however, I am curious about its compatability with Slackware 10, with agpgart modules loaded, and kernel version 2.4.26.

I read here that in order to use the unified drivers, which I think are required for the FX 5600, you need to apply a kernel patch. Is this patch needed if you already have the agpgart modules loaded? The reason I think this card needs the unified drivers, found here is because this eBay auction for that card says: Compatible with NVIDIA Unified Driver Architecture (UDA). Perhaps this doesn't mean I need the unified drivers, or perhaps it does.

Before I make this purchase, some additional information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all in advance

Update: I've just come to realize that the FX 5600 is a GeForce, therefore nVIDIA's GeForce drivers for Linux should work just fine. If so, then I don't need the unified drivers. Anyone else use the FX 5600 with these drivers?

[otchie1]

Dunno anything about all that.
I use slack 10 with a FX5600 on 2.4.26 with nvidia 6106, xorg 1.0.5 and the rivafb module removed from the kernel.

The unified driver architecture just means that Nvidia releases just one driver under linux to support all nvidia based cards. One size fits all. That driver is updated from time to time and is currently at 6106.

The vesa driver will run your card out of the box but in order to get 3D and cool GL screensavers you will have to install the Nvidia driver which takes a little preparatory work (getting xorg 1.0.5 and recompiling your kernel without rivafb). Fear not, these tasks are not as complex as they sound and a little research should sort you out.

Try this a beginning in Slack http://shilo.is-a-geek.com/slack

Enjoy your freedom.

[ateam]

Are you sure I need to compile my kernel with out rivafb support? Currently, my nVIDIA TNT2 works fine with the latest drivers and the default Slackware 10 install with kernel 2.4.26. Also, I don't have the rivafb modules loaded.

[otchie1]

Originally Posted by ateam

Are you sure I need to compile my kernel with out rivafb support? Currently, my nVIDIA TNT2 works fine with the latest drivers and the default Slackware 10 install with kernel 2.4.26. Also, I don't have the rivafb modules loaded.

I had to. When I first ran the Nvidia installer it flagged up a warning that it doesn't work properly with Rivafb loaded. I still gave me a picture but I recompiled with the module removed anyway...tinker, tinker, tinker.

What I can tell you for sure is that I did not need the Rivafb module and that taking it out didn't cause any problems.

[ateam]

I understand that much, though I don't see any signs that I even have that module loaded or compiled into my kernel.

[ateam]

I have my new card, and during the nVIDIA driver installation, I got a warning message about my rivafb. I guess I'll go work on compiling a kernel without rivafb. As of now, everything works great, even with the rivafb module which you say I have installed. The source I built my kernel from has it set to be loaded as a module, not build in, though I can't even find a compiled rivafb module, so I'm thinking it probably doesn't even exist on my system.