Alternate nvidia setup guide

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This guide was tested using BLAG 30000 with some updates, the default kernel and ck patched kernels. It should help with any TNT2 or GeForce-based nvidia card driver (i.e. module) installation. Of course make sure you've backed up any files you can't easily replace before diving in such as your /etc/X11/xorg.conf file.

First, download the nvidia driver from nvidia.com[1]. You'll also probably have to install binutils if this is a fresh BLAG install. You might need your kernel-header files too. You can get them using apt-get or synaptic. Just look for a file named kernel-devel-* that matches your kernel and install it. 

apt-get update && apt-get install binutils

Look for the kernel you want to build the module for: 

ls /lib/modules/

That'll display what kernels you have on your system; make a note of the one you want to build the driver for. Next, change to the directory you downloaded the nvidia driver to and run it. Be sure to use the --kernel-name flag and the -K switch or else this won't work and you'll have a little mess to clean up. 

Example: 
cd /home/escapenguin/nvidia/
sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86-1.0-7676-pk g1.run --kernel-name=2.6.11-1.27_FC3.desktop_2 -K

Now you need to edit your /etc/X11/xorg.conf file so X uses the nvidia driver: 

nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf

or 

vim /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Note the arrows: 

Section "Module"
       Load  "dbe"
       Load  "extmod"
       Load  "fbdevhw"
       Load  "glx"
       Load  "record"
       Load  "freetype"
       Load  "type1"
       #Load  "dri"                       <----------comment that out as shown 
EndSection
...
Section "Device"
       Option      "RenderAccel"       "True"
       Identifier  "Videocard0"
       Driver      "nv"                   <-----------change that to 'nvidia'
       VendorName  "nVidia Corporation"
       BoardName   "GeForce FX 5700"
       BusID       "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection
...
#Section "DRI"
#       Group        0                    <------comment out the entire section as shown
#       Mode         0666
#EndSection

Make sure you typed everything correctly and save the file. Next you want to load the nvidia module you just installed: 

/sbin/modprobe nvidia

And make sure it's there: 

/sbin/lsmod | grep nvidia

Restart X to use the new driver you built by hitting CTRL-ALT-BKSP. Time for Unreal Tournament! That is, if you followed these directions well, otherwise a mistake will now be quite obvious.

by: escapenguin 09/01/05

Retrieved from "http://blag.wiki.aktivix.org/Alternate_nvidia_setup_guide"
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