NVIDIA driver (nvidia-kernel-source)
I followed the instructions on the 'nvidia-kernel-source 1.0.4496-2' page
(http://packages.debian.org/unstable/x11/nvidia-kernel-source.html).
It suggusts working through instructions in a file called 'README.Debian'
(full path '/usr/share/doc/nvidia-kernel-source/README.Debian')
====================
PROBLEM:
I don't think the installation worked.
The video and sound is distorted -- it skips every few seconds (like an
old LP with a long and nasty scratch).
I know it isn't hardware (video & sound works great in another (GNU/Linux)
distro I have installed).
====================
OBSERVATIONS/SUGGESTIONS:
This suggests kernel package is installed:
---
$ dpkg --list |grep kernel
ii adjtimex 1.15.1-1 Utility to display or set the kernel time va
ii kernel-headers 2.4.18-6 Headers for Linux kernel version 2.4.18 (bf
ii nvidia-kernel- 1.0.4496-2 NVIDIA binary kernel module for Linux 2.4.18
ii nvidia-kernel- 1.0.4496-1 NVIDIA binary kernel module common files
ii nvidia-kernel- 1.0.4496-2 NVIDIA binary kernel module source
ii pciutils 2.1.11-2 Linux PCI Utilities (for 2.[12345].x kernels
---
I was expecting the kernel to change... but it hasn't:
---
$ cat /proc/version
Linux version 2.4.18-bf2.4 (root@zombie) (gcc version 2.95.4 20011002
(Debian prerelease)) #1 Son Apr 14 09:53:28 CEST 2002
---
2.4.18-bf2.4 is the out-of-the-box kernel I installed.
'/usr/share/doc/nvidia-kernel-source/README.Debian' IHMO could be
improved.
---
Proposed changes in 'README.Debian':
1. Suggest compile/dpkg build directory
# mkdir /usr/src/local
--> do compile/dpkg build in: '/usr/src/local'
2. Fix directory
change "../modules/nvidia-kernel-1.0.4496" to
"../modules/nvidia-kernel"
3. Fix dependency to 'nvidia-kernel-common' (???)
I'm think it should download when you:
# apt-get install nvidia-kernel-source
When I ran dpkg to install the nvidia-kernel:
# dpkg -i nvidia-kernel-2.4.18-bf2.4_1.0.4496-2_i386.deb
I got this:
---
Selecting previously deselected package nvidia-kernel-2.4.18-bf2.4.
(Reading database ... 31054 files and directories currently installed.)
Unpacking nvidia-kernel-2.4.18-bf2.4 (from nvidia-kernel-2.4.18-bf2.4_1.0.4496-2_i386.deb) ...
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of nvidia-kernel-2.4.18-bf2.4:
nvidia-kernel-2.4.18-bf2.4 depends on nvidia-kernel-common (>= 1.0.4496); however:
Package nvidia-kernel-common is not installed.
dpkg: error processing nvidia-kernel-2.4.18-bf2.4 (--install):
dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
Errors were encountered while processing:
nvidia-kernel-2.4.18-bf2.4
---
This was fixed after I did this:
# apt-get install nvidia-kernel-common
====================
QUESTIONS:
Is there a detail HOWTO for this?
I found a HOWTO of Woody
(
http://www.madcow404.com/buyle/Nvidia_drivers_Debian_3_0.html#2.4._Edit_your_XF86Config-4_file_
),
but it doesn't seem to be very up-to-date.
Are changes in XF86Config-4 required? (I can't imagine there wouldn't be.)
I'm still uncertain about some of the basics...
Is the kernel supposed to change? (I think so.)
What happens with my old kernel if the process works? (Erased?)
What happens if I grab the executable (script) from NVIDIA and run it?
Is this going to make a mess of my system? (This is what I'd guess.)
What am I missing/doing wrong?
Why does something that seems so simple in another distribution
giving me such a headache?
What is the difference between 'nvidia-kernel-source' and 'nvidia-kernel-src'?
====================
COMMENT:
I wish it was as simple as:
# apt-get install non-free-nvidia-driver
---
Thanks in advance for any help,
Michael
====================
My System:
Athlon XP 2200
512 MB RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 4
Debian "Sid" / Mandrake 9.1
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