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Re: linux-image-2.6.18-6-amd64 kernel installed, but am I running a 64-bit system?



Neil Stewart wrote:
I'm running debian etch on an amd64 machine. I've got the right kernel
installed and running:

# uname -r
2.6.18-6-amd64

I'm trying to install the nvidia-kernel-2.6-amd64 package. I can't find the
package in aptitude. Aptitude only lists other versions:

# aptitude search nvidia-kernel
v   nvidia-kernel-1.0.8776                                                             -
p   nvidia-kernel-2.6-486                                                              - NVIDIA binary kernel module for 2.6 series compiled for 486
p   nvidia-kernel-2.6-686                                                              - NVIDIA binary kernel module for 2.6 series compiled for 686
p   nvidia-kernel-2.6-k7                                                               - NVIDIA binary kernel module for 2.6 series compiled for k7
p   nvidia-kernel-2.6.18-6-486                                                         - NVIDIA binary kernel module for Linux 2.6.18-6-486
p   nvidia-kernel-2.6.18-6-686                                                         - NVIDIA binary kernel module for Linux 2.6.18-6-686
p   nvidia-kernel-2.6.18-6-k7                                                          - NVIDIA binary kernel module for Linux 2.6.18-6-k7
i   nvidia-kernel-common                                                               - NVIDIA binary kernel module common files
 ... and legacy versions ...
p   nvidia-kernel-source                                                               - NVIDIA binary kernel module source

I'm pretty sure I've got my /etc/apt/sources.list contents correct:
deb http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/ etch main contrib non-free
deb http://security.debian.org/ etch/updates main contrib non-free

I also know that the .deb exists here
(http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/pool/non-free/n/nvidia-graphics-modules-amd64/).

When I download these and install them dpkg complains that I'm trying to
install an amd64 package on a i386 system.

# dpkg -i nvidia-kernel-2.6-amd64_1.0.8776+6etch2_amd64.deb nvidia-kernel-2.6.18-6-amd64_1.0.8776+6etch2_amd64.deb
dpkg: error processing nvidia-kernel-2.6-amd64_1.0.8776+6etch2_amd64.deb
(--install):
 package architecture (amd64) does not match system (i386)
dpkg: error processing
nvidia-kernel-2.6.18-6-amd64_1.0.8776+6etch2_amd64.deb (--install):
 package architecture (amd64) does not match system (i386)
Errors were encountered while processing:
 nvidia-kernel-2.6-amd64_1.0.8776+6etch2_amd64.deb
 nvidia-kernel-2.6.18-6-amd64_1.0.8776+6etch2_amd64.deb

Presumably this is why aptitude didn't list the package in the first place.

Discussion here
(http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?t=12966&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15)
seems to indicate that I need to be running an amd64 system.

So, here are my questions:

1. I'm running a 64-bit kernel, but am I running a 64-bit system? If not,
how does one install a 64-bit system using the debian installer? Presumably
then I could install the nvidia drivers?

Go here: http://www.us.debian.org/CD/http-ftp/ or here: http://www.us.debian.org/CD/torrent-cd/

find the link that says amd64: http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/4.0_r3/amd64/bt-cd/ <for torrent

http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/4.0_r3/amd64/iso-cd/ <for http/ftp download

^  Those are for the cd/DVD collection if you want it.

Here for the netinstall:

http://www.us.debian.org/CD/netinst/ <this is what I use, pick the one you need, full install media or netinstall amd64 is what you want/NEED if you want a 64bit system.


2. Should I instead leave things as they are to use the official debian
distribution and do something different to get the nvidia driver?

change kernels back to K7/686 (K7 if you have an amd proc, 686 if intel) and install the nvidia stuff:

see this page for the debian nvidia wiki: fool proof, just follow the directions: http://wiki.debian.org/NvidiaGraphicsDrivers


3. Given I can't compile the source code debian version or the version from
the nvidia pages, is there a way forward?

See answer for #2 above.
Finally, I've got another amd64 system with the same kernel, but this one
does have the nvidia-kernel-2.6.18-6-amd64 package installed. But I am at a
complete loss as to how the systems are different: /etc/apt/sources.list is
exactly the same and the kernel is exactly the same!

what does uname -a give out? I suspect on was 32bit and the other was 64bit (amd64)


HTH!

--
Damon L. Chesser
damon@damtek.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/dchesser


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