Re: linux-image-2.6.18-6-amd64 kernel installed, but am I running a 64-bit system?
On Thu, May 01, 2008 at 04:46:01PM +0100, 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?
>
> 2. Should I instead leave things as they are to use the official debian
> distribution and do something different to get the nvidia driver?
>
> 3. Given I can't compile the source code debian version or the version from
> the nvidia pages, is there a way forward?
>
> 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!
You are running an amd64 kernel but an i386 system (which works fine,
except for compiling kernel modules).
To run a true 64bit system with both 64bit kernel and userspace would
require reinstalling using the amd64 installer instead.
I am sure it is technically posible to get the nvidia module compiled,
but it could be a real pain. Personally I only run a 64bit kernel with
32bit user space on a build server at work that doesn't use X. At home
I run pure 64bit on one machine, and pure 32bit on an older machine that
isn't 64bit capable, and both work great.
--
Len Sorensen
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