Re: nvidia module and 2.6.16 kernel problem

[Florian Kulzer <florian@molphys.leidenuniv.nl>]

Tim Wood wrote:
> > I have installed the new 2.6.16 kernel on two machines running Debian
> > Sid and tried to install nvidia module. On both machines, the module
> > compilation (using module-assistant) fails with some error messages
> > (IIRC there was some error about rlim structure not being defined).
> >
> > Searching google has hinted that there is a patch for nvidia package
> > from Nvidia. I was wondering if a Debian nvidia package is forthcoming
> > that fixes this problem.
> >
> > ->HS
>
>
> I have had this problem. There is a patch to the Nvidia driver
> (NVIDIA-Linux-x86-1.0-8178-pkg1.run) available here:
>
> http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=62015
>
> I've tried it for my laptop, which has a GeForce4 420 Go chip. The
> driver compiled and the module loaded, but it completely freezes the
> laptop. I do not think this has anything to do with it's being a laptop
> as I also have a desktop on which I use the same procedures, 'though I
> have not had opportunity to try this latest driver.
>
> The link does contain detailed instructions, on two different methods of
> using it, so I'm considering trying the option to build a new version of
> the "run" file and use module assistant.

The success of this procedure might also depend on whether you use the
nvidia installer directly or the Debian package. I think the Debian
package already has some of the individual patches applied to it,
therefore things might go wrong if you apply the cumulative patch.

Some more info is here:
http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=357992

A fix for older cards thanks to Hugo Vanwoerkom:
http://lists.debian.org/debian-user/2006/03/msg02267.html

For the record, I use the nvidia installer directly with 2.6.16 and a
GeForce2 MX 100 (NV11DDR chipset); it works without problems after
applying the cumulative patch.

Regards,
           Florian