Nvidia Graphics Drivers - Install Guide

[Oscar799]

This is how Debian advises it should be done

http://wiki.debian.org/NvidiaGraphicsDrivers

[proxima_centauri]

TL:DR;

For the newer nvidia cards listed in http://us.download.nvidia.com/XFree86/L ... chips.html

install the following packages through Package Manager or terminal:

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apt install nvidia-kernel-dkms nvidia-glx build-essential nvidia-settings nvidia-xconfig

For older cards listed in http://us.download.nvidia.com/XFree86/L ... dix-a.html

install the following packages through Package Manager or terminal:

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apt install nvidia-kernel-legacy-173xx-dkms nvidia-glx-legacy-173xx build-essential
nvidia-settings nvidia-xconfig

For ancient cards listed in http://us.download.nvidia.com/XFree86/L ... dix-a.html

Install the following packages through Package Manager or terminal:

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apt install nvidia-kernel-legacy-96xx-dkms nvidia-glx-legacy-96xx build-essential
nvidia-settings nvidia-xconfig

When done, execute nvidia-xconfig in terminal. After a reboot, the driver is installed.

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sudo nvidia-xconfig

* Full credit to fnkbss; copied from http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/331

EDIT:
Suggested to remove or blacklist the default nouveau driver after nvidia driver installation. (Thank you Elmacus for the recommendation)

Some users have reported trouble with removing the nouveau driver, and I recommend performing the blacklist only.

To blacklist:

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sudo echo blacklist nouveau > /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-nouveau.conf

Removal (in terminal):

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apt remove --purge xserver-xorg-video-nouveau libdrm-nouveau1a

[Monsta]

I think the sgfxi script deserves to be at least mentioned in the thread with such a name. Even though it's not a part of Debian.

[proxima_centauri]

I think the sgfxi script deserves to be at least mentioned in the thread with such a name. Even though it's not a part of Debian.

Anybody is certainly welcome to contribute a tutorial for using the sgfxi script.

[Elmacus]

Do not forget to remove NOUVEAU before restart or else you might end up with blinking cursor only.
These drivers is installed by default and need to be removed:
xserver-xorg-video-nouveau
libdrm-nouveau1a

Use search in synaptic to remove or paste this in terminal as su:

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apt-get purge xserver-xorg-video-nouveau libdrm-nouveau1a

[proxima_centauri]

Thanks Elmacus, I edit my original post to be sure the information is seen.

[Monsta]

Anybody is certainly welcome to contribute a tutorial for using the sgfxi script.

Well I'm not really sure if there's a need for one more sgfxi tutorial...

There's a manual: http://smxi.org/docs/sgfxi-manual.htm
There's an options list with descriptions: http://smxi.org/docs/options.htm#sgfxi
There's a kind of brief manual: http://techpatterns.com/forums/about933.html
Finally, there's some help you can get by running "sgfxi -h", and it's pretty detailed for just a list of options.

The only problem with the online docs is that they are outdated. No worries - the script's own help is not.

[CapitalG]

thanks for sticking this

[DoctorBho]

Thanks from here as well.

I booted up into my 3.0 kernel (dropping me to a command line), and ran sgfxi - but that didn’t quite do it...

I had to change my sources back to testing, dist-upgrade, and then run sgfxi.

That got everything going - including Cheese, which wasn’t showing the effects! So I will be sticking with Debian testing, I think. The Mint repo is a nice idea, but my (very short) experience has been that I had more trouble than the testing repos.

[oneNF]

Thanks for posting this - I just installed Linux Debian - Kernel 3.0 - I missed this thread, good on me - so took a few hours of pulling it all together but managed to set up nvidia and compiz.

I mainly post this here for those who are interested in a slightly alternative way, as the way I read it there is a bug in http://bugs.debian.org/504692 nvidia-config and most of the approaches I found didn't combine both nvidia and compiz instructions, or work fully for me.

Cheers
C.

#note: this is not a script just a collection of instructions
#determine your kernel version
uname -r

#confirm that you have the kernel headers installed
#linux-headers-<version>
apt search linux-headers-

#run script to determine if the correct nvidia driver is available on your system
#http://wiki.debian.org/NvidiaGraphicsDrivers?action=AttachFile&do=view&target=nvidia-versions.sh
#the script can be updated with new infromation, theinstructions are at the bottom of the script
#bash nvidia-versions.sh

#remove nouveau as it conflicts with nvidia
sudo apt remove xserver-xorg-video-nouveau

#install and compile the nvidia kernal drivers
sudo apt install nvidia-kernel-dkms

#confirm the install of glx worked
apt-get install nvidia-glx${VERSION}

#backup your xorg.conf file
#although you may not have one if it is a new install
cp -p /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.bak

#note there is a known bug in the app nvidia-xconfig
#http://bugs.debian.org/504692

#alter or create a new xorg.config
gksudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

#add the following content
#Section "Module"
# Load "glx"
#EndSection

#Section "Device"
# Identifier "Video Card"
# Driver "nvidia"
# Option "AddARGBVisuals" "True"
# Option "AddARGBGLXVisuals" "True"
#EndSection

#save and close everything

#restart x - use keyboard or reboot as there is a bug in gdm3
#http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=590534
#ctrl-alt-bkspc

#confirm that it is now working
glxinfo |grep rendering
#direct rendering: yes -- is good

#create file
gksudo gedit ~/.gnomerc
#add the following line without the #s
#export WINDOW_MANAGER=/usr/bin/compiz
#save the file and reboot

[Mad_Sunday]

For the TL:DR; folks,

For the newer nvidia cards listed in http://us.download.nvidia.com/XFree86/L ... chips.html

install the following packages:

Code: Select all

nvidia-kernel-dkms nvidia-glx build-essential nvidia-settings nvidia-xconfig

For older cards listed in http://us.download.nvidia.com/XFree86/L ... dix-a.html

install the following packages:

Code: Select all

nvidia-kernel-legacy-173xx-dkms nvidia-glx-legacy-173xx build-essential
nvidia-settings nvidia-xconfig

For ancient cards listed in http://us.download.nvidia.com/XFree86/L ... dix-a.html

Install the following packages:

Code: Select all

nvidia-kernel-legacy-96xx-dkms nvidia-glx-legacy-96xx build-essential
nvidia-settings nvidia-xconfig

When done, execute nvidia-xconfig in terminal. After a reboot, the driver is installed.

* Full credit to fnkbss; copied from http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/331

EDIT:
Suggested to remove or blacklist the default nouveau driver after nvidia driver installation. (Thank you Elmacus for the recommendation)
Removal:

Code: Select all

apt remove --purge xserver-xorg-video-nouveau libdrm-nouveau1a

Or blacklist:

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sudo echo blacklist nouveau > /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-nouveau.conf

Thanks for the above, I managed to get my Nvidia Ion graphics working using it. However, I suggest you alter the command line commands to include "sudo apt-get" as someone new to Linux may not realise those bits are missing.

I have since updated my system and have big problems with the new 3.0 kernel. I have had to return to the 2.6 kernel in order to get a working system again. If I boot into the new kernel I end up at a tty terminal and I'm unable to get x working, despite trying to install the nvidia drivers again (I am told that they are already there). I suspect the "upgraded" system is again trying to use the nouveau drivers again (but obviously they are not there) any ideas how to fix this?

Pete

[proxima_centauri]

However, I suggest you alter the command line commands to include "sudo apt-get" as someone new to Linux may not realise those bits are missing.

AFAIK, Linux Mint is able to use "apt", instead of "sudo apt-get". EDIT: Oh, I see what you mean now, the list was intended to be installed through package maanger; but I'll clarify that.

Please create a new thread for issues not related to the installation of the NVIDIA drivers.

[galen]

note if you try to remove nouveau from synaptic it will attempt and balk at removing essential programs.
Command line works.
Synatpic no.

[galen]

I just tried the above instructions.
I do not want compiz ever.

My previously working LMDE is now dead.
Blinking cursor.

I tried
nvidia-xorgconfig
it did not produce a working X

I tried several manual configurations that I've used over the years that have worked.
They failed.

In future is it too much to ask for "tutorials" be actually based on a working system, non virtual setups, non best guess ?

Thank you for your time, I look forward to another mysterious forum account lockout and Kanji CAPCHA password recovery goose chase.

[proxima_centauri]

In future is it too much to ask for "tutorials" be actually based on a working system, non virtual setups, non best guess ?

I have personally used the instructions in this thread to install the latest nvidia driver, with success. Other users have used this guide and reported success. Don't assume a lack of quality in this tutorial.

Did you install nvidia drivers before or after update and installation of Update Pack 3? Did you follow the instructions to a tee? Did you blacklist the nouveau driver since you had problems removing it?

[mstombs]

I didn't follow instructions and got a flashing cursor in the 3.0 kernel, but selecting the last working 2.6 kernel with grub allowed me to use synaptic and temporarily enabled 'debian experimental' to get the latest 285.05.09 nvidia-glx drivers (which had worked on this PC before). Have since uninstalled nouveau - not yet needed blacklisting!

[zerozero]

I tried
nvidia-xorgconfig
it did not produce a working X

you should do nvidia-xconfig

[galen]

I tried
nvidia-xorgconfig
it did not produce a working X

you should do nvidia-xconfig

I made a typo.

From another distro I deleted the LMDE /etc/X11/xorg.conf
and rebooted to LMDE.
It gave me a vesa X, which was a start.
I reinstalled the proper nvidia list for my card.
It worked.

xorg.log does a sense of humor

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[ 11699.363] Warning: Xalloc: requesting unpleasantly large amount of memory: 0 bytes.

[galen]

note:
blacklisting nouveau was imperative

[drewlong]

I have been through the mill several times with Squeeze and LMDE and NVIDIA drivers before coming across this post.

http://tinyplanet.ca/~lsorense/debian/debian-nvidia-dri-howto.html

Nice and simple, I has worked painlessly several times for me, on several different platforms. Just remember to run nvidia-xconfig before rebooting.
hope it helps.