[SOLVED] Kernel update installation and video drivers

**Garrigus Carraig** · February 26th, 2013

[Relevant specifications: Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin, Acer Aspire 5520, Nvidia GeForce 7000M/nForce 610M, Nvidia driver 302.07]

When I first started running Ubuntu a month ago, the video was screwed up (low resolution, console mode illegible). I eventually attempted to remedy this by installing the Nvidia drivers, and was successful. About ten days ago, I followed the Software Update recommendations to install the kernel updates, and the video broke (low resolution, Unity mode illegible). I was able to reinstall the Nvidia drivers (with some difficulty this time), and now the video is good again.

I am being offered another kernel update, and of course I am reluctant to install it. I only recently found out about the Nouveau drivers that apparently come with Ubuntu.

So my question is: Is there a reliable way to update the kernel as recommended without screwing up the video?

**carl4926** · February 26th, 2013

If you install the nvidia driver manually you will need to do so each time there is a kernel update.
But for me, using the nvidia-current from the sources, it all seems fine and they update in sync

**Garrigus Carraig** · February 27th, 2013

Thanks, Carl. I downloaded the drivers, reviewed the installation procedure, held my breath, and updated the kernel. And my video was unaffected. So I didn't need to do it.

Originally Posted by carl4926

But for me, using the nvidia-current from the sources, it all seems fine and they update in sync

I guess I don't know what you mean by "using the nvidia-current from the sources". Care to expand on that?

**Lisiano** · February 27th, 2013

Open up Software Sources and in the last tab you will find Additional Drivers, there you can mark that you want to use the nvidia-current drivers. Turning on proprietary drivers this way, ensures your system will make sure you have the latest available drivers (As in, the latest nvidia-current) as well as making sure it is preserved between kernel updates.
You may also do this by issuing the following

Code:

sudo apt-get install nvidia-current

OR by clicking here

EDIT: WARNING
Make sure you have also installed linux-headers-generic!!! If you don't the driver might fail to install. There has been a bug once 12.10 was released that prevented it from being automatically installed (Older Ubuntu versions are not affected). Not sure if it was fixed.