10.4 installation using a 7800GT Nvidia

[winewood]

Hello,

1st time poster, 1st time Ubuntu user..

Using the video card Nvidia 7800GT on an AMD4200, MB T6100, I am unable to install from the iso, as progression is halted by a video mode that is unviewable. (black and white rows). I can get to the "f6" menu, however once I attempt an install it fails. My main goal is to install Mythbuntu, however the problem seems to be with the Unbuntu install drivers.

This post worked to get around this on version 6.10, however these instructions no longer work. http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=379807

Is there any way to use the newest Nvidia drivers that should work from a new install CD? I do not see a command line option, which would seem to allow me to install and update and setup the distro, THEN add my drivers before I run xconf.

-w

[oldfred]

I have the 9600Gt and had to use nomodeset both for the install and manually add it to the boot line on the first boot. Then it worked in low res mode & I installed the nvidia driver and have had no problems since.

Lucid 10.04 KMS
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/X/KernelModeSetting
# Nvidia (this should revert you to using -nv or -vesa):
echo options nouveau modeset=0 > /etc/modprobe.d/nouveau-kms.conf
boot from the cd, press F6 and then select the Nomodeset option.
then
On first boot after install, press e on getting the GRUB bootloader.
Using arrow keys navigate to and delete quiet and splash and type the word nomodeset in their place
Press Ctrl and X to boot

[winewood]

Perfect! I will try this out.
Thanks for your quick reply!

[winewood]

I now have this installed.

I pressed e on boot and am editing the 1st line.
I made the changes to the file. Each time I press Ctrl-x to boot, it just puts

" =x " on the screen or using the right ctrl key it puts " ,x " on the screen.

Basically its not letting me save the file or reboot using the edited file. Any suggestions?

[oldfred]

Manual booting does not save any entries. You have to update
/etc/default/grub

General info:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2
The Grub 2 Guide (formerly Grub 2 Basics)
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1195275

See this section:
# GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX
If it exists, this line imports any entries to the end of the 'linux' command line (Grub Legacy's "kernel" line) for both normal and recovery modes. This is similar to the "altoptions" line in menu.lst
# GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash"
This line imports any entries to the end of the 'linux' line (Grub Legacy's "kernel" line). The entries are appended to the end of the normal mode only. This is similar to the "defoptions" line in menu.lst. For a black screen with boot processes displayed in text, remove "quiet splash". To see the grub splash image plus a condensed text output, use "splash". This line is where other instructions, such as "acpi=off" are placed.

[winewood]

Thank you oldfred!

I now have that file updated and am on my way!

The problem with the CTRL key not working was an old PS1 keyboard. I replaced it with my USB keyboard from my other computer and it passed the "CTRL" properly. I have now managed to install the nvidia drivers with your help.

Thank you.

BTW.. I am posting this as I had a bear of a time getting the drivers installed for my card. Apparently the 7800GT is the stepchild of the Nvidia family.

http://www.ubuntugeek.com/howto-install-nvidia-drivers-manually-on-ubuntu-10-04-lucid-lynx.html

blacklists.. omy!

[winewood]

Update on how to update NVIDIA drivers once installed:
I recently updated my kernel version and had to manually update after the system was installed. The following helped me turn of the XFCE desktop so I can update my drivers. Hope this cross-reference helps.


Jose Catre-Vandis (http://ubuntuforums.org/member.php?u=78483)
If you are not autologging in, just do the following:
At the login prompt press CTRL+ALT+F1, this should give you a virtual terminal login prompt. Login using your user and pass, then sudo service gdm stop.
If you are autologging in, just open a terminal and type sudo service gdm stop, you will be sent to a virtual terminal. press CTRL+ALT+F2 and login.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1531918