[HOWTO] Install NVIDIA drivers manually on Lynx

[AndyBoy_LV]

Well, i am one of those users who never install Nvidia drivers from repository, but manually - by downloading from Nvidia`s website. It was never a pain in the rear on previous Linux distros (including Karmic), but i failed to do so on Lynx. Whenever i tried to install it, i got an error:

ERROR: Unable to load the kernel module 'nvidia.ko'.  This happens most
       frequently when this kernel module was built against the wrong or
       improperly configured kernel sources, with a version of gcc that differs
       from the one used to build the target kernel, or if a driver such as
       rivafb/nvidiafb is present and prevents the NVIDIA kernel module from
       obtaining ownership of the NVIDIA graphics device(s), or NVIDIA GPU
       installed in this system is not supported by this NVIDIA Linux graphics
       driver release.

I read somewhere that they changed the way nvidia drivers get installed on Lynx (correct me if i`m wrong), so it took me some time to figure out how to do that. So, here is the guide:


1) Download Newest Nvidia drivers from their website
2) Open module blacklist as admin: (i use gedit for text file editing)

sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf

3) Add these lines and save:

blacklist vga16fb
blacklist nouveau
blacklist rivafb
blacklist nvidiafb
blacklist rivatv

4) Uninstall any previously installed Nvidia drivers:

sudo apt-get --purge remove nvidia-*

5) Reboot your computer
6) When an error message pops up saying that Ubuntu cannot load Nvidia drivers, choose Exit to terminal (Exit to console)
7) Login and cd to the directory where you saved your file
8) Install drivers

sudo sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-195.36.24-pkg2.run

9) Start GDM

sudo service gdm start

Enjoy

P.S. if you are having trouble with my method, there is an updated one, posted by trespuntos - maybe it will solve your problem.

[dino99]

nice howto

if you have the choice, prefer packages from ubuntu repo (less troubles) as they have been fine tuned by ubuntu devs.

[AndyBoy_LV]

But they aren`t always up-to-date

[pslim940]

Thanks for this. This fixed my problems booting into "low-graphics" mode every 2 or 3 boots.

[Linuxforall]

Many thanks, I tried blacklisting nouveau and it didnt work. Your method worked out well.

[Linuxforall]

But they aren`t always up-to-date

Fully agreed, specially if you have latest video cards or need latest features.

[denali]

Sadly, this did not fix mine. I even went so far as to delete nouveau.ko and the module STILL somehow loads.

[Linuxforall]

Sadly, this did not fix mine. I even went so far as to delete nouveau.ko and the module STILL somehow loads.

When you blacklisted, did you give a space after the entries, thats a must.

[ibuclaw]

But they aren`t always up-to-date

They aren't up to date ... yes, but you never know what sort of damage you'll run into with a newer driver. (hint)

[Linuxforall]

That issue affected limited cards and nvidia was prompt in removing those, that don't mean one should be prevented from using latest drivers. Since Lucid is LTS slated for next three years, I guess one goes out and gets a new card only to find that the drivers don't support it since they are three years old, with this attitude, Linux desktop is going to loose big to MS, no ifs and or buts.