Don't you just hate proprietary software?

[charlieg]

So I'm trying to install a custom kernel on Ubuntu.on a laptop with an nvidia graphics chipset.

Grab the nvidia drivers from here and follow their instructions "sh nvidia_driver_download.run"

"ERROR: You appear to be running an X server; please exit X before installing."

WTF? Why? Why must I exit X? What the hell is that about? Crappy proprietry software. That kind of error belongs in the Windows world.

[LaRoza]

So I'm trying to install a custom kernel on Ubuntu.on a laptop with an nvidia graphics chipset.

Grab the nvidia drivers from here and follow their instructions "sh nvidia_driver_download.run"

"ERROR: You appear to be running an X server; please exit X before installing."

WTF? Why? Why must I exit X? What the hell is that about? Crappy proprietry software. That kind of error belongs in the Windows world.

Exit X by pressing "Ctrl Alt Backspace".

You have to exit X for a very logical reason, not anything to do with the quality of software.

[Freddy]

Exit X by pressing "Ctrl Alt Backspace".

You have to exit X for a very logical reason, not anything to do with the quality of software.

Won't "Ctrl Alt Backspace" merely restart the X server? I does for me atleast .

[bake7221]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think if you type sudo /etc/init.d/kdm stop (if you're using kde) or sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop (if you're using gnome) and that'll stop X ... to restart just type the same thing but instead of stop type start ...

[MetalMusicAddict]

Your issue has nothing to do with the title. Its user error.

[cmat]

You should use the drivers in the repos. Exiting X is important if you do it manually. Just be grateful the nVidia even provided a video driver at the quality they have too.

[happysmileman]

I agree, the ones in the repos never worked for me, I need one of the legacy drivers and the repos just doesn't work for some reason... NVidia are very good at providing that installer, and at the login screen there should be an option to do a console login, do that and install it

[Lord Illidan]

While it's true that the exiting X server is not that good imho, for graphics drivers to be changed the X server must be restarted anyway, even if they are opensource..The ubuntu devs package it in a deb, which installs the kernel modules, but you still have to restart X to feel the change.

Interestingly, in Windows one didn't have to restart to feel the change, if you ignore the restart prompts, you feel the speed rightaway.

[cmat]

Interestingly, in Windows one didn't have to restart to feel the change, if you ignore the restart prompts, you feel the speed rightaway.

Your screen goes black for a few seconds during the install. Mine stayed black even after I restarted.

[Lord Illidan]

Your screen goes black for a few seconds during the install. Mine stayed black even after I restarted.

Hehe..Yes, but mine didn't.. Not that I am using Windows anymore, but chalk one up to the guy!