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[EDIT 2] If you have an nVIDIA card in your computer than setting up the 3D driver for Linux for it is a piece of cake. This short tutorial is only one way to accomplish this task, it works for me on a home-made machine (common parts) and it'll probably work for you, too.
See this tutorial for installing the nvidia driver in Etch
After an initial Debian install you are left running the "nv" driver, which is fine for 2D. If that's all you need, then more power to you - this tutorial is not for you. Thanks for dropping by. However, when you want 3D - it's a simple process to get it.
Let's start with downloading the packages we need. Open Synaptic.
Search for the following and mark to install:
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[search for] | [mark-install] | |
kernel |
kernel-headers-2.6.8-2-k7
kernel-image-2.6.8-2-k7
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You will notice that I am installing the K7 kernel (kernel-image). This is because I have an AthlonXP CPU. The default linux26 install of Debian leaves you with a i386 kernel. It's fine to stay with this. Some folks install a kernel-image that is (more) optimized for specific processors. In reality the only thing you must install at this point is the kernel-headers for your processor, so install kernel-headers-2.6.8-2 and you're good. If you do install an image for your proc just be sure to reboot into that kernel prior to installing the nvidia driver.
You'll need the driver from nVIDIA, download that for ia32.
Now you are ready to install the driver. You might want to print this page or have it open on a different box so you can just whip through this.
You will have to exit X in order to install the nVIDIA driver so let's do that. Hit the CTRL + ALT + F1 keys for a new teminal shell. Log in as root. To stop X issue this command: # /etc/init.d/gdm stop
You may run a different Display Manager: KDM or XDM, etc. Amend the command to suit your needs.
Now you can install the nVIDIA driver.
# cd /path/to/driver
# sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86-1.0-xxxx-pkg1.run
You need to accept their license and then go through the install, it only takes a second. If you get an error message, hit enter. I see errors reading that the installer cannot download a kernel, whatever, it's going to make a kernel module.
POST-INSTALL:
At the prompt following the successful driver install you must load the nVIDIA module: # modprobe nvidia
The 8178 version of the nVIDIA driver will offer to modify your XF86Config-4 file for you. It's OK to let it. If you've installed another version of the nvidia binary driver, say 7676, then you must change your file to use the new driver. Type the following:
# nano /etc/X11/XF86Config-4
Find the "Device" section and change the "nv" (it may read "vesa" as well) driver to read "nvidia". See the example:
Section "Device"
Identifier "NVIDIA Corporation NV18 [GeForce4 MX - nForce GPU]"
Driver "nvidia"
EndSection
//******following is not always necessary*******//
As well, look at the "Modules" section make sure to comment out these lines:
Section "Module"
# Load "GLcore"
# Load "dri"
EndSection
At the bottom of the file there may be another dri section, comment out all three lines so it reads like this: #Section "DRI"
# Mode 0666
#EndSection
Save and close nano. You are finished, so, at the prompt you may now restart the Gnome Display Manager:
# /etc/init.d/gdm start
You will now be at your regular login prompt (GUI). Don't login yet, though - go back to your other shell terminal (CTRL + ALT + F1) to log out, type exit (enter), then exit again (enter). Now get back to your regular shell by holding down CTRL + ALT + F7
I told you it was easy. Now, open xterm or gnome-terminal and run glxgears - how 'bout those framerates, ey?! If you really feel like you must, it's ok to run: # dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86 right after you install the nVIDIA driver and before you restart GDM. You don't have to, but if you heard from a friend or whatever...it's ok.
Here's a tip: To update your nVIDIA driver it's pretty easy. Exit X again by the above method. After stopping the Gnome Display Manager type the following command:
# nvidia-installer --update
NOTE:Should you install another kernel or customize your current one, you will need to uninstall the nVIDIA driver you already installed, boot to your new kernel and reinstall the nVIDIA driver.
machiner Tue 17 May 2005 07:13:20 PM EDT
Here is my very generic XF86Config-4 file, my monitor is: Syncmaster 930B, my video card is: EVGA GeForce 6600/GT AGP: Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "Default Screen" 0 0
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
EndSection
Section "Files"
# local font server
# if the local font server has problems, we can fall back on these
FontPath "unix/:7100"
FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/misc"
FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/cyrillic"
FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/CID"
FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/Speedo"
FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi"
FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi"
EndSection
Section "Module"
Load "bitmap"
Load "dbe"
Load "ddc"
Load "extmod"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx"
Load "int10"
Load "record"
Load "speedo"
Load "type1"
Load "vbe"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "keyboard"
Option "CoreKeyboard"
Option "XkbRules" "xfree86"
Option "XkbModel" "pc104"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Protocol" "ImPS/2"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection
Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Generic Monitor"
HorizSync 30.0 - 81.0
VertRefresh 56.0 - 75.0
Option "DPMS"
EndSection
Section "Device"
Identifier "Generic Video Card"
Driver "nvidia"
EndSection
Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "Generic Video Card"
Monitor "Generic Monitor"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 1
Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4
Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection
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