Graphics Drivers for Ubuntu - Please Help

[pilgrim72]

Hi everyone, I know have a second rig (and I use the term loosely - see my sig!) running Ubuntu 9.04. My problem is, I appear to have a not very good graphics driver o the machine, as I can set a resolution no larger than 800x600.

My question is whether anyone knows how to download the best graphics driver for an AGP 7600GT? I have tried using the Nvidia website, but the driver fails to download. Is there a better way of doing this?

Any pointers would be much appreciated.

:smile:

[codemonkey]

Try this first
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/nvidia

[promedia]

Graphics drivers provided by the Update manager/Hardware manager in Ubuntu are appauling.

Binary Release Drivers have been forced down users throats for simplicity of implementing and thus easiness for Ubuntu being a low skill install...

I found installing NVidias Drivers killed the XOrg Configuration no matter what you did it wouldn't load NVidias core driver .so modules...

Thus why I aviod Ubuntu for any NVidia/ATi GPU'd system unless there is no alternative...

Jim,

[osxkris]

I can't say that I have ever had any problems with the proprietary drivers that Ubuntu suggests via System -> Administration -> Hardware Drivers. I have them running with an AGP 5950 Ultra in a machine at home, to a PCI 5200 and PCI-E 7300 LE in an old office machine, to a pair of PCI-E 9600 GTs in my current machine.

To download and install them from the Nvidia website, you'll need to drop to a proper terminal and stop Xorg from running. You can do this like so:

* Press Ctrl, Alt and F1
* Login
* sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop
* wget http://uk.download.nvidia.com/XFree86/Linux-x86/185.18.36/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-185.18.36-pkg1.run
* sudo sh ./NVIDIA-Linux-x86-185.18.36-pkg1.run
* Follow the prompts
* Reboot or sudo /etc/init.d/gdm start
* To configure, type the following into a terminal: sudo nvidia-settings (You may have to install this from the repos)

[pilgrim72]

Thanks very much!

I'm very new to Linux, so need to research lots before I can use it properly.

Thanks a lot for your help so far though. I shall try out these methods and report back if things havent worked.

Cheers everyone!

[jonbanjo]

I shall try out these methods

Assuming it is similar to OpenSuse, I'd suggest trying the Ubuntu Hardware Manager method first and settling for that if works.

With OpenSuse, the differences between the 2 methods are the second one does require the kernel headers installed as the script builds a new module and the script needs to be re-run each time a kernel is updated. On the other hand, the package provided with the distribution can be updated automatically with a kernel upgrade.

[system7]

I just reminded myself how the NVidia driver is installed:


Nvidia 180 graphics driver downloaded and installed at the prompt, or in system/hardware devices with just one click.

Incredibly easy. Ubuntu does it for you. I had to reboot to finalise. :thumbs:

[Mike]

From an earlier thread I did (http://forum.novatech.co.uk/showthread.php?t=11863&highlight=x60mv)


Stage 1 – download the drivers
Create a folder on your desktop called ‘gfx’ (without the quotes)
Click on this link
http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html
Download the latest driver (LinuxAI32 for 32bit Ubuntu, LinuxAI64 for 64 bit Ubuntu) to the gfx folder.

Stage 2 – installing the driver
>> Important note: that when typing commands in you must always observe case sensitivity. So if asked to type ‘dir’ do not type ‘DIR’ or ‘Dir’. Type ‘dir’. Also, do not include any quotes surrounding the commands. So in the above case type dir not ‘dir’ <<

You must first exit X-Server, so do this by pressing CTRL+ALT+F1
Log in under your main account
Now we must stop X-Server, so do this by typing ‘sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop’ and press ENTER
Now type ‘cd /Desktop/gfx’ and press ENTER
Type the ‘sudo ./<filename>’ and press ENTER. Where the filename is the name of the file you downloaded in stage 1. If you have forgotten this name then simply type ‘ls’ and press ENTER. You will then see the filename.
An example of this might be: ‘sudo ./NVIDIA-Linux-x86-185.18.14.pkg1.run’
Follow the prompts to install the driver.
If asked if you wish to Auto Configure please answer Yes.

Once the driver has finished, you must restart X-Server so type ‘sudo /etc/init.d/gdm start’ and press ENTER.

You should now have the full range of resolutions available. You will also find that you have full 3D support.

[jonbanjo]

But, Mike, perhaps you can confirm or otherwise. Wouldn't doing it that way mean you would have to re do it if you upgraded the kernel? To me on my platform, that method might be useful if I wanted to get the latest driver straight away or for some reason required perhaps an earlier version than the one in the distribution. Other that, I am better off using the system that keeps everything up to date in one go.

[osxkris]

But, Mike, perhaps you can confirm or otherwise. Wouldn't doing it that way mean you would have to re do it if you upgraded the kernel? To me on my platform, that method might be useful if I wanted to get the latest driver straight away or for some reason required perhaps an earlier version than the one in the distribution. Other that, I am better off using the system that keeps everything up to date in one go.

You are correct.

[pilgrim72]

In a word...

Woah!

This is all rather over my head at present. I have located a pocket Ubuntu guide, and will look through this as well as trying to read up on various other sources, as Linux is something I really dont understand at present (but I have the willingness to!)

Thank you for your help everyone. I'm sure I'll get there in the end, especially with support from such knowledgeable chaps as yourselves!

:wink: