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Graphics Software Linux

NVIDIA Drivers for 2.6 Kernel 437

Posted by michael from the sadly-still-not-open dept.
fmileto writes "Kerneltrap.org is reporting that Nvidia has released drivers for the 2.6 series kernel. The driver and install directions can be found on Nvidia's website."
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.

NVIDIA Drivers for 2.6 Kernel More

NVIDIA Drivers for 2.6 Kernel

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  • GPL soul (Score:5, Funny)

    by CaptainAlbert ( 162776 ) on Thursday January 29, 2004 @11:47AM (#8123892) Homepage
    > For those who've sold their GPL soul

    My soul is proprietary, thank-you-very-much. (Under an exclusive license, at that. ;))

    • Proprietary, yes... (Score:5, Funny)

      by Kjella ( 173770 ) on Thursday January 29, 2004 @12:27PM (#8124321) Homepage
      But does the IP belong to you, or to God? (or Allah or whatever. I assume that since you believe to have a soul, you also believe in some form of God) I think you got a time-limited lease on it. A run-time licence perhaps? And I don't want to get into the physics of it, being a derivative work of your parents and all...

      Kjella
    • Yeah I was going to copyleft my soul, then some dude came and claimed that he was author and thus held copyright. I totally didn't believe him but all the paper work was in order. I guess it turns out that I have an exclusive license that allows free use of my soul, but sublicencing is prohibited. bummer. Oh, and the wierdest part was that every time I tried to ask this guy his name he'd get all pissy and go on with this "I am who I am" bit. Sheesh - artists are weird.

  • Release Highlights from Nvidia.com (Score:5, Informative)

    by elviscious ( 681985 ) on Thursday January 29, 2004 @11:47AM (#8123895)
    Release Highlights

    * Support for Linux 2.6 kernels.
    * Fixed AGP failures on some VIA motherboards.
    * Fixed a problem that prevented X from running on Samsung X10 laptops.

  • Huh? (Score:4, Informative)

    by Aardpig ( 622459 ) on Thursday January 29, 2004 @11:47AM (#8123896)

    I've been running the 2.6-series kernel since test6 (IIRC), and all the time using the Nvidia GFX drivers for my Ti4600. This story suggests that Nvidia users have had to wait for a new 2.6-compatible release of the drivers, which clearly isn't the case.

    • Re:Huh? (Score:5, Informative)

      by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 29, 2004 @11:55AM (#8123996)
      Until now they had to use a third party patch, found here [minion.de]
    • There are patches out there at minions.de that allowed use of the nVidia driver with a 2.6 kernel but the drivers in there default state from nvidia.com did not work until now.

      BTW..... the gentoo sources did contain those patches:)

    • Re:Huh? (Score:2, Informative)

      by Broodje ( 646341 )
      Yeah, I used page [comcast.net] to guide me through making nvidia drivers work on a toshiba laptop running debian with a NVIDIA(R) GeForce(TM) FX Go5200 and a 2.6 kernel. Worked right away too.

    • Re:Huh? (Score:4, Informative)

      by Turmio ( 29215 ) on Thursday January 29, 2004 @12:27PM (#8124313) Homepage
      Yes, well, perhaps the title of the story should've been Official NVIDIA Drivers for 2.6 kernel since what we've been using for months has been an unsupported hack. For most of people, including me, it has been working just fine, though, as you suggested, but before this there has been no-one to blame if didn't work. Now it's supported by NVIDIA.
  • Someone made an install for the 2.6 kernel that worked great already, so no huge news I guess.

    I'd download the new ones but my Linux box is broken :/ Damn motherboard blew (volt-regulator poped... literally) and its been 3 weeks so far w/ no new one comming in!

    BTW, does anyone know how to Overclock a GeForce 5600 in Linux? Haven't found anything yet...
  • The best part I think is Fixed AGP failures on some VIA motherboards: minion.de has been proposing a good patch for 2.6 kernels for long, while this AGP issue was really boring. I hope it really works better now.

  • Official Feedback Thread (Score:5, Informative)

    by The Baron (nV News) ( 649004 ) on Thursday January 29, 2004 @11:49AM (#8123907) Homepage Journal
    is here [nvnews.net], courtesy of Andy Mecham, NVIDIA's Linux driver guru.
    • If you comment to this guy, make sure that you emphasize the need for a Linux port of ForceWare [nvidia.com]. This is (IMHO) the closest thing to a TiVo competitor for the PC world. Right now, it is Windows-only.

      If it weren't for the GPL and the non-binary rule, NVIDIA could actually release a linux based PVR ISO for their nForce boards. Oh well... maybe they can do something in BSD?

  • Excellent (Score:5, Interesting)

    by Coryoth ( 254751 ) on Thursday January 29, 2004 @11:51AM (#8123944) Homepage Journal
    This is making my transition to 2.6 on my laptop look much more likely. I was wondering when NVidia would get around to doing such a thing. The fact that it has been relatively prompt seems to suggest that they are still somewhat interested in the Linux market.

    The next question is when will they release drivers for Keith Packard's/Freedektop.org's Xserver, because to be honest, I'm very interested in seeing what that can do...

    Jedidiah

  • Debian (Score:2, Interesting)

    by orkysoft ( 93727 )

    I tried installing it on a new Debian Woody (stable) installation, but it could not determine the module file name. I tried several options to point it to the kernel source and headers, but it didn't work. Eventually, I installed an older version using http://people.debian.org/~rdonald/index.php [debian.org].

    Does anyone know how to install this new version? I didn't even know it was this new, except for the distinct lack of hints that Google provides so far.

    • Does anyone know how to install this new version?

      Well, not sure how well it would work on stable, but on unstable if you roll your own kernel using make-kpkg it's easy:

      sudo apt-get install nvidia-kernel-source
      cd /usr/src
      tar zxvf nvidia-kernel-source.tar.gz
      cd linux-2.6.1
      fakeroot make-kpkg modules sudo dpkg -i ../nvidia-kernel*.deb
      sudo apt-get install nvidia-glx

  • This is great news (Score:2, Insightful)

    by deitel99 ( 533532 )
    The more the 2.6 kernel is accepted by companies the faster it'll get to that "critical point" where distributions will have to start using it not to feel left behind. And for those trying to sell Linux (with services etc) the 2.6 kernel will be an excellent bonus.

    I also hope they'll be more stable than the 2.4 + 2.6patch was... I know a fair few people for whom lack of stable videocard support was the factor stopping them upgrade to 2.6.

  • Do they still suck? (Score:4, Interesting)

    by adrianbaugh ( 696007 ) on Thursday January 29, 2004 @11:52AM (#8123960) Homepage Journal
    The last (2.4) drivers that worked for me were 1.0.4496; the recent ones are a disaster, so hopefully they've taken the time to iron out the bugs and this isn't just the latest version of the driver with the (already existing) 2.6 patch bolted on.
    • Having said that, if these do work it might just provide the impetus I need to make me install 2.6 on my debian/unstable box. It seems fairly stable by all accounts and I'm sure the developers could do with as many eyes as possible to squash any remaining bugs prior to distributions adopting 2.6.

  • at least we get a driver... (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Mark19960 ( 539856 ) <MarkNO@SPAMlowcountrybilling.com> on Thursday January 29, 2004 @11:53AM (#8123967) Journal
    that is more, or less stable and WORKS.
    im quite happy with that.
    I understand the IP issues involved probably prohibit a source release.
    I would just.. let this one go and thank them for at least supporting the linux driver.

  • cutting edge technology (Score:3, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 29, 2004 @11:54AM (#8123983)
    Now people can watch porn using cutting edge technology once again!

  • bugs are still there (Score:5, Informative)

    by GweeDo ( 127172 ) on Thursday January 29, 2004 @11:55AM (#8123988) Homepage
    The nvidia kernel driver has been easy to get working with 2.6 since the 2.5.x days. Problem is, they still haven't fixed the nasty mangled console bug that has been in the last three versions. It is always great to exit X windows and have to reboot before I can go back into X windows or else it will lock up my box. But...even if I exit X windows my console is so mangled I can barely use it any how...this sure has promoted my use of X and only X :)
    • I think your wrong there. That was fixed for me the version prior to this. (Framebuffer console, 2.6 kernel so had to use minion patch)
    • You use riva frame buffer right?

      This has been around for a loong time, before the last 3 releases. It's not directly NVidia's bug, it's related to the riva frame buffer conflicting with the NVidia drivers.

      Turn off frame buffer support and use a plain console and you will be fine.

  • GPL soul? (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Rosco P. Coltrane ( 209368 ) on Thursday January 29, 2004 @11:55AM (#8123994)
    For those who've sold their GPL soul to use the binary drivers from NVIDIA (like me) you can get them now.

    While I support the GPL and don't particularly like binary-only drivers, I reckon this little phrase has no place in this announcement. To NVidia's credit, they seem to be somewhat serious about supporting Linux in a somewhat timely manner. This sort of allusion won't be a great incentive for other hardware vendors to support Linux at all, they'll just think "whatever we do to be nice to them, those Linux folks will always have something to complain about".

    When Linux has 80% marketshare and is a true force to be reckoned with, then perhaps the community will be able to afford sarcasm and get away with it, but in the meantime, there must be other, more constructive ways to entice vendors to embrace open-source.

    • Re:GPL soul? (Score:2, Insightful)

      by Chagrin ( 128939 )
      in the meantime, there must be other, more constructive ways to entice vendors to embrace open-source.

      It's difficult to have a principle-based movement when you ignore your principles.

      • Re:GPL soul? (Score:3, Insightful)

        by DenOfEarth ( 162699 )

        It's difficult to have a principle-based movement when you ignore your principles.

        Easy solution: If you want to stick to your principles, then don't use the NVIDIA drivers, or buy a card that has open drivers. whatever you do, don't use the closed-source NVIDIA drivers and then complain about your principles not being followed, as you wouldn't be doing anybody any favours, and you'd lose your credibility

        Note: this isn't directed at you personally, I just have a thing for people who talk the talk, but

        • Re:GPL soul? (Score:5, Insightful)

          by swordgeek ( 112599 ) on Thursday January 29, 2004 @12:50PM (#8124567) Journal
          Hmm...

          I get a bit annoyed (OK, sometimes REALLY annoyed) at people in the Linux world equating the use of Linux and being an OSS zealot.

          Personally, I don't give a rat's ass. If Linux does the job I want it to, better or cheaper than someone else, then I'll use it. If I want to use it, I'll use it. I am not, however, going to town banging on doors and windows about GPL, OSS, and the purity of my morals. If someone else wants to, that's fine. Just don't ruin it for the rest of us. (i.e. by discouraging companies who make good hardware from supporting Linux at all.)

          Your post doesn't make me think that you're one of these, but it was a good segue to my point.

          As for the car analogy, it brings up the question of compromise. To wit: I live in an area where I can't do without a car, so I had to buy one. I did, however, put fuel efficiency and reliability near the top of my 'important features' list, to cut down on the environmental costs. Furthermore - because I can, I take the bus to work.

          • Re:GPL soul? (Score:3, Insightful)

            by DenOfEarth ( 162699 )

            Thanks for your post, cuz I think we're in the same boat. I think the GPL is cool and all, it definitely addresses some important issues, and it makes things interesting in the world of software development. I use Linux at school and at home, because it's good enough for me, and I like the philosophy behind it. I also use the NVIDIA drivers because their cards are cheap, and they are supporting my OS. The point of my post wasn't to say this was a good thing or bad thing in itself, as I don't really ca

      • Re:GPL soul? (Score:5, Insightful)

        by mattACK ( 90482 ) on Thursday January 29, 2004 @12:18PM (#8124226) Homepage
        It's difficult to have a movement without any movement, or at least momentum. If they were stealing GPL code that would be one thing. If they support you without embracing your dogma, that is entirely another.
      • It's difficult to have a principle-based movement when you ignore your principles.

        I don't disagree, I'm just saying that positive advocacy, proposing free GPL and open-source philosophy introductory meetings with company decision-makers, conducted by free-software figureheads, or just plain boycott with (polite and argumented) emails explaining why you prefer not to buy close-source products, would work better than nasty remarks.

        I'm sure NVidia thinks they're doing us a great favor here : if we diss them
      • you complain when they don't release stuff and you complain when they do. You can't always have your cake and eat it too...

        Be happy for the compromise or use a card that was reverse engineered or is somehow open.
      • Hunh?

        How about introducing our principles in an even handed manner, as well as taking into consideration the needs of others.

        "Thank you for the driver, nVidia. We'll use it, but it would be that much better if you open sourced it. Yes, we can help you keep that valuable IP from ATI, too, if that matters."

        Soko
      • It's difficult to have a principle-based movement when you ignore your principles.

        It's difficult to have any movement at all in hardware-related fields without support from major players.

      • Re:GPL soul? (Score:3, Insightful)

        by SpeedBump0619 ( 324581 )
        It's difficult to have a principle-based movement when you ignore your principles.

        It's difficult to have a useful principle-based movement without substantial movement also.

        Why does it never occur to zealots that their chosen nemesis can have any valid reasons for their actions.

        Does it ever occur to an open source zealot that maybe there are valid reasons a company can't provide non-binary drivers? Take, for instance, trade secrets. If the company publishes code which clearly describes their specializ

    • When Linux has 80% marketshare and is a true force to be reckoned with, then perhaps the community will be able to afford sarcasm and get away with it, but in the meantime, there must be other, more constructive ways to entice vendors to embrace open-source.

      ...like, for instance, not buying NVidia at all, and restricting yourself to a Radeon 9200 or lower so that you *can* use open-source drivers. That's very constructive market feedback. Buy what does what you want.

      -Rob

      • A Radeon 9200 doesn't do what I want though... my 9600pro on the other hand *does* support dual-head, and run recent games nicely under Windows.
    • To Nvidia is being "nice" because they make their hardware partially functional on my favorite OS?

      They don't have to support Linux at all. I have free OSS, but still non-GPL, drivers through XFree86 that work just fine. Its nice of them to consider Linux a viable platform, but I think their support leaves much to be desired.

      And if they are unwilling to do it why not open source the driver and give the OSS community a hand at providing FULL support on Linux, eh? What have you got to lose? Some lame IP

  • Stuck in nvidia hell (Score:2, Informative)

    by Anonymous Coward
    I made the mistake of getting sucked into the wonderful price point of my nforce2/Athlon system..

    The proprietary graphics drivers have been a huge pain.. nvidia support has been terrible when compared to the open source community. For much of 2003 the video would go blank once you exited X11 (forcing a reboot whenever you exited X!).

    And now they have gone to a monolithic installer "to make things easier". Right.

    The little bit I saved pales in comparison to the time I have spent dealing with this BS.

    And
    • I've configured nForce systems for friends, and it is *not* pretty. nVidia's nForce binary drivers are terrible. The nVnet driver for the Realtek chips is unstable and slow, and often causes brief system hangs. The audio driver is terrible, uses OSS, and indicated that the hardware doesn't support hardware mixing in any fashion. There is ALSA support, but it isn't much better. Everything seems to indicate that that the "powerful" nForce APU is just an clone of the i810 spec with uber-souped-up drivers.

    • Obsolete? (Score:3, Interesting)

      by autechre ( 121980 )
      I would say a very long time. Until last year, I was using a TNT with the unified NVidia drivers, and I only switched because I managed to pick up a TNT2 for $10 or $20 (the TNT 1 was Asus's excellent model, but it wasn't good at doing 1600 x 1200).

      If they're supporting a card that old, I don't think you're going to have to worry anytime soon. I'm impressed that they're supporting their entire post-Riva lineup with a single driver.

      Personally, the Free drivers never worked for me; X just looked mangled.

  • PowerPC not yet (Score:5, Informative)

    by leandrod ( 17766 ) <{gro.sartud} {ta} {l}> on Thursday January 29, 2004 @12:02PM (#8124066) Homepage Journal
    GNU/Linux PowerPC users -- such as in Power Macs -- are still out of luck.
  • That was seriously the only thing holding me back from going all 2.6...hmmm...off to compile!
  • I'm about to assemble a new machine with an Athlon 64 CPU. I know that I could use the 32-bit drivers and have them work, but I'd rather go with the ones designed specifically for my CPU -- unless someone has compared them and found them either identical or nearly so.

  • one down, two to go (Score:4, Informative)

    by sc00p18 ( 536811 ) on Thursday January 29, 2004 @01:02PM (#8124704)
    This is good news. Now we just need to get lirc support and ivtv support without nasty hacks, and I'll be good to go.

  • To all the Open Source Whiners (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Adnans ( 2862 ) on Thursday January 29, 2004 @02:05PM (#8125462) Homepage Journal
    The Linux drivers NVIDIA released are actually newer than the Windows 2000/XP ones! I call that pretty darn good support!
    I'm all for Open Source, but there are probably far too few 3D/OpenGL engineers who have the time to work on and release quality Open Source 3D/OpenGL drivers. NVIDIA has practically their whole driver engineering team working for us. I consider the closed part just an extended piece of 'firmware' for the (closed source) video hardware. The 'loader' and glue code are open source.

    It would take a couple of man years to produce quality drivers that even come close to what we have now, and by that time the current crop of 3D hardware cards will be thrice obsoleted (hi Matrox!)

    Better to spend our resources improving other things (like GNOME, D-BUS, whatnot) than to duplicate driver magic, just for the sake of being open source.

    Now, if you're a PowerPC user, I take everything I said back *grin*

    -adnans

  • I don't have and NVIDIA card but (Score:3, Interesting)

    by niko9 ( 315647 ) * on Thursday January 29, 2004 @03:58PM (#8126855)
    I am going to download the drivers anyways.

    Why? I'm sure they keep count of the linux driver downloads. If they see a boost in the numbers, maybe we will get quicker updates.

    I have an ATI card, but that won't stop me from buying an NVIDIA card in the future if they provide some serious 3d support ala Windows.

    Does this sound dumb? I know it's fudging the numbers, but with computers and software there is always that chicken and egg problem we have seen so many times before.

    Discuss.

    --

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