Arch Linux

STREBLO

Member

Registered: 2015-02-15

Posts: 135

How do I know if I need to use dkms?

If i'm using a custom kernel, how do I know if I need to use dkms? For example, can I use the main nvidia package with this kernel? Or do I need nvidia-dkms?

Is it just that any kernel that isn't the mainline kernel will have to use packages that are dkms packages? Or are some compatible?

Last edited by STREBLO (2017-02-13 07:01:31)

x33a

Forum Fellow

Registered: 2009-08-15

Posts: 4,587

Re: How do I know if I need to use dkms?

You need the nvidia-dkms package, as it documented here: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/NV … tom_kernel

Moving to NC.

Mr.Elendig

#archlinux@freenode channel op

From: The intertubes

Registered: 2004-11-07

Posts: 4,092

Re: How do I know if I need to use dkms?

You can either create a nvidia-herpderp package built against your custom kernel or you can use nvidia-dkms, the choice is yours.

---

Evil #archlinux@libera.chat channel op and general support dude.
. files on github, Screenshots, Random pics and the rest

JohnBobSmith

Member

From: Canada

Registered: 2014-11-29

Posts: 804

Re: How do I know if I need to use dkms?

A brief understanding of what dkms is and what it does will help: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Dy … le_Support

Packages that require dkms will have a -dkms extension, much like packages require git will have a -git extension. Or at least, they should. This is really one of those "learn about the software and make an informed decision yourself" type of questions. But I hope my 5 cents (since the penny has been abolished in Canada) helps.

---

I am diagnosed with bipolar disorder. As it turns out, what I thought was my greatest weakness is now my greatest strength.

Everyday, I make a conscious choice to overcome my challenges and my problems. It's not easy, but its better than the alternative...

STREBLO

Member

Registered: 2015-02-15

Posts: 135

Re: How do I know if I need to use dkms?

A brief understanding of what dkms is and what it does will help: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Dy … le_Support

Packages that require dkms will have a -dkms extension, much like packages require git will have a -git extension. Or at least, they should. This is really one of those "learn about the software and make an informed decision yourself" type of questions. But I hope my 5 cents (since the penny has been abolished in Canada) helps.

Hey, a fellow Canadian!

Yeah I've read the wiki about dkms, I was just wondering if it was always necessary to use the dkms packages when using a custom kernel, or if they could be somewhat compatible. That wasn't really clear to me when I read the wiki.

Last edited by STREBLO (2017-02-13 23:12:25)

STREBLO

Member

Registered: 2015-02-15

Posts: 135

Re: How do I know if I need to use dkms?

So how exactly am I supposed to add the new dkms modules before I have switch to the new kernel? Is this correct?

Install a new kernel package, eg linux-userns

Install any needed dkms packages. eg nvidia-dkms

Install the module

dkms install  -m nvidia -v 375.26 

Now I need to install the module to the kernel

dkms autoinstall -k 4.9.8-1-userns 

Run 'mkinitcpio -p linux-userns'?

Now if I reboot into linux-userns will I be using the nvidia module?

Last edited by STREBLO (2017-02-13 23:36:32)

STREBLO

Member

Registered: 2015-02-15

Posts: 135

Re: How do I know if I need to use dkms?

Crap, I tried that and when I rebooted the nvidia module failed to load. I'm chrooted into it and dkms status shows:

$ dkms status
nvidia, 375.26, 4.9.8-1-ARCH, x86_64: installed
nvidia, 375.26, 4.9.8-1-userns, x86_64: installed

What did I do wrong?

Last edited by STREBLO (2017-02-13 23:37:05)

eschwartz

Fellow

Registered: 2014-08-08

Posts: 4,097

Re: How do I know if I need to use dkms?

dkms should come with hooks to auto-rebuild any dkms modules for each kernel. The dkms hook will run before the kernel mkinitcpio hook.

---

Managing AUR repos The Right Way -- aurpublish (now a standalone tool)

Omar007

Member

Registered: 2015-04-09

Posts: 368

Re: How do I know if I need to use dkms?

Make sure you have also installed the headers for your custom kernel (in your case; linux-userns-headers).
If you install those first, followed by your custom kernel, the auto-rebuild dkms hooks should do its job

STREBLO

Member

Registered: 2015-02-15

Posts: 135

Re: How do I know if I need to use dkms?

I ended up needing to install nvidia-dkms THEN  linux-userns which made it start working. I guess doing it in the opposite order screwed something up.