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Zibi1981

Member

From: Poland

Registered: 2008-01-31

Posts: 637

nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

Finally we have lived long enough to see the new 180 series going stable today News according to Phoronix.

NVIDIA 180.22 x86/x86_64 Linux Driver Released
Posted by Michael Larabel on January 08, 2009

Up to this point NVIDIA had released several betas in the 180.xx driver series that introduced VDPAU acceleration support, OpenGL 3.0, CUDA 2.1, and other Linux work. This afternoon all of these new features are finally supported by NVIDIA with the release of the first stable Linux driver in this latest series.

The NVIDIA 180.22 Linux driver also officially adds in support for new GeForce and Quadro GPUs, workstation performance optimizations, glyph cache by default, improved X pixmap placement, and various bug-fixes. The 180.22 release also adds in support for the latest Linux kernels.

Can't wait to upgrade

Some notes from nVidia's website concerning freshly released driver

Linux x64 (AMD64/EM64T) Display Driver

Version: 180.22
Operating System: Linux x64 (AMD64/EM64T)
Release Date: January 8, 2009

Release Highlights
>Added support for the following GPUs:
   Quadro FX 2700M
   GeForce 9400M G
   GeForce 9400M
   GeForce 9800 GT
   GeForce 8200M G
   GeForce Go 7700
   GeForce 9800M GTX
   GeForce 9800M GT
   GeForce 9800M GS
   GeForce 9500 GT
   GeForce 9700M GT
   GeForce 9650M GT
   GeForce 9500 GT
>Added initial support for PureVideo-like features via the new VDPAU API (see the vdpau.h header file installed with the driver).
>Added support for CUDA 2.1.
>Added preliminary support for OpenGL 3.0.
>Added new OpenGL workstation performance optimizations.
>Enabled the glyph cache by default and extended its support to all supported GPUs.
>Disabled shared memory X pixmaps by default; see the "AllowSHMPixmaps" option.
>Improved X pixmap placement on GeForce 8 series and later GPUs.
>Improved stability on some GeForce 8 series and newer GPUs.
>Fixed a regression that could result in window decoration corruption when running Compiz using Geforce 6 and 7 series GPUs.
>Fixed an nvidia-settings crash when xorg.conf contains Device and Screen sections but no ServerLayout section.
>Fixed a problem parsing the monitor sync range X config file options.
>Fixed a problem with the SDI sync skew controls in nvidia-settings.
>Fixed a problem that caused some SDI applications to hang or crash.
>Added support for SDI full-range color.
>Improved compatibility with recent Linux kernels.

Last edited by Zibi1981 (2009-01-08 22:33:18)

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"... being a Linux user is sort of like living in a house inhabited by a large family of carpenters and architects. Every morning when you wake up, the house is a little different. Maybe there is a new turret, or some walls have moved. Or perhaps someone has temporarily removed the floor under your bed."

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amranu

Member

Registered: 2008-09-25

Posts: 94

Re: nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

Awesome, can't wait to see these in extra

iBertus

Member

From: Greenville, NC

Registered: 2004-11-04

Posts: 2,228

Re: nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

Alas, still no fix for the dreaded PowerMizer screen flicker bug. It's been like six months and nvidia hasn't even admitted that this bug exists. It's crap like that thats making me look really hard at ATI and their new open-sourced drivers for my next upgrade. Of course, I'd be happy to see OpenCL for linux evolve so that I can finally ditch CUDA for something GPU independent.  That's holding me back right now. Well, that and the poor economy making any hardware upgrading a life decision.

mrunion

Member

From: Jonesborough, TN

Registered: 2007-01-26

Posts: 1,938

Website

Re: nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

Not sure what you are referencing about the screen flicker. But on my lappy, I used to have a problem with scrolling in firefox taking a long time at first (or swtiching tabs, etc.). Turns out it was the "power saving" mode throttling back my nVidia card.  I added a few settings to modprobe (I think) and make the card run at "normal" speed all the time.  I can dig those up if you think you are interested.  I won't be able to do it until I get back at work tomorrow morning, though, ebcause the laptop is there.

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Matt

"It is very difficult to educate the educated."

Super Jamie

Member

From: Brisbane, AU

Registered: 2008-12-15

Posts: 79

Website

Re: nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

Alas, still no fix for the dreaded PowerMizer screen flicker bug. It's been like six months and nvidia hasn't even admitted that this bug exists.

Can't you Free Software users just keep giving us your money and stop whingeing? We really don't care about Linux support.

With the efforts ATI are making towards open-sourcing their drivers, and nVidia's pathetic Linux tech support and bugfix attitude, it'll be a cold day in hell before I ever buy a GeForce again.

Dheart

Member

From: Sofia, Bulgaria

Registered: 2006-10-26

Posts: 956

Re: nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

Alas, still no fix for the dreaded PowerMizer screen flicker bug. It's been like six months and nvidia hasn't even admitted that this bug exists.

Can't you Free Software users just keep giving us your money and stop whingeing? We really don't care about Linux support.

With the efforts ATI are making towards open-sourcing their drivers, and nVidia's pathetic Linux tech support and bugfix attitude, it'll be a cold day in hell before I ever buy a GeForce again.

That's just because you don't have ANY experience with fglrx If you think nVidia's got a pathetic Linux support, just wait to see ATI...

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No, you cannot hide nor flee
You know what I'm looking for
Pleasure your torture, I will endure...

skottish

Forum Fellow

From: Here

Registered: 2006-06-16

Posts: 7,942

Re: nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

*** NO FLAMES ***

brazzmonkey

Member

From: between keyboard and chair

Registered: 2006-03-16

Posts: 818

Re: nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

>Fixed a regression that could result in window decoration corruption when running Compiz using Geforce 6 and 7 series GPUs.

I really hope this means my troubles are over. It's been months since NVIDIA drivers became real crap on my machines...

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what goes up must come down

xaiviax

Member

From: Michigan

Registered: 2008-11-04

Posts: 282

Re: nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

>Fixed a regression that could result in window decoration corruption when running Compiz using Geforce 6 and 7 series GPUs.

I really hope this means my troubles are over. It's been months since NVIDIA drivers became real crap on my machines...

That fix has been in the 180 series for a while (in fact all the above listed fixes have).  I've found the "beta" (which is just a name) drivers much more stable than the "stable" ones for a while (not unusual for nvidia drivers - linux and windows).

iBertus

Member

From: Greenville, NC

Registered: 2004-11-04

Posts: 2,228

Re: nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

Alas, still no fix for the dreaded PowerMizer screen flicker bug. It's been like six months and nvidia hasn't even admitted that this bug exists.

Can't you Free Software users just keep giving us your money and stop whingeing? We really don't care about Linux support.

With the efforts ATI are making towards open-sourcing their drivers, and nVidia's pathetic Linux tech support and bugfix attitude, it'll be a cold day in hell before I ever buy a GeForce again.

That's just because you don't have ANY experience with fglrx If you think nVidia's got a pathetic Linux support, just wait to see ATI...

I had an old Radeon 8500 that worked great with the old drivers of the time. Granted, that was before compiz was around, but it was still a rock solid card. I have no problem with either company, but I've just favored ATI and AMD over the years.

Zibi1981

Member

From: Poland

Registered: 2008-01-31

Posts: 637

Re: nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

Has anyone tried those drivers yet, or all are waiting for them to hit official repos? Experiences?

---

"... being a Linux user is sort of like living in a house inhabited by a large family of carpenters and architects. Every morning when you wake up, the house is a little different. Maybe there is a new turret, or some walls have moved. Or perhaps someone has temporarily removed the floor under your bed."

MSI Raider GE78HX 13VI-032PL

wonder

Developer

From: Bucharest, Romania

Registered: 2006-07-05

Posts: 5,941

Website

Re: nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

i'm curios to find out where is opengl 3.0

glxinfo | grep OpenGL
OpenGL vendor string: NVIDIA Corporation
OpenGL renderer string: GeForce 8600M GT/PCI/SSE2
OpenGL version string: 2.1.2 NVIDIA 180.22
OpenGL shading language version string: 1.20 NVIDIA via Cg compiler

EDIT: maybe there is but it doesn't been used by xorg

Last edited by wonder (2009-01-09 20:57:31)

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Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.

Zibi1981

Member

From: Poland

Registered: 2008-01-31

Posts: 637

Re: nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

Don't you need to have GPU which support OpenGL 3.0? Are there any available at the moment?

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"... being a Linux user is sort of like living in a house inhabited by a large family of carpenters and architects. Every morning when you wake up, the house is a little different. Maybe there is a new turret, or some walls have moved. Or perhaps someone has temporarily removed the floor under your bed."

MSI Raider GE78HX 13VI-032PL

Pudge

Arch Linux f@h Team Member

Registered: 2006-01-23

Posts: 300

Re: nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

Has anyone tried those drivers yet, or all are waiting for them to hit official repos? Experiences?

I'm using the 32 bit 180.22 drivers on Arch i686 on a 64 bit Motherboard/CPU.  No problems so far.  I'm running Stanford's Windows XP 32 bit GPU folding client through WINE, which requires CUDA for the parallel processing of the 8000 and 9000 series Nvidia GPUs.  Before 180.22, I have used 180.06, and I think it was 180.11 Beta with no problems.

Pudge

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Folding STATS

dr/owned

Member

Registered: 2009-01-09

Posts: 136

Re: nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

>Fixed a regression that could result in window decoration corruption when running Compiz using Geforce 6 and 7 series GPUs.

Yup, I had this problem in Ubuntu.  At least nvidia makes a decent attempt at supporting laptop gpu's on linux.  For Windows they basically say "go screw yourself".

Alexdsan

Member

Registered: 2007-07-10

Posts: 28

Re: nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

nice news, wait for update in extra repository

Zibi1981

Member

From: Poland

Registered: 2008-01-31

Posts: 637

Re: nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

Don't you need to have GPU which support OpenGL 3.0? Are there any available at the moment?

Now I can answer myself by providing the following link

NVIDIA OpenGL 3.0 Support for Windows and Linux

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"... being a Linux user is sort of like living in a house inhabited by a large family of carpenters and architects. Every morning when you wake up, the house is a little different. Maybe there is a new turret, or some walls have moved. Or perhaps someone has temporarily removed the floor under your bed."

MSI Raider GE78HX 13VI-032PL

wonder

Developer

From: Bucharest, Romania

Registered: 2006-07-05

Posts: 5,941

Website

Re: nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

thx. seems that my card has opengl 3 support

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Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.

alessandro_ufms

Member

From: Campo Grande, MS - Brazil

Registered: 2008-06-25

Posts: 153

Re: nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

Suspend still not working.

n8schicht

Member

From: Südbaden

Registered: 2006-12-27

Posts: 138

Website

Re: nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

Oh that's good news! I hope that the new driver will solve some performance issues that I still have with KDE 4, like resizing windows. The other stuff is working great meanwhile.
I can't wait for the new driver to hit the extra repo Yes I know, I'm sooo greedy

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Mein Blog

imachine

Member

From: /dev/ttyv0

Registered: 2006-11-15

Posts: 36

Website

Re: nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

Suspend still not working.

What graphic chip do you have, and what issue do you have exactly?

I got a COMPAL laptop with a GF7600, it worked spot on @ ubuntu 8.04 (and earlier archlinux), ever since the introduction of 173 and 177 I have issues with the window titlebars with compiz.

Those are less annoying than no suspend tho ;-)

And the nv driver from x.org does the same ugly thing, it fails at suspending for me ;>

edit: suspends fine for me:-) 180.11 @ 2.6.27 :-)

Last edited by imachine (2009-01-11 22:31:28)

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aha.

connexion2000

Member

Registered: 2006-10-15

Posts: 116

Re: nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

I wouldn't recommend this driver. I had an issue (messy picture on screen and hard system lockup) that has been reported many times on nvnews.net. I used beta driver, but they didn't change it in stable. I will stay with 177.xx. I don't want to scary you but one user has reported that this issue broke his card.

EDIT: some evidence http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=123912

Last edited by connexion2000 (2009-01-14 10:40:34)

toxygen

Member

Registered: 2008-08-22

Posts: 713

Re: nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

are you guys using the new driver from testing or from aur ("nvidia-beta, nvidia-utils-beta")?  i installed the aur version, seems working for me

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Why oh why didn't I take the BLUE pill?"

xaiviax

Member

From: Michigan

Registered: 2008-11-04

Posts: 282

Re: nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

are you guys using the new driver from testing or from aur ("nvidia-beta, nvidia-utils-beta")?  i installed the aur version, seems working for me

Was using aur betas, worked great, when they hit testing I switched to them (just to make future updates easier), work great.

Alexdsan

Member

Registered: 2007-07-10

Posts: 28

Re: nVidia's 180-series drivers finally going stable!

are you guys using the new driver from testing or from aur ("nvidia-beta, nvidia-utils-beta")?  i installed the aur version, seems working for me

working for me too.