Arch Linux

Jason P.

Member

Registered: 2015-02-26

Posts: 171

Linux CK, nvidia driver and multiple kernels

Hello community

I want to install a CK patched kernel with the proprietary nvidia driver, while keeping the nouveau driver and the default kernel untouched. So ideally, I could switch between CK + nvidia and default + nouveau simply by choosing a different option in the GRUB menu. I will pick an specific kernel for my architecture (Sandy Bridge) and its corresponding nvidia driver from the Repo-ck.

More or less I think I should follow these steps:

1) Add Repo-ck
2) Install kernel and nvidia driver for S.B.
3) Make a custom mkinitcpio.conf with MODULES="nvidia" to create an alternative initramfs image
4) Create a custom menu entry in /etc/grub.d/40_custom with option elevator=bfq
5) Recreate GRUB menu

Do I miss something like Xorg configuration? How can I keep two kernels with two different drivers installed on my machine?

Many thanks!

graysky

Wiki Maintainer

From: :wq

Registered: 2008-12-01

Posts: 10,729

Website

Re: Linux CK, nvidia driver and multiple kernels

That sounds just fine.

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AUR packages • Zsh and other configs

Jason P.

Member

Registered: 2015-02-26

Posts: 171

Re: Linux CK, nvidia driver and multiple kernels

It seems that step 3 is not really needed because the nvidia driver doesn't follow the kernel implementation of KMS (see note in https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Ke … de_setting).

As I want to have both drivers installed, do I have to blacklist the open source module in order to use the proprietary option, or even pick a different Xorg configuration? In this way it would be uncomfortable to switch between kernel and driver combinations. More info in this wiki article.

Jason P.

Member

Registered: 2015-02-26

Posts: 171

Re: Linux CK, nvidia driver and multiple kernels

Maybe blacklisting the nouveau module in the GRUB entry of the Linux-CK kernel as suggested in this wiki I could achieve what I want, because I guess the nvidia-ck driver is installed only for the patched kernel.

graysky

Wiki Maintainer

From: :wq

Registered: 2008-12-01

Posts: 10,729

Website

Re: Linux CK, nvidia driver and multiple kernels

nvidia-ck provides a blacklist:

echo "blacklist nouveau" >> "${pkgdir}/usr/lib/modprobe.d/nvidia-ck.conf"

And yes, step 3 is not needed.

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AUR packages • Zsh and other configs

Jason P.

Member

Registered: 2015-02-26

Posts: 171

Re: Linux CK, nvidia driver and multiple kernels

Ok, but that blacklist will also be applied when I choose to boot the default kernel? As I said, I'd like to keep using nouveau with the default kernel when necessary. If the blacklist is applied directly in the GRUB entry, I assume there will not be that problem...

Jason P.

Member

Registered: 2015-02-26

Posts: 171

Re: Linux CK, nvidia driver and multiple kernels

It seems that I can't have both drivers, open source and proprietary, installed at the same time. nvidia-libgl is in conflict with mesa-libgl.

Any ideas? If I uninstall mesa-libgl what will happen with the nouveau driver if I choose to boot using it? AFAIK this package enables 3D graphics.

Jason P.

Member

Registered: 2015-02-26

Posts: 171

Re: Linux CK, nvidia driver and multiple kernels

I've found this little script to switch between drivers. Is there a better way to handle this situation? Ideally I'd like not having to launch an script prior to boot in one kernel or the other.