Arch Linux

gsibble

Member

Registered: 2004-01-14

Posts: 23

Kernel 2.6 NVIDIA Problems

Well, instead of creating my custom 2.4 kernel, I figured I would at least upgrade to 2.6 first.

However, this has (of course) created its own problem.  It loads up fine, but then I need to compile my NVIDIA drivers.

I downloaded the latest version and the way I usually make them is by typing:

sh NVIDIA-Linux-etc.run --add-this-kernel

This will compile a custom kernel interface for the drivers.  Now, it did this fine in 2.4, but it fails under 2.6.3.  It just gets to 11% and then says that it cannot make a custom kernel interface for my kernel.

However, there is an interesting thing that happens.  In the background, there is some text that says:

cat /lib/modules/2.6.3/build/Makefile:  File not found

or something like that.  So it is looking for my kernel makefile!  However, under Arch, I don't know where that is!?!?  So what do I do?  Thanks a bunch guys!

-G

alexthelion

Member

From: Switzerland

Registered: 2004-03-06

Posts: 117

Re: Kernel 2.6 NVIDIA Problems

Hey,

the problem is that the kernel26 package doesn't contain a makefile, but the nvidia installer wants one. You can build a kernel on your machine without actually installing the result. First, upgrade to the latest kernel with

pacman -Syu

Then backup your /usr/src/linux-2.6.4 directory.

Now, as root, do

abs
cd /var/abs/kernels/kernel26
makepkg
cd src
mv linux-2.6.4 /usr/src
ln -s /usr/src/linux-2.6.4 /usr/src/linux

Now, verify that /lib/modules/2.6.4/build points to /usr/src/linux-2.6.4

Try to run the installer again.

gsibble

Member

Registered: 2004-01-14

Posts: 23

Re: Kernel 2.6 NVIDIA Problems

Thanks guys!!!!  You're a huge help!

sarah31

Member

From: Middle of Canada

Registered: 2002-08-20

Posts: 2,975

Website

Re: Kernel 2.6 NVIDIA Problems

so you know this question has been posed several time and answered several times please for the sake of saving space do a search first.

fwiw i have posted several "fixes" the easiest:

download the kernel source for your kernel

su

mv /usr/src/linux-2.6.x /usr/src/linux2.6.x-old

untar kernel source in /usr/src/

run you nvidia installer

you do not need to do a symlink to /usr/src/linux

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AKA uknowme

I am not your friend

alexthelion

Member

From: Switzerland

Registered: 2004-03-06

Posts: 117

Re: Kernel 2.6 NVIDIA Problems

Sarah31, have you actually tried out what you suggest to do? For me, and for others, that doesn't work (see my post above). No wonder people keep asking that. Maybe the maintainer of the kernel26 package could just put the makefile in the package and everything would work, I suppose.

sarah31

Member

From: Middle of Canada

Registered: 2002-08-20

Posts: 2,975

Website

Re: Kernel 2.6 NVIDIA Problems

yes it would help and if you had done a search you would have found one of my first posted solutionswhich was along the lines of yours:

cd /var/abs/kernels/kernl26

su

makepkg

mv /usr/src/linux-2.6.x /usr/src/linux-2.6.x-old

cd src

cp linux-2.6.x /usr/src/

run the installer

either way works as you would ahve found IF you had done a search.

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AKA uknowme

I am not your friend

alexthelion

Member

From: Switzerland

Registered: 2004-03-06

Posts: 117

Re: Kernel 2.6 NVIDIA Problems

I have done extensive searches on the topic, because I had trouble installing the NVIDIA drivers. For me, just unpacking the source didn't work. Period. It would maybe help if you realized that kernel source archives don't contain a makefile and stopped suggesting that "easy" solution.

gsibble

Member

Registered: 2004-01-14

Posts: 23

Re: Kernel 2.6 NVIDIA Problems

Sarah -

He's right.  His solution is more complete and easier.

Furthermore, I DID do several searches on the topic.

Why is it that you people complain about answering such a simple question??  I even thank you directly for it!

Even if I answered the same question 10 times, if the person was thankful and I managed to fix it, I would be happy.

So instead of making some of us feel outcast next time, maybe you can just let other people answer the question, as was done here, and leave out the rant.

-G

PS.  This should be a friendly community.  Let's keep it that way.

Dusty

Schwag Merchant

From: Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada

Registered: 2004-01-18

Posts: 5,986

Website

Re: Kernel 2.6 NVIDIA Problems

So instead of making some of us feel outcast next time, maybe you can just let other people answer the question, as was done here, and leave out the rant.

PS.  This should be a friendly community.  Let's keep it that way.

Woohoo, fireworks coming this way!

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