Nvidia versus NV: recompiling

B-Con · 2008-02-20 18:50:05

Couple of questions regarding the Nvidia and NV drivers:

1) Isn't the Nvidia driver (in extra/x11/nvidia) is the binary from Nvidia itself? If so, why do I keep hearing that it has to be compiled against the current kernel?

2) The NV driver (in extra/x11-drivers/xf86-video-nv) is the open source version, correct? Does it have to be compiled against a custom kernel as well?

Currently I'm using the NV drivers:

Section "Device"
        ### Available Driver options are:-
        ### Values: <i>: integer, <f>: float, <bool>: "True"/"False",
        ### <string>: "String", <freq>: "<f> Hz/kHz/MHz"
        ### [arg]: arg optional
        #Option     "SWcursor"                  # [<bool>]
        #Option     "HWcursor"                  # [<bool>]
        #Option     "NoAccel"                   # [<bool>]
        #Option     "ShadowFB"                  # [<bool>]
        #Option     "UseFBDev"                  # [<bool>]
        #Option     "Rotate"                    # [<str>]
        #Option     "VideoKey"                  # <i>
        #Option     "FlatPanel"                 # [<bool>]
        #Option     "FPDither"                  # [<bool>]
        #Option     "CrtcNumber"                # <i>
        #Option     "FPScale"                   # [<bool>]
        #Option     "FPTweak"                   # <i>
        #Option     "DualHead"                  # [<bool>]
        Identifier  "Card0"
        Driver      "nv"
        VendorName  "nVidia Corporation"
        BoardName   "NV43 [GeForce 6600]"
        BusID       "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection

and I want to compile a custom kernel and I'm wondering if/why I have to recompile the NV drivers?.

brebs · 2008-02-20 19:21:11

"nvidia.ko" is a kernel module, so most definitely needs to be compiled for the current module, otherwise it may be unstable if it works at all. It is part-binary and part-source, but the source part needs to be recompiled.

nv is not a kernel module.

To see the module:

find /lib/modules -name nvidia.ko

Last edited by brebs (2008-02-20 19:22:06)

B-Con · 2008-02-20 20:30:41

Ah, that explains it. I didn't know one of them used/was a module and the other didn't. Thanks.

Arch Linux

#1 2008-02-20 18:50:05

Nvidia versus NV: recompiling

#2 2008-02-20 19:21:11

Re: Nvidia versus NV: recompiling

#3 2008-02-20 20:30:41

Re: Nvidia versus NV: recompiling

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