Compiling kernel-source for nVidia driver install

English Hardware
#1

In order to configure a dual display in a fresh 11.4 installation, I am attempting to install the nVidia driver according to the instructions in SDB:NVIDIA the hard way - openSUSE. I have not previously compiled or configured a kernel so I largely followed the instructions from OpenSUSE 11.2 - How to compile a Kernel for Newbies.

The currently installed kernel is 2.6.37.1-1.2-desktop. The graphics card is an ASUS EN9600GSO (512MB).

In Yast, I installed gcc, make, kernel-devel (v. 2.6.37.1-1.2) and kernel-desktop-devel (v. 2.6.37.1-1.2). Per the “hard way” instructions, I did not install kernel-source.

I performed the following steps:

cd /usr/src/linux

make cloneconfig

make menuconfig - select option: General Setup —> Local version - append to kernel release (added name)

make rpm

At the end of this process, there is a file named kernel-2.6.37.11.2desktop-1.i386.rpm (~287 MB) in /usr/src/packages/RPMS/i386/.

During the compile process, I noticed a number of errors and warnings, but I can’t locate a log (if there is one).

Is the procedure I followed correct? If not, please let me know what I need to do.

My next steps would be to install the new kernel and update grub:

cd /usr/src/linux/packages/i386

zypper install xxx.rpm

cd /boot

mkinitrd

gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst (or do it in a text editor)

As an additional note, the driver downloaded from nVidia is quite recent: version 275.09.07, dated June 14, 2011. The notes do not specifically mentioned the dual display issue with SuSE 11.4.

Thank you in advance.

#2

Hi and welcome to the openSUSE Forums :slight_smile:

There is no need to compile the kernel… just install the kernel-source, make, gcc and glibc-devel;

Have a read through here, specifically the link in post #3
NEW Users - openSUSE-11.4 Pre-installation � PLEASE READ

#3

Thank you for that very quick response. My concerns are those noted in Cannot run dual monitors with nVidia-gfxG02 proprietary drivers. I have experienced the same problems using the gfx-G02 driver provided in the Yast GUI. I previously read the items in the link you provided.

After reinstalling the OS a couple of times and not achieving success (persistent separate dual displays), I turned to the instructions in Nvidia Installer HOWTO for openSUSE users and SDB:NVIDIA the hard way - openSUSE. Please note that when I did not compile the source, the nVidia installer returned a missing header error. Therefore, I believe that the kernel source must be configured.

#4

Hi
I use twinview here configured via nvidia-settings, you probably want to just select the separate screens and save…


gnomesu /usr/bin/nvidia-settings

You need to do the nomodeset and no_kms as well. Note I’m on Gnome 3.0 running the 270.41.06 driver

#5

I always install the nVIDIA driver the Hard Way using the most recent driver and I always run the 64 bit version. I go here and get the most recent driver and download it to my PC:

Drivers - Download NVIDIA Drivers

I have no problems using two monitors on a single video card. Here is the article I would look at:

SDB:NVIDIA the hard way - openSUSE

In order to compile the allow the nVIDIA driver to compile, I suggest that you do the following:

Open YaST / Software / Software Management - Select the View Button on the top left and pick Patterns. Now, you will see several Patterns listed and you want to select:

   Development 

[X] Base Development
[X] Linux Kernel Development
[X] C/C++ Development

Then Press the Accept button on the bottom right and allow these applications to install.

I always add the nomodeset kernel load option to my grub menu.lst file for my normal openSUSE OS selection menu. I always restart openSUSE and at the OS selection menu, I enter the kernel load option 3 to load the kernel and then switch to runlevel 3, thus not loading the desktop. The nomodeset command was already added to my grub menu before I did a reboot. I have a bash script file that can be used to install the nVIDIA proprietary video driver. You can find it here in message #12:

LNVHW - Load NVIDIA (driver the) Hard Way from runlevel 3 - Page 2

Let me know if you have any other questions with this procedure I have prescribed.

Thank You,

#6

Thank you both for your replies.

Just to be certain, do I need to compile/configure the kernel source, and not just the driver?

And, if so, is the procedure for compiling the kernel source outlined in my initial post (at the top) correct?

Thanks.

#7

Hi
No, no need to compile the kernel just need to be at runlevel 3 and run the installer, eg;


sh <Nvidia_Driver_you_downloaded>.run -aq
#8

On 2011-06-18 19:36, w2tq wrote:

> And, if so, is the procedure for compiling the kernel source outlined
> in my initial post (at the top) correct?

You do not need compile the kernel. At most, just the initial phase:

cd /usr/src/linux

make cloneconfig && make scripts && make prepare

–
Cheers / Saludos,

Carlos E. R.
(from 11.4 x86_64 “Celadon” at Telcontar)

#9

Hi
In all my years of using the nvidia drivers, I have yet to recompile a
kernel to install them (that includes Solaris, SLE and openSUSE)

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° (Linux Counter #276890)
openSUSE 11.4 (x86_64) Kernel 2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop
up 21:01, 4 users, load average: 0.01, 0.04, 0.05
GPU GeForce 8600 GTS Silent - Driver Version: 270.41.06

#10

On 2011-06-19 00:04, malcolmlewis wrote:
> In all my years of using the nvidia drivers, I have yet to recompile a
> kernel to install them (that includes Solaris, SLE and openSUSE)

An entire kernel, no. But the configuration phase, yes.

–
Cheers / Saludos,

Carlos E. R.
(from 11.4 x86_64 “Celadon” at Telcontar)

#11

Thank you to all of you for responding to my post. I ran the installer again and this time it worked. Not sure why it didn’t before or why it suggested at one point that the kernel source may not have been “configured.”

Also, I misunderstood the first item in Nvidia Installer HOWTO for openSUSE users. It states that,

[INDENT]Kernel sources must be installed and configured. Usually this means installing the ‘kernel-source’, ‘make’ and ‘gcc’ packages with YaST2.[/INDENT]

Coupled with the error message from the nVidia installer, I assumed that I needed compile or configure the kernel source. My guess is that Yast performed that function when I downloaded the file.

Thanks again for telling me that I did not have to compile the kernel - no telling what that would have done.

#12

Thank you to all of you for responding to my post. I ran the installer again and this time it worked. Not sure why it didn’t before or why it suggested at one point that the kernel source may not have been “configured.”

Also, I misunderstood the first item in Nvidia Installer HOWTO for openSUSE users. It states that,[INDENT]Kernel sources must be installed and configured. Usually this means installing the ‘kernel-source’, ‘make’ and ‘gcc’ packages with YaST2.[/INDENT]Coupled with the error message from the nVidia installer, I assumed that I needed compile or configure the kernel source. My guess is that Yast performed that function when I downloaded the file.

Thanks again for telling me that I did not have to compile the kernel - no telling what that would have done.
No matter how you got there, we are always happy to hear about success. Thanks for letting us know that you were able to get the nVIDIA driver installed. If we can help you in any other way, just let us know.

Thank You,

#13

On 2011-06-19 21:06, w2tq wrote:
> Coupled with the error message from the nVidia installer, I assumed
> that I needed compile or configure the kernel source. My guess is that
> Yast performed that function when I downloaded the file.

No, YaST doesn’t do that at all.
The configuration phase is the three make command sequence I posted.

–
Cheers / Saludos,

Carlos E. R.
(from 11.4 x86_64 “Celadon” at Telcontar)