installing Nvidia drivers GeForce 210 openSUSE 11.4

English Hardware
#1

I am having a challenge to install drivers on this machine with the OS and graphics card stated in the subject.

To date I have tried different ways and they are broken in the steps or in the results I get on my machine. The how-to written by ajohnw Installing an nvidia driver - easiest I have found to date. results in a file or directory not found when I try to execute

/etc/bin/nvidia-xconfig

The article SDB:NVIDIA the hard way results in the following error (copied from the error log):

ERROR: The kernel header file '/usr/src/linux/include/linux/version.h' does not
       exist.  The most likely reason for this is that the kernel source files
       in '/usr/src/linux' have not been configured.

Researching how to resolve that error and I can’t find anything relevant to openSUSE 11, closest version being openSUSE 9.

Lastly, I’ve tried this SDB:NVIDIA drivers and for some reason it does not generate the xorg.conf file. At least that’s what I am concluding. I go through the steps, reboot the system and boot only to a command prompt. Navigating to /etc/X11/ there is no xorg.conf and I have to copy xorg.conf.install to xorg.conf to get back into the Desktop.

Is there any proven and simple method to installing these drivers? I went with Nvidia on this machine for Radeon drivers were not well supported in 11.3. But frankly, I am finding this situation to be worse.

#2

Hi,

You have to install the kernel-source package.

#3

Nobody here would seriously recommand following this howto. Take a look at this script by jdmcdaniel3, which has been used by many people and has been proven to work:

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

#4

Hello,

It is installed, along with the kernel-devel package. Are there packages of a particular version required? These are the ones I have:

kernel-source: 2.6.37.6-0.5.1-noarch from openSUSE
kernel-devel: 2.6.37.6-0.5.1-noarch from openSUSE

Thanks for replying.

#5

Hi,

I saw and tried that script. It automates the process of the original how-to quoted in my first message. Running the script or how-to results in the same error:

ERROR: The kernel header file '/usr/src/linux/include/linux/version.h' does not
       exist.  The most likely reason for this is that the kernel source files
       in '/usr/src/linux' have not been configured.

As stated in my reply to DaaX the kernel-source and kernel-devel packages are installed.

Thanks for taking time to reply.

#6

Please provide the output of running the following command:

rpm -qa '*kernel*'
#7

My wife’s PC running openSUSE-11.3 has a nVidia GeForce 210. She has the 270.14.28 proprietary nVidia graphic drivers installed, which I installed for her using the manual method (also called “the hardway” (which is not hard)). The proprietary nVidia drivers work GREAT on her GeForce G210 with openSUSE.

IMHO this is doable, its the same as other nVidia graphic cards, and its not difficult, once one understands/knows the small number of hoops and loops one needs to go through (typically its not a single click install). But knowing/understanding those very small number of hoops/loops is the trick.

#8

Thank you for taking the time to read this and having a look at the output:


kernel-desktop-2.6.37.1-1.2.2.i586
kernel-source-2.6.37.6-0.5.1.noarch
nfs-kernel-server-1.2.3-11.14.1.i586
kernel-desktop-devel-2.6.37.6-0.5.1.i586
kernel-devel-2.6.37.6-0.5.1.noarch
#9

The kernel sources are OK but the kernel is wrong.

  • update the kernel
zypper update kernel-desktop
  • reboot
  • recompile the nvidia driver
#10

I recommend you follow please_try_again’s advice. Note the difference in version numbers. It is ESSENTIAL that the kernel-desktop (version in ‘red’ above, which is the actual kernel) and the kernel sources (versions in ‘green’ above) have the same version numbers. As please_try_again noted, they do not on your PC’s setup.

… I typically also have kernel-syms installed, but I do not believe that essential for building a video driver (albeit I confess I have not tried without kernel-syms as along as I can remember back in time).

#11

Thanks to all for your advice. While I have followed the suggestions made, it has begat another error. The full text of the log appears below.

Unlike the last error, it does not seem to be as clear. I’d appreciate any feedback to figure out the next step. I plan to read the Nvidia readme and see what it says.


nvidia-installer log file '/var/log/nvidia-installer.log'
creation time: Tue May  3 09:57:02 2011
installer version: 256.53

option status:
  license pre-accepted    : false
  update                  : false
  force update            : false
  expert                  : false
  uninstall               : false
  driver info             : false
  precompiled interfaces  : true
  no ncurses color        : false
  query latest version    : false
  OpenGL header files     : true
  no questions            : false
  silent                  : false
  no recursion            : false
  no backup               : false
  kernel module only      : false
  sanity                  : false
  add this kernel         : false
  no runlevel check       : false
  no network              : false
  no ABI note             : false
  no RPMs                 : false
  no kernel module        : false
  force SELinux           : default
  no X server check       : false
  no cc version check     : false
  force tls               : (not specified)
  X install prefix        : (not specified)
  X library install path  : (not specified)
  X module install path   : (not specified)
  OpenGL install prefix   : (not specified)
  OpenGL install libdir   : (not specified)
  utility install prefix  : (not specified)
  utility install libdir  : (not specified)
  doc install prefix      : (not specified)
  kernel name             : (not specified)
  kernel include path     : (not specified)
  kernel source path      : (not specified)
  kernel output path      : (not specified)
  kernel install path     : (not specified)
  proc mount point        : /proc
  ui                      : (not specified)
  tmpdir                  : /tmp
  ftp mirror              : ftp://download.nvidia.com
  RPM file list           : (not specified)

Using: nvidia-installer ncurses user interface
-> License accepted.
-> Installing NVIDIA driver version 256.53.
-> Running distribution scripts
   executing: '/usr/lib/nvidia/pre-install'...
-> done.
-> Performing CC sanity check with CC="cc".
-> Performing CC version check with CC="cc".
-> Kernel source path: '/lib/modules/2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop/source'
-> Kernel output path: '/lib/modules/2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop/build'
-> Performing rivafb check.
-> Performing nvidiafb check.
-> Performing Xen check.
-> Cleaning kernel module build directory.
   executing: 'cd ./kernel; make clean'...
-> Building kernel module:
   executing: 'cd ./kernel; make module SYSSRC=/lib/modules/2.6.37.6-0.5-deskto
   p/source SYSOUT=/lib/modules/2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop/build'...
   NVIDIA: calling KBUILD...
   make -C /lib/modules/2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop/build \
   KBUILD_SRC=/usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5 \
   KBUILD_EXTMOD="/tmp/selfgz6962/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel" -f /usr/src/l
   inux-2.6.37.6-0.5/Makefile \
   modules
   test -e include/generated/autoconf.h -a -e include/config/auto.conf || (        \
   echo;                                \
   echo "  ERROR: Kernel configuration is invalid.";        \
   echo "         include/generated/autoconf.h or include/config/auto.conf are
   missing.";\
   echo "         Run 'make oldconfig && make prepare' on kernel src to fix it.
   ";    \
   echo;                                \
   /bin/false)
   mkdir -p /tmp/selfgz6962/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/.tmp_versions ; rm -
   f /tmp/selfgz6962/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/.tmp_versions/*
   make -f /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/scripts/Makefile.build obj=/tmp/selfgz69
   62/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel
     cc -Wp,-MD,/tmp/selfgz6962/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/.nv.o.d  -nostdi
   nc -isystem /usr/lib/gcc/i586-suse-linux/4.5/include -I/usr/src/linux-2.6.37
   .6-0.5/arch/x86/include -Iinclude  -I/usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/include -in
   clude include/generated/autoconf.h   -I/tmp/selfgz6962/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.
   53/kernel -D__KERNEL__ -Wall -Wundef -Wstrict-prototypes -Wno-trigraphs -fno
   -strict-aliasing -fno-common -Werror-implicit-function-declaration -Wno-form
   at-security -fno-delete-null-pointer-checks -O2 -m32 -msoft-float -mregparm=
   3 -freg-struct-return -mpreferred-stack-boundary=2 -march=i686 -mtune=generi
   c -maccumulate-outgoing-args -Wa,-mtune=generic32 -ffreestanding -DCONFIG_AS
   _CFI=1 -DCONFIG_AS_CFI_SIGNAL_FRAME=1 -DCONFIG_AS_CFI_SECTIONS=1 -pipe -Wno-
   sign-compare -mno-sse -mno-mmx -mno-sse2 -mno-3dnow -Wframe-larger-than=2048
   -fno-stack-protector -fomit-frame-pointer -fasynchronous-unwind-tables -g -W
   declaration-after-statement -Wno-pointer-sign -fno-strict-overflow -fconserv
   e-stack -DCC_HAVE_ASM_GOTO   -I/tmp/selfgz6962/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kerne
   l -Wall -MD -Wsign-compare -Wno-cast-qual -Wno-error -D__KERNEL__ -DMODULE -
   DNVRM -DNV_VERSION_STRING=\"256.53\" -UDEBUG -U_DEBUG -DNDEBUG  -DMODULE  -D
   "KBUILD_S
   TR(s)=#s" -D"KBUILD_BASENAME=KBUILD_STR(nv)"  -D"KBUILD_MODNAME=KBUILD_STR(n
   vidia)" -c -o /tmp/selfgz6962/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/.tmp_nv.o /tmp/
   selfgz6962/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/nv.c
   In file included from /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/include/linux/kernel.h:17:
   0,
                    from /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/include/linux/sched.h:54,
                    from /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/include/linux/utsname.h:35
   ,
                    from /tmp/selfgz6962/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/nv-linu
   x.h:27,
                    from /tmp/selfgz6962/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/nv.c:13
   :
   /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/include/linux/bitops.h: In function ‘hweight_l
   ong’:
   /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/include/linux/bitops.h:49:26: warning: signed an
   d unsigned type in conditional expression
   In file included from /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/arch/x86/include/asm/mmzon
   e.h:2:0,
                    from /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/include/linux/mmzone.h:793
   ,
                    from /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/include/linux/topology.h:3
   2,
                    from /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/include/linux/sched.h:79,
                    from /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/include/linux/utsname.h:35
   ,
                    from /tmp/selfgz6962/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/nv-linu
   x.h:27,
                    from /tmp/selfgz6962/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/nv.c:13
   :
   /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/arch/x86/include/asm/mmzone_32.h: In function â€
   ˜pfn_valid’:
   /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/arch/x86/include/asm/mmzone_32.h:87:15: warning:
   comparison between signed and unsigned integer expressions
   In file included from /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/arch/x86/include/asm/uacce
   ss.h:571:0,
                    from /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/include/linux/poll.h:14,
                    from /tmp/selfgz6962/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/nv-linu
   x.h:84,
                    from /tmp/selfgz6962/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/nv.c:13
   :
   /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/arch/x86/include/asm/uaccess_32.h: In function â
   €˜copy_from_user’:
   /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/arch/x86/include/asm/uaccess_32.h:209:6: warning
   : comparison between signed and unsigned integer expressions
   /tmp/selfgz6962/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/nv.c: At top level:
   /tmp/selfgz6962/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/nv.c:426:5: error: unknown fi
   eld ‘ioctl’ specified in initializer
   /tmp/selfgz6962/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/nv.c:426:5: warning: initiali
   zation from incompatible pointer type
   make[4]: *** [/tmp/selfgz6962/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/nv.o] Error 1
   make[3]: *** [_module_/tmp/selfgz6962/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel] Error
   2
   make[2]: *** [sub-make] Error 2
   NVIDIA: left KBUILD.
   nvidia.ko failed to build!
   make[1]: *** [module] Error 1
   make: *** [module] Error 2
-> Error.
ERROR: Unable to build the NVIDIA kernel module.
ERROR: Installation has failed.  Please see the file
       '/var/log/nvidia-installer.log' for details.  You may find suggestions
       on fixing installation problems in the README available on the Linux
       driver download page at www.nvidia.com.
#12 

 echo "  ERROR: Kernel configuration is invalid.";        \
   echo "         include/generated/autoconf.h or include/config/auto.conf are
   missing.";\
   echo "         Run 'make oldconfig && make prepare' on kernel src to fix it.
   ";    \
   echo;                                \
   /bin/false)

Did you give the suggestion a chance, i.e. run ‘make oldconfig && make prepare’? That would generate the missing config files. Yet IMO they should be there

Try this:
Softwaremanagement
Check ‘Linux Kernel Development’ for install. Check what’s getting installed.
Search for ‘kernel-’, right click in right panel, All packages - Upgrade unconditionally

Then reboot with option ‘init 3’ on the options line
Then install the NVIDIA driver from the .run file
In Yast - System - sysconfigeditor, search for ‘KMS’, set value for NO_KMS_IN_INITRD to ‘yes’
Blacklist the nouveau driver if not already done so

Reboot and you should be fine.

#13

dwlamb wrote:

>
> I am having a challenge to install drivers on this machine
with the OS
> and graphics card stated in the subject.
>
> To date I have tried different ways and they are broken in
the steps or
> in the results I get on my machine. The how-to written by
‘ajohnw
> Installing an nvidia driver - easiest I have found to
date.’
> (http://tinyurl.com/6een4ja) results in a file or directory
not found
> when I try to execute
> Code:
> --------------------
> /etc/bin/nvidia-xconfig
> --------------------
Did not see mention in responses that nvidia-xconfig is in:
<code>
file:///usr/bin/nvidia-xconfig
</code>
As far as I know its never been in /etc.
this is probably a little late and you have problably solved
your problem.
>
> The article ‘SDB:NVIDIA the hard way’
> (http://en.opensuse.org/SDB:NVIDIA_the_hard_way) results in
the
> following error (copied from the error log):
>
>
> Code:
> --------------------
> ERROR: The kernel header file
‘/usr/src/linux/include/linux/version.h’
> does not
> exist. The most likely reason for this is that the
kernel source files
> in ‘/usr/src/linux’ have not been configured.
> --------------------
>
>
> Researching how to resolve that error and I can’t find
anything
> relevant to openSUSE 11, closest version being openSUSE 9.
>
> Lastly, I’ve tried this ‘SDB:NVIDIA drivers’
> (http://en.opensuse.org/SDB:NVIDIA_drivers) and for some
reason it does
> not generate the xorg.conf file. At least that’s what I
am concluding.
> I go through the steps, reboot the system and boot only to
a command
> prompt. Navigating to /etc/X11/ there is no xorg.conf and
I have to
> copy xorg.conf.install to xorg.conf to get back into the
Desktop.
>
> Is there any proven and simple method to installing these
drivers? I
> went with Nvidia on this machine for Radeon drivers were
not well
> supported in 11.3. But frankly, I am finding this
situation to be
> worse.
>
>

–
Russ
openSUSE 11.4 MS1 (2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop)|Platform Version
4.6.2 (4.6.2) “release 3”|Intel core2duo 2.5 MHZ,|8GB DDR3|
GeForce 8400GS (NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-270.41.06)

#14

I tried to run those commands at the shell but am unsure as to precise syntax. Do I need to be in a certain path or have additional arguments in the command-line? Running the line as quoted, I get:

make: *** No rule to make target `oldconfig'.  Stop.

Try this:
Softwaremanagement
Check ‘Linux Kernel Development’ for install. Check what’s getting installed.

You lost me here. placing that single-quoted string in the search box yielded nothing.

Going on the premise what you suggest is the equivalent of

rpm -qa '*kernel*'

Then these are the results:


kernel-desktop-2.6.37.6-0.5.1.i586
kernel-source-2.6.37.6-0.5.1.noarch
nfs-kernel-server-1.2.3-11.14.1.i586
kernel-desktop-devel-2.6.37.6-0.5.1.i586
kernel-devel-2.6.37.6-0.5.1.noarch

oldpcu in post 10 identified that the version numbers of kernel-desktop and kernel-source needed to be identical. I updated them and they now match. Then, the situation resulted in the errors I am receiving now.

I’ll do the rest of what is suggested once someone can confirm the syntax for “make oldconfig && make prepare”

#15

I’ve never had to send “make oldconfig && make prepare” to install the nVidia drivers, so the question puzzles me.

A silly question. Do you have gcc, gcc+ and make installed? In my case, I always go to YaST > Software > Software Management > Patterns, and select the installation of all packages in the “Base Development” pattern. That ensures that one has all the applications needed to compile.

#16

oldpcu,

The need for running “make oldconfig && make prepare” stems from the error log after trying to run the Nvidia script to build the driver. A dump of the entire error log is provided above in #11. From about half-way through the log is states:

   echo "  ERROR: Kernel configuration is invalid.";        \
   echo "         include/generated/autoconf.h or include/config/auto.conf are
   missing.";\
   echo "         Run 'make oldconfig && make prepare' on kernel src to fix it.

But I do not have enough of the syntax. To run those commands as quoted generates the error:

make: *** No rule to make target `oldconfig'.  Stop.

A silly question. Do you have gcc, gcc+ and make installed?

Yes, those packages are installed.

In my case, I always go to YaST > Software > Software Management > Patterns, and select the installation of all packages in the “Base Development” pattern. That ensures that one has all the applications needed to compile.

I was able to follow that navigation until Patterns. What do you mean by Patterns? The search box and enter “Base Development”? I do not see a Patterns label on any of the tabs or menu options.

#17

Could someone with expertise please have a look at the previous posts in this thread and review what contributors have suggested and my results after those suggestions? It seems some are providing opinions without understanding I am following the advice provided by others and stating the results based on logs and other software feedback.

This saga has dragged on far longer than I think is necessary. The lack of resolution is maddening for I can not use my system as intended for I have half the screen resolution I need to work efficiently. It is these kinds of software and driver issues that feed the argument that Linux is a hassle and Windows is a more reliable option. I can install and run this Nvidia card on Windows without failure in 5 minutes.

More than a puzzled penguin,
dw

#18

I’m travelling on the road while making these posts with poor bandwidth. Currently waiting for a flight from France to Germany (boarding starts in 5 minutes).

Reference ‘patterns’, try YaST > Software > Software Management > View > Patterns

Did you try installing ‘kernel-syms’ ? (Note I have never tried this without kernel-syms - I stated that already).

Have to run … boarding has been announced.

#19

That howto I posted has worked perfectly for me 3 times. To use or not use It is really a matter of if people wish to continue console bashing in cases where there is no need. This type of activity does appeal to some but not to me and I suspect many others. Obviously there is no way people who like that particular way of doing things will recommend any other way. That’s why no one has added to it. commented on it or performed any act that may be of use to people who need it.

the nvidia-xconfig file by the way is installed in /usr/bin not /etc.

If the howto isn’t working it may be a yast problem. YAST should install all it needs to install the nvidia driver. In my case kernel headers etc will have already been on my machine as will the compiler and linker that are needed. It would be difficult for me to pick out what is actually needed on that score because I install all such kernel and for that matter kde related dev code and more from day one.

One thing for sure. If some one wants to try the very very latest nvidia driver they will have to console bash until such time as some one develops an rpm for it.

#20

Hi oldpcu,

It’s great of you to take the time to help while on the run. Hope all goes well.

Reference ‘patterns’, try YaST > Software > Software Management > View > Patterns

Did you try installing ‘kernel-syms’ ? (Note I have never tried this without kernel-syms - I stated that already).

There were some packages not checked and installed under the Base Development module. So those were marked and installed. Then, I checked on kernel-syms. It was installed. I rebooted and ran the script to build the Nvidia driver. No joy. I still received an error at the same point and reason:


   test -e include/generated/autoconf.h -a -e include/config/auto.conf || (        \
   echo;                                \
   echo "  ERROR: Kernel configuration is invalid.";        \
   echo "         include/generated/autoconf.h or include/config/auto.conf are
   missing.";\
   echo "         Run 'make oldconfig && make prepare' on kernel src to fix it.
   ";    \

Trying to act on the above error message, I examined the variables above the error message and determined the kernel src was located at /lib/modules/2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop/source. The code below shows the result of trying to run make oldconfig and make prepare. So I am still stymied as to how to resolve this and get the graphics driver working.


/lib/modules/2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop/source # make oldonfig
  HOSTCC  scripts/basic/fixdep
  HOSTCC  scripts/basic/docproc
  HOSTCC  scripts/kconfig/conf.o
  HOSTCC  scripts/kconfig/kxgettext.o
  SHIPPED scripts/kconfig/zconf.tab.c
  SHIPPED scripts/kconfig/lex.zconf.c
  SHIPPED scripts/kconfig/zconf.hash.c
  HOSTCC  scripts/kconfig/zconf.tab.o
  HOSTLD  scripts/kconfig/conf
scripts/kconfig/conf --silentoldconfig Kconfig
***
*** Configuration file ".config" not found!
***
*** Please run some configurator (e.g. "make oldconfig" or
*** "make menuconfig" or "make xconfig").
***
make[2]: *** [silentoldconfig] Error 1
make[1]: *** [silentoldconfig] Error 2
make: *** No rule to make target `oldonfig'.  Stop.
linux-z9xw:/lib/modules/2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop/source # make prepare
scripts/kconfig/conf --silentoldconfig Kconfig
***
*** Configuration file ".config" not found!
***
*** Please run some configurator (e.g. "make oldconfig" or
*** "make menuconfig" or "make xconfig").
***
make[2]: *** [silentoldconfig] Error 1
make[1]: *** [silentoldconfig] Error 2
make: *** No rule to make target `include/config/auto.conf', needed by `include/config/kernel.release'.  Stop.

Full text of nvidia-installer.log


nvidia-installer log file '/var/log/nvidia-installer.log'
creation time: Thu May  5 18:01:57 2011
installer version: 256.53

option status:
  license pre-accepted    : false
  update                  : false
  force update            : false
  expert                  : false
  uninstall               : false
  driver info             : false
  precompiled interfaces  : true
  no ncurses color        : false
  query latest version    : false
  OpenGL header files     : true
  no questions            : false
  silent                  : false
  no recursion            : false
  no backup               : false
  kernel module only      : false
  sanity                  : false
  add this kernel         : false
  no runlevel check       : false
  no network              : false
  no ABI note             : false
  no RPMs                 : false
  no kernel module        : false
  force SELinux           : default
  no X server check       : false
  no cc version check     : false
  force tls               : (not specified)
  X install prefix        : (not specified)
  X library install path  : (not specified)
  X module install path   : (not specified)
  OpenGL install prefix   : (not specified)
  OpenGL install libdir   : (not specified)
  utility install prefix  : (not specified)
  utility install libdir  : (not specified)
  doc install prefix      : (not specified)
  kernel name             : (not specified)
  kernel include path     : (not specified)
  kernel source path      : (not specified)
  kernel output path      : (not specified)
  kernel install path     : (not specified)
  proc mount point        : /proc
  ui                      : (not specified)
  tmpdir                  : /tmp
  ftp mirror              : ftp://download.nvidia.com
  RPM file list           : (not specified)

Using: nvidia-installer ncurses user interface
-> License accepted.
-> Installing NVIDIA driver version 256.53.
-> Running distribution scripts
   executing: '/usr/lib/nvidia/pre-install'...
-> done.
-> Performing CC sanity check with CC="cc".
-> Performing CC version check with CC="cc".
-> Kernel source path: '/lib/modules/2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop/source'
-> Kernel output path: '/lib/modules/2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop/build'
-> Performing rivafb check.
-> Performing nvidiafb check.
-> Performing Xen check.
-> Cleaning kernel module build directory.
   executing: 'cd ./kernel; make clean'...
-> Building kernel module:
   executing: 'cd ./kernel; make module SYSSRC=/lib/modules/2.6.37.6-0.5-deskto
   p/source SYSOUT=/lib/modules/2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop/build'...
   NVIDIA: calling KBUILD...
   make -C /lib/modules/2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop/build \
   KBUILD_SRC=/usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5 \
   KBUILD_EXTMOD="/tmp/selfgz4578/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel" -f /usr/src/l
   inux-2.6.37.6-0.5/Makefile \
   modules
   test -e include/generated/autoconf.h -a -e include/config/auto.conf || (        \
   echo;                                \
   echo "  ERROR: Kernel configuration is invalid.";        \
   echo "         include/generated/autoconf.h or include/config/auto.conf are
   missing.";\
   echo "         Run 'make oldconfig && make prepare' on kernel src to fix it.
   ";    \
   echo;                                \
   /bin/false)
   mkdir -p /tmp/selfgz4578/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/.tmp_versions ; rm -
   f /tmp/selfgz4578/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/.tmp_versions/*
   make -f /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/scripts/Makefile.build obj=/tmp/selfgz45
   78/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel
     cc -Wp,-MD,/tmp/selfgz4578/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/.nv.o.d  -nostdi
   nc -isystem /usr/lib/gcc/i586-suse-linux/4.5/include -I/usr/src/linux-2.6.37
   .6-0.5/arch/x86/include -Iinclude  -I/usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/include -in
   clude include/generated/autoconf.h   -I/tmp/selfgz4578/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.
   53/kernel -D__KERNEL__ -Wall -Wundef -Wstrict-prototypes -Wno-trigraphs -fno
   -strict-aliasing -fno-common -Werror-implicit-function-declaration -Wno-form
   at-security -fno-delete-null-pointer-checks -O2 -m32 -msoft-float -mregparm=
   3 -freg-struct-return -mpreferred-stack-boundary=2 -march=i686 -mtune=generi
   c -maccumulate-outgoing-args -Wa,-mtune=generic32 -ffreestanding -DCONFIG_AS
   _CFI=1 -DCONFIG_AS_CFI_SIGNAL_FRAME=1 -DCONFIG_AS_CFI_SECTIONS=1 -pipe -Wno-
   sign-compare -mno-sse -mno-mmx -mno-sse2 -mno-3dnow -Wframe-larger-than=2048
   -fno-stack-protector -fomit-frame-pointer -fasynchronous-unwind-tables -g -W
   declaration-after-statement -Wno-pointer-sign -fno-strict-overflow -fconserv
   e-stack -DCC_HAVE_ASM_GOTO   -I/tmp/selfgz4578/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kerne
   l -Wall -MD -Wsign-compare -Wno-cast-qual -Wno-error -D__KERNEL__ -DMODULE -
   DNVRM -DNV_VERSION_STRING=\"256.53\" -UDEBUG -U_DEBUG -DNDEBUG  -DMODULE  -D
   "KBUILD_S
   TR(s)=#s" -D"KBUILD_BASENAME=KBUILD_STR(nv)"  -D"KBUILD_MODNAME=KBUILD_STR(n
   vidia)" -c -o /tmp/selfgz4578/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/.tmp_nv.o /tmp/
   selfgz4578/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/nv.c
   In file included from /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/include/linux/kernel.h:17:
   0,
                    from /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/include/linux/sched.h:54,
                    from /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/include/linux/utsname.h:35
   ,
                    from /tmp/selfgz4578/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/nv-linu
   x.h:27,
                    from /tmp/selfgz4578/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/nv.c:13
   :
   /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/include/linux/bitops.h: In function ‘hweight_l
   ong’:
   /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/include/linux/bitops.h:49:26: warning: signed an
   d unsigned type in conditional expression
   In file included from /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/arch/x86/include/asm/mmzon
   e.h:2:0,
                    from /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/include/linux/mmzone.h:793
   ,
                    from /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/include/linux/topology.h:3
   2,
                    from /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/include/linux/sched.h:79,
                    from /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/include/linux/utsname.h:35
   ,
                    from /tmp/selfgz4578/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/nv-linu
   x.h:27,
                    from /tmp/selfgz4578/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/nv.c:13
   :
   /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/arch/x86/include/asm/mmzone_32.h: In function â€
   ˜pfn_valid’:
   /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/arch/x86/include/asm/mmzone_32.h:87:15: warning:
   comparison between signed and unsigned integer expressions
   In file included from /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/arch/x86/include/asm/uacce
   ss.h:571:0,
                    from /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/include/linux/poll.h:14,
                    from /tmp/selfgz4578/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/nv-linu
   x.h:84,
                    from /tmp/selfgz4578/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/nv.c:13
   :
   /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/arch/x86/include/asm/uaccess_32.h: In function â
   €˜copy_from_user’:
   /usr/src/linux-2.6.37.6-0.5/arch/x86/include/asm/uaccess_32.h:209:6: warning
   : comparison between signed and unsigned integer expressions
   /tmp/selfgz4578/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/nv.c: At top level:
   /tmp/selfgz4578/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/nv.c:426:5: error: unknown fi
   eld ‘ioctl’ specified in initializer
   /tmp/selfgz4578/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/nv.c:426:5: warning: initiali
   zation from incompatible pointer type
   make[4]: *** [/tmp/selfgz4578/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel/nv.o] Error 1
   make[3]: *** [_module_/tmp/selfgz4578/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-256.53/kernel] Error
   2
   make[2]: *** [sub-make] Error 2
   NVIDIA: left KBUILD.
   nvidia.ko failed to build!
   make[1]: *** [module] Error 1
   make: *** [module] Error 2
-> Error.
ERROR: Unable to build the NVIDIA kernel module.
ERROR: Installation has failed.  Please see the file
       '/var/log/nvidia-installer.log' for details.  You may find suggestions
       on fixing installation problems in the README available on the Linux
       driver download page at www.nvidia.com.

Hope someone can offer assistance.