How to update Nvidia Driver from CD
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Q:
TE wrote: Hello, I installed SUSE/Linux for the first time and I don't really know anything about it, so please don't get mad if this is a silly question, I've tried some forums but nobody answers. The X doesn't start, I looked on the net (through Windows) and it seems that I have to update the Nvidia driver (I own a Riva TNT 2 Model 64). I downloaded the driver and wrote it on CD, but it seems that I don't know how to access my CD-ROM, I mean, the path to the CD-ROM. So if you could please guide me to what do I have to do, I would be greatly appreciated. Everybody tells me to read the FAQ, but I did that, and I'm not any brighter. Thank you very much.
A:
Linux is trying to turn you into a Power user, before you think are ready. The more you use the Power user mode, the more it tries to teach you how to move up the levels.
Login as root
Give the root password
Insert your CD
Type "ls /media/cdrom" and press Enter
Can you see your Nvidia File? No, well then try "mount /dev/cdrom /media/cdrom"
Still can't see it? Your system isn't set up properly. At last resort the cdrom should be one of these devices:
/dev/hdc
/dev/hdd
or if you've got the hard drive and the CD-ROM on the same cable!!! (Can Slow the hard drive)
/dev/hdb
So try "mount /dev/hdc /media/cdrom" and down the list until it works.
You must have found it by now.
Do you want to copy it to your hard drive in case you want it again?
Type "cp /media/cdrom/NVIDIA_FileName /root"
Let us run the file from /root
Type "cd /root"
Type "./NVIDIA_FileName"
Notice the "dot slash" before the file name. This is the explicit path to the file, as it is not in your Linux commands search path. Linux does not include the current directory in its path because this is a dangerous security hole, whereby nasty virus making people could run a program from anywhere in your system.
Your NVIDIA driver should install okay.
To start the X Server first check if it is okay with Type "startx"
If it is OK it will start the GUI
There still could be a problem and you may have to tell YaST to use the new driver
Type "yast" to start YaST
Select Hardware - Graphics Card and Monitor
YaST should find your new driver
Make sure Graphical Desktop is selected
If 3D acceleration is not selected you can enter Alt-c to change the settings which starts the SAX utility. After you've finished with YaST, test the server again with "startx"
Press CTRL-ALT-BackSpace_key to kill the X Server
Type "init 5" to start the GUI login
If that didn't work try "init 3", wait till you need to login again and then "init 5"
You should see the NVIDIA splash screen if everything is working.
If you haven't upgraded to SUSE 9.2 yet, you may have to edit your /etc/X11/XF86Config file to tell it to use the new driver.
Find the line which says "nv" and change it to "nvidia"
This presumes you know how to use an editor. So you may have to become a Power user after all.
Kind regards, Stomfi
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