Install Nvidia Graphics Drivers with .Run file in Ubuntu Linux
Posted Under: General
This tutorial shows how to install latest nvidia graphics drivers download from nvidia homepage in ubuntu.
If you didn’t installed an old graphics driver in your machine,please skip step4 and step6
Step1: Backup xorg.conf
Use this command in terminal to backup:
sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup
So,if encounter something error,use following to restore:
sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Step2:Download latest nvidia graphics drivers
Download the latest version from Nvidia download page:http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html
By now,the latest version is 190.42,so we can also use this command to download:
For amd64:
wget http://us.download.nvidia.com/XFree86/Linux-x86_64/190.42/NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-190.42-pkg2.run
For i386:
wget http://us.download.nvidia.com/XFree86/Linux-x86/190.42/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-190.42-pkg1.run
Make this executable(change filename to which you downloaded):
chmod u+x NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-190.42-pkg2.run
Step3:Install compiling tool
sudo apt-get install linux-headers-$(uname -r) build-essential
Step4: If you have installed an old version graphics driver,search nvidia in “Applications->Ubuntu Software Center->Installed Software” and remove this old driver.Then run this in terminal:
sudo apt-get autoremove
Step5:Close gdm (You need to do following steps in text mode,so you’d better write following code in paper)
Press Ctrl+Alt+F1 key combination and login from tty1.
Tip: Don’t use number pad to input numbers if there are numbers in password,this won’t take effect.
Once login,use this command to close X server:
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop
Step6:Delete the remains of old graphics driver
sudo rmmod nvidia
sudo rm -r -f /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/video/nvidia
change 2.6.31-14-generic to your ubuntu kernel version
Step7:Install this latest nvidia graphics driver:
sudo ./NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-190.42-pkg2.run
Accept license and start install
Step8 Restart gdm
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm start
Now,check in System->Preferences->Nvidia X sever settings
Related posts:
- How to Install Nvidia Graphics Driver in Ubuntu 10.10 (Maverick Meerkat)
- Install Nvidia graphical driver in Ubuntu Lucid (10.04)
- Install Nvidia/ATI graphics card driver in Ubuntu 9.10(Karmic)
- Install New Official Nvidia driver release 270.41.19 in Ubuntu 11.04 from PPA
- Install latest kernel 2.6.37 & 2.6.38 in Ubuntu 10.04 from PPA
Reader Comments
You need to remove the space here:
sudo rm -r -f
/lib/modules/2.6.31-14-generic/kernel /drivers/video/nvidia
if you cut and paste, you will remove all files in the kernel directory!
[Reply]
Thanks for making this guide to update the nvidia driver.
Also note in step 1, the ‘etc’ directory needs replace the ‘ect’ typo, and step 6 with the extra space as the user above mentioned.
[Reply]
admin Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 11:59 pm
Thanks you guys!
I got them fixed.
[Reply]
Thanks, it saved my day!
Some notes:
* if you don’t know your video card’s exact model then goto command line and type: lspci
* find the right driver for YOUR videocard. And it’s NOT allways the newest. From nVidias website (http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html) just select the different versions and on each page look under tab “SUPPORTED PRODUCTS”. If you find your video card, you have found your correct driver.
* if you use Kubuntu/KDE instead of Ubuntu/Gnome just use kdm instead of gdm on the commands.
Have fun.
[Reply]