Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

gray · Posted: Wed 03 Oct 2007, 08:00 Post_subject: Nvidia drivers for Puppy 3.0

For the new kernel (2.6.21.7) of Puppy 3.0 I have put together the set of three driver packages for nvidia cards.

nvidia-7186.pet for ancient nvidia graphics cards (riva TNT to Geforce 1).

nvidia-9643.pet for most nvidia cards (officially Gf2 to Gf4 but have tested on Gf7 OK).

nvidia-100.14.19.pet for latest cards (Gf5 to Gf8).

All available at http://download.tuxfamily.org/nop/

The pet packages install modified nvidia pkg1.run files to /tmp.
After this is complete drop out of X [ ctrl alt backspace ] and at the prompt enter install_nvidia and accept the defaults.
Then run xorgwizard and test the required resolution and finally run xwin.

raffy · Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 4639 Location: Manila

This will be very useful for graphics-intensive play or work. Thanks, gray.

cb88 · Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Posts: 1160 Location: USA

@ gray wow had already compiled the 9xxx driver for 3.00 and it had a nice postinstall script that you might like to take a look at: http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=22204

moncha · Joined: 14 Sep 2007 Posts: 24

Thanks for the drivers. I've come to count on your drivers for every new puppy release. Cool

flagman · Joined: 27 Aug 2007 Posts: 21 Location: Flagstaff, AZ

Just a warning to those running a Geforce 6200LE video card, as I've had the same problem with this card and Nvidia drivers under Ubuntu.

After a successful driver install and reboot, video disappears except under Xorg (no video after CTRL+1 or 2). The card's output is profoundly affected as the monitor instantly goes into the sleep mode.

I reported this to Ubuntu as a possible bug. It was bumped to Nvidia as a suspected driver problem.

The solution under Ubuntu Feisty is to pass the kernel option "vga=771" (other values may also work) via grub . I've tried to do this under Puppy 3.0 but it's not worked - I boot from flash and the process appears different than with Ubuntu.

BTW, if anyone can advise as to how one adds or changes kernel boot options on a flash Puppy install, I'd appreciate hearing more.

Lobster · Posted: Mon 08 Oct 2007, 04:14 Post_subject:

I tried (I also had ezpup installed) and got completely stuffed up.

Basically I was stuck with xorgwizard and Vesa, trying to change and tweak settings and get xorg working.

Nada. Nothing. Had to abandon ship - luckily I run from CD and just reverted to one of my other saved save files when rebooting

How are others getting on?

I tried (must have been the previous nvidia .pet with Linux Tmxxine Prism (also uses Ezpup) and that was fine . . .

sketchman · Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 219 Location: West Virginia, USA

Thanks again.

Got the 100.14.19 running my 8600. One weird problem, though. In puppy 2.17 I got upwards of 50fps with 3d demo in 3dcc. Now, I'm only getting 25 tops. Is that the driver's fault?

gray · Posted: Wed 10 Oct 2007, 05:56 Post_subject: Nvidia Drivers

sketchman: I suspect the reason for the slow frame rate is that the driver has not installed correctly. I think there is something amiss with the nvidia installer Crying or Very sad

.

At first the driver seems to install and work OK, but then when you save puppy and reboot (frugal install) there can be problems. I consistently get "invalid ELF header" error in xerrors.log and have been trying to figure out what is wrong Confused

.

Instead of using a custom nvidia pkg file and nvidia installer method I have gone back to just packaging up all the driver files into a pet package - as wow did for his 9643 pet. I have even pinched his pinstall.sh script (thanks for pointing that out cb88 Smile

)

So now there are 3 new nvidia driver pet packages at the tuxfamily download site above, hopefully these work OK.

NVIDIA-100.14.19-k2.6.21.7.pet
NVIDIA-964301-k2.6.21.7.pet
NVIDIA-718601-k2.6.21.7.pet

sketchman · Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 219 Location: West Virginia, USA

Thank you, very much.

Getting 50's again.

Very Happy

Time for TORCS.

ecomoney · Posted: Thu 01 Nov 2007, 23:51 Post_subject: Creative GB0010

Hi, I have tried this on my Creative Technology 3D Blaster Annihilator2 (32 MB) AGP Graphic Card, which from some research is a rebranded NVIDIA GeForce2 GTS using the NVIDIA-964301-k2.6.21.7.pet file.

First off I was pleased to see a graphical installation wizard (I didint have to exit X to the command line to install...always nice to see!). unfortunately after reinstall I couldnt restart x. Typing xorgwizard and setting up xorg didint work either, so at the moment Im using xvesa. Ive got a fresh 3.01 pup save file. I tried deleting /etc/X11/xorg.conf on making a copy of it from /etc/X11/xorg.conf.bak but xorg still wouldnt restart.

This card would be a good candidate for puppyfication as it doesnt have an XP driver. Is it compatible with the nvidia drivers?

cb88 · Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Posts: 1160 Location: USA

@eco did you try running nvidia-xconfig?

i have had that problem too I think that your card is compatible there is just something else wrong maybe the diver didn't install correctly not really sure

but my card does indeed work with that driver I have the geforce2 400mx

gray · Posted: Fri 02 Nov 2007, 04:18 Post_subject: GF2 GTS

The GF2 GTS is an old card - maybe the 7186 drivers will work better (but start with a fresh pupsave file).

cb88 · Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Posts: 1160 Location: USA

http://www.nvidia.com/page/geforce2.html

geforce2 gts is a higher performance card than the 400mx and is about twice as powerfull(just by looking at factory specs not real life)

in fact he may need to use the latest diver since the gts has shaders making it a more modern card.... http://www.nvidia.com/page/geforce2.html

strangely nvidia directs you to the 9xxx driver for the 400mx and the 7xxx driver for the gts which is a higher end card (but more rare so maybe support is not as good?)

I don't think that either card is "oficially" supported anymore...since they arn't on the supported cards list

ecomoney · Posted: Sat 03 Nov 2007, 12:26 Post_subject: Correct

The driver I needed was the older one that is, NVIDIA-718601-k2.6.21.7.pet . I have got the nvidia splash screen when I restarted x, doing some tests....

vampire666 · Joined: 15 Nov 2007 Posts: 29

Hi.
I'm a complete n00b of linux so please guys don't be harsh on me. Smile

I have successfully installed puppy 3.01 on hard drive.
I have the screen image de-centered and doing some researches I came up to this thread.

Puppy is installed on a Celeron Mendocino 488Mhz, 128MB ram and Geforce2 MX 440.

I was wondering if installing these drivers (nvidia-9643.pet) would be a wise thing to do. Will it fix my de-centered image problem? Will I have a boots in performances? Will I risk to screw up things?

Thanks in advance.

P.S. If someone would be so kind to tell me how to install these drivers (or point me somewhere else) It would be great.

P.S.2. Puppy rules. Never dreamed to use my old computer again.