New to Linux probs with GF2

[Stealth]

I it says in the subject, I am new to linux, haveing a little trouble getting my vidio to work, I selected as low as a generic svga with a res of 600X480 or somthing like that and with every setting I try I get a messed up screen with all kinds of pretty colors and lines(I am new, but just a guess, that's not a good thing). I am running Caldera OpenLinux 2.4. Linux kernal 2.2.14, glibc 2.1.2-3, libc 5-1.0-2 KDE 1.1.2-13 and Xfree86 3.3.6,(I have no idea what all that means, just what it says on the box)that might have been to much info, but I have no idea what everyone will need to know in able to help, if you need more I will be happy to provide. THX in advance.

[engjohn]

you have to go to nvidia's web site and DL the drivers for linux. follow thir instructions and it will work just fine...

[Lews]

Normally I would suggest upgrading your XFree to 4.1.0 but I am not sure what else you might have to upgrade. I would check on Nvidia's site and see if they have drivers that are compatable with the 3.3.6.


If you are adventurous try upgrading to 4.1.0 but there are other stuff you might have to upgrade too.

It seems your distribution might have been around awhile since it uses the 2.2.14 kernel. The most up to date kernel is 2.4.12. I am not too familiar with Caldera but they might have an update system that will update your machine too.

Either way I think you will have problems with XFree 3.3.6 and the Geforce graphics card. I have the Gefore2 as well but am using XFree 4.1.0 and it works great, in 3d acceleration as well.

[Stealth]

I think your right about my dist being around for a while, I picked it up @ a comp show in town for $5 new in sealed box along with mandrake 6.5. I think I will go to the show again this weekend and get Suse 7.1 for $20, I am to new to try all that updating myself right now, and I looked @ the Caldera site and didn't see anything I thought might be helpfull. Will Suse 7.1 auto-config my GF2? or will I ahve to update it as well?

[Lews]

Originally posted by Stealth
Will Suse 7.1 auto-config my GF2? or will I ahve to update it as well?

Suse 7.1 comes with XFree86 4.0.2 and kernel 2.4.4. This should work great with your geforce 2 and if you have any usb devices.

You should have no problem working in Xwindows. Whether it be KDE, Gnome, WindowMaker..etc.

If you want to used 3d acceleration then download and install the drivers from nvidia.com.

This is the minimum requirements for the drivers from their readme file.


o linux kernel 2.2.12 # cat /proc/version
o XFree86 4.0.1 # XFree86 -version
o Kernel modutils 2.1.121 # insmod -V


You should have no problem there.

There is a good tutorial on how to install these drivers at http://www.evil3d.net

Good luck!

[David]

OK, I had roughly the same spec of linux (SuSE 7, Kernel 2.2.16, XFree 3.3.6 etc).

Get a hold of XFree 86 4.1 off a coverdisc or something, although 4.0.1 will do. Download the rpm files for your distro from www.nvidia.com

In the dir with all the XFree stuff type:

sh Xinstall.sh

and then answer the questions etc etc
After that go to where the rpms are and type:

rpm -Uvh NVIDIA_GLXxxxxx.rpm --force --nodeps

(xxxxx depends on the rpm you get)
Do the same for the kernel one.

viola!

[David]

Oops!

*edit*

Install the kernel FIRST.

[Hack]

Yup.. Just like they are telling you. Get into XFree86 4.01 or newer. The 4.10 binaries "should" just drop in for you without any other modifications required. Then head off to NVidia and get the drivers from them. You'll need two files, one for the kernel and the other for X itself which has the GL support in it.

Hack

[ken257]

I have run SuSE 7.1 and now 7.2 with a GF2 using NVidias drivers, it works great. Both of these versions of SuSE will auto set up the GF2 card but you will not have 3D acceleration until you install NVidia's drivers but at least you will have a fully functioning system after the install of SuSE is complete. If you have the option at the show of getting 7.2 do it. Things are a little more up to date then 7.1 and some of the configuration files that were in non-standard locations in 7.1 are now where they belong at least so they agree with other popular distos conventions.

[Stealth]

I went to Suse site and seen ver 7.3 is coming, I will wait a little longer for that, one last question I have a USB mouse and several other USB devices (5) will they work in linux, I did a little reading a while back and read that linux isn't verry compatible with USB devices.

[ken257]

A few weeks ago I installed SuSE 7.2 on a friends comp. It had a HP USB printer and a MS USB wheel mouse. Both devices were picked up during the install and work fine. The 2.4 kernal has better support for usb then older ones. So stick with a modern distro and you should be fine. Although it gets shady when you want devices such as web cams and digital cameras to work but many basic popular things now work.

[Stealth]

Thanks ken256, That anwsered my question perfectly. I look forward to the release of Suse 7.3, I'll let you all know when I get it. THX for all the help, peace