[Solved]nVidia driver install kills X

windowsatemyhomework · n00b Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 22

I installed the nVidia drivers just the way the guide told me to, but when I restarted X after installing and updating everything, I got the error message "(EE) NVIDIA(0): Failed to initialize the NVIDIA kernel module!" at the end of Xorg.0.log.

I had already recompiled my kernel with support for loadable modules and MTRR. I am using a GeForce 6800, which is on the list of supported cards, and I have a second one which I will hook up in SLI as soon as these drivers get installed and work.

tehdarkknight · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2006 3:23 am Post subject:

Can I ask which drivers you installed? Some tend to be unstable or just not work.
For instance, I have a GeForce 6600, and I had to use the newest drivers (8178)
instead of the stable ones.

windowsatemyhomework · n00b Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 22

I'm not sure, but it shows up after emerge --search nvidia as version 1.0.6629.

davidgurvich · Veteran Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 1063

Have you confirmed that the nvidia module is actually loaded?
Use 'lsmod |grep nvidia'. Also, confirm that you compiled against the currently running kernel. See if /usr/src/linux is pointing to the same kernel version that is actually running.

windowsatemyhomework · n00b Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 22

I just downloaded the file straight from nvidia's website and ran the install program as root, the way the online directions tell you too, and it worked fine, and I got the newest drivers. thanks