How do I install a graphics-card driver?

[Rlynwood]

Hello,

I should think that the driver I need for my video card already is in the kernel, but since I have a problem with it--otherwise, it seems to working fine; that's why I can use the Ubuntu installation--the helpers I've consulted say that apparently the problem is a driver one.  One helper pointed me to the appropriate driver Man page, but that doesn't tell me how to tell if its already installed (surely it is; how else would I be able to see my desktop and all else?).  How do I tell if it's already installed?  If it isn't, how do I find and install it?

I had the same problem in Kubuntu 8.10.  Now I have Ubuntu 9.10 with Ub's restricted extras and a few other programs installed and, at the moment, nothing else.

Ray

[joe12]

hi ray

yes the basic diver is build into the kernel but for better use of you card do the following :
1) install any update make sure you have back port's enabled   in the sources

installing  your diver by  using envyng :
1)install it by going to the terminal & typing sudo apt-get install envyng-core envyng-qt

2)next Go to Applications->SystemTools->EnvyNG.
3)You can easily install the driver by select the recommended one and click on Apply

4)Alternatively,type this command in terminal:envyng -t

[Rlynwood]

Hello, Joe,

Whoa.  You're way ahead of me.  I am a newbie.

First, where do I find that newest driver, and how do I download it?  Second, how do I enable back ports?  For that matter, what is a back port?  I've never messed with any source code and don't intend to unless I become satisfied that I know what I'm doing.

I'll stop there and pick up with the rest of your instructions after I know that much.  Thanks.

Ray

[silvertones]

First things first. If you're against learning about and using the terminal to do things you might as well uninstall Linux now. Secondly NEVER enter anything into the terminal if you don't know what it'll do. Thirdly only install programs that are available from the Synaptic Packedge Manager other wise you might as well stay with Windows.
For your drivers go to system/ Admin/hardware drivers it'll search for tested proprietary drivers. Just folloe the yellow brick road from there.

[Rlynwood]

I'm not the least bit against using the terminal, but, like anything else, one has to learn to do it.  More about this in another matter below.  I also have no problem with calling up the Man page to learn about a command or how to use the terminal.  So far, I've used only Synaptic Package Manager for installing/uninstalling programs, but I have no problem with using Apt-get; I just haven't learned to use it yet.  Finally, I've already found and run System>Admin>Hardware drivers; it found nothing.  But I still have found evidence--see the post just before yours, other than my response--that there may be a later or better driver.  And I'm definitely having problems that two extraordinarily knowledgeable geeks say almost certainly derive from a video driver problem.  To see what I'm asking about, read Joe's post above.  He suggested that I use EnvyNG.  I've read Wikipedia's description of it, but that's inadequate.  I need to know exactly how to use it.

Re. the terminal, I need to run MD5Sum against a couple of isos that I've downloaded but can't make it work.  No matter what I type, it responds with "No such command."  I know it's extremely easy because I did it a month or two ago; it was dead simple.  Either I'm forgetting something ridiculously simple or something's wrong with my U installation (I was using 8.10 Kubuntu, which I've just replaced with 9.10 Ubuntu).  I haven't found the instructions in the Man page that work, either.  Those isos are on my desktop (for easy access to the burning program).

I'll appreciate some honest help.  Thanks.

[silvertones]

You'll get what you need here.
http://ubuntuforums.org/index.php
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/EnvyNG
EnvyNG is also available through the Synaptic PM

[joe12]

Rlynwood-
sorry i'l clear up :
To install your diver use envyng ( it GUI program very easy to use !!) or -System>Admin>Hardware drivers
-yes you can install envyng by a pm 
-you do not muck -up with any source code in way i sad first  your using the terminal to install it !!!  .
-To turn on back ports go to administration software source   and find & tick back ports run the update manger
is that better ? 
silvertones:
-your right about the terminal use by following Guide eg   

[silvertones]

What am I wrong about? Couldn't understand what you said.

[joe12]

Installing  envyng

1)go to the main menu click accessories  click Terminal

3) next type or copy &paste sudo apt-get install envyng-core envyng-qt
 enter your password.
 
4) type yes and hit return this will install   envyng

5)once you've Finnish installing type exit ( close the terminal)

6) now go to the main menu find system tools , open up envyng

7) install the compatible (ticked one ) apply

restart your pc

how it help's

ps i am a newbie as well (using linux for 2years 
 silvertones
your wrong about nothing my error !!!!!!!
























 
                                                                                     

[silvertones]

It's good that you explained how to do it with the terminal cause at some point it's going to be your best friend. This program is also listed in the Synaptic PM for those who want to use a GUI to install.

[joe12]

yes that right we not like a windows user ,who change unless their allowed to !!!!!

[frankv]

I'm having similar sorts of problems, so I'll add to this thread...

I've just installed Ubuntu 9.10 on an oldish PC to try out. This particular PC has an nVidia TNT2 video card.

It refuses to switch to any resolution higher than 800x600, which is a real pain.

From another help thread, I got the latest nvidia drivers installed, but that didn't help.

From this thread, I got envyng installed. It shows 3 NVIDIA drivers (185.18.36-0ubuntu9, 173.14.20-0ubuntu5, 96.43.13-0ubuntu6), but they're all red-Xed as incompatible

I have played with Linux in the past, so I'm happy with CLI, but I am new to Ubuntu.

[joe12]

Hi frankv

1)If you've install the driver
open up the Terminal and type : gksudo nvidia-settings
to edit the resolution apply and exit .

2) to find the right driver see this post For help on installing card's:
 http://ubuntugeek.com/forum/index.php/topic,103.0.html

[frankv]

Thanks joe12,

When I run nvidia-settings, I get a message

ERROR: NV-CONTROL extension not found on this Display.

in the terminal window.
A window does pop up titled "nVidia X Server Settings",  but I don't see any way to edit the resolution.

The Help associated implies that clicking on Quit will create a config file. Should I edit resolution settings in there? But what is the name of the file?

I also looked at the link you gave... here's the lshw -C video

 

*-display
       description: VGA compatible controller
       product: NV5M64 [RIVA TNT2 Model 64/Model 64 Pro]
       vendor: nVidia Corporation
       physical id: 0
       bus info: pci@0000:01:00.0
       version: 15
       width: 32 bits
       clock: 66MHz
       capabilities: pm agp agp-2.0 bus_master cap_list rom
       configuration: driver=nvidia latency=32 maxlatency=1 mingnt=5
       resources: irq:12 memory:d6000000-d6ffffff memory:d4000000-d5ffffff(prefetchable) memory:d7000000-d700ffff(prefetchable)

So far so good. But the next thing you say there is

-go to administration, software source  and find & tick back ports

I went to Software Sources, but couldn't find any "back ports" to tick. Could you clarify please? The screenshots you mention there didn't seem to be there. If you prefer, you can email me at frank.johnsson (at) gmail (dot) com

Frank

[joe12]

frankv :
In The Nvida setting look a long the side for  X server Display cofig,it sound's like the driver has not being install as it should do the following :

1)go to administration, software source  and find & tick back ports
and for "Updated versions of X.org drivers, libraries, etc. for Ubuntu"
 add this PPA (see screen shot 1)
9:10-ppa:ubuntu-x-swat/x-updates

2) refresh,update, restart if needed

3) reinstall the driver how ever you did and restart your pc .

4) but if  you still issues to do the following :
open up the Terminal :
 update the ld cache:
 sudo ldconfig
then configure your xorg.conf with:
sudo nvidia-xconfig
-And restart your computer.