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Ubuntu & Graphics Cards

  • 21-11-2010 5:22pm
    #1
    PDD
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,019 ✭✭✭


    Hi Folks.

    I've been playing around with Ubuntu and a few of its flavours for the past few weeks as I want to use it for a HTPC and also for my desktop however there is one big big stumbling block. Ubuntu seems to lick donkey balls when it comes to dealing with graphics cards. I have 4 machines with either nVidia or GeForce graphics cards and every time I enable them and install proprietary drivers it cocks up my screen resolution and caps it at 1024x768.

    For my HTPC this is a real bummer as I have it hooked up to a 32" TV which it doesn't recognise either. Not to mention the tools from nVidia for dealing with dual displays are in my opinion very basic and seem to be a token horrendously half arsed scraps given to silence the OS community esp when compared to their windows drivers.

    On my desktop when I first installed Ubuntu it booted up in 800x600 but when I hit the Monitors applet it autodetected my Acer 22" monitor and set the resolution to 1600x1200. I used it for a day or two and then decided to enable the graphics card. Again as soon as I did this Ubuntu then refused to recognise my monitor and would only provide an 800x600 resolution.

    Does anyone know of any good definitive guides on how to configure Ubutnu with nVidia and GeForce cards. I have found a few but they are all very hodge podge and as usual some Linux Guru has been helpful in providing information but doesnt make it understandable. Any help would be appreciated as I would really like to convert to Linux.

    Regards,

    Dave


Comments

  • #2
    Mycroft H
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,313 ✭✭✭Mycroft H


    Ahh i remember the first time i installed Nvidia drivers, I was pulling my hair out :D

    I usually find when the GUI driver installation fails its better to install them the manual way - Its not that hard and usually more reliable.


    Firstly download the correct version here

    If you are using a recent Nvidia video card eg. 8600gt or gt260 ect download the 260.19.12 driver. Make sure you get the architecture right ie 64 bit or 32 bit.


    Download the driver and place it on your desktop.

    To uninstall the current drivers

    System > Additional Drivers > and "remove"

    This will uninstall your current Nvidia drivers

    Its always safer to restart here I think
    sudo reboot now

    Ubuntu will now restart in low graphics mode now.

    Enter the terminal by Ctrl+Alt+F1

    1. 
    sudo service gdm stop

    This will temp. stop the display manager to allow you to install the drivers

    2. 
    cd Desktop
    (remember Desktop starts with a capital, Linux is case sensitive)

    Navigate to the desktop

    3. 
    sudo sh ./Nxxxxxxxx
    (After you type the first "N" hit TAB and the rest of the file name should appear provided there isn't any other programmes that begin with N on the desktop)

    4. Follow the instructions within the program. When it asks do you want to automatically configure the xorg.conf config file hit "yes"

    5. When it’s successful and you are back at the terminal 
    sudo reboot


    Annnnnnd fingers crossed you will have fixed your problem. :D

    and dont give up :P

    linux is quite rewarding


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