The 2.6.28 kernel and the missing NVIDIA module

Haha, a few days back, I tried installing the 2.6.28 kernel. It went well, except that the XServer wouldn't start up.

It crashed with the following report:


(EE) NVIDIA(0): Failed to load the NVIDIA kernel module!
(EE) NVIDIA(0): *** Aborting ***
(EE) Screen(s) found, but none have a usable configuration


But then, I noticed that the nvidia-kernel I installed was 2.6.26-1 and so, needed to update that. Well, a kernel installed _not_ from the repository would obviously need a nvidia-kernel install _not_ from the repo. ;)

A google search a couple of clicks later and some information from here, I landed at the-> NVIDIA's UNIX Drivers Portal

Grabbed the 180.22 version, the latest version for Linux AMD64/EM64. Follow instructions (essentially, chmod +x and run as root). It said my kernel was not new enough and tries to download the latest by ftp. In my case, I refused and it continued fine. Btw, you can't install the driver while you're running X.

Note: You should have the nvidia-xconfig program for the installation to go on smoothly, otherwise you'll end up with another problem

Installation and a reboot later, this is how it looks. :)

NVIDIA on Linux, an update

Another in the sequence of "update" posts.

I must say I was wrong when I said "bloody Nvidia drivers for Linux" here

Well, after three more Debian installations, I found out that the problem was not with the Nvidia drivers but with what they do when they are installed.

Err, let me clarify. On your first boot, Debian has a particular xorg.conf that it follows till you install, let's say nvidia-kernel-173.14.09. When you install this, the xorg.conf is replaced by an effectively blank xorg.conf

A way out, you ask? Well, install nvidia-xconfig and run it as superuser (as root, or use su) it will rewrite your xorg.conf. Reboot.

To further fine tune your control over your Nvidia graphics card/chipset, install nvidia-settings. Incase of Ubuntu, it will show up in Applications>System Tools, but somehow doesn't do so on Debian. Well, sudo nvidia-settings in the terminal does the job. So, no more complaints.

Sorry, Nvidia.

Pidgin for dummies, an update

I once wrote how to setup your Google Talk account on Pidgin, but that was on Windows.There are a few differences how to go about the same in Linux, and this post covers it.

If you have any doubts, please refer to the previous discussion here or leave a query in the comments section.

The only change is in the Advanced tab. You do not need to check the "Require SSL/TLS" but you need to check the "Allow plaintext auth over unencrypted streams"

Leave the connect port and connect server as they are.

Set the "Proxy Options" if you connect to the net through a proxy and want to specify a particular proxy, or leave it to "Use Gnome Proxy Settings" or "Use Environmental Settings".

Here is a screenshot.



Don't forget to click on Save!

[24/01/2009] Edit: You still have to check the "Require SSL/TLS" in case you are running Windows