Help with generic NVIDIA driver.

[07dcolem]

I have a GeForce FX 5600 and I dont really need the full performance of the card I just need it to work at a normal framerate. I am very new at linux but i'm getting better. I'm using KDE now if that helps at all.

I was looking in Kickstart to see if there was anything I might have messed up during the install...I seen an option below the video card selection page that said video memery and mine was like at like 256KB......how can I change that to 64MB or above (i have a 256 mb card).......without installing the NVIDIA factory driver?

Is there a way to change from 256KB to 64MB without re-installing fedora.....im guessing there is but i have no idea how.

[SuperNu]

Have you used system-config-display to try to reconfigure your video card? Also, you can edit /etc/X11/xorg.conf as root and see if under the video card section there is an entry like VideoRam. This is how you specify to X how much ram your video card has. But according to man xorg.conf, X will probe your card and determine this value on its own.

Now, when you say normal framerates, what exactly are you talking about? The default nvidia driver, nv, only provides 2d support. If you want 3d support, then you have to install the nvidia driver. It isn't hard to do at all and there are lots of topics (http://www.fedoraforum.org/forum/search.php?searchid=203398) already going through the steps to properly install the drivers. Just be sure to read the README.txt (ftp://download.nvidia.com/XFree86/Linux-x86/1.0-6111/README.txt) and you should be fine.

--SN

[superbnerd]

While your at it, you should read the manual pagesf or xorg.conf man xorg.conf or use the info system info xorg.conf

[07dcolem]

I was not aware that the default drivers only supported 2d....I've already tried to download the driver from nvidia.com and it wont work becuase it cant find a kernel to download and fails when it tries to compile its own.

[07dcolem]

also, how can I get out of the x window system to go install the nvidia driver?

[superbnerd]

About finding the kernel to compile the interface, I believe you need to have the source code. Install it via yum (http://www.fedorafaq.org/#installsoftware) yum install kernel-sourcecode you should also try to install the drivers from rpm. here is the tutorial (http://www.fedorafaq.org/#nvidia)

About shutting down X, you can just change run levels. As root, give the command telinit 3 you will be put into ren level three. to get back to the the gui mode, once you have finished installing the drivers, you need to be in runlevel 5 telinit 5

[07dcolem]

I am very proud to announce I have found a working driver, thank you very much everyone for your help!!!!
:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

[07dcolem]

this link was VERY HELPFUL!!!! http://www.fedorafaq.org/#nvidia