How to install the Nvidia proprietary driver in CentOS

Greetings!

Something handy for everyone, from your grandpa to your clueless friend. Well, not really, but still a jolly good geek read. A tutorial explaining how to install the Nvidia properietary driver in CentOS 6, including manual download, installation of build tools (kernel sources, headers, gcc, make), blacklisting Nouveau driver, switching runlevels, installation from command line, testing, and more.

http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/centos-nvidia.html


Cheers,
Mrk

 

Thank for the article. Mrk.

ATrpms offers support for the NVidia video devices too.
There is something funny with that, though, it has all the modules for the current kernel, but still insists on installing a different (bit outdated) kernel. You need to search for the correct kernel module ( yum search nvidia-graphics280 | grep $(uname -r) ) and install it explicitly.

 

Thank you Mrk,

I don't think epel has the drivers, are you sure you didn't get them from atrpms ?
in Scientific installing the drivers from atrpms, which I initially did, gave me troubles .. after kernel update
From Xorg log:-

All due to nouveau, despite having added rdblacklist=nouveau to the kernel line.
I was advised by Scientific forum to rather install from elrepo. This solved all my problems, even after kernel updates. The blacklist-nouveau.conf file entry took care of itself - nothing for me to do.

 

Thank for the article. Mrk.

its great there is both ways to do things

but out of curiosity may i ask why you didnt use kmod or akmod nvidia is there any special reason

http://elrepo.org/tiki/kmod-nvidia


http://rpmfusion.org/Howto/nVidia

 

No reason ... There is no simple answers.
All of your questions and suggestions could go into a sequel.
Mrk

 

I've amended my post #3 showing that the problem occurred after my very first kernel update.
So as far as I am concerned stay away from atrpms for nvidia drivers.

 

i used to install kmod drivers on fedora never have problem with any

simple and work although they are little old mostly i see a version back of long term supported one

i guess they use long-lived branch release

https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=307839

the one i am using right now is 275.21-1.el6.elrepo.x86_64.rpm

http://elrepo.org/linux/elrepo/el6/x86_64/RPMS/?C=M;O=D

 

which kernel version you got ocky may i ask

 

"# yum install nvidia-graphics":

Here you see how ATrpms suggests to install the outdated kernel *-71.7.1.el6 while the system is running kernel *71.29.1.el6. and a search for the module for the current kernel shows it as available:



So, before installing nvidia-graphics, I installed the correct kernel module and then ATrpms continues with installing NVidia drivers for the current kernel and ignores the outdated kernel.

 

Well, I am still on the older 270.14.19-1 because the 275.21-1 gave me some problems with the panel. The 280.13-138 is so far only available from elrepo testing. As soon as it is in stable I will try it. I prefer to stick with elrepo rather than atrpms for now.

 

is your panel look like this

if so my solution is

system>preference>desktop effect now click on select compiz effect

then you see what i am posting right now

but after you click on compiz icon (install compiz icon)

everything work ok

just make sure you have your compiz also set it from compiz icon instead of metacity it work like charm and do it in order

 

i mean i you open compiz icon 1st and them desktop effect setting you didnt get it work right

i guess problem is with gtk or somthing but this silly way work for me no problems so far

 

280 works for me without any issues ...
Mrk

 

Yes, thank you mack_guy, it looks like the same problem. It doesn't happen at all with my current drivers. Strange. Do you need to do that every morning after booting SL6.1



Mrk. has no problems with the 280xx drivers, so maybe it will be sorted out once I install those.

 

Mack, what have you done to get the window manager icon in the panel, how is that application called? (settings manager seems generic)

 

yes i have to click on compiz icon only every time

too much work


To be honest i dont use compiz at all only when playfull mood

 

its compiz fusion icon sorry is look diffrent because of the theme

just install compiz icon and when click on it you get it there and on right click you can set everything from it.

 

Ah, thank you,

So, when Ocky adds /usr/bin/fusion-icon to the startup applications (system / preferences) then it starts automatically, no extra clicking required.

Seems to work that way on my system.

Hm?

 

I have two buttons. Fusion icon and emerald icon for switching themes. Either works well, but in the background, they are doing compiz --replace and such. It's convenient for tweaking this thing on and off when you need and choosing the right window manager and decorations.
Mrk

 

The icon resides in the panel. Whether compiz starts automatically is governed by the entry
placed in the settings manager under Window Decoration. If you add the icon to the panel it will allow easy selection.



I don't use emerald in SL6.1

 

New one out. Stable 285.05.09-1 (from elrepo)

No problems with panels.

 

strange my kernel is

2.6.32-131.17.1.el6.x86_64

and nvidia

kmod 275.21-1

but after updating it to kmod 285.05.09-1

and reboot

it give me blank screen with flickering cursor LOOL

 

Sorry mack_guy not a laughing matter, but it looks like I am the lucky one this time, also
with same kernel as yours.
BTW.I didn't uninstall the nouveau driver. It is only blacklisted.

 

hahahah thats true did you update kernel or something after install i believe kmod tweak kernel itself please correct me

i try again if not work then i roll back again hehehehe

great feature

http://www.if-not-true-then-false.com/2010/yum-history-list-info-summary-repeat-redo-undo-new/

 

The kernel update came through before I installed nvidia drivers. I am happy
Yes, that roll back feature is very useful.