installing nvidia drivers on ubuntu

[pmv]

How do I install nvidia drivers on an ubantu PC? (with a gf4 Mx 420 card - yes I know its very old, its an old PC, that's why I've put linux on it!).

---snip--- tale of woe trying to get Ubantu running properly without net connection deleted ----

Could someone familiar with Ubuntu, or at least linux, tell me how to procede?

 

[compman25]

System---Administration---Hardware Drivers. Select highest version and click Activate.

 

[pmv]

Thanks, but I tried that and it doesn't work because the system administration hardware drivers box is completely empty - it says no proprietary drivers installed.

somewhere else I got it to produce a list of several nvidia drivers but the were all too recent for my hardware and in any case required a net connection to install.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

I ENVY you. I had to fight to get my ATI drivers installed.

Look for Envy for linux, it will install the graphics drivers for ATI or Nvidia

 

[pmv]

OK, thanks for the suggestion. I found some mention of ENVY, but does it not require the machine to be on the net so it can download the required drivers and other stuff?


Hmmm, yes it indeed does, so doesn't solve the problem.

It does seem that linux is not a viable option for a machine that isn't connected to the net. With windows one can just download a single 'driver' file and transfer it to the target machine, run it, reboot, and you are done. Ubuntu seems to require a lot of additional stuff to be downloaded and installed first, and I can't find any information as to what files exactly are required. Programs like ENVY presumably figure that out for you but aren't any use if the target machine isn't on the net!

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Well how are you downloading the drivers to install manually?
You can always try downloading the nvidia drivers and putting them on a flash drive and see if Envy can look locally.
Hit up www.ubuntuforums.org That's your best bet for help.

 

[pmv]

Thanks, I do appreciate the suggestions, but I think I'm going to revert to XP for the time being. ENVY refuses to even run without a net connection. I'm downloading the drivers via an XP machine in another location, but it appears that to get drivers to install on the linux box I have to download and install a long list of additional linux components that aren't on the cd, and its not at all clear exactly which components I need. Linux honestly seems to not be a good choice for a non-net connected box! I expect if it were online it could just do it all automatically via ENVY.

 

[Crusty]

Originally posted by: pmv
Thanks, I do appreciate the suggestions, but I think I'm going to revert to XP for the time being. ENVY refuses to even run without a net connection. I'm downloading the drivers via an XP machine in another location, but it appears that to get drivers to install on the linux box I have to download and install a long list of additional linux components that aren't on the cd, and its not at all clear exactly which components I need. Linux honestly seems to not be a good choice for a non-net connected box! I expect if it were online it could just do it all automatically via ENVY.

It's fine for a non-net connected box, but you need to be able to source your software locally. Most distros will have a download option for a DVD version that has more packages on the disc then the net-install versions.

 

[pmv]

Fair point, I'll have a look to see if there's a more complete installation option. As it is I haven't got the firestarter firewall, but can't get it till I put the machine on line, which seems a bit of a catch 22 really. Thanks. I wanna give Linux a try because my windows are all OEM and I don't want to have to buy another OS when I next upgrade.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Why can't you just hook the Linux PC up to the net and get it going? You're looking for the hardest way possible here. Just hook it up and get it over with.

 

[pmv]

Yes, a good question, I admit. It means physically moving the machine a significant distance, but I'm thinking I might just have to bite the bullet.

But forgive my newbieness, but is it secure to hook it up before I've configured the firewall? How secure is Linux by default? I can't figure out how to set up the firewall via command line, and can't get a GUI for it till its on line.

Funny, I used to use unix, VMS and MVS, but a decade of using windows seems to have made my brain go soft, I can no longer function without a GUI.

 

[compman25]

If you're using ubuntu and haven't installed any extra stuff then there are no open ports, you don't need to screw around with a firewall.

 

[pmv]

Thanks to all.
OK, well I got it on line and, after 4+ hours downloading and installing a zillion updates (!) it seems to be up and working fine. I shouldn't be down on Linux, last time I installed XP it had to download dozens of essential updates before being fully functional also, I guess that's just the way it is now.
Now if I could just find some working linux drivers for the modem so I can connect it via usb rather than using the only ethernet plug, I'd be sorted.

While I'm here - what's a good anti virus/ anti spyware etc for Linux?

 

[Crusty]

Why do you want to connect it using USB? If the machine is as old as you say I doubt it has USB 2.0, which depending on your internet connection might not be enough bandwidth.

If you're concerned about security you should be running a hardware firewall device(like a SOHO router) and hook your modem up to that. They use PAT which effectively masks your internal network from the public, and most have additional fire walling functionality. Then on top of that, run software firewalls on the computers hooked into the SOHO router to further protect from internal threats(like other users being infected by worms) and anybody who might be able to get through the SOHO box.

edit: Just saw your question about AV/Spyware

You really don't need any of that for Linux. If you are running a file server, mail server or ftp server where you will be storing data that others users might be sending then you would use an av-scanner to scan those stores. I use clamav and amavis on the mail servers I run.

I typically don't mess with too much security on desktop machines(aside from firewalls), but for servers it's a different story.

What purpose does this machine serve?