Nvidia Privative Drivers installation

Thanatermesis · June 24, 2019, 6:49pm

Elive NVIDIA Proprietary Driver Installation Guide

This guide focuses exclusively on installing NVIDIA proprietary drivers on your already installed Elive system. The open-source nouveau driver often claims the graphics card first, causing conflicts. To succeed, we must boot into a clean console environment, without graphical interfaces or framebuffers, and then use the streamlined Elive tool.

The Elive Way (Strongly Recommended)

Elive provides a dedicated tool, nvidia-privative-drivers-install, that automates the entire process. It handles package installation, kernel header matching, module compilation, blacklisting, and Xorg configuration. It exists to make this notoriously difficult task easy for everyone.

Please report any failures to the Elive team. Every bug report helps us improve the tool so it works flawlessly for all hardware configurations.

Step-by-Step: Installing on an Installed Elive System

1. Boot into a Non-Graphical, Non-Framebuffer Console

To install the proprietary driver, nouveau must be completely absent and the framebuffer must not claim the GPU. Follow these steps to enter a pristine text console:

Reboot your computer.
At the GRUB boot menu, highlight your Elive entry and press the e key to edit the boot parameters.
Find the line that starts with the word linux. It contains the kernel and boot arguments.
Append the following parameters to that line (separated by spaces):
```
modprobe.blacklist=nouveau nomodeset 3
```
- modprobe.blacklist=nouveau – Prevents the kernel from loading the open-source driver.
- nomodeset – Disables kernel mode setting (KMS), preventing the framebuffer from taking over your NVIDIA card.
- 3 – Boots directly into runlevel 3 (multi-user text mode) instead of starting the graphical interface.
Remove the quiet and splash parameters if present, this gives you verbose output to track any errors during boot.
Press F10 (or Ctrl+X) to boot with your modified parameters.

Example of Grub boot menu to edit:

You will now be dropped into a text-based login prompt.

2. Run the Elive Installation Tool

Log in as root or your normal user (then use sudo). Now, execute the tool.

Basic Interactive Installation

Simply run:

sudo nvidia-privative-drivers-install

The tool will detect your NVIDIA card, suggest a recommended driver version, and guide you through the installation.

Advanced Options (Based on the New Tool)

The tool now supports a comprehensive set of flags for precise control:

Option	Description
`-a`	Auto install – Runs non-interactively using the recommended driver.
`-d`	Detect only – Returns `true`/`false` if an NVIDIA card is present.
`-l`	Live mode – Pre-asks if you want to install, more interactive (useful for Live sessions).
`-f`	Force install – Proceeds even if no NVIDIA card is explicitly found.
`-q`	Quiet mode – Suppresses non-essential output.
`-c`	Check only – Tells you which driver version your card requires.
`-t`	Test driver – Verifies if the driver is correctly installed and functioning.
`-m <model>`	Model/Version – Specify a particular driver branch. Options: `current`, `tesla-418`, `tesla-450`, `tesla-460`, `legacy-390xx`, `legacy-340xx`, `legacy-304xx`, `legacy-173xx`, `legacy-96xx`, etc.
`-x <features>`	Extra features – Installs additional components like `cuda`, `optix`, `icd`, etc.
`-u`	Uninstall drivers – Completely removes the proprietary NVIDIA drivers.
`-s`	Safe mode – Does not remove conflicting modules (use cautiously).
`-v`	Verbose mode – Provides detailed output for debugging.

Examples

Install the driver and include Cuda & extra support:
```
sudo nvidia-privative-drivers-install -x
```
Install the recommended driver automatically:
```
sudo nvidia-privative-drivers-install -a
```

Install a specific legacy driver with CUDA support:

sudo nvidia-privative-drivers-install -m legacy-390xx -x cuda

Check which driver your card needs without installing:
```
sudo nvidia-privative-drivers-install -c
```

Uninstall the proprietary drivers:

sudo nvidia-privative-drivers-install -u

Menu to select your nvidia driver with automatic detection:

Successfully installed NVIDIA proprietary drivers:

3. Finalize the Installation

Once the tool finishes successfully:

Update your initramfs (the tool usually does this, but it's safe to run manually):
```
sudo update-initramfs -u
```
Reboot your system:
```
sudo reboot
```
Upon reboot, the graphical interface should start normally with the proprietary drivers active.

Alternative Methods (Not Recommended)

While we highly encourage using the Elive tool, we acknowledge other methods exist. We advise against them for the following reasons:

Debian Official Method – The Debian NVIDIA Wiki describes a manual process using dkms and Debian's packaged drivers. It is fragile, requires manual blacklisting, strict version matching, and intricate Xorg configuration. It offers zero automation for different legacy cards and frequently breaks on kernel updates. Only use this if you are a Debian expert.
NVIDIA Official .run Installer – Downloading the .run file from NVIDIA's website might give you the newest version, but:
- It pollutes your system with files outside the package manager, making removal extremely messy.
- It breaks every time the kernel updates (requiring manual reinstallation).
- It does not integrate with Elive's display manager or power management properly.
- Using it prevents the Elive tool from being improved, we rely on your feedback to fix issues for everyone.

If you absolutely must try the .run installer (e.g., for a very specific new GPU not yet supported), boot with the same modprobe.blacklist=nouveau nomodeset 3 parameters mentioned above, log in as root, and execute the .run file. Be prepared to handle kernel updates manually.

Important Final Tips

Update the tool first to ensure you have the latest fixes and features:
```
sudo apui elive-tools
```
If the installation fails, open a console or terminal (if the graphical session loads partially) and examine the logs. The tool outputs clear error messages. Report your findings to the Elive community so the tool can be refined and made flawless for everyone.
Remember: the Elive tool is your best friend for NVIDIA drivers, use it, test it, and help us make it perfect!

Thanatermesis · June 3, 2020, 5:50am

New drivers for the next build 3.8.14:

All of them pre-cached in the iso
"current" version is 440.82 from buster-backports
legacy ones are from main debian buster
tesla's are own backported builds from sid
all of them installs correctly, cached (offline-able), and compilesn successfully, but I dont have all the hardware / models to test them:

NOTE: this thread has many unneeded posts, Im thinking to delete all / most of them in order to cleanup the thread for useful related info specifically about the drivers

triantares · June 3, 2020, 8:33am

Yes, definitely clean it up ... it has become totally unwieldy.
Actually the first and your last post should suffice.

Thanatermesis · June 3, 2020, 3:01pm

100 posts deleted I needed some time to scroll all of them down

There's nothing wrong on deleting useless posts like many offtopic things or answers which says nothing (me included do this a lot), in order to improve the forum for others

Thanatermesis · June 4, 2020, 11:17pm

There's also more improvements for the next build 3.8.14:

the drivers to include in the installed system may have failed in the past (autodetected), now it will make sure that is using the same version of the last driver you selected from the tool
the installer of elive includes the option to select if you want extra features for your nvidia card, like CUDA and some others, the asking for include it is mostly because this option takes almost 2 GB more in your install

@Franc could be good if you test the next 3.8.14 and tell me if the CUDA works correctly in your installed system

Franc · June 5, 2020, 12:10pm

Hi!

ASAP!!

Franc · July 12, 2020, 10:03am

Hello!

On eeepc 1015pn live, is it possible to activate CUDA? I see nothing related during start procedure nor via menus in E or Cairo...
Verified (as usual) by launching Blender (the-new-2.82a- -that-is-now-included-in-the-.iso) and going in preferences > system > CUDA : didn't find cuda processor...
Install process en route: perhaps it appears during this?
Or is there a special command to set it on?

EDIT: So, near the end of install, it asks for setting cuda (bla-bla 2Gb blabla), off course clicking "OK", & after some seconds, got a full black screen, no indications at all, impossible to go on tty 12 to see eventually what's happen, any attempt to swap tty doing nothing; Black screen, computer still "on" (led wise), the HDD led flashing sometimes...
As HDD led optionally tell it's going on, I let it running "on the night" for a while, hopping it to finish ok.........

Salutations.

Thanatermesis · July 12, 2020, 2:02pm

done

yes and no, you technically can, but the installer of nvidia-drivers doesn't include it (maybe it should include it for the persistence mode), the reason is simply because cuda requires a TON of space (more than 1GB if im not wrong, which in live mode translates to RAM used), in other words you need to have a lot of RAM free otherwise your computer block with out-of-ram

its better to perform an install on the hard disk (migration mode to a previous elive, with 3.8.14), the installer should ask you to install cuda and all should work out of the box

I assume you are talking about you tried to install cuda in live mode (yes this can be a behaviour like getting out of ram), so as said, install elive and select to install cuda for hte installed system only

Franc · July 12, 2020, 3:28pm

Hi!

Well, for the live mode, effectively, with the Gb's to deal with, could be a "no way", or with big amount of ram & time...

Errh... "of course and no": it's during install of 3.8.14 from usb, and still no evolution since precedent message! Trying again to go to tty12 or anything else does nada, black screen, power led on, hdd led blinking sometimes...

Ih!

Thanatermesis · July 12, 2020, 4:03pm

It was your install with a 390 version and/or from edh* email ? (I have received an nvidia report with failed install of drivers in the installed system)

Franc · July 12, 2020, 5:31pm

Hi!

Well, no: For now I test with the eeepc 1015pn, so it's 340xx...
I in fine stop the machine on this black screen, taping "anywhere" on the keyboard gives me a somewhat full screen console with no indications and nothing to deal with...
After booting on this not finished installation, it goes to E, but with some lacks, as web connection possibility, B43 things, Blender starting grey & stopping...
I bet I have to re-usb install from scratch, but if you can have an idea from this point at cuda install..?

EDIT: Trying again to install with the cuda option (eeepc 1015pn, 340xx), quite same no go, except that this time I have at least a screen after the black one;
Here it is:

Salutations!

Franc · July 30, 2020, 12:32pm

Hi!

In a new try, with dual operation: installation by morphing (migration) from CAELinux, with CUDA, on the eeepc 1015pn, same screen blablabla recursive fault blabla...

Ih!

TheTechRobo · August 28, 2020, 6:07pm

Should I use the Nouveau or proprietary drivers for an Asus GTX 1650 Super? (I'm building a PC, and would love to use the open source drivers but heard that they're CRAP.)

triantares · August 28, 2020, 6:53pm

Try both!!
This is beta testing after all and it would be good to hear more experiences.
In my experience Nouveau just about makes the card work, not much more....for more GPU features, you will need the proprietary drivers.

Franc · September 28, 2020, 3:02pm

Hello!

New tests with 3.8.17 /64 live usb, for now on:
Precision M4400: impossible to run it, from start or elsewhere;
By the way, can't find the command nvidia-privative-drivers-install: What's up????
Eeepc 1015pn: runs ok but the option for setting CUDA is gone...?

EDIT for completion: on M4400, when usb booting with nvidia privative drivers, it starts until the double "OK" before E16 desktop launch, then going to write errors, tryings without x, y, .... and nothing more.......

Salutations!

Thanatermesis · October 2, 2020, 4:23pm

sudo

sudo nvidia-privative-drivers-install -h

mmmh... i need more info:

this means that no "nvidia installer" is run ?
I assume you tried with both new and old kernels? (that's important to know if the issue is with the kernel or with the driver of nvidia)
what driver of nvidia is the one you use for it? the 340-xx one?

Franc · October 3, 2020, 3:10pm

Hi!

I'll verify, but I'm quite sure to have fit the sudo (if not, it should write a blabla, isn't it?)...

On the M4400, I didn't think about testing with the old kernel >> will asap..!

For those two machines, it's still 340-xx!

What about the disappeared CUDA install option that was in precedent 3.8.15 (even if not working yet with Blender)..?

Salutations!

TheTechRobo · October 3, 2020, 9:13pm

If it doesn't work, nvidia<TAB> is your mate.

Never forget tab in Linux. It may just save you an hour.

Franc · October 5, 2020, 1:39pm

Hi!

So, for the M4400, the nvidia privative effectively works on old kernel!
But still no CUDA... So I´m trying to check opencl, and:
Well, good idea to clean this thread, but doing that you erase the special command to force coming back nvidia settings to a legacy after a synaptic install that automatically fits the new one... So I have to crawl finding it back...
nvidia-privative-dirvers-install is back...

EDIT: When installing on HDD (still on M4400 fx770m, old kernel & nvidia privative), at the "end" of the process, it asks about fitting CUDA or not; Well, but replying "yes" or "no", instantly got a full black screen, trying some *F12, *Fx no more, just having eventually the HDD led blinking... At first try with "yes", hard restart after a while gives no boot option, second test with "no" gives by chance the option to reboot on installed Elive... ...but..?

Ih!

TheTechRobo · November 16, 2020, 2:06pm

Like overclocking/fan manager I assume?

What is CUDA? There's nothing that I can find that explains it in a way i understand