SDB Discussion:NVIDIA Driver install howto

From openSUSE

Really good article indeed ! :) Sébastien

Excellent resource mate. First install since SuSE 8.0, this is easy stuff compared to admin on my Gentoo server :P x3nos

Nvidia driver frustration

I can tell you now this information is totally useless from a newcomers stand point - There is too much assumed knowledge, and when asked about it the Linux community seems a little put off by answering "N00b" questions.

This has to have been one of the most frustrating and irritating projects I have ever taken on... Build a new system using a non Microsoft product operating system. I am now to the point that I am irritated that I spent money for this OS. I would happily pay the hundred bucks to a company I loath, just void this kind of frustration. I can easily spend an hour or two weeding out the garbage that I don't want vs. hours trying to install one video card driver.

I wanted to be a part of the community, but the community is elitist and full of assumption. I am ignorant and am fully willing to admit it.. but I am not stupid and this is how the instruction set makes me look. Not to mention the frustration of having to re-load the OS just to get the GUi back, and be able to access documentation.

In the instructions for updating the Nvidia driver it never states you are going to frag your GUi. Switch to Defocn, oops I mean Runlevel 3? What the hell is that... and when you figure it out you only have a text prompt after boot. That's the most outstanding thing I've ever heard of for a beginner. Make them use command line without a manual with little to no, or at best vague instructions written by people that assume you know "Kernel Sanders" , You, Yast X org recompile x uname SAX2.

It would help to mention simple things like "STARTX" will restart your GUI after you log in, or that the Left Alt key needs to be held down to select items and is the main level of control when in a text only mode.

It upsets me that even the manufacturer charging money for the product can't issue instructions on how to use it. Microsoft is a best faulty, but at least you can put the disk in and make it "go", download a driver or two and make its bloated existence at least livable.

I fully destroyed two keyboards in frustration trying to load ONE DRIVER for the video card over the last two days. This make me believe that this venture is at best foolish and should be left to those that have the time for being snobbish about knowledge.

If anyone is actually willing to spend the time and offer help, I would be happy to rewrite the instructions in a format that a new user can understand.

Thank you,

- Shock System