Ubuntu and Nvidia

[Chris Mohler]

On Tue, Dec 9, 2008 at 8:08 PM, Robert James
<robertjames at mountaincable.net> wrote:
[...]
> Just the other day I downloaded the new 8.10, burned it to a disk and
> tried a live boot.  The resolution looks fine, but the scrolling with
> the mouse is jerky and wavy.  Does this mean the newest version will
> recognize and deal with Nvidia OK?  And if I do an install will the
> jerky, wavy scrolling on the screen disappear?

I *think* this means the free (as in freedom) nv driver can now handle
your card.  The jerkiness may come from the live session or the nv
driver - hard to say.

> Thanks.  Will try that.  The Nvidia card is GeForce 8200M G  and the
> computer is a Compaq Presario CQ50
> The card is not on the options list to choose from.  Guessing what
> might be close is what gets me into big trouble.

You should not have to guess anything - once you install, try enabling
the proprietary driver through System->Administration->Hardware
drivers (choose 'recommended').  With any luck, it Just Works after
reboot or logout.  Where are you 'guessing' the make/model of the
card?

If you get stuck - change the "driver" option to "vesa" in the card
section of your xorg.conf - that should get you 800x600 at least.  I
used to have to that 'back in the day'[1] - but haven't had to do that
anytime recently.

For the record, I have a  GeForce 8600M GT on this system and either a
6600 or 6800 on another system and they both run 8.10 with full
hardware acceleration and no real problems...

Chris

[1] The only time I've had to do this with Ubuntu that was when Gutsy
came out - my desktop's graphic card was too recent, so I had to spend
time in console mode installing the driver.  Couple that with the
network driver not working and also the wrong gcc (not the one used to
compile the kernel) on the install CD and it was a pretty rough patch
;) It was a routine procedure in past distros...