Configuring a NVIDIA graphics chip for openSUSE 11.2

Bill Giannikos

This guide will help you configure the proprietary nvidia module under openSUSE 11.2. I will not be covering the open source nv module included with Xorg because its configuration is normally handled automatically by openSUSE.

NVIDIA provide their own license for their driver. You will need to read and accept this license before proceeding. You can read this license here.

It is highly recommended that you first run a full update for your openSUSE installation to ensure you have all the latest packages installed.

openSUSE provides a very easy way of installing the NVIDIA driver. All you need to do is click on one of the the following links and follow the on screen instructions:
Install NVIDIA driver via 1-click for Geforce 6000 series or newer
Install NVIDIA driver via 1-click for Geforce FX5000 series
Install NVIDIA driver via 1-click for Geforce 4000 series or older

And to configure openSUSE to use this driver follow these steps:

1. Load up a terminal window if you are in the graphic interface.

2. Switch to the root user by entering the command “su -” (without the quotes) and typing in your root password

3. Run the following command, this should detect and automatically configure openSUSE to use the nvidia driver.

sax2 -r

4. Reboot

You should now be using the NVIDIA driver.

Normally after installing the nvidia driver with the steps above your xorg.conf file should have automatically been updates to use the newer driver. If this did not happen or for some reason it has reverted then, as root, enter the following command:

sax2 -r

This will switch you back to the nvidia driver.