iThms
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Linux Mint 13 Maya: How to install Nvidia drivers for Geforce GT 645M
Hi experts!
My Notebook has the above mentioned graphics card and after many years of Windows NT ... 8 I started with Linux. Now everything "is a bit different" and I would like to know how to properly set up the drivers (want to use second monitor) for this card. Also I would like to know, if it is possible to activate Nvidia Optimus technology as this notebook supports it.
I need a step-by-step instruction as I assume such drivers can be a bit tricky on Linux and I dont't (yet) know what I am doing if I do something...
My Notebook has the above mentioned graphics card and after many years of Windows NT ... 8 I started with Linux. Now everything "is a bit different" and I would like to know how to properly set up the drivers (want to use second monitor) for this card. Also I would like to know, if it is possible to activate Nvidia Optimus technology as this notebook supports it.
I need a step-by-step instruction as I assume such drivers can be a bit tricky on Linux and I dont't (yet) know what I am doing if I do something...
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SOLUTION
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Just use the utility provided by Linux Mint to get and install the correct driver. That is the best and easiest way to get it installed. Don't get the driver manually from the nvidia site.
ASKER
@Helge: I do not need 3D Power at all, so maybe it is the best for me, too, to disable the NVidia card. How to do that in Linux?
Will I still be able to drive an external monitor with the built-in Intel graphics?
Will I still be able to drive an external monitor with the built-in Intel graphics?
I have meanwhile downloaded and installed Linux on a PC, and the utility for installing the drivers is called "Additional Drivers", under "Settings". When installing nvidia or wireless cards 3rd party drivers, always use that tool. It downloads them and installs them from the mint repositories.
The nouveau driver which gets used by default should give you all the functions you need though, even some 3d functions. There are no problems attaching 2nd displays.
The nouveau driver which gets used by default should give you all the functions you need though, even some 3d functions. There are no problems attaching 2nd displays.
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ASKER
@helge:
I have UEFI-Bios, I do not see an option to disable the graphics card...
I have UEFI-Bios, I do not see an option to disable the graphics card...
Witch notebook do you have?
All notebooks I have seen so far (ok, dont count MacBooks) with discrete graphics have the option to disable the graphic card or to set the primary adapter. Just hit one of the usual suspects (DEL, F1, F12) during boot.
All notebooks I have seen so far (ok, dont count MacBooks) with discrete graphics have the option to disable the graphic card or to set the primary adapter. Just hit one of the usual suspects (DEL, F1, F12) during boot.
ASKER
I can hit F2 and then enter the BIOS settings, but they seem to be limited by the vendor (Medion MD99075 notebook). Just some SATA settings, some security settings, some legacy USB settings. No graphic cards options.
Then do this at Run time. Edit your grub.cfg and add the blacklist for nouveau in the kernel command line parameters, reboot. Make sure to add it to all listed kernels if you have already more then one installed.
Also make sure you uninstall the nvidia drivers you might have installed.
Use apt-get to install 'powertop'
Make sure nouveau is not loaded, use lsmod | grep nouveau. If you see no output, you are fine.
Now run 'powertop'. At the first page look if something from nvidia is listst with 100 or something. If it is not there, you are fine and the adapter is already disabled because no diver was loaded.
If you see the graphic card, remember the power drain listed in W on the top, quit powertop, use the vgaswticheroo command I gave you and start powertop again. I is it gone now? You should see a significant drop in power consumption. This is not permanent though. Get back here to make this permanent.
Also make sure you uninstall the nvidia drivers you might have installed.
Use apt-get to install 'powertop'
Make sure nouveau is not loaded, use lsmod | grep nouveau. If you see no output, you are fine.
Now run 'powertop'. At the first page look if something from nvidia is listst with 100 or something. If it is not there, you are fine and the adapter is already disabled because no diver was loaded.
If you see the graphic card, remember the power drain listed in W on the top, quit powertop, use the vgaswticheroo command I gave you and start powertop again. I is it gone now? You should see a significant drop in power consumption. This is not permanent though. Get back here to make this permanent.
ASKER
Thanks a lot!
I will try to do this, but this can take some days until I find enough quiet time for such a special operation and I will make a complete backup before!
I will try to do this, but this can take some days until I find enough quiet time for such a special operation and I will make a complete backup before!
ASKER
I am sorry, but I don't know how to get started with Powertop. i need some basic instructions how to install / start it. Thanks!
powertop is a Utility to measure power drain, esp. useful for notebooks.
You may need to add a repo to apt:
$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nilarimogard/webupd8
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install powertop
Then run it with
$ sudo powertop
The interesting part is alrady in the first tab
You may need to add a repo to apt:
$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nilarimogard/webupd8
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install powertop
Then run it with
$ sudo powertop
The interesting part is alrady in the first tab
ASKER
Here is the report. So what exactly are the "interesting" parameters?
I also see that there are recommendations for parameters that need tuning. I can open another question for that (if tuning makes sense with reasonable effort), so please just give me a hint.
https://app.box.com/powertop [This Link will expire on Sunday, 15th Sept. 13]
I also see that there are recommendations for parameters that need tuning. I can open another question for that (if tuning makes sense with reasonable effort), so please just give me a hint.
https://app.box.com/powertop [This Link will expire on Sunday, 15th Sept. 13]
Have you already blacklisted nouveau?
For sure you are only running on Intel graphics, I cannot find any nvidia/nouveau stuff. From this printout I would say it is disabled.
For sure you are only running on Intel graphics, I cannot find any nvidia/nouveau stuff. From this printout I would say it is disabled.
ASKER
@Helge:
You wrote:
grub.cfg has a header that tells me not to edit this file as it is composed from other files. Should I do this nevertheless?
Concerning vgaswitcheroo: It is not available, so as it seems I really need to stop nouveau first.
I read other posts that suggest bublebee to disable the NVidia via bbswitch, but this also does not seem to work.
By the way: I can open up a new question, for example on removing nouveau / disabling NVidia. I do not expect you to write answers here going on and on ;-)
You wrote:
If you want to disable it at runtime, there are several steps you have to do. First, make sure the nouveau is blacklisted. You will not be able to unload this kernel module at run time (the most urgent problem I have with nouveau/optimus).
One way would be to blacklist it in grub.cfg kernel command line:
grub.cfg has a header that tells me not to edit this file as it is composed from other files. Should I do this nevertheless?
Concerning vgaswitcheroo: It is not available, so as it seems I really need to stop nouveau first.
I read other posts that suggest bublebee to disable the NVidia via bbswitch, but this also does not seem to work.
By the way: I can open up a new question, for example on removing nouveau / disabling NVidia. I do not expect you to write answers here going on and on ;-)
Hm, I think it would be best to open a new question for that.
But, since powertop is negative, I do not think you need to do anything. The dedicated graphic card is disabled.
I have little experience on Mint; and I had the power drain issue only on my Fedora notebook so far. Seems the Ubuntu guys do a far better job in the desktop part there ;)
But, since powertop is negative, I do not think you need to do anything. The dedicated graphic card is disabled.
I have little experience on Mint; and I had the power drain issue only on my Fedora notebook so far. Seems the Ubuntu guys do a far better job in the desktop part there ;)
ASKER
nouveau is there:
it@IT-NB1 ~ $ lsmod | grep nouveau
nouveau 775039 0
ttm 76949 1 nouveau
mxm_wmi 13021 1 nouveau
drm_kms_helper 46978 2 nouveau,i915
drm 241971 7 nouveau,ttm,i915,drm_kms_helper
i2c_algo_bit 13423 2 nouveau,i915
video 19651 2 nouveau,i915ASKER
So I will post a new question soon and link to it
Maybe I was not clear with my last comment, sorry. Though loaded, the card is not active. This should be the intended behavior. You do not need to change anything. But if you want to disable nouveau, lets continue in another post. I keep eye out!
ASKER
There is another way to blacklist nouveau, if I do understand it correctly:
in /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.
"blacklist nouveau"
in /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.
"blacklist nouveau"
ASKER
Thanks for the quick answer! The driver you pointed out is for the following cards:
GeForce GTX 680
GeForce GT 630M
GeForce GT 620
My card is a GT 645M so will this driver work? Or can installation of a "wrong" driver cause any damage to the Linux setup? I still have the impression that all this is quite fragile contrary to Windows that nowadays feels very robust...