Ubuntu – How to install the latest NVIDIA drivers from the .run file

driversnvidia

This is what I am trying to do. I downloaded the latest driver for my VGA from http://www.nvidia.com. The installation needs the X11 to be shut down, so I log out of my account, then press Ctrl+Alt+F1, then log in with my username and password, then run the command

sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-285.05.09.run

in every possible way, I have even tried CHMODing the package with 777 permissions, but still I'm getting the

sh: can't open NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-285.05.09.run

error. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Best Answer

Make sure that no proprietary drivers are installed. If they are, un-activate them - otherwise, they WILL cause problems.

This is the procedure I use:

  • Press Ctrl + Alt + F1.

  • Login

  • cd to the location of the file (only if it is in a location other than your $HOME directory)

  • Thereafter, run the following commands:

    sudo su
sudo service lightdm stop ## if you are using 11.04 replace `lightdm` with `gdm`
chmod +x NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-285.05.09.run
sudo sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-285.05.09.run

The installer will then complain about Nouveau needing to be disabled. It will do so, then you will need to restart your PC. You will then have to redo the above mentioned procedure again to restart the installation.

If you have another driver installed, this installer will uninstall it for you.

Works every time for me.

See also:

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