OT: Linux Geeks - Graphics Card Help, Please

[Panopticon]

My Dull (D-4550) Linux box has an older nVidia card that lacks DVI. I want to upgrade to a newer card with DVI. So, if I get a new nVidia card, will the box still boot OK or do I need to do some command line work?

Running SUSE 10 w/ the new nVidia driver, nVidia MX440 AGP with a 1907FP display. Of course this is a P4, it is a Dull afterall ::o

Thanks for any assistance.

[ztirffritz]

I doubt that it will be as simple as turning off the computer, swapping the cards, and powering it up again. It never is. If you're planning to do a fresh Linux install you shouldn't have any problems, but if you have an existing installation that you want to use I'd plant to spend some quality time with the command line. I haven't really gotten into screwing with the X server yet, but every time that I touch things go very wrong. As I have very few sources for help, I usually just end up doing a fresh install. It is a pain, but I don't have many options.

[Panopticon]

Thanks ztirffritz! I'm going to backup the 'important' stuff to a DVD & set the res down to 800X600 before I shutdown to do the card transplant.
Then, IF a fresh install is needed, I've got the goodies on DVD to restore. Supposedly, the nVidia driver will detect the new card on boot & proceed normally (fingers crossed).

I ordered the eVGA GeForce FX5500 AGP 4X/8X 256DDR from newegg, $41AR shipped. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814130197
Novell lists it as Fully compatible, Dell sells it ($100) as an upgrade to the 4550, & several Linux sites give it good reviews. I considered going with an ATI, but read too much bad news about ATI's Linux drivers.

For only $41, no big deal.

[microchip13]

Sorry, finally got around to thinking this morning.



It may not initially work depending on what driver you're using for X. The config file is located in /etc/X11/xorg/xorg.conf, that may not be the exact path, but it's close. The file you want it xorg.conf, and under device that'll be what driver is being used, like vesa, vga. You might want to take it down to one of those for when you install the new card and before you install the new drivers for your new card.

[Panopticon]

Thanks 'chip. Won't have to install a new driver. The nVidia driver, unlike the ATI, is 'unified'. It supports most nVidia chipsets, except some really old, obsolete products. http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux_displ...-8756.html

Just did the YOU (YaST) update, so the driver is current.

"According to Mark Brown, VP Technology for Rhythm & Hues. "The NVIDIA Linux unified drivers are always right on, supporting the latest, greatest features." The Unified Driver Architecture enable Rhythm & Hues to deploy and quickly upgrade an array of different software applications and hardware configurations – all with a single driver." http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html