XFree 4.0.1

[mozo]

Hello,
I wanted to make a not very complicated upgrading but now has turned into a nightmare without a visible end point.

I run Red Hat 6.2, wich comes with XFree86 3.3.6, and I wated to install the NVidia drivers for Red Hat 6.2 that I downloaded. I installed the NVIDIA_kernel first and
the when I tried with the NVIDIA_GLX, it told me that it needed XFree 4.0.1.

Then started the problems. It seems there is no RPM install of XFree86 4.0.1 (or later) for Red Hat 6.2, all you can get if for Red Hat 7.0 and above .
On the other hand if I install the XFree86 4.0.1 binaries from ftp.XFree86.org ( with sh xinstall.sh ) over the Xfree86 3.3.6 it doesn't work properly (i cannot start gnome or
kde, just very old style windows with like 640x480, and NVIDIA_GLX still asks me for XFree86 4.0.1)...

You mught be thinking...oh my god, this guy is really new to linux....well, I am! ... but I promise you if you help get this working I will invite you a beer and tapas here in the south coast of Spain anytime you want....

Thanks in advance,
Daniel

[dee-mack]

Forget the RPM's. Instead go straight to the xfree86 homepage www.xfree86.org. They do not distribute xfree86 in RPM form, but use their own install script instead.

I suggest you proceed as follows:
1 - go to http://www.xfree86.org/4.0.2/Install.html, read EVERYTHING and make sure you understand it. You might want to print out a hardcopy.
2 - grab ftp://ftp.xfree86.org/pub/XFree86/4.0.2/b...c21/Xinstall.sh and use it to make sure that you get the right binaries.
3 - download the required files (as the instructions say)
4 - find the Xfree86 3.3.6 RPM from your installation CD and copy it to where you can find it just in case.
5 - make backups of your important stuff.
6 - quit out of X to the text console.
7 - find your config file, "XF86Config", and copy it to a safe place. It should be in "/etc/X11/", I think. (type "cp /etc/X11/XF86Config ~" to copy it to your home directory). Do NOT just copy it back after you upgrade to 4.0.2. Use the installation software to generate a new config file.
8 - as root, do an "rpm -qa | grep xf". "rpm -qa" lists all your installed rpm's, "grep xf" selects only the ones with "xf" in the name (as in "xfree86"). The "|" (that's the "shift + " key, usually) ties the two together. This command should return the name of the installed xfree86 RPM.
9 - do a "rpm -e " followed by that name. X has now been uninstalled! You can re-install your old version with "rpm -i " followed by the name of your old rpm file. If you reinstall the old version, you can just copy the original XF86Config back to /etc/X11 to restore your original setup. Do not move this file to another computer, or use it if you change video cards or monitors. It contains specific information which can screw up your hardware if used anywhere else.
10 - Install X 4.0.2 using the Xinstall.sh script.
11 - configure X using "xf86config". The Xinstall.sh script might launch this automatically. Note that "xf86config" and "XF86Config" are entirely different files.

yes, Linux is still difficult if you want to stray from the standard Red Hat CD's, but at least you don't have to pay to upgrade!

Good luck.

In reply to:
Hello,
I wanted to make a not very complicated upgrading but now has turned into a nightmare without a visible end point.

[dee-mack]

heh, I ought to read more closely, since you are already using Xinstall.sh to install xfree86

Doing an "rpm -e" on your old version might help avoid conflicts. Check "/var/log/XFree86.0.log" to see which version you are running. Also make sure that Mesa is entirely un-installed.

Make sure that your NVIDIA drivers are installed correctly. Use the tar files, not the rpm's. I had trouble with the rpm's. Use the "nv_check.sh" script, found here. . Also check out the FAQ.

Have I earned that beer yet?

[mozo]

Well...I finally did it!!!
Took me "sangre, sudor y lagrimas" (a spanish saying, somethig like "blood, sweat and tears")...at the end I had trouble with GLX but that nv_check.sh worked great helping me with the bad links...
Thank you very very much...
I live in the south coast of Spain...do you live in europe?...we have to meet for that beer and tapas ...
Daniel