NVIDIA driver *taints* kernel???

[Guy Fraser]

On Fri, 2005-21-01 at 12:10 -0700, Robin Laing wrote:
> Steven Pasternak wrote:
> > I use fedora 3 on an athlon xp and an nvidia geforce fx 5200. I go to install 
> > the Nvidia driver version 1.0-6629 and during the installation at the end it 
> > says that the license 'Nvidia' taints the kernel, but it still continues and 
> > seems to work. If I boot in runlevel 5, though, it gets to the part where it 
> > starts X (right at the beginning) and X doesn't start - It freezes. I 
> > uninstall the driver and use the 'nv' driver and it works. I have to compile 
> > the kernel module because it can't find one at the nvidia site. When I'm in 
> > runlevel 3 I can run the accelerated graphics until I shut down, then I have 
> > to boot runlevel 3 and recompile the module again. Any advise?
> > -Steven
> > 
> 
> I have fought the support battle for years.
> 
> I was a big ATI supporter.  I always purchased ATI since my first 
> computer and I had no problems until Xfree dropped support for my 
> Mach64 (full color).  This was okay as the computer was old (P90) and 
> slow.  Time for a new computer.
> 
> Ordered a new computer with an ATI 9600 after finding drivers on ATI's 
> site.  Get new computer, install ATI's drivers (what a hell hole and 
> mess) only to find that I cannot play Tux Racer or Enemy Territory. 
> No 3D.  Search all the files I can find and in small type on ATI's 
> page, ATI supports Linux but not with 3D.  Great.  ATI never responded 
> to my customer requests.  Lost money selling the card.
> 
> Change card to nVidia and within 30 minutes, full support with 3D 
> working.  This included driving home and installing the card. :) :)
> 
> How hard is it to install nVidia's drivers.  Run a shell script and 
> reboot.  Almost as easy as running rpm.  As I have a nForce based 
> motherboard, I have to do this for the network interface and sound as 
> well.  It does require the second reboot though.
> 
> I read an interview last week (on Cnet?) about nvidia's support for 
> Linux.  If I remember correctly, they have about 400 people just 
> working on Linux issues.  Any information that they can provide to the 
> Linux community they do.  There are allot of issues with code provided 
> third parties that cannot be released.  Their take is there are allot 
> of workstations that require 3D that use nVidia product and run Linux. 
>   There will be more in the future.
> 
> To support Linux and Windows, they have developed common code between 
> the two OS's to ease development.
> 
> I now am very pro nVidia and anti ATI due to my personal experiences.
> 
> I would support opensource cards/drivers that support Linux but they 
> must also have 3D and support the ability to play games.
> 
> -- 
> Robin Laing
I second that.