NVIDIA driver *taints* kernel???

[Robin Laing]

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