Ubuntu Edgy (Nvidia) Installation Guide

Make sure you have both the Universe and Multiverse repositories enabled.
System -> Administration -> Software Sources

1) Identify the architecture of your kernel (e.g. generic or 386,etc. )Open Terminal or Konsole and type:

$ uname -r

(You will get something like this: 2.6.17-10-generic )

2) Now that you know the architecture (generic in my case but it could also be 386), type:

$ sudo apt-get install linux-generic

(of course you need to use your architecture instead of generic)

In this way you will install a dummy package which will always provide you with the latest kernel image, headers and restricted modules.

3) Install the Nvidia driver:

$ sudo apt-get install nvidia-glx

4) Backup your xorg.conf

sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf_backup

5) Enable the driver in your xorg:

sudo nvidia-xconfig --no-composite

6) Create a link to the “Nvidia-Settings” Panel in your application menu:

sudo gedit /usr/share/applications/NVIDIA-Settings.desktop

(if using xfce there is no gedit, use mousepad instead)

Insert the following lines into the new file:

[Desktop Entry]
Name=NVIDIA Settings
Comment=NVIDIA X Server Settings
Exec=nvidia-settings
Icon=
StartupNotify=true
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=Application;System;

Save the edited file.

Log out and press CTRL+ALT+BACKSPACE (so as to restart the xserver).


for older nvidia-cards:
sudo apt-get install nvidia-glx-legacy
check here
http://www.nvidia.com/object/IO_32667.html
to see if you need a legacy driver