This package builds the NVIDIA Xorg binary kernel module needed by nvidia-driver, using DKMS. Provided that you have the kernel header packages installed, the kernel module will be built for your running kernel and automatically rebuilt for any new kernel headers that are installed. If the kernel module is not built automatically, please ensure that the correct kernel headers are installed. Note: Using a binutils version to build the modules that differs from the version used to build the kernel may result in modules that are built successfully but cannot be loaded. This error message can be observed from insmod: insmod: ERROR: could not insert module .../nvidia-current.ko: Invalid module format and this can be found in dmesg output or kernel.log: module: nvidia: Unknown rela relocation: 4 The common cause for this problem is a testing/unstable system running a stable kernel. SWITCHING FROM NVIDIA WAY TO DEBIAN WAY: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- If you had previously installed the NVIDIA driver directly (by executing the NVIDIA-Linux-*.run file) and want to switch to the Debian packages (which is recommended), please follow these upgrade instructions: http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=53144#p306438 In short: - remove all Debian *nvidia* packages - reinstall the NVIDIA driver by executing NVIDIA-Linux-*.run again (otherwise removal will fail), ignore errors - remove the driver installed from the *.run file: nvidia-installer --uninstall - remove all nvidia.ko still found under /lib/modules - reinstall the Debian nvidia-driver package -- Andreas Beckmann Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:19:36 +0100