On June 17, Nvidia launched version 173.14.09 of its graphics driver, which brought preliminary support for Linux kernel 2.6.26 and improved support for X.org server 1.5. Yesterday (July 30), Nvidia decided to make Linux users happy again, by releasing yet another bugfix version of its graphics driver, Nvidia 173.14.12. But, besides the bug fixes, the new version also introduces support for GeForce 8600 GS video cards.

Let's take a quick look at the three bugs fixed in this new version of the Nvidia video driver. The first bugfix is related to an issue with some missing rendering in OpenGL Workstation Overlays, the second one resolves a display problem that occurred when switching the virtual terminal or running some SDL programs, and the third bugfix resolves a potential crash in nvidia-settings (this occurred when someone wanted to save the modifications to the X configuration file, xorg.conf).

Moreover, the Nvidia 173.14.12 display driver improved the error recovery paths, so corruption might not appear when the commands are sent to the Nvidia GPU.

How to install?

Log out of your current session and hit the CTRL+ALT+F1 key combination, in order to enter a text mode session. Log in as root (System Administrator), go to the folder where you've downloaded the Nvidia driver installer (see below for links) and type:

sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86-173.14.12-pkg1.run or sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-173.14.12-pkg2.run, depending on your architecture.

Then, follow the on-screen instructions to install the video driver.

Download the Nvidia display driver for IA32 architecture right now from Softpedia.

Download the Nvidia display driver for AMD64/EM64T architecture right now from Softpedia.

Download the Nvidia display driver for FreeBSD x86 systems right now from Softpedia.