I take no responsibility if you mess up your card, however if you want the
drivers to work, you have no choice :(.
I had difficulty getting my XFX 6600GT video card working under linux.
I am running Debian SID with a compiled kernel 2.6.11.5 from sources.
I used the latest sources from kernel.org and compiled the kernel using the
latest debian 2.6.10 .config file as a model.
I then took the latest nvidia linux binary drivers
NVIDIA-Linux-x86-1.07167-pkg1.run.
I installed them.
I then configured my XF86Config-4 according to the readme.
I then tried to run Opengl screen savers I find under KDE screensavers
such as Skyrocket (GL). This amazing opengl ap causes my system to crash in
approximately 1 minute. Similarly with all other opengl 3d applications.
I then went to the nvnews.net site and discovered from the other users there
that I had to reflash my bios. The settings of my video card as shipped of
the XFX 6600GT are
3D 500 MHz
2D 300 MHz.
According to the gurus, this must be corrected so that the two numbers are
equal. I am a conservative man so I make them both 300MHz. Others can try
setting them both to 400 or 500 MHz.
I advise reading more about the below from a guru as I am no expert, but I
will say what I did.
The resetting of the bios requires the utility nvflash.exe and a dos win95
disk. It also requires the Nbitor nvidia bios editor. These can be found at
the site http://www.mvktech.net.
In short you will need.
win98 boot disk
nvflash.exe (from nvidia.zip)
csdpmi4b.zip
(nvflash wont work without 3 files from this also on the win98 boot disk)
NiBiTorv20.zip
Briefly, create a win98 boot disk. load the files
nvflash.exe and the 3 files CWSDPMI.EXE, CWSDPR0.EXE and CWSPARAM.EXE
(you need the 3 files or you will get an error from dos
"Load error: no DPMI - Get csdpmi*b.zip"
trying to copy your bios see explanation see* here below).
then run
nvflash -b backup.rom from a dos prompt.
then edit the rom using the Nbitor and change the 2d and 3d speed values
Then flash the rom
nvflash new.rom.
And reboot and your system will work fine. I tried with speed 300/300.
Please read the documentation on the
nvnews.net site linux forum.
I take no responsibility for your messing up your system. If you can no longer
use your nvidia card, it is your responsibility. MIne works though :).