How to setup Nvidia Driver on Linux

I recently moved to Mint cause of the unstable unity UI in ubuntu and i havent looked back since...

while setting up my linux box, installing Downloaded Nvidia drivers is a bit of a hastle it doesnt have to be ubuntu i ran in to this in in almost all distros. since most solutions on forums were outdated..i had to google around a bit to find a way to get rid of each error..
i figured i should put it up here to save someone else's time spent on this :D

this guide is for Setting up the driver in an Ubuntu-based distro


Assuming you have downloaded the driver from the Nvidia Website



install the following packages through Package Manager or terminal:


For the newer nvidia cards - GTX 5xx - 6xxx series ( all models listed here)

Code:
apt install nvidia-kernel-dkms nvidia-glx build-essential nvidia-settings nvidia-xconfig



For older cards - Gforce FX5xxx

you need to download 173.14 driver for this models Download_Link

Code:
apt install nvidia-kernel-legacy-173xx-dkms nvidia-glx-legacy-173xx build-essential nvidia-settings nvidia-xconfig

Ancient cards - Gforce 4 and below (all models listed here)
you need to download 96.43.xx driver for these models Download_Link

Code:

apt install nvidia-kernel-legacy-96xx-dkms nvidia-glx-legacy-96xx build-essential
nvidia-settings nvidia-xconfig

with the Xserver(GUI) running you cannot install the Driver pakage. to jump to the CLI mode

Press  

Alt+Ctrl+F1

Remove the Nouveau driver (Basic driver) installed by the OS :

you can either Black List it or Remove the Package

Blacklist

Code:

sudo echo blacklist nouveau > /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-nouveau.conf 

Remove 

Code:

apt remove --purge xserver-xorg-video-nouveau libdrm-nouveau1a

Stop the Xserver:

Code:

sudo service lightdm stop




Install the Driver Package:

Code:

sudo sh NvidiaDriver.run

Follow the instructions on the screen and install the Driver


Reboot!!!

Code:

sudo init 6


or press the power button :P

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