ERROR: Unable to load the kernel module ‘nvidia.ko’. This happens most frequently when this kernel module was built against the wrong or improperly configured kernel sources, with a version of gcc that differs from the one used to build the target kernel, or if a driver such as rivafb/nvidiafb is present and prevents the NVIDIA kernel module from obtaining ownership of the NVIDIA graphics device(s), or NVIDIA GPU installed in this system is not supported by this NVIDIA Linux graphics driver release.
To fix the above error message use the following procedure
1) Download Newest Nvidia drivers from here
2) Open module blacklist as admin
gksudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
Add these lines and save:
blacklist vga16fb
blacklist nouveau
blacklist rivafb
blacklist nvidiafb
blacklist rivatv
3) Uninstall any previously installed Nvidia drivers:
sudo apt-get --purge remove nvidia-*
4) Reboot your computer
5) When an error message pops up saying that Ubuntu cannot load Nvidia drivers, choose Exit to terminal (Exit to console)
6) Login and cd to the directory where you saved your file
7)Install drivers
sudo sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-195.36.24-pkg2.run
8)Start GDM
sudo service gdm start
Full Credit goes here
Does this also solve the problem with the black tty’s? Try [CTRL][ALT][F2] and see if you get a tty screen. Then do [CTRL][ALT][F7] to get back to X11.
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Thanks, dude, this worked well. Not having all those modules blacklisted was the blocker for me.
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yay!! tnks a lot, that (together with the beta driver) was what i needed
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Thanks a lot! I have been trying to repair my poor Ubuntu for almost 2 hours now with no success, until I found this article! Good job! Wish I found it earlier.
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Bravo, nvidia driver 71.86.14 installed correctly on ubuntu maverick,this time no errors but i cant update xorg.conf. any ideas thanks
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i install the latest nvidia driver properly as you describe in the method but after installing driver my desktop freezes. Why?can anyone help me
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thanks a lot
finally i got the driver working …. I’ve failed to stop the x server … but with removing the previous drivers every thing went smooth 
.
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Install process went fine, but the x-server refused to start up again, so i decided to reboot, but now everthing is black . i have tried recoverymode but it’s exactly the same.
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Thanks for the post. It works great.
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Confirmed this procedure works for my setup (10/14/2011):
Nvidia GTS 450
Asus P8H61-M LE/CSM MB
Ubuntu 10.04
I first tried to do it the “official way” - update to nvidia-current from Synaptic, no luck. Always got the “Could not load nvidia drivers” on X start, even though I had blacklisted all those drivers mentioned above. Had to get the right driver for my card from Nvidia, and follow the process outlined in the parent post. Thanks a bunch!
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after i press ctrl+alt+f2 and i login as admin and enter the command : “gksudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf”
i recive : Gtk-WARNING **: cannot open display:
can anyone help i`m trying to install my gpu drivers for a long time under ubuntu…
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i resolved that… i just went to terminal did all the blacklist things … restarted , but after trying to install it gives me :
ERROR : You appear to be running an X server ; please exit X before installing. ….
???
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miki Reply:
December 17th, 2011 at 6:17 pm
Just enter in terminal
sudo service gdm stop
then ctrl and alt and F1
and then cd Desktop if you driver is copied on Desktop and then
sudo sh -driver name- and that is it…
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Thank you very much.
Recently, I have purchased a new laptop Sony Vaio E-Series VPCEH25EN and install Ubuntu 10.04 LTS i386.
After that i come to know that i can not able to change screen resolution.
But, after following your guidelines i can successfully able to change my screen resolution.
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hello,it work OK
Very Very Thanks:)
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Add this (ppa:ubuntu-x-swat/x-updates) to your software sources. No need to black list any thing and screw your O/S up.
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Step 6 says to login. How? What are the commands? I’ve been Googling for a while now and can’t find the answer.
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Guys/gals use this method instead, it’s faster and much more secure..
http://www.ubuntuupdates.org/ppas/27
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