Nvidia Graphics Driver 310.19 for Linux 64-bit

This article provides information regarding the Nvidia Graphics Driver 310.19 for Linux 64-bit operating systems. This driver, released on November 16, 2012, as NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-310.19.run, aimed to provide improvements and compatibility updates for Nvidia graphics cards running on 64-bit Linux distributions. While this driver is several years old, understanding its purpose and features can be beneficial for users maintaining older systems or those interested in the historical evolution of Nvidia’s driver technology.

Overview

The Nvidia Graphics Driver 310.19 for Linux 64-bit was a significant release at the time, focusing on enhancing performance, stability, and compatibility for a wide range of Nvidia GPUs. Driver updates are crucial for ensuring optimal performance of graphics cards, fixing bugs, and enabling support for new games and applications. While newer drivers are generally recommended for modern systems, this particular driver may still be relevant for users with older hardware or specific software requirements that necessitate its use. This article will shed light on the supported products.

Key Aspects of Graphics Drivers

Before diving into the specifics of the Nvidia Graphics Driver 310.19 for Linux 64-bit, it’s important to understand the general role of graphics drivers.

Hardware Abstraction: Drivers act as a bridge between the operating system and the graphics card. They translate high-level commands from the OS and applications into instructions that the GPU can understand and execute.
Performance Optimization: Drivers are frequently updated to optimize performance for specific games and applications. These optimizations can include improvements to rendering techniques, memory management, and shader compilation.
Bug Fixes: Drivers often contain fixes for bugs and glitches that can cause crashes, visual artifacts, or other issues. Regular driver updates can significantly improve the stability and reliability of a system.
New Feature Support: New driver releases often introduce support for new graphics technologies, such as DirectX versions, OpenGL extensions, and Vulkan features. This allows users to take advantage of the latest rendering capabilities.
Compatibility: Drivers ensure compatibility between the graphics card and the operating system, as well as with various applications and games.

What’s New (Or What We Know)

Unfortunately, the provided source material offers no details on the specific "What’s New" features or bug fixes included in the Nvidia Graphics Driver 310.19 for Linux 64-bit. Typically, release notes accompany driver updates, detailing the changes made. However, in the absence of that information, we can only speculate that the update likely addressed performance issues, improved stability, or added compatibility for newly released software at the time. The release notes could have included specific game titles or application versions that benefited from the updated driver.
Without access to these release notes, it is difficult to determine the exact improvements included in the Nvidia Graphics Driver 310.19 for Linux 64-bit.

Supported Products

Similarly, the provided source material lacks a detailed list of supported Nvidia graphics cards. Typically, Nvidia drivers support a range of GPUs, from entry-level to high-end models. Users would need to consult additional resources or Nvidia’s official documentation from that period to determine if their specific graphics card is supported by the Nvidia Graphics Driver 310.19 for Linux 64-bit. It is safe to assume that a range of GeForce, Quadro, and Tesla cards were supported.

Installation

Installing the Nvidia Graphics Driver 310.19 for Linux 64-bit typically involves the following steps (although specific instructions may vary depending on the Linux distribution):

Download the Driver: Obtain the driver file (NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-310.19.run) from Nvidia’s website or a trusted mirror. (Download Link: see below)
Stop the X Server: Before installing the driver, you need to stop the X server (the graphical display server). This is typically done by switching to a text-based console (e.g., by pressing Ctrl+Alt+F1) and running a command like sudo service lightdm stop (for Ubuntu) or sudo systemctl stop gdm (for Fedora/CentOS).
Make the Driver Executable: Open a terminal and navigate to the directory where you downloaded the driver file. Then, make the file executable by running the command chmod +x NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-310.19.run.
Run the Installer: Execute the driver installer with root privileges by running the command sudo ./NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-310.19.run.
Follow the On-Screen Instructions: The installer will guide you through the installation process. Pay attention to the prompts and answer them accordingly. You may be asked to accept a license agreement, choose installation options, and configure settings.
Restart the X Server: After the installation is complete, restart the X server by running a command like sudo service lightdm start or sudo systemctl start gdm. You can then switch back to the graphical desktop (e.g., by pressing Ctrl+Alt+F7).

Important Considerations:

Backup: Before installing any driver, it’s always a good idea to back up your system or create a restore point. This will allow you to revert to a previous state if something goes wrong during the installation process.
Dependencies: Ensure that you have the necessary dependencies installed before installing the driver. These dependencies may include kernel headers, compilers, and other development tools.
Distribution-Specific Instructions: Refer to your Linux distribution’s documentation for specific instructions on installing Nvidia drivers.

Where to Download

The primary download link is implied by the filename:

Nvidia’s Website (Potentially Archived): While the driver may no longer be directly available on Nvidia’s main download page, it might be found in their archived driver section (if available). Navigate to the Nvidia driver download page and search for archived drivers.

Alternative Download Link:

archive.org (Wayback Machine): Often, older drivers can be found archived on sites like archive.org. This requires searching for a snapshot of Nvidia’s driver download page from around November 2012 and hoping the file was archived along with the page.
Third-Party Driver Repositories: Be extremely cautious when downloading drivers from third-party sources. Ensure the source is reputable and that the driver file has not been tampered with.

Filename: NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-310.19.run

Important Note: When downloading from third-party sources, verify the file’s integrity using checksums (if available) to ensure it hasn’t been modified.

The Relevance of Old Drivers

While it’s generally recommended to use the latest drivers for optimal performance and compatibility, there are situations where older drivers like the Nvidia Graphics Driver 310.19 for Linux 64-bit may still be relevant:

Legacy Hardware: If you have an older Nvidia graphics card that is no longer supported by the latest drivers, you may need to use an older driver to ensure compatibility.
Specific Software Requirements: Some older applications or games may require a specific driver version to function correctly. Newer drivers may introduce changes that break compatibility with these applications.
System Stability: In some cases, newer drivers may introduce instability or performance issues on certain systems. Rolling back to an older, more stable driver may be necessary to resolve these issues.
Specialized Workloads: Certain specialized workloads, such as scientific computing or professional graphics applications, may perform better with specific driver versions.

Conclusion

The Nvidia Graphics Driver 310.19 for Linux 64-bit represents a snapshot in the evolution of Nvidia’s driver technology. While it may not be the most current option, understanding its role and potential relevance for older systems or specific software requirements is valuable. Always exercise caution when installing older drivers and ensure they are compatible with your hardware and software configuration. Remember to back up your system before making any changes to your graphics drivers. The Nvidia Graphics Driver 310.19 for Linux 64-bit was significant at its time.