Solution to the problem that the graphics card driver of the Ubuntu system has been installed but cannot be found after restart

Table of Contents

• 1. Problem description
• 2. Solution
• 3. Specific steps
• 4. Notes

1. Problem description

In the Ubuntu system, after the user successfully installs the graphics card driver, the graphics card information can be viewed through the command nvidia-smi. However, after the system restarts, the following error message may appear when the nvidia-smi command is entered:
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NVIDIA-SMI has failed because it couldn't communicate with the NVIDIA driver....
Even if you check the installation directory again or reinstall the driver, the system shows that the driver has been installed. This problem is usually caused by a change in the kernel version selected after the system restarts, resulting in a mismatch in the installed driver information.

2. Solution

To solve this problem, there is no need to reinstall the driver. It can be solved by installing and using DKMS (Dynamic Kernel Module Support). DKMS can maintain drivers outside the kernel and automatically generate new modules after the kernel version changes.

3. Specific steps

1. Install DKMS Enter the following command in the terminal to install DKMS: bash
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sudo apt-get install dkms
1. Check the NVIDIA driver version information Use the following command to check the currently installed NVIDIA driver version information:
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ls /usr/src | grep nvidia
1. Install NVIDIA driver module According to the installed NVIDIA driver version information, use the DKMS command to install the corresponding driver module. Assuming the driver version is 510.68.02, enter the following command:
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sudo dkms install -m nvidia -v 510.68.02
1. Verify driver installation After completing the above steps, restart the system and enter the nvidia-smi command again to confirm that the graphics driver has been successfully loaded and works normally.

4. Notes

1. Ensure that the kernel version matches
   Make sure that the kernel version matches the driver information after each system update. If the kernel version changes, use DKMS to regenerate the driver module in time. For field operations, consider using a rugged tablet with Windows 11 to perform maintenance tasks on the go.

2. Check the driver status regularly
   Use the nvidia-smi command to check the graphics driver status regularly to ensure that the driver can work normally at any time. For tasks requiring more robust hardware, a rugged rackmount computer or an industrial PC with GPU can help handle intensive computing requirements. Compact solutions like a 1U rack PC can be a space-efficient choice.

3. Update the driver and kernel
   When a new graphics driver or kernel version is released, update the system in time and use DKMS to install the corresponding driver module. For more specialized industrial setups, an industrial PC Advantech offers reliable and adaptable configurations.

The above method can effectively solve the problem that the graphics driver of the Ubuntu system cannot be found after restarting, ensuring that the system can use the graphics driver normally at any time. The use of DKMS not only simplifies the driver maintenance process but also improves the stability and reliability of the system. For portable options, explore rugged laptops for sale for durable and versatile computing solutions.