Parted Magic update adds proprietary NVIDIA driver option

In order to use the optional proprietary NVIDIA binary video driver module, users must first disable the nouveau driver The latest release of the Parted Magic versatile partitioning tool gives users the option to install NVIDIA's proprietary video driver. Instead of using the bundled open source nouveau driver, which may have problems on some hardware, users can download and install an NVIDIA binary driver module. When doing so, lead developer Patrick Verner notes that users will need to first disable the nouveau driver from the Fail Safe menu.

Labelled "2012_06_26", the Parted Magic update is based on the 3.4.3 Linux kernel and adds new programs such as the Samba file sharing software. Package upgrades include Firefox 13.0.1, version 1.42.4 of the e2fsprogs filesystem utilities, X Server 1.12.2, and the 0.97.5 release of the ClamAV anti-virus. Verner also notes that the system's panel taskbar has been "almost completely reworked" and that the LXRandR LXDE screen manager has been replaced with the latest 0.1.6 ARandR release.

A full list of changes and updates can be found on the news page and in the change log. Hosted on SourceForge, Parted Magic 2012_06_26 is available to download as an ISO image and is licensed under the GPLv2. The specialist Linux distribution for hard disk partitioning and duplication is funded by donations from users.

See also:

• Independent software developers go full time with open source, a report from The H.

(crve)