I'm trying to install this because Nouveau / the default driver, is unstable for me, and eventually results in GPU lockups unless I'm running low graphic mode.

Got this error while trying to install the 173.x Nvidia binary driver, downloaded from their site. I have an nForce 430, the newest driver available for it is the 304.x, which is available in the Additional Software, but results in an ACPI error on startup. Someone else suggested that nForce support wasn't very good in some of the later drivers, and I should try the 173.x instead, which is also available through the Additional Software. However, when I select it and click apply changes, nothing happens. It just reverts right back to having the x.org driver selected. So, I'm trying it through tty.

I've checked, and I have the appropriate headers installed for my kernel version. Even tried installing sources, just to be sure.

I'm using tty1 Ctrl+Alt+F1, and I've stopped lightdm service prior to installing.

Also, just a quick question? What is the difference in using for Terminal, Ctrl+Alt+F1 versus F2 or F3 .