Why do my graphics drivers keep getting uninstalled?
I installed nvidia-driver-455 via the runfile on Nvidia's website. It installs the driver plus several cuda packages.
After installing, the command apt list --installed *nvidia* will show nvidia-driver-455 indicating that it was installed through apt. After a few days and some Ubuntu updates, my second monitor stopped working and the command apt list --installed *nvidia* no longer shows nvidia-driver-455.
I've seen people suggest that I disable updates, but that sounds extremely unsafe if vulnerabilities aren't patched.
Edit: Ubuntu 20.04, not a live system
Edit 2: I checked /var/log/apt/history.log and it shows nvidia-driver-455 being installed, then purged on Nov 1, 2020 before I reinstalled it with the runfile linked above. It does not show it being reinstalled via the runfile and it does not show it being removed last night/this morning.
Edit 3: Edited again for length and clarity. Removed information that may have been irrelevant/misleading. The question is specifically focused on the disappearance of the graphics driver package nvidia-driver-455.
I want to know
- Can I find out why it was uninstalled? Is there a log somewhere that should give me information on why this keep happening over and over?
- Is this a known problem? Are there best practices for avoiding this that balance safety and not having my computer destroyed every few days? Is this a common problem on Ubuntu or on Linux in general? I've never seen this happen before on Windows or Mac and both of those also have automatic software updates.
- Is Manjaro any better for this? I've been a fan of Ubuntu for a long time, but I'm unable work around this issue and I can't get any work done when I have to constantly reinstall my graphics drivers, which can itself be a very difficult process.
1 Answer
What about preventing apt from removing your package.
echo nvidia* hold | dpkg --set-selectionsBut in this state you cant upgraded or anything like that. To remove hold status
dpkg --clear-selections
