nvidia-340 340.104-0ubuntu1: nvidia-340 kernel module failed to build (error: initialization from incompatible pointer type [-Werror=incompatible-pointer-types] .fault = _fault,)

[Biren]

After installing new drivers when I restart, it shows crash report.

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 17.10
Package: nvidia-340 340.104-0ubuntu2
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.13.0-11.12-generic 4.13.1
Uname: Linux 4.13.0-11-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
ApportVersion: 2.20.7-0ubuntu1
Architecture: amd64
DKMSKernelVersion: 4.13.0-11-generic
Date: Thu Sep 21 15:08:42 2017
DuplicateSignature: dkms:nvidia-340:340.104-0ubuntu1:/var/lib/dkms/nvidia-340/340.104/build/uvm/nvidia_uvm_lite.c:857:14: error: initialization from incompatible pointer type [-Werror=incompatible-pointer-types]
InstallationDate: Installed on 2017-04-03 (171 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 16.10 "Yakkety Yak" - Release amd64 (20161012.2)
PackageVersion: 340.104-0ubuntu1
Python3Details: /usr/bin/python3.6, Python 3.6.3rc1, python3-minimal, 3.6.2-1ubuntu2
PythonDetails: /usr/bin/python2.7, Python 2.7.14, python-minimal, 2.7.14-1
RelatedPackageVersions:
 dpkg 1.18.24ubuntu1
 apt 1.5~rc4
SourcePackage: nvidia-graphics-drivers-340
Title: nvidia-340 340.104-0ubuntu1: nvidia-340 kernel module failed to build
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

[Yurii Zhytskyi (open64+)]

seems i have same problem too
i have ubuntu 17.10 and after update drivers can't start GNOME display

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Looks similar but different to bug 1717246.

[Julien (julien9330)]

Is there anything new with this issue?

With the patch for Spectre and Meltdown flaws, the default kernel in 16.04 has to be upgraded from 4.10.0-42 to 4.13.0-26. But nvidia-340 340.104 drivers do not work with kernel 4.13.0-26. And newer nvidia drivers (for example 384) do not support old GPUs such as GeForce 200 series.

I have a GeForce 210 GPU, and I am stuck with kernel 4.10.0-42 (and its vulnerabilities) because of this issue.

This issue has thus became critical for users with an old nVidia GPU.

[Pedro Ribeiro (pedrocorribeiro)]

I confirm that I have same issue with the kernell 4.13.0-26. Witm my GeForce 300 series, is not possible install the new nvidea drives

[Pedro Ribeiro (pedrocorribeiro)]

the only option for was to downgrade nvidea drives to 304.137

[Julien (julien9330)]

To Pedro:
Yes, downgrading to nvidia drivers 304.137 does work. However, I have some other issues (tearing in videos) with drivers 304.137.

The alternative is to keep nvidia drivers 340, and to downgrade the kernel to 4.4.0-109: nvidia drivers 340 work fine with kernel 4.4.0-109. And kernel 4.4.0-109 has patches for Spectre and Meltdown flaws. This worked for me.