nvidia-* kernel module failed to build [error: code model ‘kernel’ not supported in the 32 bit mode]

[Bernhard Cygan]

Examining /etc/kernel/header_postinst.d.
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/header_postinst.d/dkms 3.16.2-031602-generic /boot/vmlinuz-3.16.2-031602-generic
Error! Bad return status for module build on kernel: 3.16.2-031602-generic (x86_64)
Consult /var/lib/dkms/nvidia-331/331.38/build/make.log for more information.

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04
Package: nvidia-331 331.38-0ubuntu7.1
Uname: Linux 3.16.0-031600-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.3
Architecture: amd64
DKMSKernelVersion: 3.16.2-031602-generic
Date: Mon Sep 8 20:19:51 2014
DuplicateSignature: dkms:nvidia-331:331.38-0ubuntu7.1:/var/lib/dkms/nvidia-331/331.38/build/nv.c:1:0: error: code model ‘kernel’ not supported in the 32 bit mode
InstallationDate: Installed on 2014-04-25 (136 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 13.10 "Saucy Salamander" - Release amd64 (20131016.1)
PackageVersion: 331.38-0ubuntu7.1
SourcePackage: nvidia-graphics-drivers-331
Title: nvidia-331 331.38-0ubuntu7.1: nvidia-331 kernel module failed to build
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to trusty on 2014-04-25 (136 days ago)

[Brian Norris (computersforpeace)]

I'm not sure how this happens, exactly, but your build log shows dkms trying to build with 32-bit options (-m32 -march=i686) but using -mcmodel=kernel, which gives the complaint you saw.

[Bernhard Cygan (bcygan)]

Apparently, I was trying to generate a 32-bit kernel on a 64-bit machine (this was by accident). Is this the expected behaviour in this case ?

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

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

[insaner (insaner)]

Related:

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/nvidia-graphics-drivers-304/+bug/1305192

Presumed fix (but didn't work for me)

http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/tip/tip.git/commit/?id=14262d67fe348018af368a07430fbc06eadeabb1