GTX 690 doesn't initialize unless nvidia-smi is run

Accelerated Computing CUDA CUDA Setup and Installation
1

I’m using a GTX690 in a 2U server, with SUSE 11, and driver 310.44. But the GPU isn’t being detected after loading the driver (running a CUDA program results in no devices found).

I finally found that running nvidia-smi fixes the problem. I’m OK with this workaround, but am wondering if anyone else has experienced this and found a better fix?

2

If the system is not running X, loading the driver is not enough.
Please read the Linux release notes, there is a script to create the proper /dev/nvidia* entries.

3

OK, I see it’s because I don’t have an X server running. I’ll keep using nvidia-smi for initialization for now.