A) How do I Install EnvyNG?

1) If you installed Envy or EnvyNG 1.1.0 (or lower), make sure you remove them by typing:

sudo apt-get remove envy
sudo apt-get remove envyng
sudo rm -R /usr/share/envy
2) EnvyNG is available in Ubuntu's "universe" repository, therefore all you have to do is enable this repository. If you don't know how to do it, see Point E.

3) Install EnvyNG: Open Terminal or Konsole and type:

sudo apt-get install envyng-qt
OR if you want to install only the textual interface just type:

sudo apt-get install envyng-core
4) Launch EnvyNG's GUI (inside a Desktop Environment such as GNOME,KDE, etc.) by selecting it in the "Applications/System Tools" menu OR if you need to use EnvyNG's textual interface you will have to type:

sudo envyng -t
If you have doubts you can read EnvyNG's man page:

man envyng
B) Can I use EnvyNG if I had installed the Nvidia driver via Envy version 0.8.2 (or lower) or via the Nvidia installer?

Yes, you can, but you will need to follow these steps:

1) Remove the older version of envyng (you can skip this step if you only used the Nvidia installer):

sudo aptitude purge envyng
sudo aptitude purge envy
sudo rm -R /usr/share/envy
2) Download and install EnvyNG's deb package

3) Log out and press CTRL+ALT+F1 (so as to get out of the Desktop Environment, i.e. you'll see ONLY the command line)

4) Log in (if required)

5) Stop the Xserver by typing:

sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop
OR (if you use Kubuntu)

sudo /etc/init.d/kdm stop

WARNING: if Ubuntu seems to hang on Ubuntu's splash screen you will have to press Alt+F1. (this usually happens on Kubuntu)

6) Uninstall the driver from NVIDIA's installer:

cd path_to_the_nvidia_installer
sudo sh name_of_the_nvidia_installer --uninstall
7) Then you can run EnvyNG and select the "Install" function. Run EnvyNG's textual installer by typing:

sudo envyng -t
NOTE: you will NOT need to repeat the whole process next time you want to install the Nvidia driver (you should be able to use EnvyNG's GUI)

C) What happens if you are no longer able to access your Desktop Environment (because of a blank screen at boot)?

Boot in RECOVERY MODE from the GRUB Menu (select it using your keyboard) almost as soon as you turn on your computer (it will take you to the command line). Then you will need to type:

envyng --uninstall-all
then simply type:

reboot
and boot as usual. On next reboot the Xserver should work fine (but you will use the open source driver)

D) What happens if I upgrade Ubuntu to a newer release (e.g. from Ubuntu 8.04 to Ubuntu 8.10)?

Nothing bad should happen, since EnvyNG is 100% compatible with Ubuntu.

E) What shall I do to enable the required repositories on Ubuntu?

You will have to enable Ubuntu's "universe" and "multiverse" repositories. Have a look at this page to see how you can do it (read where it says Enabling Extra Repositories on that page): Enabling Extra Repositories

F) What happens if the kernel is upgraded (e.g. via system updates)?

You won't have to do anything at all. DKMS will automatically install the module for your new kernel. NOTE: make sure that the kernel headers (linux-headers) for that kernel are also installed.

G) Shall I uninstall the ATI/NVIDIA driver before I install a new version of the driver through EnvyNG?

EnvyNG will do it for you. However if you want to uninstall the driver, nothing bad will happen ;)

H) What happens when ATI or NVIDIA release a new driver?

If you don't uninstall EnvyNG, you will receive the new release of the driver automatically with Ubuntu's updates. I will made the updates available after a while so as to have the time to test the new driver. Furthermore I work on this project in my spare time, therefore donations are welcome (see the Paypal button in the right sidebar of this page).