This is a short guide on how to install the Linux ATI proprietary driver (fglrx). This guide targets Ubuntu, but it should also work on other Debian based distros. I have had success with OpenSuse as well using a similar method.
Method 1
1.- Got to ATI's website and download the driver. The same installer works for both 32bit and 64bit systems.
2.- Open a terminal and move into the directory where you saved the driver in:
3.- Install needed dependancies:
4.- Run the installer:
5.- A graphical interface should pop up. Just accept the defaults and let it finish. Once dropped back into the terminal (make sure no errors where given during the process):
6.- Reboot
You should now have a working driver. To confirm everything went well, in a terminal type fglrxinfo and you should get something like this:
If you ever need to update drivers (new ones come out every month or so) you first need to uninstall the one you have:
Let the script finish; it will generate a fresh xorg.conf for you. Once this is done, you can proceed to install the new driver following the same steps in this guide (no need to restart X or reboot).
If the driver for some reason screws your system, simply drop into command prompt mode (or boot with safe mode) and delete xorg.conf:
With the way the newer version of X work, the default open source driver will be auto loaded next time you boot.
Method 2
*Note that this method involves distro specific package building. ATI's installer supports package building for several distros and the commands to accomplish this vary between distros. The following steps are for Ubuntu specificaly (it should be the same for any Debian based distro as well); if you use some other distro best you learn how to manipulate packages on that particular platform before proceeding.
1.- Got to ATI's website and donwload the driver. The same installer works for both 32bit and 64bit systems.
2.- Open a terminal and move into the directory where you saved the driver in:
3.- Install needed dependancies:
4.- Build packages:
5.- Install packages:
6.- Initialize the driver:
7.- Reboot
You should now have a working driver. To confirm everything went well, in a terminal type fglrxinfo and you should get something like this:
If you install this way, uninstallation is different. Just go to Synaptic and uninstall all the packages you installed with this method; do a search for fglrx and remove all packages related to it. You can then proceed to update to the latest version of the driver if you want.
If the driver for some reason screws your system, simply drop into command prompt mode (or boot with safe mode) and delete xorg.conf:
With the way the newer version of X work, the default open source driver will be auto loaded next time you boot.
Notes:
* Besides the above given dependencies, the driver itself needs additional ones (these are specified in the driver's release notes). Most distros that I have dealt with already have all of them installed by default, but it doesn't hurt to check, specially if your installation fails.
* The driver does not support pre-release software (kernels, xservers, etc.). If you're using a distro with any of these, don't expect it to work. Once a particular kernel (or xserver) is finalized, support for it usually comes within 1-3 releases (1-3 months). This is ATI policy.
* Starting from the 9.4 diver, support for pre r6xx cards (cards earlier than HD2K) has been dropped. If you have one of these cards, you need to change to one of the open source drivers.
Links of interest:
FGLRX lookout thread
ATI Overclocking in Linux
Unofficial ATI Linux Driver Wiki (Ubuntu)
ATI Bugzilla
Edited by Melcar - 11/25/10 at 5:59pm
Method 1
1.- Got to ATI's website and download the driver. The same installer works for both 32bit and 64bit systems.
2.- Open a terminal and move into the directory where you saved the driver in:
Code:
cd /<location of driver>Code:
sudo apt-get install build-essential cdbs fakeroot dh-make debhelper debconf libstdc++6 dkms libqtgui4 wget execstack libelfg0
#install ia32-libs if on a 64bit systemCode:
sudo sh <name of .run file>.run
#alternatively, you can simply run ati*.runCode:
cd
sudo aticonfig --initialYou should now have a working driver. To confirm everything went well, in a terminal type fglrxinfo and you should get something like this:
Code:
display: :0.0 screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL renderer string: ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series
OpenGL version string: 2.1.8673Code:
cd /usr/share/ati
sudo sh ./fglrx-uninstall.shIf the driver for some reason screws your system, simply drop into command prompt mode (or boot with safe mode) and delete xorg.conf:
Code:
sudo rm /etc/X11/xorg.confMethod 2
*Note that this method involves distro specific package building. ATI's installer supports package building for several distros and the commands to accomplish this vary between distros. The following steps are for Ubuntu specificaly (it should be the same for any Debian based distro as well); if you use some other distro best you learn how to manipulate packages on that particular platform before proceeding.
1.- Got to ATI's website and donwload the driver. The same installer works for both 32bit and 64bit systems.
2.- Open a terminal and move into the directory where you saved the driver in:
Code:
cd /<location of driver>Code:
sudo apt-get install build-essential cdbs fakeroot dh-make debhelper debconf libstdc++6 dkms libqtgui4 wget execstack libelfg0
#install ia32-libs if on a 64bit systemCode:
sudo sh <name of .run file> --buildpkg
#this will generate several packages inside the source directoryCode:
sudo dpkg -i *.deb
#this will install ALL .deb files inside the directory, so make sure you don't have anything else aside from the driver
#if you are then asked about overwriting files, just tell it to go ahead (type "Y" when prompted)Code:
cd
sudo aticonfig --initialYou should now have a working driver. To confirm everything went well, in a terminal type fglrxinfo and you should get something like this:
Code:
display: :0.0 screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL renderer string: ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series
OpenGL version string: 2.1.8673If the driver for some reason screws your system, simply drop into command prompt mode (or boot with safe mode) and delete xorg.conf:
Code:
sudo rm /etc/X11/xorg.confNotes:
* Besides the above given dependencies, the driver itself needs additional ones (these are specified in the driver's release notes). Most distros that I have dealt with already have all of them installed by default, but it doesn't hurt to check, specially if your installation fails.
* The driver does not support pre-release software (kernels, xservers, etc.). If you're using a distro with any of these, don't expect it to work. Once a particular kernel (or xserver) is finalized, support for it usually comes within 1-3 releases (1-3 months). This is ATI policy.
* Starting from the 9.4 diver, support for pre r6xx cards (cards earlier than HD2K) has been dropped. If you have one of these cards, you need to change to one of the open source drivers.
Links of interest:
FGLRX lookout thread
ATI Overclocking in Linux
Unofficial ATI Linux Driver Wiki (Ubuntu)
ATI Bugzilla
Edited by Melcar - 11/25/10 at 5:59pm
Magicbox
(17 items) |
crapbox
(13 items) |
| CPU | Motherboard | Graphics | RAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sempron 3300+ | HP stock mobo (laptop) | 200M (IGP) | 2x1GB PC3200 |
| Hard Drive | Optical Drive | OS | Monitor |
| 100GB ATA133 | DVD/CDRW | Kubuntu 32 bit | 14.1" (1280x768) |
| Power | |||
| 6 cell | |||
| View all | |||
|
Magicbox
(17 items) |
crapbox
(13 items) |
| CPU | Motherboard | Graphics | RAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sempron 3300+ | HP stock mobo (laptop) | 200M (IGP) | 2x1GB PC3200 |
| Hard Drive | Optical Drive | OS | Monitor |
| 100GB ATA133 | DVD/CDRW | Kubuntu 32 bit | 14.1" (1280x768) |
| Power | |||
| 6 cell | |||
| View all | |||
