Ubuntu Feisty Installation Guide

2007-08-22T06:20:18Z

211.28.142.95: /* Enable "restricted" Repository */

The [[:Category:Releases|latest]] fglrx driver supports Radeon 9500+ and the X-series cards up to X1900.

==Pre-Installation Checks==
=== Enable "restricted" Repository ===
Make sure the ''restricted'' repository is enabled in ''/etc/apt/sources.list'' or this guide will not work!

System > Administration > Software Sources. Check "Proprietary Drivers for Devices (Restricted)" box.
so this will attmept to acctivate the driver install

=== Disable Composite Extension ===
In Ubuntu Feisty the Composite extension is enabled by default, however, ''fglrx'' does not yet support Composite with DRI. In order to disable Composite you have to edit the ''xorg.conf'' file:
<pre>gksu gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf</pre>
and add these lines at the end of the file:

{{Box File|/etc/X11/xorg.conf|
<pre>Section "Extensions"
Option "Composite" "Disable"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
Option "AIGLX" "off"
EndSection</pre>
}}

*Note: Xubuntu does not have gedit. The default text editor in Xubuntu is called mousepad.
<pre>gksu mousepad /etc/X11/xorg.conf</pre>
*Note: Kubuntu does not have gedit. The default text editor in Kubuntu is called Kate.
<pre>kdesu kate /etc/X11/xorg.conf</pre>
Another option is to use nano directly from the terminal.
<pre>sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf</pre>

== Installation ==

===Method 1: Install the Driver the Ubuntu Way===
<pre>
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install linux-restricted-modules-$(uname -r) # (Okay if it is already installed)
sudo apt-get install xorg-driver-fglrx
sudo depmod -a
</pre>

If the system complains about dependencies, use your preferred package manager to download python2.4 and, if necessary, its dependencies.

===Method 2: Install the 8.40.4 Driver Manually===

*Note: ''This is just an alternative installation method for the section above. It might help if you still get 'DRI missing' errors.''

Download the ATI driver installer:
[https://www2.ati.com/drivers/linux/ati-driver-installer-8.40.4-x86.x86_64.run ati-driver-installer-8.40.4-x86.x86_64.run] (this installer is for 32bit '''and''' 64bit systems)

Change to the download directory. Make sure that you have the ''universe'' and ''multiverse'' repositories enabled in ''/etc/apt/sources.list'' before doing these steps.

There is a detailed manual with screenshots at [https://wiki.ubuntu.com/AddingRepositoriesHowto Ubuntu Wiki].

By default, Ubuntu does not enable the Universe and Multiverse repositories. But they include some important programs and codecs, so it is highly recommended to activate them.

''Install necessary tools:''
<pre>
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install module-assistant build-essential fakeroot dh-make debhelper \
debconf libstdc++5 linux-headers-generic
</pre>

''Create .deb packages:''
<pre>
sudo bash ati-driver-installer-8.40.4-x86.x86_64.run --buildpkg Ubuntu/feisty
</pre>

''Blacklist old fglrx module from linux-restricted-modules:''

*Note: You only need to do this if you've installed the driver from Method 1 above.

As ubuntu's ''linux-restricted-modules'' package includes the fglrx module from an old driver version (8.28.8), we have to blacklist this module to make sure the new kernel module which is needed by the new driver will be used instead.

Ubuntu/Gnome users type in:
<pre>gksu gedit /etc/default/linux-restricted-modules-common</pre>

Kubuntu/KDE users type in:
<pre>kdesu kate /etc/default/linux-restricted-modules-common</pre>

Add "fglrx" to the line "DISABLED_MODULES"
{{Box File|/etc/default/linux-restricted-modules-common|
<pre>DISABLED_MODULES="fglrx"</pre>
}}

''Install .deb packages:''
<pre>
sudo dpkg -i xorg-driver-fglrx_8.40.4-1*.deb \
fglrx-kernel-source_8.40.4-1*.deb \
fglrx-amdcccle_8.40.4-1*.deb
</pre>

''Remove any old fglrx debs from /usr/src/:''
<pre>
sudo rm /usr/src/fglrx-kernel*.deb
</pre>

''Fix broken dependencies''
*Note: ''You only need to do this if you have installed previous versions of these drivers using this method before.''
<pre>
sudo apt-get -f install
</pre>

''Compile the kernel module:''
<pre>
sudo module-assistant prepare
sudo module-assistant update
sudo module-assistant build fglrx
sudo module-assistant install fglrx
sudo depmod -a
</pre>

It's necessary, because sometimes this file is written by other packages, and so there's no acceleration 3D

''Create the following folder''

<pre>
sudo mkdir /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/volatile
</pre>

''Create a symbolic link''

<pre>
sudo ln -s /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/misc/fglrx.ko /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/volatile/fglrx.ko
</pre>

'''IMPORTANT''': You have to recompile the kernel module after each kernel update!

===Configure the Driver===
*Note: I've found that using Method 2 can sometime cause problems when you reach this step. If you've used method 2 to install the Drivers. Please reboot before carrying out this step, or else you may experience problems.

*Note: An '''alternative''' to the '''aticonfig --initial''' command is to edit ''/etc/X11/xorg.conf'' and replace the string "ati" with "fglrx" in the "Device" section. This way you won't lose your old "Screen" and "Monitor" settings. Afterwards you can use aticonfig for setting overlay etc. Another alternative is '''aticonfig --initial --force''' if you encounter issues with the first command.
<pre>
sudo aticonfig --initial
</pre>
Then:
<pre>
sudo aticonfig --overlay-type=Xv
</pre>
*Note: Is there an alternative to the previous step?

===Finish the Installation===
Now save any open document and reboot your system:
<pre>
sudo shutdown -r now
</pre>
*Note: An '''alternative''' to rebooting is to restart the X Server by pressing your CTRL+ALT+BACKSPACE keys. You must remove any old kernel modules such as "drm" "radeon" or "fglrx" using the "rmmod" command. Example: <code>sudo rmmod fglrx</code>

== Post-Installation Checks ==
===Verifying===
Run the following command to check its output to ensure the fglrx driver is installed properly:
<pre>
$ fglrxinfo
display: :0.0 screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL renderer string: ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9600/9700 Series
OpenGL version string: 2.0.6650 (8.40.4)
</pre>
The <code>OpenGL vendor string</code> should read '''ATI''' and not '''Mesa'''.

=== Additional configure with aticonfig tool ===
You can even more configure the driver with the '''aticonfig''' tool, more information can be found at [[Configuring]].

For example: <br>
* use powerplay option to switch power state for battery friendly or performance mode
* use dual head or one big desktop mode
* turn second monitor on/off on the fly

==Ubuntu-specific Issues==

=== Revert to Xorg driver ===

If (for any reason) the fglrx install fails, you can revert to the Xorg driver by executing
<pre>sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg</pre>
and selecting the "ati" driver, or simply restoring the previous /etc/X11/xorg.conf file, if you made a backup.

You also need to remove the xorg-driver-fglrx or your manually installed drivers to get the 3D acceleration back, since it is provided by file /usr/lib/libGL.so.1.2 which belongs to libgl1-mesa package and which is moved to backup and replaced at the installation of xorg-driver-fglrx (or the manually built) package. In case the removal of the fglrx drivers fails to restore the file from libgl1-mesa, you have to reinstall the package by running:

<pre>sudo apt-get install --reinstall libgl1-mesa</pre>

=== If suspend is not working ===

If after fglrx installation suspend stops working, meaning it suspends not start and just gives black screen. Then changing a few options is reported to work for some hardware ([https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux-restricted-modules-2.6.20/+bug/84991 Bug 84991 ]).

For ATI X700:
{{Box File|/etc/default/acpi-support|
<pre>
SAVE_VBE_STATE=false
POST_VIDEO=true
USE_DPMS=false
</pre>
}}

For ATI X1300 and the ATI X1400 on a Dell Inspiron 9400, also for ATI X1600 on Asus Z96J (using install method 2):
{{Box File|/etc/default/acpi-support|
<pre>
POST_VIDEO=false
</pre>
}}

==See Also==
*[[Frequently Asked Questions]]
*[[Performance Issues]]
*[[Troubleshooting]]
*[http://www.petitiononline.com/x200MLin/petition.html Petition for better ATI/AMD Radeon XPRESS 200M Linux Drivers]
* [http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=2221323&postcount=162 ati radeon xpress 200m install method]
{{VCT}}
[[Category:Installation Documentation]]

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Ubuntu Feisty Installation Guide