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Ubuntu Edgy Installation Guide

2006-11-30T03:59:31Z

62.252.224.16: /* The module compiles, but doesn't work */

In Ubuntu Edgy you can choose between two methods of installing the proprietary ATI driver. If you are new to linux you should use the first method as it is a lot easier than the second one and will work well in most cases. The second method describes how to install the very latest driver version, but requires some additional work and knowledge.

== Method 1: Installing Edgy's Included Driver (8.28.8)==

The included fglrx driver supports Radeon 8500+ and the X-series cards up to X1900.

=== Disable Composite Extension ===
Note: Xubuntu does not have gedit. Xubuntu's text editor is called mousepad.

In Ubuntu Edgy 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>sudo 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</pre>
}}

=== Installing the driver ===

Make sure the ''restricted'' repository is enabled in ''/etc/apt/sources.list'' or this guide will not work!

<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
sudo aticonfig --initial
sudo aticonfig --overlay-type=Xv
</pre>

Now Reboot your system:

<pre>
sudo shutdown -r now
</pre>

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.

=== Confirm that it works ===
<pre>
fglrxinfo
display: :0.0 screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL renderer string: RADEON 9600 Generic
OpenGL version string: 2.0.6011 (8.28.8)
</pre>

=== Troubleshooting for Method 1 ===

*The output of '''dmesg | grep fglrx''' and /var/log/Xorg.0.log are most useful when looking for errors. You should really include this when you are asking for help somewhere. If '''dmesg | grep fglrx''' gives no output you may try <pre>sudo gedit /etc/modules</pre>and add this line at the end of the file:

{{Box File|/etc/modules|
<pre>fglrx</pre>
}}

*Another potentially useful guide: [http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=273934]

*If you used Method 2 before, you have to unblacklist fglrx again by editing ''/etc/default/linux-restricted-modules-common''. You may have to run '''sudo lrm-manager''' afterwards.

*See [[#Troubleshooting for both Methods|Troubleshooting for both Methods]]

 

== Method 2: Generating/Installing Ubuntu packages for the new 8.31.5 drivers in Ubuntu Edgy Manually ==

The new fglrx driver supports Radeon '''9'''500+ (older cards will not work!) and the X-series cards up to X1900.

=== Disable Composite Extension ===

In Ubuntu Edgy the Composite extension is enabled by default, however, ''fglrx'' does not yet support Composite with DRI. In order to to disable Composite you have to edit the ''xorg.conf'' file:
<pre>sudo 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</pre>
}}

=== Blacklist old fglrx module from linux-restricted-modules ===

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.

<pre>sudo gedit /etc/default/linux-restricted-modules-common</pre>
Edit ''DISABLED_MODULES'' to include fglrx
{{Box File|/etc/default/linux-restricted-modules-common|
<pre>DISABLED_MODULES="fglrx"</pre>
}}

=== Installing the new driver ===

Download the ATI driver installer: [http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/linux/ati-driver-installer-8.31.5-x86.x86_64.run ati-driver-installer-8.31.5-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.

''Install necessary tools:''

<pre>
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install module-assistant build-essential
sudo apt-get install fakeroot dh-make debhelper debconf libstdc++5 linux-headers-$(uname -r)
</pre>

''Create .deb packages:''

<pre>
sudo ln -sf bash /bin/sh
bash ati-driver-installer-8.31.5-x86.x86_64.run --buildpkg Ubuntu/edgy
sudo ln -sf dash /bin/sh
</pre>

''Install .deb packages:''

<pre>
sudo dpkg -i xorg-driver-fglrx_8.31.5-1*.deb
sudo dpkg -i fglrx-kernel-source_8.31.5-1*.deb
sudo dpkg -i fglrx-control_8.31.5-1*.deb
</pre>

''Remove any old fglrx debs from /usr/src/:''

<pre>
sudo rm /usr/src/fglrx-kernel*.deb
</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>

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

''Update the xorg.conf file:''

<pre>
sudo aticonfig --initial
sudo aticonfig --overlay-type=Xv
</pre>

'''Note:'''
You could also edit your ''/etc/X11/xorg.conf'' file to change your driver to '''fglrx''' then run:

<pre>
sudo aticonfig --overlay-type=Xv
</pre>

This way your ''xorg.conf'' file will stay clean.

''Now Reboot:''

<pre>
sudo shutdown -r now
</pre>

=== Confirm that it worked ===

<pre>
$ fglrxinfo
display: :0.0 screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL renderer string: RADEON 9700 Generic
OpenGL version string: 2.0.6174 (8.31.5)
</pre>

<pre>
$ glxinfo | grep render
direct rendering: Yes
</pre>

If your direct rendering is disabled, you may have to symlink the dri folder:

<pre>
sudo mkdir /usr/X11R6/lib/modules
sudo ln -s /usr/lib/dri /usr/X11R6/lib/modules/
</pre>

=== Troubleshooting for Method 2===

==== xorg.conf ====

The '''aticonfig --initial''' command will not update the xorg.conf file if it already has a "fglrx" Device section.
However, you may force aticonfig to generate default Monitor, Device, and Screen sections with the following command:

<pre>
sudo aticonfig --force --initial
</pre>

 

=== The module compiles, but doesn't work ===
For some reason fglrx may need gcc-4.0 to compile, if you experience some message related to gcc version in dmesg, try this:

First we'll install it

<pre>
sudo apt-get install gcc-4.0
</pre>

and link it to gcc.

<pre>
sudo ln -sf /usr/bin/gcc-4.0 /usr/bin/gcc
</pre>

After doing the module-assistant steps, you may want to return gcc to 4.1 by default:

<pre>
sudo ln -sf /usr/bin/gcc-4.1 /usr/bin/gcc
</pre>

----------------------------

The module may not install to the right location, if you have this problem the module can be simply moved to the right place

<pre>
sudo mv /lib/modules/2.6.17-10-generic/misc/fglrx.ko /lib/modules/2.6.17-10-generic/volatile/
</pre>

== Troubleshooting for both Methods ==

=== gedit not found===
Xubuntu does not have gedit. Xubuntu's text editor is called mousepad. Replace "gedit" with "mousepad" or download gedit.

=== General ===

The output of '''dmesg | grep fglrx''' and /var/log/Xorg.0.log are most useful when looking for errors.

=== DRI does not work although the fglrx module is loaded ===

If fglrxinfo shows:
<pre>
OpenGL vendor string: Mesa project: www.mesa3d.org
</pre>

Make sure the Composite extension is disabled, add this to your /etc/X11/xorg.conf file:
<pre>
Section "Extensions"
Option "Composite" "Disable"
EndSection
</pre>

This should also resolve the corrupted mouse cursor problem in dual-head mode.

=== Module isn't loaded ===
If the fglrx module isn't loaded try to add ''fglrx'' to /etc/modules on a new line. See also [https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+bug/63912 bug 63912].

{{Box File|/etc/modules|
<pre>
# /etc/modules: kernel modules to load at boot time.
#
# This file contains the names of kernel modules that should be loaded
# at boot time, one per line. Lines beginning with "#" are ignored.

fglrx
</pre>
}}

=== 2D speed ===

If you suffer from slow 2D speed it might help to set
Option "XaaNoOffscreenPixmaps"
in the fglrx device section of ''/etc/X11/xorg.conf''

=== X800/X850 fan is very loud / constantly works ===

It seems fglrx has a bug with all X800/X850 cards causing them to heat up excessively
even when not in 3D mode. This behaviour will cause the cards' fans to function on full
blast continuously. There is no known fix as of driver 8.31.05 or previous. Open source
"radeon" driver does not exhibit this problem.

=== Is the rebooting really necessary? ===

No.

However, rebooting is the easiest method to ensure that the kernel module(s) from the old driver are unloaded and the fglrx module is loaded instead. If you don't want to reboot for some reason, you may manually shut down Xorg, unload any old "drm", "radeon" or "fglrx" modules and then start Xorg again.

=== 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>

Ubuntu Dapper Installation Guide

2006-04-08T10:16:50Z

62.252.224.16: /* Installing the new driver */

== Method 1: Installing Dapper's Included Driver (8.23.7) ==

The fglrx driver supports Radeon 8500+ and the X-series cards up to X850.

=== Installing the driver ===

<pre>
sudo apt-get install linux-restricted-modules-$(uname -r) #Okay if it is already installed
sudo apt-get install xorg-driver-fglrx
sudo aticonfig --initial
</pre>

Reboot.

Added by Nick : I had to change /etc/modules/ and add 'fglrx' in first place, I also did "sudo apt-get install fglrx-control". Only then did everything work OK

=== Confirm that it works ===
<pre>
$ fglrxinfo
display: :0.0 screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL renderer string: RADEON 9700 Generic
OpenGL version string: 2.0.5695 (8.23.7)
</pre>

=== Troubleshooting ===

*The output of '''dmesg | grep fglrx''' and /var/log/Xorg.0.log are most useful when looking for errors.

*It might be necessary to create a symlink to get accelerated OpenGL:
:<pre>sudo ln -s /usr/lib/dri /usr/lib/xorg/modules/dri</pre>

*To ensure you automatically get the current ''linux-restricted-modules'' package with kernel updates, you should install the linux-restricted-modules-??? package matching your kernel-type (without version numer), e.g. ''linux-restricted-modules-386'', ''linux-restricted-modules-686'' or ''linux-restricted-modules-k7''.

== Method 2: Generating/Installing Ubuntu packages for the newer 8.23.7 drivers in Ubuntu Dapper ==

'''Important Change:''' Installation of this driver '''no longer requires''' removing the linux-restricted-modules package in order to work. There is a new blacklist feature in Ubuntu Dapper that you can use to go around this.

When running the dpkg-reconfigure command you should answer the questions that you know and take the defaults for the rest. You might want to say ''no'' to the monitor detection--it has caused X-Windows to crash for some people.

=== Remove existing fglrx driver ===

Blacklist fglrx module from linux-restricted-modules:

<pre>sudo gedit /etc/default/linux-restricted-modules-common</pre>
Edit ''DISABLED_MODULES'' to include fglrx

Remove Dapper's included fglrx drivers if they are installed:

<pre>
sudo apt-get remove xorg-driver-fglrx
sudo apt-get remove fglrx-control
sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg #select the "ati" module
</pre>

Reboot.

=== Installing the new driver ===

Download the ATI driver installer: [https://support.ati.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=894&task=knowledge&folderID=27 Click here]

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.

''Install necessary tools:''

<pre>
sudo apt-get install module-assistant build-essential
sudo apt-get install fakeroot dh-make debconf libstdc++5 gcc-3.3-base
</pre>

''Create .deb packages:''

<pre>
chmod +x ati-driver-installer-8.23.7-i386.run
LANG=C LC_ALL=C ./ati-driver-installer-8.23.7-i386.run --buildpkg Ubuntu/dapper
</pre>

''Install .deb packages:''

<pre>
sudo dpkg -i xorg-driver-fglrx_8.23.7-1_i386.deb
sudo dpkg -i fglrx-control_8.23.7-1_i386.deb
sudo dpkg -i fglrx-kernel-source_8.23.7-1_i386.deb
</pre>

''Remove any old fglrx deb's from /usr/src/:''

<pre>
sudo rm /usr/src/fglrx-kernel*.deb
</pre>

''Compile the kernel driver:''

<pre>
sudo module-assistant prepare
sudo module-assistant update
sudo module-assistant a-i fglrx
</pre>

''Note'': If ''sudo module-assistant a-i fglrx'' doesn't work then run the following:

<pre>
sudo dpkg -i fglrx-kernel-source_8.23.7-1_i386.deb
sudo module-assistant build,install fglrx
</pre>

This is because the current fglrx kernel source package in Dapper is marked "newer" than the one created by the ATI Installer.

''Update the xorg.conf file:''

<pre>
sudo aticonfig --initial
</pre>

''Re-enable the fglrx module''
Remove fglrx module from linux-restricted-modules:

<pre>sudo gedit /etc/default/linux-restricted-modules-common</pre>
Edit ''DISABLED_MODULES'' and remove the fglrx you added earlier

Reboot.

=== Confirm that it worked ===

<pre>
$ fglrxinfo
display: :0.0 screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL renderer string: RADEON 9700 Generic
OpenGL version string: 2.0.5695 (8.23.7)
</pre>

=== Troubleshooting ===

==== General ====

Look for error messages in /var/log/Xorg.0.log and kern.log.

==== HP dv5029us Notebook PC ====

If you have an HP Notebook Computer such as the HP dv5029dvus it is needed to modify the BIOS configuration. It seems for some reason using sideport memory (the card's onboard memory only) leads to an apparent system crash although the logs show successful initialization of DRI. It is needed to run the BIOS setup screen, go to memory options, and select UMA+Sideport memory and assign a value to it (I assigned an extra 128M from the system RAM). Boot the computer and the fglrx driver will work. FGLRX version is 8.23.7 on an i386 Ubuntu Dapper install.

[[Category:Installation Documentation]]