Ubuntu Feisty Installation Guide

2012-01-22T08:20:47Z

69.195.198.136: /* Method 2: Install the 8.42.3 Driver Manually */

The [[:Category:Releases|latest]] fglrx driver supports Radeon 9500 and the X-series cards up to HD2900. Workstation cards are not supported.

==Pre-Installation Checks==
===Video Card Support===
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3"
!|Card Class
!|Supported (8.42.3)
!|Supported (7.12)
|-
|Radeon Consumer Cards 9500 to 9800
|Yes
|
|-
|Radeon Consumer Cards X300 to X1950
|Yes
|
|-
|Radeon Consumer Cards HD 2400 to HD 2900
|Yes
|
|-
|FireGL Workstation Cards
|No
|Yes
|}

=== 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.

=== 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>kdesudo 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-generic restricted-manager
sudo apt-get install xorg-driver-fglrx
sudo depmod -a
</pre>

Note: The second line of the above may not be necessary. If apt says it cannot find the "linux-restricted-modules" package, try line 3. If that fails, check your sources.list (see top of page)

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

That's the smart thinking we could all bnefeit from.

===Configure the Driver===
*Note Method 2 Users: Before you carry out this step you must reboot your machine. Or else the fglrx driver will not be in use on xorg.conf and using the aticonfig options will cause a memory dump and not intialise the Driver properly.
*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'''.

If you see a message like 'Xlib: extension "XFree86-DRI" missing on display ":1.0"' then you may have to add the following to /etc/X11/xorg.conf (see [http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=292642#post1714920]):
{{Box File|/etc/X11/xorg.conf|
<pre>
Section "Extensions"
Option "Composite" "Disable"
EndSection
</pre>
}}

=== 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==

Tocuhdwon! That's a really cool way of putting it!

=== If suspend is not working ===

If suspend stops working after fglrx installation, meaning display will not initialize after attempting to resume, then changing a few options has been reported to work for some hardware. 

For ATI X700 and ATI X1100 on Acer Aspire 5051:
{{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 or Lenovo Thinkpad T60, 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

[[Category:Installation Documentation]]

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Ubuntu Feisty Installation Guide