[O/C] ATI Driver Installation in Linux

Overclockers.com · 06-24-10, 04:52 PM

ATI Driver Installation in Lunux
by SeanBest

Quote:

Scared to use an ATI card in Linux? Had a horrible experience with ATI in Linux that resulted in 2 smashed keyboards, a broken Ubuntu 8.04 LiveCD, and three trips to your family psychiatrist? Well I did, well maybe not THAT bad, but really close. Since I started using Linux roughly two years ago, I always ran it without 3D video drivers because ATIs drivers were so hard to install and configure. I started out using Ubuntu, I believe it was 8.04, with my brand spankin' new ATI 4870 and it was tearing it up in Windows, but as soon as I started dual boot...

Return to Article

Discuss this article below. If you are interested in contributing to the front page (www.overclockers.com), please feel free to contact splat, mdcomp, or hokiealumnus. For the latest updates, follow Overclockers.com on Twitter (@Overclockerscom).

slavik · 06-25-10, 10:57 PM

have you tried using the utility that comes with ubuntu?

SeanBest · 06-26-10, 12:09 AM

What utility?

Stratus_ss · 06-26-10, 08:11 AM

I think he is refering to the hardware drivers utility which doesnt always install the most up to date versions

Jorick · 06-26-10, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stratus_ss

I think he is refering to the hardware drivers utility which doesnt always install the most up to date versions

Or work at all...

SeanBest · 06-26-10, 11:10 AM

If your referring to the Restricted Driver thing, I've used it once or twice, never had a problem with it, but it usually is one to three versions behind. Also it doesn't install CCC which is nice because some distros don't like to set up the display correctly and occasionally the best way to configure the resolution is via CCC if your Window Manager is giving you trouble.

Jorick · 06-27-10, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanBest

If your referring to the Restricted Driver thing, I've used it once or twice, never had a problem with it, but it usually is one to three versions behind. Also it doesn't install CCC which is nice because some distros don't like to set up the display correctly and occasionally the best way to configure the resolution is via CCC if your Window Manager is giving you trouble.

Yep... My experience with the Restricted Drivers on Ubuntu is... sometimes it doesn't show anything at all. Other times it shows nvidia drivers (which is proper, since I have an nvidia gpu in the box), but after installation, it can never load the kernel module.

At which point I usually get annoyed, drop out of X, nuke all nivida-* that is installed, and install from my backup of the nvidia drivers I downloaded from nvidia's website. I've always had that work for me.

splat · 06-27-10, 09:39 PM

I can't speak for ati support, but i've never had a problem with the restricted drivers tool and nvidia gpus - xorg always loads fine after rebooting. do you check the logs to see what went wrong before you nuke everything?

dropadrop · 06-29-10, 05:37 AM

I had quite a lot of problems with my ATI drivers on my new workstation at work. It was a pretty new model and the restricted drivers barely supported 2d. On the other hand Ati's own drivers did not support the newest Ubuntu version... Funny thing is, I found a hacked (ATI checks removed) driver based on their official one which installed just fine.

You'd think they could just list supported distro's and models but not artificially limit installation to them?

Stratus_ss · 06-29-10, 08:47 AM

ATI has always been hit an miss for me. I can't play WoW in linux because the graphics drivers run like arse. I have a 4670 video card, core I7 with 4 gigs of ram and on the title screen I get about 7 fps.

The official drivers from ATI caused X to crash constantly, I am using the hardware drivers utility to give basic functionality

jediobi1 · 07-11-10, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stratus_ss

ATI has always been hit an miss for me. I can't play WoW in linux because the graphics drivers run like arse. I have a 4670 video card, core I7 with 4 gigs of ram and on the title screen I get about 7 fps.

The official drivers from ATI caused X to crash constantly, I am using the hardware drivers utility to give basic functionality

i have never had a problem with ati linux drivers

dropadrop · 07-11-10, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jediobi1

i have never had a problem with ati linux drivers

You won't unless you have a very new card / want to use a newer kernel then installed on supported distro's etc. There are pretty clearly definable cases that will cause problems, but even they would not need to cause problems (as shown by how well the drivers work when you find a "hacked" one that removes the check used prior to install).

jediobi1 · 07-11-10, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dropadrop

You won't unless you have a very new card / want to use a newer kernel then installed on supported distro's etc. There are pretty clearly definable cases that will cause problems, but even they would not need to cause problems (as shown by how well the drivers work when you find a "hacked" one that removes the check used prior to install).

well everything has worked on my 4850's with no problem, i got a friend with a 5870 and mint 9 and it works fine, and we both do gaming, ie css, gmod, hl2 etc

dropadrop · 07-12-10, 03:05 AM

Yup.. Then get an SSD, and try to get trim to work... You'll have to download a 2.6.33 kernel which will work fine, except with Ati drivers. Also you'll need to be running a 64bit distro if you want more then 4GB of memory (unless you want to compile the kernel yourself).

Ninth · 07-21-10, 09:57 PM

I've been told to straight up avoid ATI in favor of nvidia if I want to get any sort of reliable graphics performance under nix; is there truth in this statement? I've never run into this problem since I have a windows machine for all my graphic intensive (read: gaming) needs, and most of my nix machines are legacy machines from who knows how long ago running embedded chips.

Stratus_ss · 07-22-10, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninth

I've been told to straight up avoid ATI in favor of nvidia if I want to get any sort of reliable graphics performance under nix; is there truth in this statement? I've never run into this problem since I have a windows machine for all my graphic intensive (read: gaming) needs, and most of my nix machines are legacy machines from who knows how long ago running embedded chips.

As a general statement I agree with the above. I have had problems upon problems with ATI (unless we are talking like a RAGE 128 which work well with the mesa drivers)

ATI is still a crap shoot as far as I am concerned. Stick with nvidia for any sort of graphics needs or intel if you don't want anything too fancy

splat · 07-22-10, 04:05 PM

i had no problems running the HD 5550 in linux with the ati drivers this past week when i was reviewing it

jediobi1 · 07-23-10, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by splat

i had no problems running the HD 5550 in linux with the ati drivers this past week when i was reviewing it

same here i have a mobile 5750 i think it is, anyway, i just played some lan of l4d with some friends and game play on linux was smooth, also played some guildwars and it was great

Stratus_ss · 07-23-10, 10:09 AM

I have a 4670, it runs like arse. I get about 3 FPS in WoW at the MENU The official drivers caused constant crashes. Am using the drivers from the repo's but it causes the fan to run quite a bit.

I have graphical glitches from time to time. All around not a good experience

splat · 07-23-10, 10:36 AM

maybe the 4xxx series isn't as well supported as the 5xxx series?

06-25-10, 10:57 PM	#2
slavik Registered Join Date: Dec 2005	there's a built in util have you tried using the utility that comes with ubuntu?
	QUOTE Thanks

06-26-10, 12:09 AM	#3
SeanBest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Harrisonburg, VA	What utility?
	QUOTE Thanks

06-26-10, 08:11 AM	#4
Stratus_ss Overclockix Snake Charming Senior Overclockers AltOS Content Editor Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ontario Canada	I think he is refering to the hardware drivers utility which doesnt always install the most up to date versions __________________ HEAT *Those wishing to contribute to the AltOS section front page please PM me.* Leviathan41: "Playing with a controller because the mouse and keyboard is too easy is like racing with a bicycle because a car is too fast." Certifications Red Hat Certified Engineer LPIC -1 Novell Certified Linux Administrator/Datacentre Specialist Ubuntu Certified Professional Linux +
	QUOTE Thanks

06-26-10, 11:10 AM	#6
SeanBest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Harrisonburg, VA	If your referring to the Restricted Driver thing, I've used it once or twice, never had a problem with it, but it usually is one to three versions behind. Also it doesn't install CCC which is nice because some distros don't like to set up the display correctly and occasionally the best way to configure the resolution is via CCC if your Window Manager is giving you trouble. __________________ HEAT Motherboard --------- BIOSTAR TPower I45 CPU ------------------- Intel E8600 @ 4GHz Memory -------------- 4GB Corsair Dominator DDR2 1066 Cooling --------------- Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme HDDs ----------------- Western Digital Velociraptor 300GB 10k RPM Graphics Card ------- MSI HD4870 OC Edition Soundcard ----------- Creative X-Fi Xtremegamer Case ------------------ Antec Nine Hundered Power Supply -------- OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W OS -------------------- Win 7 Pro x64, Mint Debian x64
	QUOTE Thanks

06-27-10, 09:39 PM	#8
splat ASCII Moderator Overclockers.com Lead Editor Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Philly	I can't speak for ati support, but i've never had a problem with the restricted drivers tool and nvidia gpus - xorg always loads fine after rebooting. do you check the logs to see what went wrong before you nuke everything? __________________ ______________________________/\/\__________________/\/\_____ _______/\/\/\/\__/\/\/\/\____/\/\____/\/\/\______/\/\/\/\/\__ ____/\/\/\/\____/\/\__/\/\__/\/\________/\/\______/\/\_______ _________/\/\__/\/\/\/\____/\/\____/\/\/\/\______/\/\________ __/\/\/\/\____/\/\________/\/\/\__/\/\/\/\/\____/\/\/\_______ _____________/\/\___________once you clock you can't go stock articles \|\| folding stats \|\| overclockers last.fm group Overclockers.com and you - Become a fan on Facebook! \| Get published! \| Follow on Twitter! \|\| Random Article
	QUOTE Thanks

[O/C] ATI Driver Installation in Linux

Internet Services

Website Development

Tech Hardware

06-29-10, 05:37 AM	#9
dropadrop Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Finland	I had quite a lot of problems with my ATI drivers on my new workstation at work. It was a pretty new model and the restricted drivers barely supported 2d. On the other hand Ati's own drivers did not support the newest Ubuntu version... Funny thing is, I found a hacked (ATI checks removed) driver based on their official one which installed just fine. You'd think they could just list supported distro's and models but not artificially limit installation to them?
	QUOTE Thanks

06-29-10, 08:47 AM	#10
Stratus_ss Overclockix Snake Charming Senior Overclockers AltOS Content Editor Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ontario Canada	ATI has always been hit an miss for me. I can't play WoW in linux because the graphics drivers run like arse. I have a 4670 video card, core I7 with 4 gigs of ram and on the title screen I get about 7 fps. The official drivers from ATI caused X to crash constantly, I am using the hardware drivers utility to give basic functionality __________________ HEAT *Those wishing to contribute to the AltOS section front page please PM me.* Leviathan41: "Playing with a controller because the mouse and keyboard is too easy is like racing with a bicycle because a car is too fast." Certifications Red Hat Certified Engineer LPIC -1 Novell Certified Linux Administrator/Datacentre Specialist Ubuntu Certified Professional Linux +
	QUOTE Thanks

07-12-10, 03:05 AM	#14
dropadrop Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Finland	Yup.. Then get an SSD, and try to get trim to work... You'll have to download a 2.6.33 kernel which will work fine, except with Ati drivers. Also you'll need to be running a 64bit distro if you want more then 4GB of memory (unless you want to compile the kernel yourself).
	QUOTE Thanks

07-21-10, 09:57 PM	#15
Ninth Member Join Date: Mar 2008	I've been told to straight up avoid ATI in favor of nvidia if I want to get any sort of reliable graphics performance under nix; is there truth in this statement? I've never run into this problem since I have a windows machine for all my graphic intensive (read: gaming) needs, and most of my nix machines are legacy machines from who knows how long ago running embedded chips. __________________ CPU: E8400 Mobo: P5k Prem GPU: HD4850 Ram: Gskill 2x2gig DDR2-1000 PSU: Corsair 620HX HDD: 250 Gig barracuda CPU block: Apogee GT GPU block: MCW60 Pump:MCP655 Rad:MCR320 (3x yl med)
	QUOTE Thanks

07-22-10, 04:05 PM	#17
splat ASCII Moderator Overclockers.com Lead Editor Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Philly	i had no problems running the HD 5550 in linux with the ati drivers this past week when i was reviewing it __________________ ______________________________/\/\__________________/\/\_____ _______/\/\/\/\__/\/\/\/\____/\/\____/\/\/\______/\/\/\/\/\__ ____/\/\/\/\____/\/\__/\/\__/\/\________/\/\______/\/\_______ _________/\/\__/\/\/\/\____/\/\____/\/\/\/\______/\/\________ __/\/\/\/\____/\/\________/\/\/\__/\/\/\/\/\____/\/\/\_______ _____________/\/\___________once you clock you can't go stock articles \|\| folding stats \|\| overclockers last.fm group Overclockers.com and you - Become a fan on Facebook! \| Get published! \| Follow on Twitter! \|\| Random Article
	QUOTE Thanks

07-23-10, 10:09 AM	#19
Stratus_ss Overclockix Snake Charming Senior Overclockers AltOS Content Editor Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ontario Canada	I have a 4670, it runs like arse. I get about 3 FPS in WoW at the MENU The official drivers caused constant crashes. Am using the drivers from the repo's but it causes the fan to run quite a bit. I have graphical glitches from time to time. All around not a good experience __________________ HEAT *Those wishing to contribute to the AltOS section front page please PM me.* Leviathan41: "Playing with a controller because the mouse and keyboard is too easy is like racing with a bicycle because a car is too fast." Certifications Red Hat Certified Engineer LPIC -1 Novell Certified Linux Administrator/Datacentre Specialist Ubuntu Certified Professional Linux +
	QUOTE Thanks

07-23-10, 10:36 AM	#20
splat ASCII Moderator Overclockers.com Lead Editor Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Philly	maybe the 4xxx series isn't as well supported as the 5xxx series? __________________ ______________________________/\/\__________________/\/\_____ _______/\/\/\/\__/\/\/\/\____/\/\____/\/\/\______/\/\/\/\/\__ ____/\/\/\/\____/\/\__/\/\__/\/\________/\/\______/\/\_______ _________/\/\__/\/\/\/\____/\/\____/\/\/\/\______/\/\________ __/\/\/\/\____/\/\________/\/\/\__/\/\/\/\/\____/\/\/\_______ _____________/\/\___________once you clock you can't go stock articles \|\| folding stats \|\| overclockers last.fm group Overclockers.com and you - Become a fan on Facebook! \| Get published! \| Follow on Twitter! \|\| Random Article
	QUOTE Thanks

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search