Installing ATI Video Drivers

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Type: Howto

Tested Versions: 10.1, 10.0

Written By: Kamatsu

Further Modifications By: No One

This article has been tested on the x86_64 platform (AMD64), with an ATI Radeon X800 series PCI-E interface on DFI nForce4 Ultra based motherboard. The latest driver version is 8.28.8. This has been verified and updated by running OpenSUSE 10.1 for x86 with a Radeon 9800 PRO with a VIA chipset on the motherboard. It has also been tested with the same platform (EM64T), with an ATI Radeon X300 (PCI-E), an Intel motherboard and chipset, and OpenSuSE 10.1.

Note: You will need to have the following YaST Packages installed.

  • kernel-source for your kernel
  • gcc
  • make
  • compat-expat1 (provides libexpat.so.0 instead of libexpat.so.1, the default for SuSE 10.1)

Important: Make sure kernel and kernel-source are of the same version, update if not

Contents

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Kernel Preparation

Once the above mentioned packages are installed, let's prepare the kernel modules. First, su to become root in your favorite console app: 

   $ su

Type in your root password, then type: 

   # cd /usr/src/linux
   # make mrproper
   # make cloneconfig
   # make modules_prepare

and one last command to clean the kernel source: 

   # make clean

Also, if you have tried installing drivers before, let's remove them properly by executing the command: 

   # rpm -e $(rpm -qa | grep fglrx)
[edit]

Initial Installation

Download the latest available drivers from ATI Drivers and Software section at the ATI Website. Ensure you have the x86 version for 32 bit systems (most of them), x86_64 version for 64 bit systems.

Once downloaded, copy the file to your home folder (/home/<your_user_name>)

Important: The full folder path where you place that file must not contain spaces or non-english letters.


Now we need to leave the cool graphical desktop and switch to console mode by typing (as root):

Note: This will shut down GNOME or KDE or whatever Desktop Environment you are using! If you are referring to this page as you do this, this will close, so make sure you write the following steps down! 

   # init 3

Log in as root and switch to your home folder: 

   # cd /home/<your_user_name>

Change the language to English: 

   # LANG=en_US

Now we need to build a package (installer) by typing the following command:

'For SuSE 10.2, 32-bit': 

   # sh ./ati-driver-installer-xx.xx.xx-x86.run –-buildpkg SuSE/SUSE102-IA32

'For SuSE 10.2, 64-bit': 

   # sh ./ati-driver-installer-xx.xx.xx-x86_64.run –-buildpkg SuSE/SUSE102-AMD64

'For SuSE 10.1, 32-bit': 

   # sh ./ati-driver-installer-xx.xx.xx-x86.run –-buildpkg SuSE/SUSE101-IA32

'For SuSE 10.1, 64-bit': 

   # sh ./ati-driver-installer-xx.xx.xx-x86_64.run –-buildpkg SuSE/SUSE101-AMD64

'For SuSE 10.0, 32-bit': 

   # sh ./ati-driver-installer-xx.xx.xx-x86.run –-buildpkg SuSE/SUSE100-IA32

'For SuSE 10.0, 64-bit': 

   # sh ./ati-driver-installer-xx.xx.xx-x86_64.run –-buildpkg SuSE/SUSE100-AMD64
Where xx.xx.xx is the version of your run file.

Now we will need to install the created .rpm file:

'For SuSE 10.2, 32-bit': 

   # rpm -ihv fglrx_7_1_0_SUSE102-xx.xx.xx.i386.rpm

'For SuSE 10.2, 64-bit': 

   # rpm -ihv fglrx64_7_1_0_SUSE102-xx.xx.xx.x86_64.rpm

'For SuSE 10.1, 32-bit': 

   # rpm -ihv fglrx_6_9_0_SUSE101-xx.xx.xx.i386.rpm

'For SuSE 10.1, 64-bit': 

   # rpm -ihv fglrx64_6_9_0_SUSE101-xx.xx.xx.x86_64.rpm

'For SuSE 10.0, 32-bit': 

   # rpm -ihv fglrx_6_9_0_SUSE100-xx.xx.xx.i386.rpm

'For SuSE 10.0, 64-bit': 

   # rpm -ihv fglrx64_6_9_0_SUSE100-xx.xx.xx.x86_64.rpm
Where xx.xx.xx is the version of your RPM.

Now the module is installed.

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Configuration

Execute the following (still in root): 

   # aticonfig –-initial -–input=/etc/X11/xorg.conf

If you get errors about a faulty commandline, simply type: 

   # aticonfig –-initial

Instead.

Now we need to execute one more command: 

   # sax2 -r -m 0=fglrx

SaX will give you a little test screen, feel free to ignore it if everything works correctly.

Reboot by typing 

   # reboot
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Testing

Once rebooted and logged in as your usual user, launch few more commands to verify that the installation was a success by opening up xterm or konsole and typing: 

   $ fglrxinfo

   $ glxinfo

If it states ATI Technologies Inc and the make of your card everything is setup correctly and working properly. Congratulations and happy opengliding :)

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Troubleshooting

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I Get strange results or it just doesn't work

First open your /etc/X11/xorg.conf file in your favorite editor. Search for Load "dri", if this line does not exist or is commented out, ensure that you put it in. Then reboot.

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