SUSE 10.1: ATI Drivers Installation

Got my SUSE Linux 10.1 up and runnin and already enjoying, though still got to go through all the customization. I will probably post a review on my experience with SUSE 10.1. But one thing for sure, the ATI drivers gave me a little kick, before I came up with these instructions, that I hope will work on most of the computers. Remember that I was trying to install these drivers as to later be able to install and launch Xgl/Compiz on desktop.

This time I decided to make the howto with more pics, thinking that maybe this way it will be easier for you guys to understand what is going on. At least I tried my best, well nearly. Here we go.

As of writing this I am running SUSE Linux 10.1 (maybe you already forgot), x86_64 platform (AMD64), with my ATI Radeon X800 series PCI-E interface on DFI nForce4 Ultra based motherboard. The latest driver version is 8.24.8

Once again there are prerequisites before you begin installing the drivers. You will need to have the following installed. All these can be found on your SUSE 10.1 CDs or DVD, unless by the time you will be reading this post and already there are online updates available for these packages, via Yast/Apt/Yum repositories. The packages are:

1. kernel-source 2.gcc 3. make

Info for n00b or rather newbies: When you see “~>” bfore command, that means execute it as user, and when you see “#“, you have to be root (by typing “su” and supplying the password when asked). No disrespect … :-]

Once the above mentioned packages are installed, let’s prepare the kernel modules (not necessary, but no harm in doing so). Execute the following commands (as root):

# 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)

Now to installing drivers. From the following screenshot you can clearly see that when a fresh copy of SUSE 10.1 is installed, OpenGL rendering is supported by MESA supplied drivers. Basically, when you see MESA - that means the ATI drivers are not up and running. This can be found by running either of the commands: glxinfo or fglrxinfo (as user, not root)

Lets get started the:

1. Download the latest available drivers from ATI Drivers and Software section. Choose your version of drivers: x86 for 32 bit, x86_64 for 64 bit. You need to download “ATI Driver Installer”

2. Once downloaded, copy to a folder that you wont forget. In my case it is /home/me/temp

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

# init 3

4. Log in as root and switch to folder where you downloaded the file. In my case:

# cd /home/me/temp

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

# sh ./ati-driver-installer-8.24.8-x86_64.run –buildpkg SuSE/SUSE101-AMD64

or if you have 32 bit, then

# sh ./ati-driver-installer-8.24.8-x86_64.run –buildpkg SuSE/SUSE101-IA32

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

# rpm -ihv fglrx64_6_9_0_SUSE101-8.23.7-1.x86_64.rpm

and at the end you should have something similar to the following, without any errors:

7. Edit ld.so.conf (not all people need this, but it helps if certain people encounter problem with /usr/lib/fglrx/lib/libGL.so.1.2 errors). Use your favourite text editor. I am using “vim”.

For newbies with vim -> once in text mode press “i” –> type the lines shown below –> press “ESC” –> press “shift+:” –> type “wq“–> Enter

# vim /etc/ld.so.conf

and add the following (add lib64 part only if you are using x86_64) as first line(s)

/usr/lib64/fglrx/lib

/usr/lib/fglrx/lib

8. Now run the following command. I required it for x86_64 setups, or had probs with running next command on some other computers. 32-bit users can also run it, won’t disturb.

# ldconfig

9. Once above has been completed, execute the following:

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

Your old xorg.conf file get’s backed up to xorg.conf.fglrx-0 (who knows what’s gonna happen. Unfortunately i had to use the backup - it’s good it did create a backup)

10. Now we need to execute one more command:

# sax2 -r -m 0=fglrx

[Maybe some of you will ask why samething twice - I don't know, but this worked for me the best - believe me. I tried other 2-3 ways or so and was ending up with no go or with strange xorg.file !!!]

11. Reboot(!) before you enter your DE (Destop Environenment). I know this is not Windows - again, this worked for me and really hope that will be true with you.

Once rebooted and back to your KDE/Gnome and logged in as user, launch few more commands to verify that all went good and OpenGL is working now at it’s max:

~> fglrxinfo

~> glxinfo

If it states ATI Technologies Inc and the make of your card - excellent. Everything is setup correctly and working flawlessly. Time to relax and have a cup of coffee.

One more thing - just verify the following in your /etc/X11/xorg.conf file. Also make sure that under ” Modules” section there is -> Load “dri“

IMPORTANT: You need to recompile and install the fglrx kernel module after each kernel update.

With my current setup I am getting the following result:

Hope this HowTo will be of help.

Enjoy

Update (20th April 2007): openSUSE 10.2: AMD/ATI Drivers Installation

 

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