ubuntu 9.04 fglrx upgrade = safe?
 

Recently, I've had a number of problems with flickering and running various programs as a result of the fglrx driver that I installed with ubuntu 8.10 before upgrading to 9.04. (I know this because these problems do not occur without fglrx, and fglrx-dri.so.something was found in a backtrace or 2.) I'm wondering how to determine which version of fglrx I have, and if it's safe to upgrade to the latest version from the ati website (version 9.5) without losing my X11. I generally prefer Nvidia/Intel, so I don't know a whole lot about fglrx. My slackware got messed up with the newer versions, and I've heard Ubuntu ships with a crappy fglrx, so I thought I'd ask to try and resolve my problems. Any help is, well, helpful.

BTW, I speak shell, so you can save some time by not specifically telling me commands to backup xorg.conf, etc. (although I'm not entirely sure where xorg.conf is located... stupid me! :P)

It's found here: /etc/X11/xorg.conf
cheers,
jdk

So, would it be safe to disable fglrx, backup XOrg.conf, uninstall existing fglrx in Synaptic, and install & initialize driver 9.5? That is to say, I'm not missing anything that could result in my system blowing up in a cloud of sulfur and opening a portal to hell or anything if 9.5 don't work?

It's always a good idea to back up xorg.conf but you don't have to "disable fglrx" (whatever that means). Where are you getting the driver from? is it an ubuntu package or are you getting them from the ATI website?

Cheers,
jdk

The one I'm using came prepackaged w/ ubuntu, I got the new one from the ATI website. I want to disable fglrx, because if I install it while it's in use, X will die. I've had problems with fglrx on different platforms, so in my opinion, it's almost necessary to back up xorg.conf. Does all that sound safe to you?

All I can say is that that has not happened to me and I've faithfully updating the fglrx driver monthly since ATI started to put out monthly updates. I upgrade the driver (removing the old one) and build and load the new one, stop and start x again and voilà, I'm running a new driver. I haven't done that for a couple of months now because ATI made my card "legacy".

But if that's what you feel comfortable doing, then go ahead.
Cheers,
jdk

I'll try this then, and tell you if it works... I sure hope it does... Will you be able to provide support if it doesn't?

this works great! Thanks! I disabled fglrx, backed up xorg.conf, installed new fglrx, ran aticonfig --initial, tried amdcccle and made everything stop working, rebooted... and TADA! It works! Thanks for your help!

All credit to you ChickenL. Well done!
Have fun,
jdk