I am new to Linux, just converted over, and I am trying to get drivers installed for my ATI 2400pro. I know, not the greatest card, but it works decently well for my needs.

I was following the instructions listed here ( http://wiki.cchtml.com/index.php/Ubu...n_Guide#Issues ) and got to step 4 and started to run into problems. So I decided to start over. Now I cant get step 2 to work, instead when I run the sh command, I get the error " sh: Can't open ati-driver-installer-9-5-x86.x86_64.run" and it wont continue. I am learning through much pain and trial and error, and I would appreciate anyone's help! Please keep in mind I dont understand any of the commands, they dont match any syntax or structure I am familiar with, so an explanation of what you want me to do so I can learn would be even more wonderful.

PS - why aren't driver packages just download and click? its like having to install your own seat in a car.

You need to run that command (step 2) as root or use sudo. That seems to be what your problem is.
Cheers,
jdk

first chmod the driver file as follows

sudo chmod +x ati-driver-installer-9-5-x86.x86_64.run

then

sudo ./ati-driver-installer-9-5-x86.x86_64.run

this should install the driver for you.

NOTE: please enter the user password when prompted.

Well, I tried what was suggested

and this is what I get.
chmod: cannot access `ati-driver-installer-9-5-x86.x86_64.run': No such file or directory

So I am assuming step 2 that you gave wont work since step 1 didnt.

HELP! What is chmod? what do I have to do to get a driver installed? I am getting frustrated enough I am contemplating going back to windows, and I HATE windows.

To the first person that responded, acronyms, command names and just matter of factly stating a problem doesnt help. I have no idea what you were talking about.

Are you sure you're running the commands from the directory where the file ati-driver-installer-9-5-x86.x86_64.run is located? It seems not. You need to run the command from the directory where that file is or else give the complete path to where the file is found in your commands. In a terminal go to the folder where you think the folder is and type [code]ls[/ls]
You should see the name of the file appear. If not, you're in the wrong directory.

chmod is a command that changes permissions associated with a given file. The function of the chmod command is to tell your system that it is an executable file (that's the +x part).

Just take things one step at a time and don't panic.

For the stuff you don't understand, it might help you too look at the documentation/tutorials/etc. or else just google linux root and linux sudo

It's really not complicated and very little work to do.
cheers,
jdk

I did look into that, and right now everything is on the desktop. I have the driver on the desktop, and when I pull up terminal, it is set to the desktop as well. I have deleted and redownloaded the driver file, but that doesnt seem to make any difference as to the errors I am getting. Does linux store permissions on a file? Or does it come with the file itself each download?

Any assistance would be wonderful!

You'll find this a very good tutorial: http://rute.2038bug.com/index.html.gz


Unfortunately Ubuntu has a unique approach to becoming root (think MS Admin user), so open a terminal window and type

sudo su -

it should ask you for your passwd. Enter that and hit the enter/return key.
Don't worry that nothing appears as you type in the passwd, its a security feature.

Now you should be logged in as root; the prompt char should be '#', and you can check by running the cmd

id

Next, use the 'cd' cmd to get to dir you have the file in. Note that Linux/Unix uses '/' instead of '\' as dir path separators eg your home dir would be

/home/yourname

Now you should be able to follow the instructions.
If you have issues, please give the exact cmd and msgs you receive, using code tags

I do want to thank you all, I finally got them to install. For some reason even though my promt was desktop in terminal, it wasnt reading the files right in front of it. I ended up putting in the full path and the drivers installed.

Unfortunately... Once they were installed all I got was a black screen. That capped off the frustration level altogether, and I am back on windows now until Linux gets it right. I should not have to install the steering wheel and seat to the new car I just bought, and with all the stuff missing out of linux, thats pretty much what you are doing.

Why do you need to make things difficult? System > Admin > Hardware drivers, check box, click on Apply, done. It would appear that you are the one who is insisting on installing his own seat.

Note: this may no longer work because of your previous attempts. You may have to do some cleaning up first, or do a reinstall if you do not know how to do that.

Other note: some ATI cards (the 4xxx series in particular) still have not got any proper drivers for the xorg that ships with the latest ubuntu. Whether you do the automated or the manual install won't make a difference in that case. I recommend you write them a flaming mail but it won't make much of a difference, they still don't seem to care all that much about Linux users.

Believe me, I tried those first. They didnt work very well. The primary thing that I wanted to do was create a relatively stable platform that I didnt have to run a bunch of protection crap in the background on and play Warcraft. Well, I got the warcraft part figured out, and it would have worked fine, had the video drivers worked. But alas, they didnt, and so I am back with the other side for now.

Maelstrom69:

You were on the brink of solving a very simple problem. Only one thing was missing.

Any xxxxxxxx.run installer SHOULD BE INSTALLED OUTSIDE THE X.

To make it simple:

1. While running Ubuntu on windowing (GUI) mode click Log Out -you will be taken to the log in dialog box, don't type anything on it, don't use it;

2. Press Ctl+Alt -F2 (or F3, or F4) a black shell terminal DOS-like log-in prompt appears.

3. Log in as your Username and password.

4. cd .. to the folder where your driver installer is saved, then run it there,

5. Enter driver installer: "/home/folder/whatever_folder/ati-xxxxxxx-xxxx.run" <hit Enter>

6. This time you should prefer positive answers <Yes> or <Ok>. If installer asks if it should compile a new kernel you will reply <Yes>.

7. Reboot.

This is the most effective way of running an "xxxxxxx.run" driver installer: to do it outside or while X Windowing System is not running, otherwise install process suffers. Certainly websites offering these installer .run files regularly remind the users to install it outside the X. It's a matter of reading the documentations CAREFULLY or with sufficient amount of prudence.
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You said:

Quote: =="Unfortunately... Once they were installed all I got was a black screen. That capped off the frustration level altogether,"==

Comment:

That occurs when the installer is contending against a running X window system on the process. That's why on the process X should not be running.

Your aim to run Warcraft requires driver-kernel recompile, this is done automatically by the installer on process. Nothing to worry, it is MSwindows like installation.
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In order to enjoy Gnu/Linux experience you are expected to read some good tutorials. Download and read the tutorial linked hereunder my signature; you may not read it all completely, if you have something of everything you'll begin enjoying gnu/linux. This is the tutorial that opened my eyes into the Linux world and I wish to share this also to new the comers.

Hope this helps.

Goodluck.