Getting things to work...
 

I just installed Mandrake 10 today, and it's my first time running a Linux system. I have it on a dual boot config with WinXP Pro, just in case I screw something up here hehe.

Anyways, I've got a few problems... my main one is this though, my video card drivers. I used Winex 4.0 to install Steam(Counter-Strike) and I managed to get into the game, but my fps were like 4!! I have an ATI Radeon 9600SE, so I know it should be more, and I also know this means my drivers aren't working correctly or something. I've seen a post or two about this, but the instructions are a little confusing. I can follow instructions good enough, but I think with the posts I've seen, the instructions were meant mostly for people who already know a bit about using Mandrake. I've tried installing the drivers from ATI's site but I get this conflicting error, which I've also seen mentioned in said posts. I just have no idea how to go about fixing this and getting my system up to snuff. Other problems include drivers for my 5 button optical mouse(Logitech MX510)... I really want to stick with Linux, but I need to get this stuff working first. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated... thanks.

ATI drivers are a pain to install.. be forewarned these are very hard for a newb to get working in most cases... First of all you need a suported card.. which means the driver only works with a Radeon 8500 and up.

To install, do the following..

download the driver from ATI (you have already done this ;) )

su -
password: # put in roots password
urpmi kernel-source # you may need to insert one of the mandrake cd's
rpm -i --force fglrx-whatever.rpm #this should build the modules, if you get any errors post them up we can work them out you do not have to worry about the "tainted kernel" error.
fglrxconfig # this will run you though the config process most of the defaults will be fine but read everything. there will be a section that asks if you want to use internal or external agpgart, read the uestion carefully and make sure you choose to use EXTERNAL AGPGART

next,

modprobe fglrx #post any errors you may get, if you get none.. continue on to see if this will work,
press cntl+alt+backspace this will restart the xserver, if all goes well it will come right back up... if it does come back up do the following...

fglrxinfo # if this reads MESA, you have problems post up if so, if it reads ATI you are good to do the following...

edit /etc/modules.preload # i think that is the file, all you need to do is add fglrx into the file. and you are set to use the ati driver..

for the mouse.. im not exactly sure about that one.. but you will need to edit /etc/X11/CF86Config-4 you will probably need the line "Option ZAxisMapping "6 7" added to your mouse section though.

Ok I got everyting done and it's worked fine so far... I'm at the part where I modify the modules.whatever file, and I can't find any modules.preload there is just 'modules', 'modules.conf' and 'modules.devfs' and once I open them, where do I put in the fglrx line in the file?

EDIT: I found the file, it was modprobe.preload and I logged in as root and put in the line. Now to fix my mouse!! And thanks for your help with the vid card!! Why won't Steam start!!!1 Arrgggg haha

here is how i got my radeon 9600 pro working

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...ht=radeon+9600