I can explain the problem with ATI Radeon-series cards and XFree 4.3.0. The stock 2.4.20 kernel drm is version 1.1.1. The XFree 4.3.0 DRI Radeon libraries require drm 1.3.x and higher to operate properly. If you are having problems loading dri and are not getting any hardware acceleration with your Radeon under stock 2.4.20 and Xfree 4.3.0, first verify the problem:
export LIBGL_DEBUG="verbose"
in a terminal window using X. Next, crank up gears:
glxgears -info
You will see a message to this effect in the window:
[Radeon DRI was expecting DRM version 1.3.x and higher, but only 1.1.1]
To fix the problem, you need to do the following: Obtain the drm-trunk portion of the XFree 4.3.0 source code. You can either download the entire XF source (unnecessary), or, you can find the drm-trunk section separately. Here's one place:
http://cvs.gentoo.org/~gerk/distfiles/drm-trunk.tar.gz
So what is this thing anyway? It is the kernel drm you need to run Radeon dri under XF 4.3.0. Unpack the tarball and do this:
make -f Makefile.linux radeon.o
Now recompile your kernel by first setting DRM/Radeon support to M for modular (not built-in). You will find after your modules are built this file:
/lib/modules/2.4.20/kernel/drivers/char/drm/radeon.o
That radeon.o file should be replaced with the one you compiled separately from the newer drm-trunk above. Finally, just add /sbin/modprobe radeon to you rc.modules and you are all set --- the kernel drm is ready for the XF 4.3.0 Radeon dri libraries adn you will have your hardware acceleration back.
Kernel patches that bring the drm up to snuff are out there, but this is the way to do it without patching -- Hopefully they will fold the new drm into the stable kernels soon......
drphibes
