How To: Install X.Org 6.8 and ATI Proprietary drivers in Mandrake 10.1
 

This is simply meant as a helping hand to get the ATI drivers working on Mandrake 10.1


Before you install


Make a backup copy of your current xorg.conf file. This is just in case something goes wrong and you need the original one back.

Make sure the following software is already installed on your system:

glibc version 2.2 or 2.3
X.Org 6.8 ** See upgrading X.Org
Kernel source code
Kernel header (include) files
GCC compiler
Make Utility


**Upgrading X.Org to 6.8 in Mandrake 10.1

I do not recommend updating all packages. Do so at your own risk.

Go to Software media manager then add http://rpm.nyvalls.se/10.1/RPMS/ as an HTTP site or Type this in a console. You have to be root to do the installs, type :

Enter the root password then type:
Next type

A list of about 10 packages will be displayed. Choose the package you want to install *Let's just say its xorg-x11* then type:



A list of Dependency files will display, you need to download these as well, Type Y and hit enter and the packages should install and you have successfully upgraded X.Org to version 6.8





Installing ATI drivers:

Download your flavor of the ATI driver RPM http://ati.com/support/driver.html and place it into a directory of your choice.

Now cd in to the directory you put the ATI Driver rpm package in.

Type

You should see the install run. Next type:

Answer all the questions as prompted

When asked to generate an xorg.conf file, answer y


Restart and log into X-Windows




Testing and trouble shooting:

To insure the driver is installed type

Look for the OpenGL vendor string it should say ATI Technologies Inc. If it says MESA Indirect (software) rendering, there are a couple things you need to check.

1) Make sure you have the Kernel source code and the GCC compiler installed, by default they are not.

2) The ATI driver has its own internal AGP management for Intel chipsets. If you don't have an Intel chipset, you may need to change the "UseInternalAGPGART" option to "no" in the device section of the xorg.conf.

If you found you missed a step (like no kernel source code) you can simply reinstall the ATI driver. You should not have to run fglrxconfig unless you feel you made a bad choice in your options.

If everything seems to be fine you can type

to get a VERY rough framrate benchmark, note it is not a true benchmark but it is good for reference. If everything is working properly you should have a framerate at least 10,000 and up to or over 50,000 depending on your hardware. Mesa drivers are normally 1000 or under.




This information was put together by the posts of several people as well as the instructions for installing from ATI. I mainly just put them into a single post to simplify the install. Please let me know if there are any corrections that need to be done to this How To document.

MAKE THIS A STICKY
 

Thanks for posting a how-to. I really get annoyed seeing the same questions posted 1,000 times about how to get x.org 6.8 or installing ATI drivers. I'm also sick of typing "search the forums". lol

Better than making it a sticky, TJMax should submit it as a Linux Tutorial. The Tutorials last longer than stickies.

I didn't even know there was a Linux tutorial section and I've been on this board for awhile! Yes, he should DEFINITELY submit it there!

I debated to myself if it would be better as a Linux Tutorial or under the Mandrake forums. I choose the mandrake forums simple due to the fact that the article is focused on a "Mandrake solution" and not really an "Linux solution". Personally, when I searched to find the answer on upgrading the X.Org a couple days ago, I searched specifically in the mandrake forums for the answers, its just where I would expect to find them.


I have however submitted it as a Linux Tutorial now as well. Having it in both places cant hurt after all. 8)

Cool. It won't show up immediately - all the Mods have to "vet" it first. Just because it's Mandy specific doesn't mean it's of no use and won't be accepted - if a distro has quirks that are not shared by other distros, the Tutorials are the perfect place for them.

I finally decided to upgrade using the tutorial mentioned. Everything went well except the last part. I installed my ATI drivers and it had no problems. I then typed glxgears and I saw the gears moving and all. Then when I typed fglrxinfo, it turns out it is running the MESA drivers rather than ATI. What could I have possibly done wrong? What should I check for?

**I think I'm onto something. I did it the manual way:

When I get there, I get this error:

ATI module generator V 2.0
==========================
initializing...
Error:
kernel includes at /usr/src/linux/include do not match current kernel.
they are versioned as ""
instead of "2.6.8.1-12mdk".
you might need to adjust your symlinks:
- /usr/include
- /usr/src/linux

How do I get the include???

Your installed kernel does not correspond to your installed kernel-sources hence the error.

Problem solved!

I went into my Mandrake control center, uninstalled the kernel-source 2.6.8.1-24mdk. I then went to the INSTALL in the Mandrake control center and *POOF*, I could now install the kernel-source 2.6.8.1-12mdk. I installed it, reinstalled my ATI drivers, and now I am successfully running the new driver version in X.org 6.8!

Hello, I was wondering if you could possibly take a look at my other topic: http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...readid=298399, with a similar problem installing ATI Drivers. It's a lot to read, but please, I have tried everything, and desperately need help!