This is my first time installing linux, and I chose Mandrake 9.2 for AMD64, and everything seemed to go fine. Then I loaded it up, and didn't get the gui, and tried "startx", but got errors. I'm pretty sure that it's some sort of problem with the drivers for the Radeon 9800, but I wasn't able to install the drivers that are given on ATI's website.

I don't know where to go from here. I have searched google and these forums, but none of the solutions I found have worked (I'm a real linux newbie, so it'll probably be something simple). I can go back into linux and get the errors if necessary, but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Ok, I've gotten into the gui by reinstalling and using the VESA driver. Now I'm trying to install the driver from the ATI website. I get the following:

*** Trying to install a precompiled kernel module.
*** WARNING ***
Tailored kernel module for fglrx not present in your system.
You must go to /lib/modules/fglrx/build_mod subdir
and execute './make.sh' to build a fully customed kernel module.
Afterwards go to /lib/modules/fglrx and run './make_install.sh'
in order to install the module into your kernel's module repository.
(see readme.txt for more details.)

As of now you can still run your XServer in 2D, but hardware accelerated
OpenGL will not work and 2D graphics will lack performance.

failed.
*** Error: no kernel module build environment - please consult readme.
*** Warning ***
The QT based control panel application did not load in any version.
===
ATI display drivers successfully installed
please run 'fglrxconfig' now
===


Then I tried running './make.sh' and got the following:

ATI module generator V 2.0
==========================
initializing...
kernel includes at /usr/src/linux/include not found or incomplete
file: /usr/src/linux/include/linux/version.h


I looked in /usr/src/ and there is no linux subdirectory there. Any ideas as to what's going on now and how to fix it? Thanks in advance for your help.

ah yes, I know this erorr.

The only problem is that I could tell you how to fix this via the GUI Mandrake Control Center.

What you need to do is instsall the kernel-source from the Mandrake CD. Unfortunately, I do not know how to do it by the console alone. I depend too much on the GUI.

I have the GUI up now by using the vesa driver. How do you do it using the the Mandrake Control Center?

your best bet is to download the kernelsource from rpmfind.net, and install the rpm from the CL...

you have to go to www.rpmfind.net to download a kernel-source.
It will tell you what your kernel version was after you type "uname -r"
you install the source by typing "urpmi -ivh --force <packge's name,end with.rpm>"

Well now that I have the the kernel source, I'm running into other problems. This is what happens when I run "rpm -i --force fglrx-glc22-4.3.0-3.7.0.i386.rpm":

*** Trying to install a precompiled kernel module.
*** WARNING ***
Tailored kernel module for fglrx not present in your system.
You must go to /lib/modules/fglrx/build_mod subdir
and execute './make.sh' to build a fully customed kernel module.
Afterwards go to /lib/modules/fglrx and run './make_install.sh'
in order to install the module into your kernel's module repository.
(see readme.txt for more details.)

As of now you can still run your XServer in 2D, but hardware acclerated
OpenGL will not work and 2D graphics will lack performance.

failed.
*** Found kernel module build environment, generating kernel module now.
ATI module generator V 2.0
==========================
initializing...
cleaning...
patching 'highmem.h'...
skipping patch for 'drmP.h', not needed
patching 'drm_os_linux.h'...
probing for VMA API version...
doing script based build for kernel 2.4.x and similar
compiling './agpgart_be.c'...
compiling './agp3.c'...
compiling './i7505-agp.c'...
compiling './nvidia-agp.c'...
compiling './firegl_public.c'...
linking of fglrx kernel module...
ld: Relocatable linking with relocations from format elf32-i386 (./libfglrx_ip.a(vm.o)) to format elf64-x86-64 (fglrx.o) is not supported
linking failed - kernel module was not generated
*** WARNING ***
Tailored kernel module for fglrx not present in your system.
You must go to /lib/modules/fglrx/build_mod subdir
and execute './make.sh' to build a fully customed kernel module.
Afterwards go to /lib/modules/fglrx and run './make_install.sh'
in order to install the module into your kernel's module repository.
(see readme.txt for more details.)

As of now you can still run your XServer in 2D, but hardware acclerated
OpenGL will not work and 2D graphics will lack performance.

failed.
*** Warning ***
The QT based control panel application did not load in any version.
===
ATI display drivers successfully installed
please run 'fglrxconfig' now
===


So I did what it said and when to "/lib/modules/fglrx/build_mod" and ran "./make.sh" and this is what happened:

ATI module generator V 2.0
==========================
initializing...
cleaning...
patching 'highmem.h'...
skipping patch for 'drmP.h', not needed
patching 'drm_os_linux.h'...
probing for VMA API version...
doing script based build for kernel 2.4.x and similar
compiling './agpgart_be.c'...
compiling './agp3.c'...
compiling './i7505-agp.c'...
compiling './nvidia-agp.c'...
compiling './firegl_public.c'...
linking of fglrx kernel module...
ld: Relocatable linking with relocations from format elf32-i386 (./libfglrx_ip.a(vm.o)) to format elf64-x86-64 (fglrx.o) is not supported
linking failed - kernel module was not generated


So I'm stumped again...

what dist of linux are u using?
i don't know about you. but i an running red hat linux 9.0 and it runns fine.
maybe you should try mandrake from www.mandrakelinux.com

I'm using Mandrake 9.2 for AMD 64.

Even though it shows all those errors, still run fglrxconfig or whatever. I know I got a similar, if the not the same, output and my OpenGL works fine.
Test it out by running TuxRacer.

Now, the problem is Mandrake 9.2. I have heard of a success story somewhere on this forum about how Mandrake 9.2 identifies ATI cards improperly. Some guy went into his Mandrake Control Center and manually changed something and got it working.
I use Mandrake 9.1 and when I switched to Mandrake 9.2, I could not get my ATI card working even when I did everything the same as Mandrake 9.1. So, if you really can't get it working, I suggest you revert to 9.1.

It looks like the reason it won't compile is that you are using and AMD-64 and it was developed for a 32 bit platform.

heh.... this is almost the same thread as mine, heh those 9800 pro's you say the vesa drivers let the gui come up? it didnt for me? o well poop

I was wondering about that cayers. I thought it might be the case. I guess I'll just have to use the vesa driver until the AMD-64 one comes out.

And thank you everyone for all of your help. I appreciate it greatly!

try upgrade the kernel to kernel 2.6.0 from www.kerne.org?

I recently installed mandrake 9.2 and I was also having the same problems. I used vesa and was able to get the gui interface working. Although, am i stuck with this resolution of 1024x768? It doesn't give me any more options then that even though I have a radeon 9800. I also tried the drivers and got the same messages as people have posted. Is there any way that I can just make my resolution higher then what it is?