ATI installation nightmare on Redhat EL5

landev · 06-06-2007, 05:54 PM

I've seen this batted around all over the web, but haven't seen a clear resolution stated.

The problem is in trying to load the ATI proprietary linux 8.36.6 driver via ATI's script: ati-driver-installer-8.36.5-x86.x86_64.run. Things seem to be going along fine and dandy... then the error message "unable to find install/usr/X11R6/lib/modules/dri/atiogl_a_dri.so" in the "fglrx-install.XXXX" temporary directory. The script says to check the /usr/share/ati/fglrx-install.log which has the contents:
[Message] Kernel Module : Trying to install a precompiled kernel module.
[Message] Kernel Module : Precompiled kernel module version mismatched.
[Error] Kernel Module : No kernel module build environment - please consult readme.

The readme points to nothing I find as an obvious solution and all I've read on the web regarding the same error message doesn't point to a clear solution either.

I am running X.org.7.1.X64-bit on this box. 'Fraid I'm totally at a loss at this point. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Lenard · 06-07-2007, 11:35 AM

Not a problem:

Install the rpmforge-release package as per here: http://dag.wieers.com/rpm/FAQ.php#B

When done do: yum install dkms

Then install the ati-a11-drv from freshrpms: http://zod.freshrpms.net/rpm.html?id=1184

You may want to manually edit the /etc/X11/xorg.conf file, example below:

Code:

Section "ServerLayout"
	Identifier     "single head configuration"
	Screen      0  "Screen0" 0 0
	InputDevice    "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
	InputDevice    "Synaptics" "CorePointer"
EndSection

Section "Files"
EndSection

Section "Module"
	Load  "dri"
	Load  "extmod"
	Load  "glx"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
	Option	    "AIGLX" "off"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
	Identifier  "Keyboard0"
	Driver      "kbd"
	Option	    "XkbModel" "pc105"
	Option	    "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
	Identifier  "Synaptics"
	Driver      "synaptics"
	Option	    "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
	Option	    "Protocol" "auto-dev"
	Option	    "Emulate3Buttons" "yes"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"

	Identifier   "Monitor0"
	ModelName    "LCD Panel 1280x800"
	Option	    "dpms"
EndSection

Section "Device"
	Identifier  "Videocard0"
	Driver      "fglrx"
	Option	    "Centermode" "off"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
	Identifier "Screen0"
	Device     "Videocard0"
	Monitor    "Monitor0"
	DefaultDepth     24
	SubSection "Display"
		Viewport   0 0
		Depth     24
	EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "DRI"
	Group        0
	Mode         0666
EndSection

Section "Extensions"
	Option	    "Composite" "False"
EndSection

hollywoodb · 06-07-2007, 12:07 PM

I always use --buildpkg.

There is a newer driver than you are using, 8.37.6.
instead of running the installer, run it with --listpkg, then with --buildpkg <option> to build an RPM for you.

Works fine with an X1300 here.

landev · 06-11-2007, 12:04 PM

Once again, the grand master Lenard has come through with the solution! Thank you much!

landev · 06-18-2007, 03:56 PM

Lenard,

Seems like I've run into a glitch.

I followed your instructions on a EL5 box with the ATI X1300 card... worked like a charm! I figured that that was the solution for the workstation that I originally needed help with... but now that I have access to that machine and have tried the same install proceedure, I am getting an error at boot. When dkms_autoinstaller trys to start, there is the following message:

fglrx (8.36.5-2.fc6) : Installing module.
Kernel source for 2.6.18-8.1.4.el5 not installed. Cannot install this module.

I have, what I believe to be the source installed (kernel-suspend2-xen-devel-2.6.18-8.1.4_1.
el5.cubbi_suspend2.x86_64.rpm) but no go... perhaps this is the wrong source?

Lenard · 06-18-2007, 06:36 PM

Then something is not right with your repos...........

Also these install kernel-devel packages are not standard, both dkms and the ati-x11-drv may not have the required kernel-headers available for this. The kernel-devel and kernel-headers must match the running kernel.

landev · 06-20-2007, 03:19 PM

Well... still at a loss here. I tried the tips presented by hollywoodb and forced the installation of the driver rpm (thanks hb!) and I did manage to get X to come up. The problem now is in the xorg.conf file (I'm guessing) in that, the card is showing configuration for both heads, but when I try to enable the second monitor via the display properties, X will no longer start and I get black screens so must log in remotely to get going in text mode. The xorg.conf file looks like this:
# Xorg configuration created by system-config-display

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "single head configuration"
Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
Option "AllowMouseOpenFail" "yes"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "kbd"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Videocard0"
Driver "vesa"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Videocard0"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 24
Modes "1600x1024" "1440x900" "1400x1050" "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x800" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection

I tried what, intuitively I though would be additions to xorg.conf, but ended up with black screens again.

Lenard · 06-20-2007, 06:40 PM

Try the xorg.conf file I posted as a guideline, notice the 'Device" section.

landev · 06-25-2007, 11:22 AM

I actually tried that xorg.conf first, but X wouldn't start. I then let the system generate it's own xorg.conf file and that does work, only not with dual heads. I fumbled around with the xorg.conf you suggested, manipulating it numerous ways to try to get the second monitor working, but I failed at those attempts. I am ready to try falling back to EL4 at this point (as there appears to be drivers built for that version) as I have spent a lot of time with no results (other than more gray hair.)