Can't change screen resolution on Slackware 9.1...
 

OK, I am trying to make the switch from windows. I understand I need to RTFM and I have tried, but to no avail.

I am trying to run dropline gnome 2.6 at 1600x1200 on a Samsung 21" SyncMaster 213T running a Radeon 9700 Pro ATI video card.

From reading other posts here I see that I need to install the latest ATI driver. I have downloaded the driver and it is only available in rpm. The instructions from ATI show:

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

* glibc version 2.2 or 2.3
* XFree86 version 4.1.0, 4.2.0, or 4.3.0

I of course have these installed, but when I run the command: rpm -Uh --force <ati_package_name>.rpm I receive this:

error: failed dependencies:
/bin/sh is needed by fglrx-4.3.0-3.7.6
/bin/sh is needed by fglrx-4.3.0-3.7.6
/bin/sh is needed by fglrx-4.3.0-3.7.6
/bin/sh is needed by fglrx-4.3.0-3.7.6
ld-linux.so.2 is needed by fglrx-4.3.0-3.7.6
libX11.so.6 is needed by fglrx-4.3.0-3.7.6
libXext.so.6 is needed by fglrx-4.3.0-3.7.6
libc.so.6 is needed by fglrx-4.3.0-3.7.6
libdl.so.2 is needed by fglrx-4.3.0-3.7.6
libm.so.6 is needed by fglrx-4.3.0-3.7.6
libpthread.so.0 is needed by fglrx-4.3.0-3.7.6
libc.so.6(GLIBC_2.0) is needed by fglrx-4.3.0-3.7.6
libc.so.6(GLIBC_2.1) is needed by fglrx-4.3.0-3.7.6
libc.so.6(GLIBC_2.1.3) is needed by fglrx-4.3.0-3.7.6
libm.so.6(GLIBC_2.0) is needed by fglrx-4.3.0-3.7.6
libpthread.so.0(GLIBC_2.0) is needed by fglrx-4.3.0-3.7.6

So, how in the hell do I install the new drivers that I so desperately need to get my resolution changed to something more befitting of my monitor?

Please be gentle :)

try rpm2tgz filename.rpm
installpkg filename.tgz

also have a look here

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...der=descending

good luck.

Awesome. Nice info on getting the rpm to a tgz. Worked like a champ.

Problem:

Next step from ATI says:

# Run the fglrxconfig utility to configure the driver

* Answer the questions as prompted
* When asked to generate an XF86Config-4 file, answer y

Now, I run the installpkg filename.tgz and it doesn't error, but what does that actually do? I have also "installed" the tgz using the semi-gui slackware installer but it just completes and that is it. What does this actually do? Does in install the files to a specific location that I need to now go to and run the above mentioned fglrxconfig utility?

I extracted the tgz also and found the fglrxconfig file deep in the directory structure, but I can't launch it. Obviously I am still stuggling with the "windows" mindset. I've run a search for fglrx* and find nothing. Not even the fglrxconfig file I found after un-tarring the tgz.

Any additional help would be massively appreciated.

It looks to me like your missing a step. You should:

cd /lib/fglrx/build_mod
./make.sh
cd ..
./make_install.sh

This will build the module (driver) for your specific kernel. This requires having the Linux kernel sources installed. If you're using one of the Slackware kernels, this can be installed using the package series 'k' on your Slack CD..

after that you can do a:

/usr/X11R6/bin/fglrxconfig

Hope this helps!

P.S. I have to compliment you on your way of asking questions. That's the way questions should be asked!

P.P.S. Welcome to LQ!

Thank you very much for the help with this!

OK, now I am really confused. When I follow this:

cd /lib/fglrx/build_mod
./make.sh

I get this:

root@LinuxBox:/lib/modules/fglrx/build_mod# ./make.sh
bash: ./make.sh: Permission denied

I tried running the ./make.sh logged in as myself but running as su root, and I tried logging in as root proper. Both ways I get Permission denied when I try to run ./make.sh from inside /lib/modules/fglrx/build_mod

I tried going into the /usr/X11R6/bin/fglrxconfig and running it and it worked, even though the previous step failed. I was able to run the fglrxconfig successfully and follow all of the instructions and answered all of the questions. It successfully wrote the XF86Config-4 and placed it in /etc/X11. Looking through the file it did use the values I specified for my monitor and video card, but when I reboot or kill X it still uses 1024 x 768. If I use the ctrl+alt+Num+/- it just corrupts the display.

So, the instructions from ATI say:

5. Run fglrxinfo to verify the driver is installed correctly

If the output reads OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc. then your ATI drivers are installed and configured correctly.

When I run fglrxinfo I get:

Xlib: extension "XFree86-DRI" missing on display ":0.0".
display: :0.0 screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: Mesa project: www.mesa3d.org
OpenGL renderer string: Mesa GLX Indirect
OpenGL version string: 1.2 (1.4 Mesa 5.0.2)

Obviously I am giving it the old monkey with a football on this one :) Any ideas?

luptinpitman:

here's step-by-step instructions on how to load ATI's graphic drivers for Slack:
=====================================================
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...673#post801673
=====================================================
Works for me every time....:twocents: