ubuntu newbie

ronnn · Apr 18, 2005, 04:54 AM

There was a choice of linux drivers with same date on ATI site. Which ones do i use with Ubuntu? I know dumb question, but I am linux challenged. Thanks

RIV@NVX · Apr 18, 2005, 11:10 AM

Download the X.org 6.8 version, and then use alien to convert it to deb:

Code:

sudo alien --to-deb /path_to_fglrx_driver.rpm

then

Code:

sudo dpkg -i --force-overwrite /path_to_fglrx_alien_created.deb

I don't suggest using fglrxconfig to generate your xorg.conf file. Instead, edit it manually, but take some sections from generated xorg.conf file. Run:

Code:

fglrxconfig

make it write xorg.conf into your home dir (/home/<username>)
Then run:

Code:

sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Check sections:
1) Modules - it should include "dri" and "glx"; mine looks like this:

Code:

Section "Module"
 	Load	"bitmap"
 	Load	"dbe"
 	Load	"ddc"
 	Load	"dri"
 	Load	"extmod"
 	Load	"freetype"
 	Load	"glx"
 	Load	"int10"
 	Load	"record"
 	Load	"type1"
 	Load	"vbe"
 EndSection

2) Device - it should list "fglrx" as Driver. Mine looks like this (I have made bold the important settings):

Code:

Section "Device"
	Identifier	"ATI Technologies, Inc. Radeon 9600 (R300 AP)"
		Driver		  "fglrx"
# If X refuses to use the screen resolution you asked for,
# uncomment this; see "Bugs and Workarounds" for details.
  #Option "NoDDC"

# === Video Overlay for the Xv extension ===
	    Option		  "VideoOverlay"		  "on"

# === OpenGL Overlay ===
# Note: When OpenGL Overlay is enabled, Video Overlay
#	   will be disabled automatically
	    Option		  "OpenGLOverlay"		 "off"

# === Use internal AGP GART support? ===
# If OpenGL acceleration doesn't work, try using "yes" here
# and disable the kernel agpgart driver.
		Option		  "UseInternalAGPGART"	"no"

# You don't actually need this next BusID bit - unless maybe you have dual monitors?
# I've removed it from mine (single monitor only) and all is well.
# I think it's a leftover from fxglrconfig - doh!
		BusID		   "PCI:1:0:0"
# Compositing (X.org)
	Option		  "backingstore"		  "true"

Now, once you have done this, do the following:
(Note: You might need kernel headers (linux-headers-2.6.10-5-<architecture>) and gcc (gcc-3.3) installed in order to make this work. Of course, this is assuming you are using Ubuntu 5.04 final)

Code:

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

I read on Ubuntu forums that this command can't be done when X is started. I don't know, it worked for me on brother's computer, so I can't really comment on this. To get out of X, press ctrl +alt+ F2. Then type:

Code:

cd /lib/modules/fglrx
sh make_install.sh

If everything succeded, type

Code:

startx

and wait till your normal session loads. Then go to console and type:

Code:

fglrxinfo

If it lists Mesa, then something's gone wrong. If it lists ATI, then go and play some games

Of course, if something's wrong or you can't understand it, or simply have more questions, feel free to post it.

ronnn · Apr 18, 2005, 01:48 PM

Thanks big time for the detailed reply. I will try this tonight when I get home from work. I am sure to have more questions, as am totally dumb when it comes to linux.

RIV@NVX · Apr 19, 2005, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronnn

Thanks big time for the detailed reply. I will try this tonight when I get home from work. I am sure to have more questions, as am totally dumb when it comes to linux.

No problem. After all, we were all newbies at some point (and I still consider myself quite noobish when it comes to more advanced things), so you've got no reason to be ashamed. And, with Linux, you learn things quickly.

UberLord · Apr 19, 2005, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIV@NVX

No problem. After all, we were all newbies at some point

It's impossible to know everything about *NIX based OS's. Although ciaranm in #gentoo-dev would disagree ....

Quote:

And, with Linux, you learn things quickly.

Well, with Linux you just learn things.

I'm a Gentoo dev working on network scripts - woooooooo. Hardcore yes?
I'm still learning stuff about basic *NIX commands (didn't know about pgrep et all until a few weeks ago)

BTW - I really really really like your current .sig

Do I really make things sound trivial? You mean simple when something is explained?

ronnn · Apr 19, 2005, 11:58 PM

ok, I am looking dumber. I downloaded the correct driver, but that was it. I opened terminal and typed in the sudo alien thing and realized this is not like dos. Anything I can read that tells me about typing in simple commands. Like real basic - how to open the right place to do it? And making appropriate commands directed at the right file. How to install software - that type of thing. I am determined to learn as I think Bill Gates is about to really charge for my ignorance.

thanks

ronnn · Apr 20, 2005, 04:47 AM

I found beginners lessons in one of the links supplied by md5. It uses Debion. Thought I would dl and try it out. Is it an ok os for general use and some games?

RIV@NVX · Apr 20, 2005, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronnn

I found beginners lessons in one of the links supplied by md5. It uses Debion. Thought I would dl and try it out. Is it an ok os for general use and some games?

Sure, anything that will help you understand the basics is helpful.
BTW, I suggest checking some of these links for basic understanding of Linux Console and commands:
http://www.math.mcgill.ca/services/linux_basics.php
http://www.martian-tech.com/commands.html
http://www.sorgonet.com/linux/commands/
(and Google can help a lot in this area)

Shuflie · Apr 20, 2005, 11:41 AM

I tried out RIV@NVX's tutorial on how to install the ATI drivers on ubuntu (hoary 64 bit release and the latest xorg driver from ATI) but couldn't get it working, even went as far as replacing my X800 pro with my old 9800 but still no joy. The 9800 was at least detected by fglrxconfig but I stll ended up using mesa. I'm currently downloading 64bit fedora core 4 test 2 just in case I should have better luck with it but I'm not 100% sure that I will have. Has anyone managed to find a distribution that gives 3D acceleration with an X800 pro (or XT or XT PE I don't mind flashing the BIOS again if that's what it takes) in xorg?

ronnn · Apr 20, 2005, 03:17 PM

I think in installing ubantu, I did not set up the root user account properly or remember how I set it up.

So guess I will try a reinstall, before I change over to debian. Think I am beginning to get the idea of this.

Shuflie · Apr 20, 2005, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronnn

I think in installing ubantu, I did not set up the root user account properly or remember how I set it up.

So guess I will try a reinstall, before I change over to debian. Think I am beginning to get the idea of this.

Don't worry about not being able to log in as root, ubuntu has disabled the root account for log in. You can change this if you really want to from the desktop > system settings > login screen menu, under security put a tick in the box for root login.

RIV@NVX · Apr 20, 2005, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronnn

I think in installing ubantu, I did not set up the root user account properly or remember how I set it up.

So guess I will try a reinstall, before I change over to debian. Think I am beginning to get the idea of this.

root account is disabled for security reasons, but you can still use sudo command + your password from your user account to do things only root can do. I haven't had problems with this approach yet. Do you have some problems with it?

Also, I doubt you are going to like Debian. There are many reasons for this, one that it is very complex and complicated. But, never mind, try it anyway (I suggest unstable branch, btw).

ronnn · Apr 21, 2005, 01:57 AM

I agree Debian does look more complicated, but as I can find a step by step tutorial......... Maybe I can actually do something. Really if I can install a burning program, music player and cgoban, that will be something anyways. Also I would like to install drivers for scanner, printer, soundcard and vid card. The nice thing about Ubuntu was that I actually got internet access! But I tried to install several small things using their help files and all I ever got was file not found. Really my several trials with linux have been short and unsuccessful. Anyways thanks for your help, I will report in the proper linux thread when I make some headway.

RIV@NVX · Apr 21, 2005, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronnn

I agree Debian does look more complicated, but as I can find a step by step tutorial......... Maybe I can actually do something. Really if I can install a burning program, music player and cgoban, that will be something anyways. Also I would like to install drivers for scanner, printer, soundcard and vid card. The nice thing about Ubuntu was that I actually got internet access! But I tried to install several small things using their help files and all I ever got was file not found. Really my several trials with linux have been short and unsuccessful. Anyways thanks for your help, I will report in the proper linux thread when I make some headway.

Just BTW: since your internet connection works, have you tried using Synaptic package manager to install software? In it's settings you can enable more software sources, and you will probably be able to install as much things as you might need. Of course, you will need a good interent connection for that.

Feel free to ask any questions you want, of course. We have a Linux section on DriverHeaven as well, so you might find useful information there. Experimenting is a good thing after all, so if you aren't afraid, just go for it!

epi1lux · Apr 22, 2005, 06:13 PM

Does anyone really wonder why Linux doesn't takeoff in the desktop market and Windows dominates? Look at all that crap you have to do, when in windows you just double click or right click and select install.

I'm not a linux hater. I would love to do all that stuff and know it but it is way to hard. I've tried installing linux 5 times with various futile problems each. I tried gentoo 3 seperate times alone to try and learn commands and such....

RIV@NVX · Apr 23, 2005, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epi1lux

Does anyone really wonder why Linux doesn't takeoff in the desktop market and Windows dominates?

No, not really. First, free software means freedom of choice: if you want to use Windows, you are free to use it. If I want to use linux, I am free to use it.
Second, taking the the desktop is a long process, and it can't happen just like that. Linux is slowly becoming usable on desktop, and it's a lot better than it was few years ago. So, if you don't want to use it now as it is, you can wait for it to become easier to use. Simple as that.

Quote:

Look at all that crap you have to do, when in windows you just double click or right click and select install.

This is if the driver you are installing is provided in binary form, compiled for specific kernel version: you have to recompile some parts yourself.

In FC3 you would just run fglrx<version>.rpm and use fglrxconfig (or edit xorg.conf manually) to configure it. That's all, and it doesn't seem a lot harder than Windows.

Quote:

I'm not a linux hater. I would love to do all that stuff and know it but it is way to hard. I've tried installing linux 5 times with various futile problems each. I tried gentoo 3 seperate times alone to try and learn commands and such....

Gentoo is made for people that want to maximally customize their linux installation. For that, you need a lot of knowledge, and it's certainly not made for a beginner.

Kombatant · Apr 24, 2005, 11:30 AM

As the others have already stated, Linux is all about choice: you can find distros that do everything for you, and distros you have to put great effort into customizing them. In any case, there is something for everyone, you just have to know where to look due to the myriads of choices you have in front of you.

RIV@NVX · Apr 24, 2005, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kombatant

As the others have already stated, Linux is all about choice: you can find distros that do everything for you, and distros you have to put great effort into customizing them. In any case, there is something for everyone, you just have to know where to look due to the myriads of choices you have in front of you.

You put that nicely. Konsidering the first letter of your nickname, and title under it, I guess you are a KDE fan, right?

ronnn · Apr 25, 2005, 02:32 AM

Well on reflection I have decided to stay with ubuntu for the time being, as at least I have internet. I was trying to my audigy 2 working and was using the fix from the ubuntu forums -- it seemed to be working, but at the end could not find something.

But do feel I am getting closer and have figured out that most of the debian commands seem to work. One day I will actually install something and will than feel much better.

Kombatant · Apr 25, 2005, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIV@NVX

You put that nicely. Konsidering the first letter of your nickname, and title under it, I guess you are a KDE fan, right?

b7

DarkFoss · Apr 25, 2005, 01:56 PM

Hehe Riv, guess you didn't see this or did you

RIV@NVX · Apr 25, 2005, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkFoss

Hehe Riv, guess you didn't see this or did you

I certainly didn't! What a Konfession indeed!

I agree with almost everything Kombatant said in that thread!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronnn

Well on reflection I have decided to stay with ubuntu for the time being, as at least I have internet. I was trying to my audigy 2 working and was using the fix from the ubuntu forums -- it seemed to be working, but at the end could not find something.

Start terminal. Type:

Code:

sudo alsamixer

Then find a muted Audigy Analog/Digital Output Jack. Unmute it. Exit alsamixer by pressing escape key. Then type in the terminal:

Code:

sudo alsactl store

This works for me.
BTW, it seems like a bug in ALSA, since it happens with Mandriva LE 2005 and Fedora Core 4 test2 as well.

Shuflie · Apr 25, 2005, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIV@NVX

I certainly didn't! What a Konfession indeed!

I agree with almost everything Kombatant said in that thread!

Start terminal. Type:

Code:

sudo alsamixer

Then find a muted Audigy Analog/Digital Output Jack. Unmute it. Exit alsamixer by pressing escape key. Then type in the terminal:

Code:

sudo alsactl store

This works for me.
BTW, it seems like a bug in ALSA, since it happens with Mandriva LE 2005 and Fedora Core 4 test2 as well.

Did the same for me in Ubuntu when I had it installed, Doesn't seem to be a problem in FC3 though, once I had worked out which volume sliders needed to be pushed up and unmuted the Analogue/Digital jack I didn't need to store the settings, it seemed to do it automatically.

EDIT: This probably isn't the right forum to ask in, but has anyone got WMA files playing in XMMS with a 64bit version of linux? I have it playing my MP3s now but have a few albums encoded with WMA. I should probably just re-rip them to oggvorbis but I'm lazy.