Howto: Fix Ubuntu 9.04 ATI Driver Issues
When I upgraded to Ubuntu 9.04 I was pretty annoyed that I couldn't use my favorite application Gnome-Do with Docky (a OSX like dock) or even Avant Windows Manager, because the ATI propitiatory drivers were just so bad. Windows would hang when being maximized, everything was slow, video playback was terrible, all-in-all the drivers suck! Unfortunately the open source ATI drivers didn't really help much either (they did work fine though, just had no effects) so I had to do without my application for a while. The reason AMD/ATI's drivers are so bad is because they don't support the newer version of xserver being used in Ubuntu 9.04. You'd think they would make sure they supported any changed or upgrades made to the most popular Linux distro, yet here we are...with crappy drivers. Nonetheless, I've found a way to use the existing ATI drivers with Ubuntu 9.04 and have it all run pretty well.
What we'll basically be doing is downgrading our current version of xserver (which is version 1.6 in Ubuntu 9.04) to version 1.5, which is supported by the ATI drivers. Here how to do it...
Step 1
We need to backup our "sources.lst" just in case , type the command below into your terminal:
sudo cp /etc/apt/sources.list /etc/apt/sources.list.bak
Note: Please be careful when doing anything with administrative privileges.
Step 2
Now we need to edit that "sources.lst" file to use Ubuntu 8.10 Interpid repositories. This is done by opening up the file in gedit and using the replace tool. In your terminal type:
sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
Highlight the word "jaunty" and click "Replace" on the toolbar. Replace it with the word "intrepid" and click "Replace All".
Make sure you save the changes before you exit the windows.
Step 3
We need to update our repositories, please make sure you have completely uninstalled the ATI drivers at this stage. In your terminal type:
sudo apt-get update
Step 4
It's time to remove xserver, in your terminal type:
sudo apt-get autoremove xserver-xorg gnome-session
This will make a few minutes, when it's done we'll reinstall xserver (but it'll be version 1.5 not 1.6) and the ATI drivers.
Step 5
In your terminal type:
sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg fglrx-amdcccle fglrx-kernel-source xorg-driver-fglrx libdrm2=2.3.1-0build1 gnome-session
This will take some time to download and install everything so go make a sandwhich!
Step 6
Open up your "Synaptic Package Manager" and lock all the xserver-xorg*, fglrx*, xorg-driver-fglrx, libdrm2, and gnome-session packages at their current version. Do this by selecting the currently installed package eg. "xserver-xorg-core" going to "Package" and selecting "Lock Version".
Tip: In your Synaptic Package Manager press "Search" in the toolbar and enter the packages you're looking for, eg. "xserver-xorg". Sort the packages by pressing "Installed Version" twice and you'll be able to see all the currently install packages from the top starting with that searched name all in a row. Now you can select the one at the top and press Shift + Down Arrow Key and mass-select and lock them all at the same time. This is a big time saver. Repeat for all other packages.
Step 7
Now that you've locked all the xserver and ATI packages, run
sudo cp /etc/apt/sources.list.bak /etc/apt/sources.list
and then restart your PC.
Step 8
After restarting, Go into your "Synaptic Package Manager" and search for "gnome-session". It should be one of the locked packages. Unlock it via the "Package" menu in the toolbar and then run your update manager and it should get you to install an update for the package. That should fix the shutdown/restart problem that may occur for some people using the menu in the top right.
Step 9
Now go to "System" β "Adminitration" β "Hardware Drivers" and enable the ATI drivers.
You'll have to restart again for the drivers to take effect.
Congratulations you now have Ubuntu 9.04 and ATI drivers working in harmony...well...working :p
Click to enlarge
Note: If you run into problems with video playback check out: Howto: Fix ATI Video Playback
If you have any problems, questions, suggestions please leave a comment.
Edit: I was reminder to add the update that will fix any issues with shutdown and restart from the menu in the top right, see Step 8.
Edit: I was informed there was a typo in Step 4 that has now been fixed. I ensure you I have tested this myself and it works, I just unfortunately missed that typo and I apologize.
I rewrote and added to a guide I found here.
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August 2nd, 2009 - 14:19
Typos in commands make this article worthless. DO NOT USE UNTIL FIXED, FOLKS!!!
I’m pretty sure there’s no such thing as “sesseion” but worse, it means he hasn’t tested these exact commands. DO NOT USE!!!
August 2nd, 2009 - 16:53
I have fixed the typo and rechecked and double checked all the commands. Thanks you for telling me.
August 18th, 2009 - 23:06
You could remove that stick out of your ass and be less of a dick. People make typos. Just chill the fuck out.
August 3rd, 2009 - 16:09
What kind or computer did you used? laptop or desktop.
I use ThinkPad R400 there have 2 display card, ATI HD3470 and Intel display card
Can I use this way to fix ATI driver on ubuntu9.04?
August 5th, 2009 - 20:04
I’m using a Dell Studio 1535 with an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3450. I’m running Ubuntu 9.04. I don’t see why it wouldn’t work for you…however I honestly don’t know. Best of luck!
August 3rd, 2009 - 17:28
Great instructions, but the gnome-session package should be updated to the latest version after everything is installed. If this is not done, you cannot shutdown the computer from the User Log Off panel bar on the top right. Updating the gnome-session package after these steps fixed this problem, while still allowing me to use the ATI drivers.
Just thought I’d throw that out there. Thanks for the walkthrough!
August 5th, 2009 - 20:06
I discovered this myself the other day and have been meaning to update the article, thank you for reminding me
August 21st, 2009 - 22:30
There have new ATI driver release 9.8
Did you try the this?
August 23rd, 2009 - 00:08
When I try to do step 5 it tells me that it can’t find xserver-xorg
August 23rd, 2009 - 15:47
I successfully got this to work with Kubuntu 9.04 (KDE 4.3) as well!
I left out the gnome-session. When I did it, it also wants to uninstall Kubuntu-desktop package. I lost window decorations for a bit. Not sure if it was due the removal of the package or drivers not being enabled. @ step 7 when you go back to the Jaunty repositories, I reinstalled Kubuntu-desktop and rebooted. Then, enabled the fglrx driver and rebooted again. So far so good. Neverball runs beautifully! I just cannot lock the updates because of kpackagekit.
August 26th, 2009 - 20:16
Worked for me in Kubuntu as well! Thanks a bunch man! KDE4 looks AMAZING!
September 7th, 2009 - 13:08
Thank You! I have been struggling with this problem on a HP6715b with a ATI X1250 card and Kubuntu 9.04 (KDE 4.3) for a while. However this trick worked well and I can again enjoy TV out to my video projector! Upochapo: I have installed and use the synaptic packagemanager in KDE (itΕ the best I think), so there was no problem locking the packages. I really hope ATI will change their mind on what should be considered legacy, next graphic card will for sure not be ATI as it is now!
June 2nd, 2010 - 18:59
The original ATI driver fix article has moved to http://tan-com.com/blog/posts/technology/fix-ub...
July 12th, 2010 - 02:52
I 've done with Xorg driver as of 7.2 but not 7.5! They run fine with my card(RadeonMobility9000). Even games work as aspected. Nut i couldn't do anything since Xorg7.5. Only bugs.
July 28th, 2010 - 16:17
Starting to understand a bit more now…