Display Drivers on Linux

Hey, here is what your /etc/X11/XF86Config(-4) should look like for the device section, after the ATI drivers have been installed, the proprietary ones from www.ati.com:

# === ATI device section ===

Section "Device"
Identifier "ATI Graphics Adapter"
Driver "fglrx"
# === disable PnP Monitor ===
#Option "NoDDC"
# === disable/enable XAA/DRI ===
Option "no_accel" "no"
Option "no_dri" "no"
# === Fire GL DDX driver module specific settings ===
# === Screen Management ===
Option "DesktopSetup" "0x00000000"
Option "Display2" "0"
Option "HSync2" "unspecified"
Option "VRefresh2" "unspecified"
Option "GammaCorrectionI" "0x00000000"
Option "GammaCorrectionII" "0x00000000"
# === OpenGL specific profiles/settings ===
Option "Capabilities" "0x00000000"
# === 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"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0" # vendor=1002, device=4c66
Screen 0
EndSection

As you can see, the driver MUST be fglrx if you want acceleration.
By the way Return to Castle of Wolfenstein is really really nice, fast and smooth, once you enable the 'ATI trueForm' option in the settings of the game.

breakmyn,

Okies, run down isn't a possible thing considering i run debian and LR-s neither has rpms packages, but debs and source instead.

But the important point to remember, is that you first need to compile your own kernel, as the ati drivers need to have your present running kernel headers. Get the sources of the kernel you are using from your distro ( RH, mdk ? ). The sources usually install in /usr/src/linux. Google for a kernel HowTO, or go to the best HowTO site, the www.tldp.org

Once your kernel compiled, and ya rebooted on it, dll the fglrx-glc22.rpm for your X version ( 4.2.X nowadays ) from www.ati.com.

Then use the --force option of the rpm command ( rpm --help, or man rpm will tell ya precisly, as well as the installations notes on the ati driver download page ), i believe the command should be something like :
rpm --force -Ivh fglrx-glc22.rpm
The install needs to be forced as the package will overwrite your /usr/lib/libGL.so.1 file, the OpenGL library. Once this is done, as root, of course, you should cd /lib/modules/fglrx
from there
cd build
./make.sh
gcc - bkblblblbl == > compiling the module, little output. Check that it end with no errors ( Error1 ).
then
cd ..
./make_install.sh
==>This will load the fglrx module in your kernel, give you a warning about tainting the kernel, cause it is not an open source driver, and unload the module.
if ya are successful till here the biggest is done. If Errors and mistake when building the module/driver, it means that you didn't compile your kernel properly, or put an option that makes the built fail. THINGS to WATCH are AGP, do not compile the AGP support IN, but as a module !!

After this is done, type: 'fglconfig[enter]' command provided with the drivers to configure a new /etc/X11/XF86Config(-4) file. Answer the questions the best you can, then modprobe fglrx[enter] to load the module, and finally startx
Tried hard ...Let me know if ya succesful

Nice work

Here is my method:
after make xconfig, save ya config to a file cause it is painful to re do it everyday. then:
make dep && make bzImage modules modules_install
One line kernel compile
If no errors, type make install ( will run lilo for you and install the new kernel, mv the previous one to /boot/vmlinuz.old.
In anyway afetr make install : don't reboot right away, instaed edit, as root, your /etc/lilo.conf file and open another terminal and ls -l /boot/vmlinuz* will show you all your kernels. Make sure that the /etc/lilo.conf reflect what you want. If you are getting confused to which is what, don't forget to look at the date of the file
Once lilo.conf edited, run as root : /sbin/lilo[enter]
This ESSENTIAL to run lilo before reboting on a new kernel, otherwise changes will not be proceeded. Hope that help. Compiling kernels is gonna teach a GREAT deal about hardware

Ummm

Your TFT is a 1600x1200 native ? I think the same problems occurs with windows drivers.....The pain is that the tft native resolution is 1600x1200, and doing lower will just make things mushy, and forced. The ati m9 talks best to the native res of your screen. Thats why i bought a 1400x1050, and i am just being used to that after having a 1024x768 max for years.......Thats the only thing.
I have only one mode tho, Mode "1400x1050"
in 24 bits. I use games to lower the resolution, but yes my desktop is at 1400x1050.
Good luck, let us know in case of succes.
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Linux is growing, Linux is coming.....

Chiphart,

I am looking at that issue. I 'll be posting as soon as i know more.

lol

On X 4.3.0, yeah, on RH, nope