I bought the ATI card, because they released a new catalyst driver in november 2007 and I wanted to support their effort. But now it seems to me, that this was only a marketing move. Even now three months later in february 2008, there is no way to install the driver through apt-get, ATI doesn’t even mention how to do it on their website. The ATI configuration tool aticonfig doesn’t even restore the original xorg.conf from the backup it creates, when the config tool crashes.
As far as I know ubuntu is one of the most popular linux desktop systems, so I suppose they should put more effort in providing an apt-get based installation solution.

I suggest ATI takes the platform more seriously in the future or else they will just go bankrupt. The card is completely useless on ubuntu and nvidia seems to have a working solution.

Unless you feel up to installing the drivers and possibly breaking Xserver, ATI is useless. My applications constantly crash and freeze, and I know it’s all thanks to ATI.

Just dropping by to say that Ubuntu Feisty runs just fine on an ACER Travelmate 8100. The X700 ATI Mobility Radeon is correctly detected at boot (even prior to any installation, right from the Live CD) and it is used at 1650×1050px.
Slightly off-topic, this laptop seems to be a good one for Ubuntu, since LAN, wireless, sound and video are all working out of the box.

Cheers.

aticonfig –initial
aticonfig –overlay-type=Xv

Everyone who has posted here is only using one dash, which can lead to the command not being run correctly.

you should also have /dev/shram configured properly in your /etc/fstab file.

I have had no problem setting this driver up under ubuntu manually w/ a core 2 duo T60ws with the ati x1400.

Good luck.

Don’t worry, this wasn’t my first experience nor will it be my last. In fact I’m posting this comment from one of the new Dell Ubuntu workstations that I’m still in the process of configuring.

I completely understand your frustrations… it is crazy what’s happening…

My advice:

Try PCLinuxOS and you won’t go back to UBUNTU/KUBUNTU ever again. It works out of the box, and everything you need is inside repositories. There is a repository called 915resolution and as soon as you install it, your ATI card will work like a charm. Trust me, been there done that.

Best of all, if you like all those bells and whistles, PCLinuxOS comes with Beryl preinstalled, ready to go.

There is no better or easier Linux distro than PCLinuxOS at the moment, just give it a shot. I did and I will never regret that move.

Best regards!

I had a laptop with an ATI Radeon X1400 driver that worked wonderfully under 6.06. Like many people in this thread, I upgraded to 7.04 and the X window system no longer worked.

The solution is to use the proprietary binary drivers provided by ATI. Follow these steps (taken from http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=414194). Note that step 2 only applies if you’re installing a new system. If you have upgraded, you will already have a working install (just without graphics).

1. Boot using PC (Intel x86) alternate install CD.
2. Start text mode installer and install Ubuntu.
3. Finish Install and reboot.
4. Update package list and upgrade any packages needed.
Code:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

5. Install fglrx closed source driver for ATI video cards.
Code:

sudo apt-get install xorg-driver-fglrx

6. Update loaded modules.
Code:

sudo depmod -a

7. Configure /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Code:

sudo aticonfig –initial
sudo aticonfig –overlay-type=Xv

8. Reboot

This solved the problem for me immediately.

PS - this is from someone who is a total linux n00b. I’ve never used any flavour of linux before.

Question: Is the latest ATI driver download any different from the ATI restricted driver already shipping with 7.04?

I used this link to get the right driver in my box. https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BinaryDriverHowto/ATI#head-796aa4d6d0477c8ed722acef1878cc5626855ae3

I have tried the link at least 3 times back and forth, installed and uninstalled plenty drivers and finally got it partially working. I do not know what to tell you but certainly not straight forward. Although, the flgrxinfo still showing Mesa instead of radeon but i am fine with the performance.

If you ever got to “out of range signal”, you are close. Just play with /etc/X11/xorg.conf much enough and it should works. I think 7.04 messed up that file so badly by default if you have 2 monitor support card.

This note is to let you know it is possible but painful process comparing to 6.06.

I have tried all these at least 50 times in total of trial and errors.

Couple more problems with 7.04.
so far no sound, gotta figure that one out tomorrow.

My computer still wouldn’t shutdown like 6.06 latest kernel. Sounds like a known issue but no cure.

Well good luck. I don’t have to switch distro now