ATI fglrx 8.30.3 Display Drivers

[Michael]

Hitting on Halloween/the last day of the month is the ATI/AMD 8.30.3 Display Drivers!

No new features are in this release, but there is a chunk of resolved issues:

* Users with X Server X.org 7.1 can now play video using XV. The ATI AVIVO Video adaptor is now present. Further details and the workaround can be found in topic number 737-22852
* When failing to change the TV format the aticonfig --tv-info no longer report the failed TV format. Further details and the workaround can be found in topic number 737-23431
* Using the MPlayer to play a video file followed by dragging any window over top of the player no longer results in corruption being noticed and the video file pausing. Further details and the workaround can be found in topic number 737-23432 The Fedora Core 6 packaging scripts have also been included. So try them out and report back if there are any problems (mainly interested in the fglrxcontrolpanel problem).

The Phoronix ATI 8.30.3 Review can be found @ http://www.phoronix.com/vr.php?view=7715

As always, we share all of the details down to the performance numbers and changes not mentioned in the official log.

The ATI 8.30.3 Release Notes are at https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/linux/linux_8.30.3.html

x86/x86_64 Download: https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/linux/ati-driver-installer-8.30.3.run

[Longshot]

These drivers don't give me a black screen now.. They lockup when the desktop starts. Have to drop back to the 8.24 drivers for the 200M chip set.:(

[numerodix]

Excellent, my lack of x-video is now history.

One thing I don't get about ATI is that they gradually drop support for older drivers. So if you have a card that's a few years old and you want to run xorg 7.2, the driver won't support it. So then what?

[Michael]

What support drop are you referring to? The R100/R200 cards have been removed since they are well, very old. The open-source Radeon drivers are excellent (pardoning the lower gaming performance). The R200 support that was recently dropped still remains in a different development branch, so ATI is capable of still releasing "legacy" drivers if they so desire. The firegl_public code between 8.28.8 and the latest drivers should remain compatible for a while, so support for new kernels, etc... can be attained that way. The R200 support was dropped to better spend the resources for developing features in the drivers that will only work on post-R200 hardware.

[shinytoaster]

Appears to have the same install issues as the previous version on FC6.

cp: cannot stat `x710/usr/X11R6/bin/*': No such file or directory
find: install/usr/bin/fireglcontrolpanel: No such file or directory

Guess I'll wait for the livna package again.

install log -

[Message] Kernel Module : Trying to install a precompiled kernel module.
[Message] Kernel Module : Precompiled kernel module version mismatched.
[Message] Kernel Module : Found kernel module build environment, generating kernel module now.
ATI module generator V 2.0
==========================
initializing...
cleaning...
patching 'highmem.h'...
assuming new VMA API since we do have kernel 2.6.x...
Assuming default VMAP API
doing Makefile based build for kernel 2.6.x and higher
make -C /lib/modules/2.6.18-1.2798.fc6/build SUBDIRS=/lib/modules/fglrx/build_mod/2.6.x modules
make[1]: Entering directory `/usr/src/kernels/2.6.18-1.2798.fc6-i686'
CC [M] /lib/modules/fglrx/build_mod/2.6.x/firegl_public.o
/lib/modules/fglrx/build_mod/2.6.x/firegl_public.c:89:26: error: linux/config.h: No such file or directory
/lib/modules/fglrx/build_mod/2.6.x/firegl_public.c:456: warning: initialization from incompatible pointer typ
e
/lib/modules/fglrx/build_mod/2.6.x/firegl_public.c: In function ‘firegl_stub_open’:
/lib/modules/fglrx/build_mod/2.6.x/firegl_public.c:579: warning: assignment discards qualifiers from pointer
target type
/lib/modules/fglrx/build_mod/2.6.x/firegl_public.c: In function ‘__ke_smp_call_function’:
/lib/modules/fglrx/build_mod/2.6.x/firegl_public.c:3898: warning: passing argument 1 of ‘smp_call_function’ f
rom incompatible pointer type
make[2]: *** [/lib/modules/fglrx/build_mod/2.6.x/firegl_public.o] Error 1
make[1]: *** [_module_/lib/modules/fglrx/build_mod/2.6.x] Error 2
make[1]: Leaving directory `/usr/src/kernels/2.6.18-1.2798.fc6-i686'
make: *** [kmod_build] Error 2
build failed with return value 2
[Error] Kernel Module : Failed to compile kernel module - please consult readme.

[Michael]

See http://phoronix.net/forums/showthread.php?t=318 there for fireglcontrolpanel fix.

[shinytoaster]

See http://phoronix.net/forums/showthread.php?t=318 there for fireglcontrolpanel fix.

Thanks for that but I thought they said they fixed install issues on FC6...

Don't want to jump through hoops to install a driver, I'll just wait for the livna package, which worked for me last time.

[stjepan]

Whoa, 8.30 sucks again! :(
Still no GLX_EXT_tfp support :( :eek: :mad:

[afterburntdw]

I didn't see it mentioned, but does the 8.30 release have support for AIGLX?

[Michael]

I didn't see it mentioned, but does the 8.30 release have support for AIGLX?

No, 8.30.3 doesn't support AIGLX.

[afterburntdw]

That's disappointing, indeed. What is everyone's take on this? Wait for ATI to incorporate support in their drivers or switch to NV? Or, maybe it isn't a big deal anyways?

Forgive me for asking this if already answered elsewhere, but how difficult is it to get XGL to work on FC6?

By the way, I have an X1900XT and it's a PITA sometimes. FC6 doesn't boot until you change the xorg config.

[Michael]

That's disappointing, indeed. What is everyone's take on this? Wait for ATI to incorporate support in their drivers or switch to NV? Or, maybe it isn't a big deal anyways?

Forgive me for asking this if already answered elsewhere, but how difficult is it to get XGL to work on FC6?

By the way, I have an X1900XT and it's a PITA sometimes. FC6 doesn't boot until you change the xorg config.

Well non-X1000 users have the open-source Radeon R200/300 drivers that support the GLX_EXT_texture_from_pixmap extension, so those desperately wanting desktop eye candy could do that.

The wait for AIGLX support should hopefully be well worth the wait.

I think there's sitll RPM repos for XGL on FC6, so it shouldn't be hard at all.

[afterburntdw]

Thanks for responding so quickly. I'm new to the forum, and I appreciate reading what other Linux users have to say!

[giorgosts]

I experience great instability when TexturedVideo is enabled. Fglrx would totally freeze my machine after 10 mins or so. I was trying to get around a bug on tv-out which is present from the 8.20 release with no fix yet. http://www.phoronix.net/forums/showthread.php?t=239&page=2 The only solution is to use OpenGL for video output, which is like watching your movie in front of a fish bowl (not that TexturedVideo is any more watchable anyway). Ubuntu 6.10, fglrx 8.30. same issues with Ubuntu 6.06, fglrx 8.29

[Michael]

Hopefully an upcoming driver release will fix your video issues. Stay tuned.

[giorgosts]

Hopefully an upcoming driver release will fix your video issues. Stay tuned.

I am impressed with the instant response! I am thinking of reverting to a pre-8.20 release, but I am not sure whether it would compile with current software.

[Michael]

It probably won't compile if you're using a recent kernel, etc... You will likely also run into problems if you're using X 6.9 or newer.

[afterburntdw]

Hi Michael and others:

I decided to try Debian Etch. Everything loaded fine, but when I restarted the computer, the X wouldn't start. I wasn't really that surprised because FC6 wouldn't start X either. I was able to edit the xorg.conf and gave it the "radeon" driver, then grabbed the proprietary drivers from Livna. I'm not quite sure how to accomplish this from a command line in Debian. Any suggestions? Alternately, I guess I could download the drivers from another computer and burn them to a CD to use from a command line in Debian.

[Michael]

I am not much of a Debian user myself, but what happens if you become root and then vim /etc/X11/xorg.conf and update it? Or from any third party Debian repositories tapping into already built fglrx packages.

[EastonRoyce]

Michael, I have created torrents with working RPMS (For FC6) and Working Extracted installation files. I have created these for both 8.30.3 and 8.29.6 - Would it be ok for me to post these somewhere appropriate on your forum?

[Michael]

Easton,

So they're basically the same as Livna or they are just the generated RPMs on your kernel from the installer? Make a new thread and I'll take a look at them.

[EastonRoyce]

The RPMS are built for my Kernel 2.6.18-1.2798.fc6 (32Bit). I have also repaired the extracted installation files, for those who keep getting file not found errors etc, and can't for reasons beyond our control, compile source code etc.

http://www.mininova.org/tor/481698
http://www.mininova.org/tor/481697
http://www.mininova.org/tor/481694
http://www.mininova.org/tor/481692

[Michael]

What were the specific changes though that you had made to the installation files? The torrent doesn't seem to be working right now.

[EastonRoyce]

Alot of people downloading, not so many seeding. For both 8.29.6 and 8.30.3 I compiled the control panel interface, and tested it on a few other distros without any problems (debian, mandriva, suse and FC6). I ammended the ati-install.sh file for 8.29.6, so that people with X.Org 7.1.X wouldn't get the file not found errors. I also ammeded the directory structure for 8.30.3.

[liko]

Easton please post them on Megauploads or RapidShare, right now there is no seeding at all...

I have a problem while using the script for building F6 RPMs:

generating package: custom-package/FC6
./packages/custom-package/ati-packager.sh: line 195: /etc/profile.d/qt.sh: No such file or directory
Removing temporary directory: fglrx-install

What is the problem??Your RPMs are solving the issue?

Thanks for reply

[Michael]

The RPMs are simply generated RPMs from the installer.

Your qt problem is you need to install qt and qt-devel...

[liko]

what packets exacly?

[Michael]

By packets do you mean RPMs? The qt 3.3 RPM and the qt-devel 3.3 RPM. They should be available from the Core repository.

[liko]

Thanks it worked, sory for unintentional spam...Connection problems :/

[liko]

ehh it doesnt work...direct rendering-no...

[EastonRoyce]

Never used these fandangle upload websites before, but in response, here are the download links.

http://rapidshare.com/files/2991348/ATI-8.30.3-RPMS-FC6-2.6.18-1.fc6.tar.gz
http://rapidshare.com/files/2990829/ATI-8.29.6-RPMS-FC6-2.6.18-1.fc6.tar.gz
http://rapidshare.com/files/2989366/ATI-8.29.6-fglrx-install-Working.tar.gz
http://rapidshare.com/files/2999655/ATI-8.30.3-fglrx-install-Working.tar.gz

You should be able to install the drivers fine with the file base or use the RPMS.

[liko]

lxgears
Xlib: extension "XFree86-DRI" missing on display ":0.0".
2517 frames in 5.1 seconds = 489.644 FPS
2938 frames in 5.1 seconds = 580.666 FPS
2938 frames in 5.1 seconds = 580.309 FPS

damn, doesn't work....
--------------------------------------------------------
# Xorg configuration created by system-config-display

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "single head configuration"
Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "kbd"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"

### Comment all HorizSync and VertSync values to use DDC:
### Comment all HorizSync and VertSync values to use DDC:
Identifier "Monitor0"
ModelName "Monitor 1600x1200"
### Comment all HorizSync and VertSync values to use DDC:
HorizSync 31.5 - 94.0
VertRefresh 50.0 - 90.0
Option "dpms"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Videocard0"
Driver "fglrx"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Videocard0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection
--------------------------------------------------------
glxinfo:

name of display: :0.0
display: :0 screen: 0
direct rendering: No
server glx vendor string: SGI
server glx version string: 1.2


What is wrong?

[EastonRoyce]

Did you use the RPMS or the Installer? If you used the Installer, did you run "aticonfig --initial" immediatly after the Installer ended? If you used the RPMS, try running "aticonfig --initial". Don't forget to Reboot, rather then just restarting X.

[liko]

Doesnt work either...Aditionaly:
[root@kk liko]# init 3
bash: init: command not found
WTF??

[EastonRoyce]

Doesnt work either...Aditionaly:
[root@kk liko]# init 3
bash: init: command not found
WTF??

When you switch to root, instead of typing just "su" type "su -" (thats, su<space><hyphen>) You will then find the "init" command available to you.

[amenzix]

shinytoaster:
> /lib/modules/fglrx/build_mod/2.6.x/firegl_public.c:89:26: error: linux/config.h: No such file or directory
Do you have the kernel-headers package installed? Check if you have a /usr/linux folder.

liko:
Try adding this in your xorg.conf:
~ Section "Extensions"
~ Option "Composite" "Disable"
~ EndSection
If you're using FC6, the fglrx-unsupported composite extension is enabled by default, and that's why you don't get DRI. After that, reboot and it should work.