Configuring the fglrx module for AMD/ATI graphics chips in Ubuntu 10.04

Bill Giannikos (Home Page)

This guide will help you configure the proprietary fglrx module under Ubuntu 10.04. I will not be covering the open source radeon module included with Xorg because its configuration is normally handled automatically by Ubuntu. We also wont be covering the radeonhd driver as these are still in an early stage.

ATI/AMD provide their own license for their driver. You will need to read and accept this license before proceeding.

You should run a full update for your installation of Ubuntu to ensure you have all the latest packages installed.

Ubuntu 10.04 includes the fglrx module which makes installation quite easy. Here is how:

1. Launch the “Hardware Drivers” program from the menu System → Administration → Hardware Drivers

2. Enable the “ATI accelerated graphics driver” driver

3. Reboot

Like many things in Ubuntu this is nice and easy.

If you are unable to launch the GUI and are forced to install the driver from the text console follow these instructions.

1. Type in the following:

sudo apt-get install xorg-driver-fglrx

2. Now create the /etc/X11/xorg.conf file. Do this by typing:

sudo aticonfig --initial -f

3. Reboot the computer and the fglrx module should load.