In this how to I will describe how to install ATI Radeon Drivers in Fedora 18. Fedora 18 fresh out and ATI latest driver version 13.1 dont support it. I also checked the older version i.e 12.8 and 12.6 but all of them unable to install on Fedora 18. In future they will provide right drivers for Fedora 18 but for now you can install akmod-catalyst beta driver from rpmfusion repository.
1) Preparation.
After installing from Live image to hard driver, first update your kernel and then install Development Tools group to provide all necessary tools for your system.
1 2 | yum -y update kernel yum -y groupinstall "Development Tools" |
We will require rpmfusion for driver installation so enable rpmfusion repository for Fedora 18 using following command.
1 | rpm -ivh http://download1.rpmfusion.org/free/fedora/rpmfusion-free-release-18.noarch.rpm http://download1.rpmfusion.org/nonfree/fedora/rpmfusion-nonfree-release-18.noarch.rpm |
2) Installation.
Install ATI driver using rpmfusion repository.
1 | yum -y install akmod-catalyst |
The above command will install akmod-catalyst with all dependencies require for it to run. After this you need to run following command to create new initial ram filesystem with updated ATI beta drivers.
1 | new-kernel-pkg --kernel-args=nomodeset --mkinitrd --dracut --update $(rpm -q --queryformat="%{version}-%{release}.%{arch}\n" kernel | tail -n 1) |
Reconfigure xorg using aticonfig to use ATI drivers.
1 | aticonfig --initial -f |
you are all set, just reboot and enjoying your new Fedora 18 running ATI Graphics Driver. Dont be amaze by seeing AMD Testing use only at right bottom of your screen. Its a beta driver and soon ATI will update there drivers for Fedora 18
about the author: Sohail Riaz
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40 Responses to How To Install ATI Radeon Drivers in Fedora 18
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When trying to make a new ram filesystem, I always get the following error.
“/lib/modules/”3.6.10-4.fc18.x86_64n””3.7.2-204.fc18.x86_64n”//modules.dep is missing. Did you run depmod?
mkinitrd failed”
Even when I do depmod, I still get it. Since I am not able to find any solution, would you please give me some advice on what am I doing wrong? Im quite new to Fedora. Thank you.
@Jan, I think you are running default kernel and when you install Development Tools it install updated kernel header files. You need to issue following command first and then try to create initial ram filesystem.
yum -y update kernel
reboot your system and after rebooting create initial ram filesystem using above command.
—–
Regards,
Sohail
@Sohail. Thank you for your reply.
According to uname my kernel is up to date. Yum also reports, that there is nothing to update.
Regards,
Jan
@Jan, Give me output of following commands,
uname -r
rpm -qa | grep kernel
ls /lib/modules/
ls /lib/modules/
uname -r/—
Regards,
Sohail
@ Sohail
“uname -r”
3.7.2-204.fc18.x86_64
“rpm -qa | grep kernel”
kernel-modules-extra-3.7.2-204.fc18.x86_64
libreport-plugin-kerneloops-2.0.20-1.fc18.x86_64
kernel-devel-3.7.2-204.fc18.x86_64
kernel-3.6.10-4.fc18.x86_64
abrt-addon-kerneloops-2.0.20-1.fc18.x86_64
kernel-3.7.2-204.fc18.x86_64
kernel-modules-extra-3.6.10-4.fc18.x86_64
kernel-headers-3.7.2-204.fc18.x86_64
“ls /lib/modules/”
3.6.10-4.fc18.x86_64 3.7.2-204.fc18.x86_64
“ls /lib/modules/
uname -r/”build modules.builtin modules.modesetting source
extra modules.builtin.bin modules.networking updates
kernel modules.dep modules.order vdso
modules.alias modules.dep.bin modules.softdep
modules.alias.bin modules.devname modules.symbols
modules.block modules.drm modules.symbols.bin
@Jan, please run following command to create initial ram filesystem
new-kernel-pkg –kernel-args=nomodeset –mkinitrd –dracut –update 3.7.2-204.fc18.x86_64
It might be issue with copy and paste of my command, which normally change qoutes or double qoutes.
Please let me know how it goes.
—
Regards,
Sohail
@Sohail,
It worked now, thank you again for your help.
I also think I figured out why the original command did not work. In the part:
”%{version}-%{release}.%{arch}\n”
I think that “\n” adds an additional n to the name of the kernel so it can actually never match.
It only occured to me now.
@Sohail : When I ran aticonfig –initial -f I got the message
– No supported adapters detected
After a reboot it is not able to initiate a gui. How do you suggest I fix this? Any and all help will be appreciated.
Thanks
Thank you very much for these instructions Sohail. It’s a bad thing there are no official instructions for this and you basically have to look for help with Google on how to get the proprietary AMD drivers working on Fedora 18.
However, your instructions did not work for me. The “new-kernel-pkg” command you give returns usage instructions for me, like:
Usage: new-kernel-pkg [-v] [–mkinitrd] [–rminitrd]… and so on.
I made sure to exactly copy what you wrote here and pasted it in my terminal. Even if this didn’t work, I decided to continue. Your aticonfig command didn’t work for me either, but aticonfig gave a message that I should run “aticonfig –initial” first. I did so and rebooted, and everything worked fine.
So basically all that was needed for me was “yum install akmod-catalyst” and “aticonfig –initial”, then reboot. Now I still have that annoying “Testing use only” watermark in the lower right of my screen, but I’d like to point out there is a solution for that: http://forums.fedoraforum.org/showthread.php?p=1627172#post1627172
Somehow your blog converted the two hyphens in front of the “initial” option for aticonfig to an en dash.
Sorry for the spam, but I just found that the second answer here – http://askubuntu.com/questions/206558/how-to-remove-the-amd-testing-use-only-watermark-from-ubuntu-12-10 – on ask Ubuntu doesn’t involve running a scary script to get rid of the watermark. This is easier and works for me.
[…] repositories. I wanted to get the proprietary AMD drivers first, there are instructions for that here. Take notice of what I wrote there in the comments. You need to follow the instructions here and […]
Same problem as Rahul – “No supported adapters” error.
This driver does not appear to work on a Radeon HD 4850.
Hi,
i followed your instruction, everything goes fine, but when i reboot, the system hangs on fedora logo, can you please help??
Hey Guys, there is nothing wrong with Sohail’s instructions. I will explain. The command is exactly correct. I get the same noted errors if I copy and paste the command also. I suspect it either has something to do with the browser he used when he posts, the way this site interpreted the command or the way owr browsers are displaying the command. I am using chrome.
Anyway, if you look at the command there are 2 different dashes. The longer dash should be 2 dashes “–“. I have pasted the command I use every time. (Exclude quotes) “new-kernel-pkg –kernel-args=nomodeset –mkinitrd –dracut –update $(rpm -q –queryformat=”%{version}-%{release}.%{arch}\n” kernel | tail -n 1)”.
Hope this helps.
I don’t believe the ATI Catalyst driver will work with “legacy” adapters such as the HD-4850. I know it’s a real shame (given they’re still great video cards). Here you have to use the akmod-catalyst-legacy instead.
While the legacy driver will provide 3D graphics, the last time I looked Steam games are not supported by this driver. Compiz works pretty well though.
I tought ATI stoped to make update for Radeon HD under 4000. I have a laptop with Radeon HD 3200 on nouveau drivers I think. Can I install akmod with last update?
Dude, put your terminal commands in code tags. The formatting makes the commands impossible to run without modification and is the largest single source of issues people are replying with.
I’m not having any luck copy/pasting any of the offerings. As soon as I try to run the install it returns:
Usage: new-kernel-pkg [-v] [–mkinitrd] [–rminitrd] [–dracut]
[–initrdfile=] [–depmod] [–rmmoddep]
[–kernel-args=] [–remove-args=]
[–banner=] [–multiboot=multiboot]
[–mbargs=mbargs] [–make-default] [–add-dracut-args]
[–add-plymouth-initrd]
[–host-only]
(ex: new-kernel-pkg –mkinitrd –depmod –install 2.4.7-2)
Where am I going wrong?
The code I pasted is:
“new-kernel-pkg –kernel-args=nomodeset –mkinitrd –dracut –update $(rpm -q –queryformat=”%{version}-%{release}.%{arch}\n” kernel | tail -n 1)” (with the quotes first and last ” ” removed of course.
@bonk: looks like when u copied the double — change to single -. Can u please edit the command before executing by checking which argument need to change – to –.
Hello. Great site. When Im triyng to install akmod-catalyst get the following error>
Transaction Check Error:
file /usr/lib/audit from install of glibc-2.16-31.fc18.i686 conflicts with file from package audit-2.2.1-2.fc18.i686
Error Summary
————-
What can I do? Please help me. Thanks in advance.
I typed in the aticonfig command by hand to avoid copy and paste problems and still I get this error
– No supported adapters detected
And I definately have an ati radeo !!
I followed at risk, but when boot I have no screen ….
@Fraterneo: You need to remove audit package using following command.
rpm -e –force audit
then reissue the command again.
Regards,
Sohail Riaz
@Christopher: Are you sure new-kernel-pkg command works well for you because it will create driver to run with your new kernel. You can do it again by rebooting to your old kernel.
Regards,
Sohail Riaz
@Matt: Can you assure this by running the command.
lspci | grejp -i radeon
Regards,
Sohail Riaz
[…] magic solution that finally worked is outlined on Sohail Riaz’ page about Radeon Drivers and Fedora […]
In regards to Fraterneo’s post, I have the same issue, but when I try to uninstall it, I get an error saying only upgrading and installation can be forced.
Confirmed as working on Fedora 19 x86_64!
I have recieved an identical error to Fraterneo’s post while trying to install the NVIDIA AKMOD Package, which came so highly recommended lol
Running Transaction Test
Transaction Check Error:
file /usr/lib64/audit from install of glibc-2.16-31.fc18.x86_64 conflicts with file from package audit-2.2.1-2.fc18.x86_64
Error Summary
————-
Back to prompt
I also got the same error as Hayden trying to remove using the provided command:
[root@localhost user]# rpm -e –force audit
rpm: only installation and upgrading may be forced
So back to square one, no graphic drivers. Oddly enough–if anyone out there with this issue is always going with the ‘akmod’ version of your drivers (for nvidia, if ati has something like this akmod and kmod versions) I suggest kmod–I did successfully install that on my first attempt at getting drivers but switched because ak was suggested as easier to install lol
I had to scrap that install of linux because I screwed something else up down the road, but kmod installed fine first try.
I’d just rather use the community’s choice, akmod… Please help! the 3 of us are looking for a solution
how do I uninstall?
[…] Also, the system I’m using has a proprietary ATI/AMD graphics driver installed. Though I would encourage you to use the FOSS drivers provided as part of your distro, if you run into problems later (such as Minecraft refusing to launch because “OpenGL hardware acceleration is not enabled”, or severe lag or tearing) then you should consider installing the non-free equivalent. Those of you with nVidia graphics cards can simly install them from easy life, while those with ATI/AMD graphics will find instructions on how to proceed here. […]
You can easily remove the watermark.
http://tuxperience.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/remove-amd-testing-use-only-watermark.html
Hi, I am a complete novice on Linux especially the command line. I have acquired an IBM eServer 306 with ATI Radeaon 7000M video. Attempts to install the drivers have failed miserably using various versions of Catalyst. I tried following the instructions set out about but when I come to the line 1
new-kernel-pkg –kernel-args=nomodeset –mkinitrd –dracut –update $(rpm -q –queryformat=”%{version}-%{release}.%{arch}\n” kernel | tail -n 1)
Am I supposed to type the line verbatum as shown or substitute info inside the {} brackets with a version name/number.
Please advise
Thanks in desperation
Hi again, my previous post may appear a little confused, brain moving faster than typing finger.
I used the command as shown in Jim’s post but received the following response
new-kernel-pkg –kernel-args=nomodeset –mkinitrd –dracut –update $(rpm -q –queryformat=”%{version}-%{release}.%{arch}\n” kernel | tail -n 1)
Usage: new-kernel-pkg [-v] [–mkinitrd] [–rminitrd] [–dracut]
[–initrdfile=] {depmod] [–rmmoddep]
[–kernel-args=] [–remove-args=]
[–banner=] [–multiboot=multiboot]
[–mbargs=mbargs] [–make-default] [–add-dracut-args]
[–add-plymouth-initrd]
[–host-only]
(ex: new-kernel-pkg –mkinitrd –depmod –install 2.4.7-2)
[root@localhost raymond]#
What am I doing wrong??
Please advise, Thanks
Hi everyone,
I have found that if I change the font of the text to ‘Courier New’ which is not a proportional font it avoids some of the issues of changing two single hyphens to one during copy/paste, but that is a minor issue.
The real issue is I am getting the same problems as @Bonk and @Rahul even if I type the full command by hand. My system is an IBM eServer 306 with an onboard ATI Radeon 7000M video adapter. In desperation I have tried all flavours of Catalyst to no avail. I am led to believe that this adapter is no longer supported so finding the correct driver has so far evaded me
@Sohail, I have used your instructions as posted on 19th January on a clean installation which appear to run okay up to the command “new-kernel-pkg –kernel-args=nomodeset etc…then I receive the same messages as @Bonk I have made sure that extra ” ” are removed and double hyphens remain intact.
If I reboot the system at this point, I get the same as @Rahul, no GUI
Is there a way around this mess or am I wasting my time.
Many Thans
[…] is not enabled”) then you can download and configure nVidia drivers using easyLife or you can look here for AMD/ATI driver instructions (they were written for Fedora 18, but setup shouldn’t be […]
[…] Also, the system I’m using has a proprietary ATI/AMD graphics driver installed. Though I would encourage you to use the FOSS drivers provided as part of your distro, if you run into problems later (such as Minecraft refusing to launch because “OpenGL hardware acceleration is not enabled”, or severe lag or tearing) then you should consider installing the non-free equivalent. Those of you with nVidia graphics cards can simly install them from easyLife, while those with ATI/AMD graphics will find instructions on how to proceed here. […]
[…] is not enabled”) then you can download and configure nVidia drivers using easyLife or you can look here for AMD/ATI driver instructions (they were written for Fedora 18, but setup shouldn’t be dissimilar). I also recommend you […]
every time I type in (after all the previous steps)
yum install akmod-catalyst
I get “no akmod-catalyst package available”