How To Install ATI Radeon Drivers in Fedora 18

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.

We will require rpmfusion for driver installation so enable rpmfusion repository for Fedora 18 using following command.

2) Installation.

Install ATI driver using rpmfusion repository.

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.

Reconfigure xorg using aticonfig to use ATI drivers.

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

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40 thoughts on “How To Install ATI Radeon Drivers in Fedora 18

  1. 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.

  2. @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

  3. @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

  4. @ 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

  5. @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

  6. @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.

  7. @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

  8. 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

  9. Same problem as Rahul – “No supported adapters” error.

    This driver does not appear to work on a Radeon HD 4850.

  10. Hi,
    i followed your instruction, everything goes fine, but when i reboot, the system hangs on fedora logo, can you please help??

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. 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?

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. @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 –.

  17. 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.

  18. 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 !!

  19. @Fraterneo: You need to remove audit package using following command.
    rpm -e –force audit

    then reissue the command again.

    Regards,

    Sohail Riaz

  20. @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

  21. 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.

  22. 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

  23. 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

  24. 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

  25. 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

  26. every time I type in (after all the previous steps)
    yum install akmod-catalyst

    I get “no akmod-catalyst package available”

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