GPU driver & lubuntu 13.04

I had so mcuh trouble trying to get my HD4870 to work with Lubuntu 13.04, that I gave up for a while, hoping that a viable solution would finally surface.
Today I had time to look into this again.
This link appears to contain the solution :

http://manpages.ubuntu.com/manpages/jaunty/man4/radeon.4.html

I downloaded radeon.4.gz, but I'm not sure how to properly process/install this.

I will attach the contents of the radeon.4 file, that was extracted by GDebi.
I don;t know what to do with it!
HALP! HALP! :-D

I just want my 4870 to work. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.
I know I have posted on this same issue before, but that was some time ago and i'm sorta starting over with working on it.

:major

 

Oh snap.
Attached is the radeon.4 file
i simply dont know how to deal with this file.

The actual saved name is radeon.4

 

I'm not sure what you're trying to do here? Manpages are instruction MANUALS. AFAIK, you can't download drivers from manpages? And even if you could, your link references "Jaunty", which was version 9.04. If you're on 13.04, you're on "Raring".

A quick search of "lubuntu 13.04 update radeon hd4870 driver" links to an Ubuntu Forum that suggests the Xorg file has changed in recent versions of Ubuntu and the driver is no longer supported for that Radeon GPU. The last version KNOWN to work was 12.04.

With that said, here are your options:

1. Roll back your Lubuntu 13.04 to 12.04 in order to use your current GPU
2. Upgrade your GPU card to something that is supported in 13.04
3. Look for AMD proprietary linux drivers. I found this link that may be helpful: http://support.amd.com/us/psearch/P...ad+Detail&ostype=Linux+x86&keywords=&items=20
The second link down appears to be the most recent (2012), with a linux release of January 2013. However, recognize that IF this driver version doesn't work well with the Xorg in 13.04, you will have accomplished nothing.

Your hd4870 has already been "dropped" as supported hardware in linux. As time moves on, that isn't likely to chage. Your "long-term" answer is to replace your GPU and keep 13.04, upgrading to 13.10, etc... as you see fit. An alternative solution is to keep the GPU, but install Lubuntu 12.04 and set it to NEVER upgrade, but to receive critical/security updates only.

Unless someone chimes in with a better, less painful solution, that's all there is. Get a newer GPU, or use an older version of Lubuntu. Sorry, but that's all I've got...

 

Gotcha. Thanks. I can't afford another GPU, and was hoping not to roll back to 12.04, but I suppose if those are the only options, then those are the only options. I bought this 4870 brand new, and it never got used.
Thanks for answering this question for me (again!)

 

I thought this sounded familiar?! :major

I hear ya on the brand new, unused card, and I'd probably be thinking the same thing..."I paid good money for this and I AM going to use it!"

FWIW, I have Lubuntu 13.04 in a VM and it's quite nice. I'm impressed with it, especially as a "low-spec" OS! But 12.04 is substantially similar, and I'm certain you'll be able to theme it to resemble 13.04. Most importantly, 12.04 is a long term support (LTS) release that will be maintained until 2017, compared to 9 months (January 2014?) for non-LTS versions. If you select NOT to upgrade 12.04 to new versions in the update center, you'll only be updating critical, security, and bug fixes. And by 2017, you'll probably be ready for a new machine with new hardware, and installation of the most recent 16.04 LTS version!!! :-D

 

12.04 Now installed. Trying to figure out what to uncheck in Update manager so that I don't accidentally "upgrade" back to 13.04

 

Open Update Manager
click "settings" button in lower left
choose "updates" tab
in "Notify of new Ubuntu versions" choose "Never"
select okay/apply button
update!

you'll then be good to go. Ubuntu 12.04 LTS will update with critical patches, security updates, & bug fixes, but WILL NOT upgrade to newer versions of Ubuntu.

If you ever learn that your HD4870 GPU is indeed supported with a particular version (maybe the next LTS 14.04?), you can change your Ubuntu upgrade settings; otherwise, nothing bad will happen by leaving it on 12.04.

FWIW, the "in between" versions of Ubuntu are just Beta versions of the next LTS version, IMO!!! ;-) I hope this gets your GPU working to your satisfaction. Good luck!

 

Now of course I'm still getting zero performance from the card. I get the error attached in the pic when I try to open CCC from the preferences menu.
I'm about ready to throw this thing against a wall LOL

 

oh. the pic. I'm pretty smooth today.

 

Have you installed fglrx?
sudo apt-get install fglrx

If you have, try:
http://www.noobslab.com/2013/04/install-ati-amd-catalyst-drivers-in.html

otherwise, fglrx will need to be purged, and proprietary driver installed:
http://askubuntu.com/questions/1242...y-to-install-ati-catalyst-video-drivers-fglrx

 

fglrx was already installed. I did the terminal commands from the noobslab page, (attached). I also had to install zenity. Still trying to get it working,. . . . . :-o

Guess I'll try : http://askubuntu.com/questions/1242...ti-catalyst-video-drivers-fglrx/126513#126513

 

reboot to activate driver?

 

Nope. The universe has no love for me.
"No supported adapters detected"
Theres a bunch of broken stuff, including my patience with this &^%$*

I do sincerely appreciate your assistance, however. Maybe I need to have some lunch and revisit this issue with some food in my belly. What would you suggest? Start over?

 

*sigh*
forgot to attach the pic again

 

Not sure what all you HAVE and HAVE NOT done to get to this point, so I'd suggest the quickest & easiest route is a fresh, clean install of Lubuntu 12.04.

Then reference the Ubuntu instruction page for 12.04 systems:
http://askubuntu.com/questions/1242...ti-catalyst-video-drivers-fglrx/126513#126513

And I note the list of supported hardware links to here:
http://wiki.cchtml.com/index.php/Hardware

and specifically states your HD4870 is a supported card now from ATI driver version 13.1+. It appears the most recent driver is now 13.4, linked from the Ubuntu page.

Clean installation and follow Ubuntu page instructions to the letter. That's all I've got. If that doesn't work, we need help from some others on the forum.

 

Ok. Much thanks!

 

Ok entire process repeated, fresh install, same result. "No supported Adapters Detected" . I guess I could always just install Windows XP . . . .

 

Apparently there are two versions of Lubuntu 12.04; version 12.04.1 and version 12.04.2. You need 12.04.1 for your card. See this thread:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2124110

While I knew Ubuntu had 2 versions, I wasn't aware Lubuntu did. And I can't locate an Lubuntu 12.04.1 download. It's 12.04 only (and the Lubuntu version isn't LTS...shouldn't effect what we're doing here, just correcting my bad information, FYI).

Perhaps Lubuntu 11.10 will suffice, or Xubuntu 12.04.1, or Mint LXDE, which corresponds to Ubuntu 11.10 but is no longer supported as of April 2013? But if you're locking your system down to NOT upgrade, perhaps this isn't an issue? Mint LXDE is kinda hard to find, but here you go:
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=98

in a terminal, type 'lsb_release -a' without the quotes to see which version you have installed. If an Lubuntu 12.04.1 exists, I'm guessing you have 12.04.2, as that's the most recent version of 12.04.

If we can't locate an Lubuntu 12.04.1 version, I can provide an Ubuntu 12.04.1 desktop version, which you can install LXDE desktop and then remove Unity/Gnome desktop. Although a better solution would be to install Ubuntu 12.04.1 server, which has no GUI. But the LXDE desktop is easily installed by simply typing in terminal:
sudo apt-get install lxde

Here are more detailed instructions, if you care:
http://complete-concrete-concise.co...rver/ubuntu-12-04-server-how-to-install-a-gui

WindowsXP would be easier today, but in April 2014 you're right back where we are today. But it is an option.

To recap, your options are:
- downgrade to Lubuntu 12.04.1 or sooner (or alternative distro above?)
- WinXP for now, deal with end-of-life support in April 2014
- upgrade that GPU to a more recent, supported card

 

Referencing Lubuntu 12.04 NOT being an LTS version with 5-year support cycle from Ubuntu, I'm reading A LOT of posts from Lubuntu/LXDE fans who are creating their own LTS version by installing Ubuntu 12.04 server with no GUI, then installing LXDE desktop with simple terminal command:
sudo apt-get install lxde

VOILA! Lubuntu 12.04 LTS version with 5-year support cycle. CLEVER!

Considering how hard you've already worked on this, I would recommend that FED UP roll his own Lubuntu 12.04.1 LTS version! In order:

install Ubuntu 12.04.1 server; boot into your system (NO GUI) and press F2 for a terminal; type sudo apt-get install lxde to install LXDE desktop; and reboot when complete.

Login to your new home-rolled LXDE destop and proceed with ATI ubuntu forum instructions. Ain't Linux fun?! On the bright side, look at all the knowledge you're aquiring and the skillz you're developing! ;-D

 

Not sure if you retreated to WinXP, but saw a new release on Distrowatch today and IMMEDIATELY thought of you, as this seems to be the perfect solution for you:

http://lxle.net/

The new version of 12.04.3 is out. I had never heard of this before, but I'm DEFINITELY going to install this in a VM and am seriously considering switching OS! Inasmuch as I was one of the original Unity-haters, I have really grown to see the wisdom in the design. Now, I LOVE my Ubuntu Unity environment, although I do wish it was a little more responsive and "snappier" at times.

Conversely, I'm pretty fond of Lubuntu due to the LXDE desktop, given how light it is on system resources. If I can have a "light" LXDE desktop that mimics Unity, that could be the holy grail I'm looking for!

Back to you, though...the announcement is for 12.04.3 and I clicked through to the spec page to see what default programs are being utilized. However, the link must not be updated yet, as the listing provides for 12.04.2 specs. Worthy of note, 12.04.2 utilizes Xorg version 1.11.4. Inasmuch as Xorg 1.12 forward appears to be the problem package for your ATI HD4870 card, 1.11.4 is the version you're trying to downgrade to in order to use your card!

If you haven't thrown in the towel yet, LXLE version 12.4.2 appears to be EXACTLY what you're looking for and is the simplest solution so far! If you decide to try, let me know how this works out for. Otherwise, let me know you reverted to WinXP and I'll consider your issues resolved...

 

I've got LXLE installed in a VirtualBox VM for my own amusement and reference. Utilizing the Unity Paradigm for my own familiarity, this distro is very responsive in a VM with only 2GB RAM and only 2 cores exposed with 3d video acceleration.

For YOUR reference, the Xorg server appears to be version 1.11.3 (as opposed to the beta candidate version 1.11.4; I'm guessing the slightly older 1.11.3 was more stable?). Screenshot attached for verification. Just an FYI...

 

I'm back to the issue of my HD4870 not working. I had been running 13.04 without my card working for a few months, because my critical task was being fufilled. I do transcoding for a secondary low-maintenance income stream. Yesterday, somehow, my 13.04 installation got borked, and I have re-installed 12.04. I just completed the installation, and would like to get my 4870 working this time. I was told the latest version from October would fix my 4870 troubles with the open source driver... I'm googling around for information, haven't found it yet... Shoul I try the newest version with the open source drivers, or try again with 12.04?

:major