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nanofarad
Asked: 2015-07-04 09:12:28 +0800 CST

How can install the catalyst/flgrx driver, for only a single kernel version (or GRUB menu entry)?

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A while ago, I attempted to install flgrx on a machine with an AMD/ATI Radeon 6480g (SUMO) on an APU, which ended poorly and ended up requiring a reinstall because of the config being thoroughly messed up (including losing the radeon open-source driver). This was all on a 64-bit clean install of Trusty.

I would like to try this again, with a newer version of the Catalyst drivers (also on a 64-bit clean install of Trusty). However, seeing as this is my primary machine and has been extensively configured, I would like to avoid the risk of corrupting graphics configuration greatly.

Is there a way that I can install the Catalyst/flgrx drivers, such that I can choose between loading them, and loading the open-source radeon driver that I am currently using? I was thinking about tying them to a specific kernel version that I already have installed (and is known to work). This is based on the (possibly incorrect) assumption that whether the drivers are loaded is controlled by the initrd/initramfs and/or the command line that Grub passes to the kernel.

Could someone clarify whether this is doable, and how I would go about doing it? I am OK manually moving Xorg or other configuration files in by hand if absolutely necessary. However, it is key for me that until I know the driver works stably, I have a radeon configuration that works, and my current kernel (as well as any new kernel versions/revisions installed by updates) still contains and loads radeon.

My kernel is 3.13.0-55-generic, and I have old kernels as far as 3.13.0-24-generic.

drivers

1 Answers

  1. Best Answer

    This is not a complete step-by-step solution, but you look experienced enough. :-)

    Fglrx driver is installed using dkms.

    You can always remove this diver for a specific kernel by command

    sudo dkms remove <module_name>/<module_version> -k <kernel_version>

    module_name is fglrx or fglrx_pci if I remember it correct.

    Also you can edit /usr/src/<module_name>-<module_version>/dkms.conf and remove AUTOINSTALL=yes from there.

    But the problem may be in installation scripts that may blacklist radeon driver. So it needs some research in the deb package and testing.

    So it is feasible, but IMHO it is not worth efforts.

    You can always install fglrx from a deb package, and if something goes wrong just remove it from console.

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