New Drivers and BIOS Plans for ATI Graphics Cards
It was good news across the board for ATI graphics card owners with AMD deciding to go for a free driver and immediately delivering the goods. Now the proprietary Linux driver, Fglrx 8.42.3, has been released, and it promises various improvements.
The new ATI graphics driver supports Compiz, Beryl and Compiz Fusion with or without XGL. The driver has new code for AIGLX support. It uses the X.org server up to version 1.4. Thanks to the TexturedVideo playback feature Fglrx 8.42.3 is said to have vastly improved video support on top of generally improved performance.
But there’s one thing the driver can’t do: it doesn’t support the current 2.6.23 Linux kernel, although an update promises to close the gap. The current release is available for the R300 through R600 series cards, but doesn’t support ATI’s FireGL models. The driver installer and release notes for Fglrx 8.42.3 are available for downloading from the ATI support pages.
Developer Oliver McFadden published plans hack the ATI graphics card BIOS in his blog: “I've been thinking about doing some reverse engineering of AtomBIOS, the BIOS used on newer Radeon cards; R500, R600, etc. Ultimately I'd like to create a free software (GPL) replacement BIOS for at least one Radeon card .” The aim is to improve ATI card performance on Linux. If he’s successful, McFadden will be releasing the BIOS under the GPL.
Issue 262/2022
Buy this issue as a PDF
News
-
The 14" Pinebook Pro Linux Laptop is Shipping
After a considerable delay, the 14" version of the Pinebook Pro laptop is, once again, available for purchase.
-
OpenMandriva Lx ROME Technical Preview Released
OpenMandriva’s rolling release distribution technical preview has been released for testing purposes and adds some of the latest/greatest software into the mix.
-
Linux Mint 21 is Now Available
The latest iteration of Linux Mint, codenamed Vanessa, has been released with a new upgrade tool and other fantastic features.
-
Firefox Adds Long-Anticipated Feature
Firefox 103 has arrived and it now includes a feature users have long awaited…sort of.
-
System76 Refreshes Their Popular Oryx Pro Laptop with a New CPU
The System76 Oryx Pro laptop has been relaunched with a 12th Gen CPU and more powerful graphics options.
-
Elive Has Released a New Beta
The Elive team is proud to announce the latest beta version (3.8.30) of its Enlightenment-centric Linux distribution.
-
Rocky Linux 9 Has Arrived
The latest iteration of Rocky Linux is now available and includes a host of new features and support for new architecture.
-
Slimbook Executive Linux Ultrabook Upgrading Their CPUs
The Spanish-based company, Slimbook, has made available their next generation Slimbook Executive Linux ultrabooks with a 12th Gen Intel Alder Lake CPU.
-
Fedora Linux is Coming to the Raspberry Pi 4
Thanks to significant work in the upstream, the upcoming release of Fedora 37 will introduce support for the Raspberry Pi 4.
-
New Linux Ultrabook from TUXEDO Computers
TUXEDO Computers has released a new 15" Ultrabook running Linux.