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On Ubuntu 12.04 my Sony Vaio VPCSE with Intel® HD Graphics 3000 and AMD Radeon™ HD 6630M worked fine with the Catalyst Control Center version 12.6. Also the switching between integrated and discrete graphic card was working.

In both cases, I followed this tutorial.

But it is not working on Ubuntu 12.10.

I tested the tutorial with the Catalyst Control Center from the Ubuntu Software Center, the version 12.8 and version 12.9. Always the same problem: After installation process I am able to boot in the login-screen. But after entering the password for my username, only the background-image appears. Unity seems not to be starting. I am only able to reach the context-menu by right clicking the mouse button.

I also tried his fix, but is also does not work for me.

Any ideas what to do to fix this problem?

Update: Same problem on Ubuntu 13.04!

Update: Solution for 13.04 ist not working on Ubuntu 13.10!

11
  • The solution offered here solved all my problems: askubuntu.com/questions/202857/… Mar 12, 2013 at 11:41
  • I'm in the same boat on a Samsung Chronos 700za which uses Intel/ATI 5750 hybrid. 12.04 works, but 12.10 and 13.04 fail. In 12.10, the card is recognised but Unity fails to start. In 13.04 the card isn't recognised at all. I've tried pretty much everything I know, so will track this question closely.
    – Scaine
    Apr 29, 2013 at 21:11
  • 2
    It was a 12.04 install, kernel 3.2. Things broke when 3.5 was made available to it. So I tried 12.10 and 13.04, but couldn't get it to work. I'll be rebuilding that laptop this weekend and will try to catalogue what I do so that if I get it working again, I can share the results. Tell you one thing though... I'll never buy another ATI/AMD card in my life.
    – Scaine
    May 3, 2013 at 21:45
  • 1
    @Glutanimate, you've probably already tried this yourself, but just a quick update that I followed this guide to the letter, and it worked. 64-bit Ubuntu 13.04, with a Hybrid Intel/AMD chip. I should say that I got my AMD chip wrong though - it's a 6750M, not a 5750. I'd also add that after I got it working two days ago, the xserver-xorg-video-intel update yesterday broke it again, so I had remove that, then re-install the downloaded version in this guide. So I'll have to "force" that version from now on I think to avoid future breakage.
    – Scaine
    May 7, 2013 at 22:01
  • 1
    @Glutanimate - well, this just confirms my hatred for ATI/AMD cards. The HD5xxx series isn't even particularly "old" and they're not supporting it anymore? Very poor.
    – Scaine
    May 9, 2013 at 14:03

5 Answers 5

58
+300

For 13.04:

Pre-Install:

Three terminal-commands:

sudo apt-get install build-essential cdbs fakeroot dh-make debhelper debconf libstdc++6
sudo apt-get install dkms libqtgui4 wget execstack libelfg0 dh-modaliases
sudo apt-get install linux-headers-generic xserver-xorg-core libgcc1

Additional two terminal-commands for 64-bit:

sudo apt-get install ia32-libs lib32gcc1 libc6-i386
cd /usr ; sudo ln -svT lib /usr/lib64

(Note: The second command shouldn't be necessary if there is already such a symbolic link named lib64 pointing to folder lib there. And if there is already a real folder by that name (determined with ls -l /usr/lib64), you should ensure that its contents are safely moved into folder /usr/lib and then delete --the now empty-- folder /usr/lib64 before executing this command).

Download from these direct-links: libudev0_175-0ubuntu13_amd64.deb.

and (the older intel driver - xserver-xorg - see also section "Important" on answer for 12.10. I think this would also be very important here.)

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0tTaH4qTIIXdDF3NThFWUtrYlU/edit?usp=sharing

Copy these files (two .deb packages) into an empty folder.

Remove the old drivers:

sudo apt-get remove fglrx*
sudo apt-get remove xserver-xorg-video-intel

Execute the following two terminal-commands in the folder with downloaded .deb files:

sudo dpkg -i libudev*
sudo dpkg -i xserver-xorg-video-intel_2.21.6-0ubuntu4_amd64.deb

Prevent xserver-xorg-video-intel from being upgraded:

sudo apt-mark hold xserver-xorg-video-intel

Installation:

Get the current ATI Catalyst driver e.g. 13.04 (I have tested it with this release) from the official website: www.amd.com/drivers

Unzip the .zip and make it executable. Then go to the folder with the unzipped .run-file in terminal and type:

sudo sh ./amd-catalyst-XX.X-linux-x86.x86_64.run --buildpkg Ubuntu/raring

Replace XXX with the correct name of the file.

Install the created .deb-files with the following terminal-command in the current directory:

sudo dpkg -i fglrx*.deb

Post-Install:

Enter the terminal command

sudo mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup
sudo aticonfig --initial -f

(Note: If you use multiple AMD graphics cards or AMD dual graphics, you can use sudo aticonfig --adapter=all --initial -f instead, and/or if you use a dual monitor display, you can also use this additional third command: sudo aticonfig --set-pcs-str="DDX,EnableRandR12,FALSE")

Select the discrete GPU

sudo aticonfig --px-dgpu

Reboot your system

sudo reboot

Links:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1930450

My Scripts for Switching

Script for High-GPU-Mode:

#!/bin/bash
# Activate discrete GPU (High-Performance mode), must re-start X to take effect
sudo aticonfig --px-dgpu
sudo restart lightdm

Script for Low-GPU-Mode:

#!/bin/bash
# Activate integrated GPU (Power-Saving mode), must re-start X to take effec
sudo aticonfig --px-igpu
sudo restart lightdm

Script for showing current GPU-Mode:

#!/bin/bash
#Show current GPU (High- or Low-Performance mode) as notification
aticonfig --pxl | while read SPAM_OUT; do notify-send "$SPAM_OUT"; done

Note: If you always have problems after the execution of a Switching-Script, make a restart of your system (and not only a re-login).

New!!! INDICATOR for Switching:

To switch between Discrete (AMD) and Integrated (Intel) GPUs nice and easy way, go to https://github.com/beidl/amd-indicator, and then download and install the DEB file there. enter image description here

29
  • 1
    This works for me with both the dedicated and integrated card. I can also connect an external monitor with both, which didn't work before. The only problem I still have (which is minor) is that the desktop and background go black in gnome-shell's expose mode.
    – labarna
    Apr 30, 2013 at 13:31
  • 1
    That means you've probably run this command before when following similar instructions. If you want you can check that /usr/lib64 is a link to /usr/lib by running ls -l /usr/lib64. But it's probably fine.
    – labarna
    Apr 30, 2013 at 15:52
  • 1
    @Sadi 1) I tested it after a freh Ubuntu 13.04 installation without making changes. 2) I typed only the commands as described above 3) yes (tested it again - after installing the new intel driver again and than the old one - and it works without *reconfigure-command).
    – Marian Lux
    May 5, 2013 at 11:45
  • 3
    New beta version of the drivers with 13.04 support and Xserver 1.14 support! No more "hold" neither xserver-xorg-video-intel_2.21.6-0ubuntu4_amd64.deb packages needed! support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/… Download:www2.ati.com/drivers/beta/…
    – Leo
    Jun 1, 2013 at 16:59
  • 2
    Guys, everything works until I try to set up dual screens namely next to each other. After applying changes (xrandr or using Display settings) I get flickering screen. Turning off the second display helps, but it is not the solution. Anybody knows what is going on? I tried the latest beta driver and stable one as well.
    – Yuri
    Jul 25, 2013 at 22:17
16

For 12.10:

It works for me!! And here is the how-to which I created for you:

Pre-Install:

Three terminal-commands:

sudo apt-get install build-essential cdbs fakeroot dh-make debhelper debconf libstdc++6
sudo apt-get install dkms libqtgui4 wget execstack libelfg0 dh-modaliases
sudo apt-get install linux-headers-generic xserver-xorg-core libgcc1

Optional if 64 Bit - two terminal-commands:

sudo apt-get install ia32-libs lib32gcc1 libc6-i386
cd /usr ; sudo ln -svT lib /usr/lib64

Download from this direct-link: https://launchpad.net/~andrikos/+archive/ppa/+sourcepub/2755647/+listing-archive-extra the files and this two .deb packages into an empty folder

xserver-xorg-video-intel-dbg_2.20.0-0~andrik1_XXX.deb
xserver-xorg-video-intel_2.20.0-0~andrik1_XXX.deb

where XXX should be your architecture identifier (x86 or amd64)

Execute the following two terminal-commands in the folder with downloaded .deb files:

sudo dpkg -i xserver-xorg-video-intel*.deb
sudo dpkg-reconfigure Xorg

Then reboot your machine

Note - this is from the PPA: https://launchpad.net/~andrikos/+archive/ppa/+packages?field.name_filter=&field.status_filter=published&field.series_filter=quantal

Important - Today I got a security-update for "xserver-org" form the official Ubuntu repositories which crashed my system again (no login screen). Then I installed the newest two xserver-org-video-intel*.deb's (downloaded and installed as described above) from the PPA https://launchpad.net/~andrikos/+archive/ppa/+packages?field.name_filter=&field.status_filter=published&field.series_filter=quantal again. You can also add this PPA on your system for preventing this issue. For me, this PPA has too much other packages, so I will do it (downloading the two .deb-files and installing them) manually. An other solution is, to de-select the "xserver-org"-packages if there are official Ubuntu security updates available.

Installation:

Get the current ATI Catalyst driver e,g 12.11 Beta (I have tested it with this release):

wget -c http://www2.ati.com/drivers/beta/amd-driver-installer-catalyst-12.11-beta-x86.x86_64.zip -O catalyst-12.11-beta-x86.x86_64.zip

Unzip the .zip and make it executable. Then go to the folder with the unzipped .run-file in terminal and type:

sudo sh ./amd-driver-installer-XXX.run --buildpkg Ubuntu/quantal

Replace XXX with the correct name of the file

Install the created .deb-files with the following terminal-command in the current directory:

sudo dpkg -i fglrx*.deb

Post-Install:

Enter the terminal command

sudo aticonfig --initial -f

Reboot your system

sudo reboot

optional - fixing the bug for direct rendering on the integrated card:

gksu gedit /etc/X11/Xsession.d/10fglrx

Add the string "/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/dri/" on your 64Bit system that the line finally looks like this:

LIBGL_DRIVERS_PATH=${LIBGL_DRIVERS_PATH}:/usr/lib32/fglrx/dri:/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/dri

Add the string "/usr/lib32/dri/" on your 32Bit system that the line finally looks like this:

LIBGL_DRIVERS_PATH=${LIBGL_DRIVERS_PATH}:/usr/lib32/fglrx/dri:/usr/lib32/dri

Links:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1930450

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1930450&page=51

http://www.upubuntu.com/2012/10/install-amd-catalyst-1211-beta-driver.html

My Scripts for Switching

Script for High-GPU-Mode:

#!/bin/bash
# Activate discrete GPU (High-Performance mode), must re-start X to take effect
sudo aticonfig --px-dgpu
sudo restart lightdm

Script for Low-GPU-Mode:

#!/bin/bash
# Activate integrated GPU (Power-Saving mode), must re-start X to take effec
sudo aticonfig --px-igpu
sudo restart lightdm

Script for showing current GPU-Mode:

#!/bin/bash
#Show current GPU (High- or Low-Performance mode) as notification
aticonfig --pxl | while read SPAM_OUT; do notify-send "$SPAM_OUT"; done

Note: If you have always problems after the execution of a Switching-Script, make a restart of your system (and not only a re-login).

5
  • I had tried it on a HP g6 (Radeon 6470M and intel HD3000) and there were problems when initializing "aticonfig" it seems to be that some libraries where not found in /usr/lib, (I have installed all the packages described above), so update-alternatives seems to revert to the previous option and the Xserver does not start. Nov 3, 2012 at 10:10
  • Have you installed the "xserver-xorg-video-intel*.deb" packages with the command: "sudo dpkg -i xserver-xorg-video-intel*.deb" and after that the command "sudo dpkg-reconfigure Xorg" => then reboot. I installed it with this tutorial today again and added this two lines into the how-to. For me, the how-to works well. I tested it today again because I did a clean install of Ubuntu 12.10.
    – Marian Lux
    Nov 3, 2012 at 10:39
  • I found the debs at launchpad.net/~andrikos/+archive/ppa/+sourcepub/2909374/…, the link you have in your How-to doesn't seem to have any file still attached.
    – labarna
    Jan 18, 2013 at 18:08
  • Any idea on how to apply this solution to 13.04? Apr 24, 2013 at 17:06
  • @jmite I have added a 13.04 description as an answer for this question.
    – Marian Lux
    May 5, 2013 at 11:50
10

For 13.10

it works without tweaking on a fresh Ubuntu 13.10 install:

1) Open the terminal and type

sudo apt-get install fglrx fglrx-pxpress

2) and reboot

8
  • 1
    How exactly does it "work"? How do you switch between the cards? Please write a bit more. If this worked I might consider upgrading from 13.04.
    – mreq
    Nov 3, 2013 at 13:44
  • 1
    To switch between the cards - the easiest way: After doing the steps above you can open from Ubuntu Dash "AMD Catalyst Control Center" (Administrator). In section for switchable graphics, you can switch between Intel GPU and your AMD GPU. After switching don't forget to logout and login.
    – Marian Lux
    Nov 6, 2013 at 9:34
  • It works for me too!
    – HRJ
    Dec 7, 2013 at 17:19
  • This worked for me to, on kubuntu 13.10 (from wiki.ubuntu.com/X/Config/HybridGraphics), after trying tonnes of other crap. I'm on a Samsung Chronos 7, which has 00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation 2nd Generation Core Processor Family Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 09); 01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] Seymour [Radeon HD 6400M/7400M Series] (rev ff). The AMD GPU is really glitchy, but the Intel GPU works fine, although it seems to run hot (maybe 10°C hotter than before). Anyone had either of those two problems?
    – naught101
    Jan 10, 2014 at 3:27
  • This didn't work for me unfortunately :-(
    – Sadi
    Feb 23, 2014 at 17:00
4

For 13.10:

Pre-install:

Execute three terminal-commands:

sudo apt-get install build-essential cdbs fakeroot dh-make debhelper debconf libstdc++6
sudo apt-get install dkms libqtgui4 wget execstack libelfg0 dh-modaliases
sudo apt-get install linux-headers-generic xserver-xorg-core xserver-xorg-video-all libgcc1

Additional two terminal-commands for 64-bit:

sudo apt-get install ia32-libs lib32gcc1 libc6-i386
cd /usr
sudo ln -svT lib /usr/lib64

If ia32-libs is not available, follow these directions and install with:

sudo apt-get install libgtk2.0-0:i386 libpangox-1.0-0:i386 libpangoxft-1.0-0:i386 libidn11:i386 libglu1-mesa:i386

Note: The second command shouldn't be necessary if there is already such a symbolic link named lib64 pointing to folder lib there. And if there is already a real folder by that name (determined with ls -l /usr/lib64), you should ensure that its contents are safely moved into folder /usr/lib and then delete --the now empty-- folder /usr/lib64 before executing this command.

Remove the old drivers:

sudo apt-get remove fglrx*

Reinstall the Intel driver:

sudo apt-get install --reinstall xserver-xorg-video-intel

Download the .deb package:

wget http://www.mirrorservice.org/sites/archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu//pool/main/u/udev/libudev0_175-0ubuntu13_amd64.deb

Execute the following terminal-command in the folder with downloaded .deb file:

sudo dpkg -i libudev*

Installation:

Get the current AMD Catalyst driver from the official website

Unzip the archive and make .run executable:

unzip amd-*catalyst-*.zip
chmod +x amd-*catalyst-*.run

Generate the driver packages:

sudo sh ./amd-*catalyst-*.run --buildpkg Ubuntu/saucy

Install the generated .deb packages:

sudo dpkg -i fglrx*.deb

Post-install:

Enter the following terminal-commands:

sudo mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup
sudo aticonfig --initial -f

Note: If you use multiple AMD graphics cards or AMD dual graphics, you can use the following command instead:

sudo aticonfig --adapter=all --initial -f

Note: If you use a dual monitor display, you can also use this additional third command:

sudo aticonfig --set-pcs-str="DDX,EnableRandR12,FALSE"

Select the discrete GPU:

sudo aticonfig --px-dgpu

Reboot your system:

sudo reboot

Scripts for switching:

Script for High-GPU-Mode:

#!/bin/bash
# Activate discrete GPU (High-Performance mode), must re-start X to take effect
sudo aticonfig --px-dgpu
sudo restart lightdm

Script for Low-GPU-Mode:

#!/bin/bash
# Activate integrated GPU (Power-Saving mode), must re-start X to take effec
sudo aticonfig --px-igpu
sudo restart lightdm

Script for showing current GPU-Mode:

#!/bin/bash
#Show current GPU (High- or Low-Performance mode) as notification
aticonfig --pxl | while read SPAM_OUT; do notify-send "$SPAM_OUT"; done

Note: If you always have problems after the execution of a switching script, make a restart of your system (and not only a re-login).

New! Indicator for switching:

To switch between discrete (AMD) and integrated (Intel) GPUs nice and easy way, go to the project's GitHub page, and then download and install the .deb file from there.

enter image description here

Links:

  1. [all variants] AMD/Intel Hybrid Graphics works — Ubuntu Forums
  2. Ubuntu Saucy Installation Guide — cchtml.com
  3. BinaryDriverHowto/AMD — Ubuntu Community Help Wiki
  4. X/Troubleshooting/VideoDriverDetection — Ubuntu Wiki

This answer is based on Marian Lux's 13.04 guide.

1
  • As before, ONLY this method of using the latest driver from AMD website (amd-catalyst-14.1-betav1.3-linux-x86.x86_64.zip) worked for me - THX!
    – Sadi
    Feb 23, 2014 at 17:26
3

I have a Vaio VPCSE with AMD/Intel hybrid graphics, too, and I followed your how-to step by step. Unfortunately, when I changed to integrated graphics in Catalyst, I got lost after login just as you desribed. When changing to discrete graphics, it works – but I can use fglrx from the sources for that.

So my only workaround, which I'm not quite happy with, is to use the open source drivers and switch off power of the discrete card using switcheroo. That is, with fglrx cleaned off my system, I type

sudo -i
echo OFF > /sys/kernel/debug/vgaswitcheroo/switch

assuming that

cat /sys/kernel/debug/vgaswitcheroo/switch

shows a + in the line containing "IGD"

2
  • I addd a "My Scripts for Switching" section on my top answer. This scripts should help you.
    – Marian Lux
    Nov 28, 2012 at 7:39
  • I finally managed to try again. I switched to low graphics/iGPU using your script. After logging in, I got stuck again as before (i.e. my desktop with all desktop icons being displayed and right mouse clicks working but without status panel, quick starter and all the rest that makes unity functional). I found out that compiz failed to launch due to missing i965_dri.so. The following fixed it: 'sudo ln -s /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/dri/i965_dri.so i965_dri.so' 'sudo ln -s /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/dri/i965_dri.so i965_dri.so' It' not working without your setup, so +1 for your how to.
    – dast
    Dec 16, 2012 at 12:06

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