How to Install ATI Graphics Drivers in Kubuntu

Video cards contain hardware specialized for rendering 3D graphics and decoding videos.

Kubuntu Linux, like other Linux distributions, contains built-in, open-source drivers for ATI graphics cards. These drivers are generally sufficient for general desktop use. However, the open-source drivers don't yet provide the same 3D graphics capabilities as ATI's official graphics drivers. Users that want to play 3D games with their ATI graphics cards on Kubuntu Linux should install the official ATI graphics drivers. While past versions of Kubuntu lagged behind Ubuntu and didn't have a proper automatic Hardware Drivers installation tool, recent versions do.

Instructions

1. Click the "K" menu at the lower-left corner of your screen.

2. Click the "Applications" icon at the bottom of the K menu, click "System" and click "Hardware Drivers."

3. Authenticate yourself by typing your password into the Password box that appears and clicking "OK."

4. Click "ATI/AMD Proprietary FGLRX Graphics Driver" in list in the Hardware Drivers window.

5. Install and activate the driver by clicking the "Activate" button in the bottom-right corner of the Hardware Drivers window.

6. Restart your computer by clicking "Restart" when prompted. The installed ATI drivers aren't used until the system restarts.

Tips & Warnings

• Only drivers that your computer can use are displayed in the Hardware Drivers window.

References

• Ubuntu Documentation: BinaryDriverHowtoATI