how 2 install Fedora 8 or 9 on a Radeon ATI x700 laptop

richjoh · #1 12th May 2008, 07:02 AM

I have had this issue with FC 6,7 and now 8, probably 9 when it is released. I have combed this forum and lost of post for this issue but no definite answer that works.

I have a FC 8 DVD, "vesa linux" install does nothing, although this work with older Fedora
text install does not work.
pluggin in a display on the laptop connector does nothing, I see no display at boot time.

Wtf is going on with this ATE Radeon x700 and Fedora installation???

tunerX · #2 12th May 2008, 07:57 AM

can you boot a livecd. I found my install problems when I booted the livecd and ran the installer from a console window.

A.Serbinski · #3 12th May 2008, 03:17 PM

Wouldn't that be "linux vesa"?

Try "linux text", do your install, install the proprietary drivers for x700, then modify your inittab to start in runlevel 5.

richjoh · #4 13th May 2008, 04:57 PM

I tried linux vesa and vesa linux none work.

I don't' have a live CD, what will live CD do what the dvd will not??? I don't see how this will work.

A.Serbinski · #5 13th May 2008, 05:33 PM

livecd won't do what you want it to do. Forget it.

And read the second line of my last post.

"linux text".

richjoh · #6 13th May 2008, 09:05 PM

linux text install fails too. Anaconda runs then its will hang indefinitely. I will download Fedora 9 and try it but I think it will do the same.

tunerX · #7 13th May 2008, 10:17 PM

I used the livecd after a couple minutes, I hit ctrl-alt-F1, then logged into root. issued a telinit 3. Ran the installer in text mode from there and installed my system. I have a Dell 9300 with x700. I figured that running the installer from a command line gets console output which can be used to determine what is failing during the install.

This was all blind. I installed the system without X support. The booted and installed ATI drivers, installed X, and have been running ever since.

richjoh · #8 19th June 2008, 12:03 PM

Fedora 9 DVD install worked OK. I don't like the driver for the LCD display. But after running the upgrades I got more screen resolution settings. Now what video accelerator works with this setup

Kasper-pA- · #9 19th June 2008, 04:26 PM

I'm running FC7, 8, 9, and ubuntu on my laptop with a x700 card...

Use Leigh's how-to for FGLRX in the "How-To" section.
http://forums.fedoraforum.org/showthread.php?t=189227

works great for FC9, still waiting on ATI and xorg to get upgraded so I can use the FC9 xorg packages... pm me if u need any help!