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(add a upfront on the non-free status of this driver. make it clear we don't recommend it)
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== AMD Catalyst is non-free/proprietary software ==
== AMD Catalyst is non-free/proprietary software ==


AMD Catalyst driver cannot be included in Fedora because it is not free/libre and open source software.  Fedora includes a free and open source driver for AMD graphics cards.  It is highly recommended that you use the default driver that is part of Fedora and help improve it by providing your feedback.  The following documentation describes the steps to use the non-free/proprietary driver.  
AMD Catalyst driver cannot be included in Fedora because it is not free/libre and open source software.  Fedora includes a free and open source driver for AMD graphics cards.  It is highly recommended that you use the default driver that is part of Fedora and help improve it by providing your feedback.  The following documentation describes the steps to use the non-free/proprietary driver.  Fedora cannot help resolve bugs in the proprietary driver and all feedback should be directed to the vendor instead.


== Getting AMD Catalyst ==
== Getting AMD Catalyst ==

Revision as of 23:56, 6 February 2013

AMD Catalyst is non-free/proprietary software

AMD Catalyst driver cannot be included in Fedora because it is not free/libre and open source software. Fedora includes a free and open source driver for AMD graphics cards. It is highly recommended that you use the default driver that is part of Fedora and help improve it by providing your feedback. The following documentation describes the steps to use the non-free/proprietary driver. Fedora cannot help resolve bugs in the proprietary driver and all feedback should be directed to the vendor instead.

Getting AMD Catalyst

Root is needed
All of the following commands will require superuser priveleges. Become root using:
$ su -
. It is possible to use sudo instead as well

Preperations

Upgrade your system

# yum upgrade
# shutdown -r now

Download and install the rpmfusion repositories (according to your Fedora version):

Fedora 18
RPM Fusion free
RPM Fusion nonfree
Fedora 17
RPM Fusion free
RPM Fusion nonfree
Fedora 16
RPM Fusion free
RPM Fusion nonfree
If your browser has downloaded these packages, as opposed to requesting to open the Fedora package installer, you may install them using the following command:
# yum install /path/to/package(s).rpm

Installing AMD Catalyst

Install the Catalyst driver and libraries

# yum install xorg-x11-drv-catalyst xorg-x11-drv-catalyst-libs

Install akmod for Catalyst

# yum install akmod-catalyst
Akmod vs. kmod
Many will be confused and mistakenly install kmod instead of akmod. Akmod is the preferred option, similar to dkms, in that is dynamically rebuilds the kernel module whenever a new kernel is installed, instead of the user having to rebuild each kernel module whenever there is a new kernel release.
A disadvantage to akmod is that it required more space than kmod-compiled modules.

Finishing touches

Blacklist old radeon modules

# echo "blacklist radeon" >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
# echo "blacklist radeonhd" >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf

Remove the old radeon driver from initramfs

# mv /boot/initramfs-$(uname -r).img /boot/initramfs-$(uname -r)-radeon.img
# dracut /boot/initramfs-$(uname -r).img $(uname -r)

Reboot

# shutdown -r now