Category Archives: Gnome

Ubuntu 13.04 + Gnome 3.8 + ATI HD5450

I recently switched from using OpenSuse 12, to using Ubuntu 13.04 on my desktop machine at work. In order to get everything working correctly I had to use the latest ATI beta drivers (13.3 Beta).

After you unzip the downloaded file, simply run:

# ./amd-driver-installer-catalyst-13.3-beta3-linux-x86.x86_64.run

Initially the install script errored out, after it failed to locate ‘version.h’, so before I could successfully complete the driver install, I had to run:

# ln -s /lib/modules/3.8.0-19-generic/build/include/generated/uapi/linux/version.h /lib/modules/3.8.0-19-generic/build/include/linux/version.h

Since these are beta drivers, they have a watermark in the lower right hand corner of each monitor.  The solution to removing that watermark can be found here.

If you have dual monitors as I do, once you boot into ubuntu you will want to configure them with the ATI Control Center:

# amdcccle

In order to get the latest version of Gnome you can add the Gnome3 team ppa’s:

# sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gnome3-team/gnome3
# sudo apt-get update
# sudo apt-get upgrade

If  you want access to the latest bleeding edge applications and utilities , you can add the Ricotz testing ppa’s as well:

# sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ricotz/testing
# sudo apt-get update
# sudo apt-get upgrade

The Ricotz staging ppa’s can be used however, there is a chance that if you upgrade with these, you system may end up becoming unstable:

# sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ricotz/staging
# sudo apt-get update
# sudo apt-get upgrade

Finally, I ran into a bug in Gnome where my entire desktop background was gray/white, in inorder to get that issue fixed I followed the advice given in the comments section of this Youtube video.