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Currently I'm using ubuntu 12.04. Previously I've used dual boot (Ubuntu 13.04 / Windows 7), both OS configured with ATI Catalyst Center. But few days back both OS started to crash. Ubuntu 13.04 freezes to death, I can't even switch to CLI. Other OS error log indicated that it was due to Graphics driver. Now I can't re-install Ubuntu 13.04-amd64. Till now 12.04 working fine without additional graphics driver. Is it necessary to install ATI CC, If I continue without ATI Driver does it harm my system. I've 1GB ATI Radeon HD 5470, Please ask if you need any additional info.

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5 Answers 5

I'm running 12.04 with ATI AIW, and I never loaded ATI CC, and everything works fine. Its been running like that since 12.04 came out, and Its updated as of yesterday. So it won't harm the system. I don't run any games.

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Thank you. I haven't heard about ATI AIW till now. –  Vineeth Krishnan Mar 10 at 14:05
Is there any article or resources about how I can configure ATI AIW on my ubuntu 12.04. googled it but I couldnt find anything good so far. Do you have any suggestion for me? –  Vineeth Krishnan Mar 26 at 20:36
I'm not sure about what is it that you want to configure, but if capture software is what you're looking for, then take a look at ATI TV and Overlay Software. –  Mitch Mar 26 at 20:52

Most distros including Ubuntu comes with a "free" version of driver that is enough to display the desktop and make a smooth experience. However, if you run games and other graphics intensive stuff, its recommended to install a non-free driver provided by your vendor

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I don't run any games so it is okay to work on ubuntu without additional driver :-) –  Vineeth Krishnan Mar 10 at 14:03

The OSS driver (radeon) is coming on in leaps and bounds though. 3D performance in Mesa 10.2 and post-3.12 kernels is pretty good. Not quite as good as the closed driver, admittedly, but if you're stuck with a card that's only supported by the legacy catalyst driver then the OSS driver is a bad consolation prize.

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No, it is not necessary to run the proprietary drivers. They are not installed by default. Also, once you do install them, it is not straightforward to remove them.

However, if both windows and ubuntu are crashing, perhaps it is not your drivers at fault but some hardware issue with your graphics card i.e. it is worn out.

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I have the same type of graphics card, but I don't have a driver. use s3tc. its a compression tool. start by adding ppa:xorg-edgers/ppa to your ppa list, sudo apt-get update, then go to the software center and look up s3tc and there are 2 packages. install them both, and make sure you run the update manager. I did this, and my computer runs faster and better than ever when playing steam games.

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