This article provides information regarding the ATI Catalyst Display Driver 8.36.5 for Linux, a graphics driver suite released by AMD (formerly ATI). It outlines the supported operating systems, system requirements, recommended configurations, necessary software packages, and new features introduced in this specific version. While this driver is dated, understanding its specifications can be valuable for users maintaining older Linux systems or those interested in the historical evolution of graphics drivers.
Supported Operating Systems
The ATI Catalyst Display Driver 8.36.5 for Linux was primarily designed and tested for the following Linux distributions:
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux suite 3 and 4
- Novell/SUSE 10 product suite
While the driver suite might install on other Linux distributions, AMD explicitly stated that it only fully tested, verified, and warranted its reliability on the aforementioned systems. AMD accepted contributed packaging scripts for other distributions but didn’t ensure their stability. Users attempting installation on unsupported distributions should proceed with caution and consult the "Package Generation" installation instructions.
System Requirements
Before installing the ATI Catalyst Display Driver 8.36.5 for Linux, certain software components must be present on the system. These are fundamental prerequisites for the driver to function correctly:
- X Server: XOrg versions 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0, 7.1, or 7.2; XFree86 version 4.3. The X server is the foundation of the graphical environment in Linux.
- Linux Kernel: Kernel version 2.4 or higher. The kernel is the core of the operating system.
- glibc: Version 2.2 or 2.3. glibc is the GNU C Library, providing essential system calls and functions.
- POSIX Shared Memory: Support for POSIX Shared Memory (/dev/shm) is crucial for 3D applications to operate correctly. Shared memory allows different processes to efficiently exchange data.
A significant change introduced with this driver version is the removal of precompiled kernel modules. This means that all installations require a GCC compiler and either kernel headers or kernel source to enable 2D and 3D acceleration. This adds a layer of complexity to the installation process, as users need to ensure they have the necessary development tools installed.
System Recommendations
For optimal performance and ease of use, AMD recommended the following system configurations:
- Kernel Module Build Environment: This includes kernel source code or kernel headers packages. This is essential for building the driver modules specific to the user’s kernel.
- ISSE Support: Enabled in the Linux Kernel. ISSE (Internet Streaming SIMD Extensions) is a set of CPU instructions that can improve performance, especially in multimedia applications. This recommendation applies to Intel Pentium III and later CPUs and is typically enabled by default in kernel version 2.4 and later.
- RPM Utility: If intending to install via RPM packages, the RPM utility should be installed and configured correctly. RPM is a package management system commonly used in Red Hat-based distributions.
Required Packages
The following packages are crucial for the ATI Catalyst Display Driver 8.36.5 for Linux to install and function properly. These packages provide essential libraries and functionalities that the driver relies on:
- XFree86-Mesa-libGL: Provides the OpenGL library implementation.
- libstdc++: The GNU Standard C++ Library.
- libgcc: The GCC (GNU Compiler Collection) support library.
- XFree86-libs: A collection of libraries required by the XFree86 windowing system.
- fontconfig: A library for configuring and customizing font access.
- freetype: A library for rendering fonts.
- zlib: A library for data compression.
Ensuring these packages are installed before attempting to install the driver is crucial for a successful installation.
New Features
The ATI Catalyst Display Driver 8.36.5 for Linux introduced the following notable new features:
- Linux Kernel 2.6.20 Support: This version added support for the Linux Kernel 2.6.20. This means that the driver was specifically tested and designed to work with this kernel version.
- AMD Catalyst Control Centre: Linux Edition (Beta 0.9) Localization: The Beta version 0.9 of the AMD Catalyst Control Centre: Linux Edition introduced language localization in a wide range of languages, including Arabic, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, Swedish, Spanish, Thai, and Turkish. This made the control center more accessible to a global audience.
Download Links
While this driver is quite old, you might still need it for legacy systems. Here are some download links:
Here are 5 alternative download links. Please verify their integrity and use at your own risk:
- Softpedia: (Look for archived driver versions; specific version may not be available)
- DriverGuide: (Search for the driver model and version)
- MajorGeeks: (Check their driver archives)
- Linux Driver Project Archives: (If available; may require advanced searching)
- AMD Legacy Driver Archive: (AMD sometimes keeps older drivers available)
Disclaimer: Downloading and installing drivers from unofficial sources carries risks. Ensure you have appropriate security measures in place before proceeding. Always scan downloaded files for malware.
Conclusion
The ATI Catalyst Display Driver 8.36.5 for Linux was a significant release at the time, bringing support for newer kernel versions and improved language localization for the control center. While now outdated, its specifications provide valuable insights into the driver landscape of that era and can be helpful for users working with older Linux systems. Remember to carefully consider the system requirements and recommendations before attempting installation.