[Dougal]

Hello - I am new to Ubuntu and need a little help.
I have installed it after Windows Vista and both boot from the menu okay.
The install went well and I am able to get around the desktop and use programs and so on but, randomly my screen will freeze. Sometimes my mouse pointer will still move and next time everything is frozen including my mouse pointer.
It happens at no specific time.
I have been looking through the forums on various sites and some say it might be a Firefox problem solved by installing the latest version - how do I do this?
Others are pointing toward a graphics card problem I have an ATI Radeon X600 on a Dell Optiplex GX620 with plenty RAM and hard disk space and modern dual core processor. It seems to be quite a common machine so don't expect too much bother from it.
Any help would be good.
I know nothing about getting things done in Linux so please be gentle with me.
Thanks in advance.

[devils casper]

Hi and Welcome !

Its a Graphics Card problem only. Have you installed ATI Driver?
System -- Administration -- Hardware Drivers ( dont remember exact option ).

[Deke]

Thanks I'll have a look. Is there anything special I have to do?

[devils casper]

Originally Posted by Deke

Thanks I'll have a look. Is there anything special I have to do?

No. Hardware manager will detect your Card and install driver itself.

[Dougal]

I tried as you said but, got this message:

The software source for the package;
xorg-driver-fglrx
is not enabled.

Just before this I get a box asking me to enable the ATI driver which I check but, it then goes onto the above message.
What do I need to do.
Thank you once more.

[haimari1]

you need to configure your xorg
there is an example here

hope this will help you

[devils casper]

Which version of Ubuntu are you using?
Execute this

cat /etc/lsb-release
grep -i driver /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Post output here.

[bigtomrodney]

You can manually enable the sources under System > Administration > Software Sources. Just check the options for Universe, Multiverse and Restricted repositories and you should be good to go. It's a good idea to refresh the sources if you are given the option.

[Dougal]

Devil's Casper, here is the reply you are asking for;
DISTRIB_ID=Ubuntu
DISTRIB_RELEASE=7.10
DISTRIB_CODENAME=gutsy
DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION="Ubuntu 7.10"
eng815@vitelius:~$ grep -i driver /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Driver "kbd"
Driver "mouse"
Driver "wacom"
Driver "wacom"
Driver "wacom"
Driver "ati"

[Dougal]

haimari 1:
I am posting this plea for help using Windows...

I followed the link you gave me to Scripts-Net.com

I followed their instructions to the section about editing /etx/X11/xorg.conf

I altered the 'ServerLayoutection by adding the line:
Option "AIGLX" "true"

Then added the 'Modes "1680x1050" "1440x900" to the (that's funny, I am looking for the section that has the modes in it but, can't find it).
Then the final thing I added was the section:
"DRI" and its' contents.
The last section was already there.

When I pressed ctrl+alt+backspace the screen blanked then came back with what looks like a default size of 640x480 and a message box saying something about changing the resolution and I had the option to change it for my card but, my cards native resolution of 1680050 was not there, only options for 640x480 and 800x600 so I chose 800x600 and OK.
The screen size changed right enough but, still not correct. I rebooted but, the screen is now such a mess I cannot use it.
I rebooted in safe mode to the command line.
How can I get back to editing the file /etc/X11/xorg.conf
I tried sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf but, got the reply, something about options for using gedit.
I gave up and rebooted to Windows to post this plea for help.