Does this need a Linux Driver? - Canon imageCLASS D320 Laser Printer

For most of the linux distributions, ATI Video Card Drivers are the hardest to get working, since it is not normally included in the installation. Linux would still normally work since it has a basic VESA driver installation but it would not have any 3D effects, which is one of the things Linux users would crave to have on their system.

With the 3D effects, changing the desktop or the workspace, makes linux usage fun and exciting. To have that, we need the drivers for the video card that allows 3D Acceleration.

For ATI Video cards, here are the steps to follow to install the driver on linux.

1) Make sure that you have updated your kernel to the latest version.
2) Go to this link --> "http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/Pages/index.aspx"

This is where you can download any ATI Video Card driver. Make sure to pick the right linux type because there are two items on the list to choose from either Linux x86 or x86_64. The latter part is for 64 Bit systems. Then choose your ATI Product Family like Radeon, FirePro and so on. Then choose your product from the list and click go. Download the latest driver with ATI catalyst onto a folder in your hard drive.

3) You need to go to the terminal console. On ubuntu it would be Terminal on mandriva it is KTerminal or whatever terminal you are used to. Change to the directory of the download. ( e.g. "chdir /home/myusername/Downloads")

4) To run the installation you need to be an administrator or a SuperUser. There are a couple of ways to do it and it is dependent on what distribution you are using. For ubuntu, kubuntu or any other debian type linux distributions first you need to type in "sudo" then the command or the name of the executable file or script. For example for your ati driver: "sudo ./ati-driver-installer-10-4-x86.x86_64.run ". The press enter. It may ask for a password, so you have to type it in.

For other distributions, like mandriva or redhat, you need to be a superuser or login as a super user in the terminal before you do the command or run the executable. So you first type in "su" then press enter. After that it would ask you for the password. Type it in and then press enter. Then type the command or name of executable like "./ati-driver-installer-10-4-x86.x86_64.run " then press enter.

5) After you have run the installation you will get the installation screen just make sure to just follow the steps or normally keep clicking next.

6) When you are done installing the driver make sure to restart the system.

NOTES / TIPS:
Linux normally gets updates almost every week, which would sometimes include an update of the kernel. When this happens, your ati driver would not work on reboot. On some instances, you would even just go to a black screen or it would crash and stop on the splash screen at the start of the linux boot process. For you to prevent this from happening make sure that you have a copy of the driver you installed or better yet make sure that you have an updated copy of the driver. If you are able to go into linux but found that you do not have the 3D capability. Reinstall the driver again. If you are not able to go to linux go to the repair option at the start of the boot process. From there install the Driver. Then restart the computer.