Linux Ubuntu Hanging on 3D Graphics

I just put Ubuntu onto my computer (fresh install, newest version, etc) and it will always hang soon (<5 minutes) after doing anything 3D. For example, if I browse the screensavers, it hangs. If I try to play some Warsow, it hangs. Everything continues to work, except for the graphics (assuming that X crashed). Here's my system:

Asus SK8N
AMD FX-51
1GB DDR400 RAM
ATI Radeon 9800XT

I think it may have something to do with the ATI drivers included with Ubuntu (I've glanced at some threads that complain about it), but I don't know what to do since I'm still a Linux newb.

Any ideas to get this working are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

- tf

 

So you have to ctrl+alt+backspace or does X recover from the hang?

Anything useful in /var/log/Xorg.0.log?

 

If you have another free computer handy and sshd running, can you SSH in?

If so, try killing X windows.

I haven't personally tried installing ATI drivers for a while now. The last time I did was eitehr with red-hat or slackware. I think it was the latter. Have you tried following ATIs directions on their website for installing drivers? (Assuming they still come with directions to install)

 

Can't you ctrl+alt+1 with Ubuntu?

 

Hrmm... perhaps. I haven't really given Ubuntu much of a try really.
I'll be doing that once I get my laptop though methinks.
But for now, its slackware on everything xD
Unless of couse smoothwall supports load balancing and throttling on 2x "red interfaces"

As far as I know though, "ctrl + backspace" should work fine.

 

Sorry about not replying, but I gave up on this. My intention was to install Ubuntu and Vista on my third drive and triple boot XP/Linux/Vista, but Vista wasn't working and neither was Ubuntu, so I made my drive hold media.

Thanks for the tips anyways.

- tf

 

just so you know, i have sucessfully installed ubuntu on a X1900XT and it works with no problems. Just install the fglrx driver through synaptic/apt-get. also checkout the unofficial guide.