Thread: Newbie help with Ubuntu 11.04 Video

background/context:
first attempt ever @ using linux. inherent requesite skills, grew during dos days (and prefer command line) , spent time (long time ago) using solaris/irix. sadly, have spent far time windows , trying unlearn bad habits.

salvaged old asus a8n-e amd64 3200+ chip, 1 gb ddr400 ram, 250 gb of hdd space, , sapphire ati x1300 graphics agp card. unformatted stuck on ubuntu 11.04 earlier week downloading cd.

problem:
started noticing problems when cursor came out pixel wide/rainbow pixel line on desktop (but not in apps firefox). tried switching unity 2d interface instead of 3d, , helped (a bit), combo boxes "hang around", meaning config problem several pages of drop-down boxes, when pick drop-down box, doesn't go away or clear several pages later.

admittedly haven't made transition device manager how things done in ubuntu, found (somewhere) system did not recognize card (showed unknown). no additional drivers listed in system settings nor can seem force 1 using gui.

searching ubuntu forums, found out that
-i cannot use standard proprietary drivers card (not supported)
-downloading v9 drivers amd/ati site bad idea

questions:
-how force open source ati drivers installed? how "find" standard ati drivers in ubuntu suppository fix malady? way go?
-do need uninstall <whatever there, possibly default vga driver> before doing this?
-do need install gnome desktop on 11.04 have option? (i can't see in list of options when log on)
-does come in bacon flavour?

in advance,

welcome ubuntu! - no expert , others here surely able more complex questions having used ubuntu on 4 years , having gone through number of upgrades , new installs can suggest try latest release (11.10) rather 11.04.

unity interface in 11.04 new , little unpolished - 11.10 more complete. alone may fix issues. given issues graphics card suggest not go down gnome route (i assuming looking @ gnome 3). unity 2d on 11.10 may best combination.

specifically, first , second questions cannot answer competently leave others. answer 3rd questions - need install don't - installing gnome break unity on 11.04 , prob not fix issues anyway - speak bitter experience on one.

4th question - provided pig bacon came free (as in beer) before willing submitting butchers knife, yes

Forum The Ubuntu Forum Community Ubuntu Official Flavours Support New to Ubuntu [ubuntu] Newbie help with Ubuntu 11.04 Video

Ubuntu