AMD Train Runs Off The Tracks, Again

Last month was an odd month where an aticonfig issue had caused two fglrx display drivers to be released in the same month (8.38.6 and 8.38.7). Though it seems the AMD release train has run off the tracks once more and we'll probably see another driver out of the AMD camp in the coming days. If you're using the distribution-specific packaging scripts or obtaining the fglrx driver from a distribution repository, it's recommended to not upgrade to fglrx v8.39.4. While not an issue that will harm you, you'll be stuck with an AMD watermark in the bottom right hand corner of the screen that reads "Testing use only".

The 8.39.4 display driver also continues to have some serious problems with TexturedVideo that can cause either tearing or X to crash, but don't expect this to be corrected in a 8.39 hot-fix release.

Is this a sign that the driver train is running too fast in preparation for the "new driver"? Though at the same time, NVIDIA is also having serious performance issues with the GeForce 8 series.

Stay tuned for additional information and you can discuss these driver problems in the Phoronix Forums.