Ubuntu 19.10 + RX 5700 XT Installation Instructions

I haven't found a good set of instructions for getting Ubuntu 19.10 + RX 5700 XT working so I decided to put some together. Hopefully this will help others with getting their shiny new RX 5770 XT working in Linux!

USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

# My Hardware

* AMD Ryzen 2700X
* Corsair 16GB DDR4-3200
* ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero
* ASUS ROG Strix Radeon RX 5700 XT OC
* Samsung NVMe 970 EVO 500GB

# Software Involved

* Ubuntu 19.10
* Linux Firmware
* Linux Kernel v5.3.11
* XWayland Window Manager

# Install Ubuntu 19.10

At this time, Ubuntu 19.10 does not come with the RX 5700 XT firmware. Because of this, the installer screen can freeze; preventing you from even installing Ubuntu! To get around this, install using graphic safe mode (nomodeset).

## - ISO to USB

1. Download Ubuntu 19.10
1. Website: [https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop](https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop)
2. Write ISO to USB stick
1. Use an app like *USB Image Writer* (Linux Mint)
2. Or in Linux terminal
1. Run: *sudo dd bs=4M if=<download\_dir>/<ubuntu\_iso> of=/dev/<USB\_device>*
2. Replace <download\_dir>, <ubuntu\_iso>, and <USB\_device> with the correct values
3. To get <USB\_Device> run: *sudo fdisk -l*

## - Ubuntu GRUB Menu

1. Boot from USB stick
2. Stop at GRUB menu (may need to hit ESC to get GRUB menu to appear)
3. GRUB Text Menu: Change boot command
1. Down-Arrow and select *Install Ubuntu* but don’t press ENTER
2. Press e
3. On the line that starts with *linux*, add *nomodeset* after *splash*
4. Press CTRL-X or F10 to boot into Ubuntu Installer
4. GRUB Graphical Menu: Change boot command
1. Select *Install Ubuntu (safe graphics)*
2. Press ENTER to boot into Ubuntu Installer

## - Ubuntu Installer

1. Install as you normally would
2. I choose *Minimal installation*, *Download updates while installing Ubuntu*, and *Install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware and additional media formats*

# First Boot into Ubuntu 19.10

Now Ubuntu is installed, but the RX 5700 XT firmware is not... yet. So, we need to do the same boot using safe graphics we did during the installation. Once Ubuntu is booted, run updates, install the RX 5700 XT firmware, then upgrade the Linux kernel to v5.3.11 (Ubuntu 19.10 comes with 5.3.0). I found around a 5% - 10% increase in performance by upgrading the kernel (remember the AMD drivers are in the kernel).

## - Ubuntu GRUB Menu

1. Stop at GRUB menu (may need to hit ESC to get GRUB menu to appear)
2. GRUB Text Menu: Change boot command
1. Select *Ubuntu* but don’t press ENTER
2. Press e
3. On the line that starts with *linux*, add *nomodeset* after *splash*
4. Press CTRL-X or F10 to boot into Ubuntu

## - Update Ubuntu

1. Open a terminal
2. Run: *sudo apt update*
3. Run: *sudo apt upgrade*

## - Install git

1. Open a terminal
2. Run: *sudo apt install git*

## - Install linux-firmware

1. Open a terminal
2. Change to a directory where the linux-firmware repository will live (home directory is fine)
3. Run: *git clone git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/firmware/linux-firmware.git*
4. Run: *cd linux-firmware*
5. Run: *sudo cp -va amdgpu/ /lib/firmware/*
6. Run: *update-initramfs -u*
7. \[Optional\] Reboot (we’ll reboot in *Install Linux Kernel*)

## - Install Linux Kernel v5.3.11

1. Open a web browser and go to: [https://kernel.ubuntu.com/\~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.3.11/](https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.3.11/)
1. You can go to [https://kernel.ubuntu.com/\~kernel-ppa/mainline](https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline) to select other kernel versions
2. Assuming a 64 bit Intel/AMD computer, download the files found under *Build for amd64*
1. Make sure *succeeded* is after *Build for amd64*
2. Download: *linux-headers-xxx-all.deb* (where xxx is versions and timestamps)
3. Download: *linux-image-unsigned-xxx-generic\_xxx\_amd64.deb* (where xxx is versions and timestamps)
4. Download: *linux-modules-xxx-generic\_xxx\_amd64.deb* (where xxx is versions

and timestamps)
3. Open a terminal
4. Change directory (cd) to where you downloaded the files
5. Make a directory: *mkdir kernel*
6. Copy deb files to *kernel* directory: cp \**.deb kernel*
7. Change to *kernel* directory: *cd kernel*
8. Install new kernel: sudo dpkg -i \**.deb*
9. Reboot

# Final Boot into Ubuntu 19.10

Finally, the RX 5700 XT firmware and Linux kernel are installed and upgraded. I found my cursor and any windows on the desktop to stutter a lot when moved around. This seems to have something to do with X11. So, switch to Wayland. All stuttering goes away!

## - Set XWayland Window Manager

1. At the login screen, select your user. This is the point where you enter the password.
2. Next to the *Sign In* button is a gear. Click on the gear and select *Ubuntu on Wayland*.
3. Enter your password and sign in.
4. The XWayland window manager selection should be the default for this user from now on.

# Finished!

Congrats! Hopefully you now have a working Ubuntu 19.10 environment with your RX 5700 XT.

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@r_linux

"Rocks is an open-source Linux cluster distribution that enables end users to easily build computational clusters, grid endpoints and visualization tiled-display walls."
http://www.rocksclusters.org/

https://redd.it/e177x1
@r_linux

Kernel 5.4 released
https://lkml.org/lkml/2019/11/24/187

https://redd.it/e1855q
@r_linux

Thoughts on Debian-based SolydXK distro
https://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20191125#solydxk

https://redd.it/e17gkx
@r_linux

Linux Experiences/Rants or Education/Certifications thread - November 25, 2019

Welcome to r/linux rants and experiences! This megathread is also to hear opinions from anyone just starting out with Linux or those that have used Linux (GNU or otherwise) for a long time.

Let us know what's annoying you, whats making you happy, or something that you want to get out to r/linux but didn't make the cut into a full post of it's own.

For those looking for certifications please use this megathread to ask about how to get certified whether it's for the business world or for your own satisfaction. Be sure to check out r/linuxadmin for more discussion in the SysAdmin world!

_Please keep questions in r/linuxquestions, r/linux4noobs, or the Wednesday automod thread._

https://redd.it/e1ajpi
@r_linux

Are we Wayland yet?
https://www.swalladge.net/archives/2019/10/14/are-we-wayland-yet/

https://redd.it/e19paz
@r_linux

pioneer space sim a nifty little Linux free open source program (also on PC and mac)
https://pioneerspacesim.net/

https://redd.it/e1aovv
@r_linux

Rick is running Linux, with some incredible huge disk size!
https://redd.it/e1fg2p
@r_linux

The CDU, Germany's ruling party, has passed a resolution to uphold the FSFE's "Public Money? Public Code!" initiative
https://fsfe.org/news/2019/news-20191125-01.en.html

https://redd.it/e1fqmv
@r_linux

Bye Bye Microsoft Office. Hello LibreOffice
https://easydns.com/blog/2019/11/25/bye-bye-microsoft-office-hello-libreoffice/

https://redd.it/e1igxe
@r_linux

Kdenlive 19.12 beta is out

&#x200B;

https://preview.redd.it/i1ajbyy7uv041.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8903a59be0149d1c128da1b5c43f68a34fd3835d



kdenlive 19.12 beta is out with many bug fixes and improvements. The highlights include:

&#x200B;

* New audio mixer
* Bin monitor redesign
* Performance and usability improvements
* Many Windows fixes
* Master effects
* Re-implement scrolling trough compositions.

Check it out and report any issues:

[https://files.kde.org/kdenlive/unstable/kdenlive-19.12.0-beta1-x86\_64.appimage](https://files.kde.org/kdenlive/unstable/kdenlive-19.12.0-beta1-x86_64.appimage)

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@r_linux

A story about how Sokibi uses LibreOffice and other FOSS to spread knowledge and love in Indonesia
https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2019/11/25/community-member-monday-sokibi-indonesia/

https://redd.it/e1kf3f
@r_linux

A wiki version of The Linux Cookbook

Here is a wiki version of "The Linux Cookbook: Tips and Techniques for Everyday Use" by M.Stutz. See: [https://handwiki.org/wiki/Linux:Start](https://handwiki.org/wiki/Linux:Start) It can be updated (and extended!) on this wiki under the design license terms.

https://redd.it/e1ovap
@r_linux

Linux has always been very popular with programmers for cross compiling, hardware and software designers, open source developers, certain computer hobbyist, and for non-profit organizations. Are those users ever likely to stop using Linux, even if Linux stops being used a major everyday OS/Kernel?

At least, if things stay the same.

https://redd.it/e1ihh9
@r_linux

KiCad Joins Linux Foundation to Advance Electronic Design Automation
https://www.linuxfoundation.org/press-release/2019/11/kicad-joins-linux-foundation-to-advance-electronic-design-automation/

https://redd.it/e1rla8
@r_linux

TIL: OpenMoji is a totally FOSS emoji set
https://blog.emojipedia.org/openmoji-a-free-and-open-source-emoji-set/

https://redd.it/e1v1c2
@r_linux

Moving gnome-shell's styles to Rust
https://people.gnome.org/~federico/blog/moving-gnome-shell-styles-to-rust.html

https://redd.it/e1tqzt
@r_linux

Clight 4.0 has been released

Hi everyone!
I finally managed to release a huge update to [Clight](https://github.com/FedeDP/Clight) last sunday.
It took really long (almost 1yr) but I am really proud of its new capabilities.

## What is Clight?

Clight is a C utility that aims to fully manage your display; its main feature is to turn your webcam into a light sensor: it captures frames from webcam and uses their detected ambient brightness to update your screens (both internal and external ones, thanks to [ddcutil](https://github.com/rockowitz/ddcutil)) backlight level. By the way it supports ALS devices too!
Note that backlight-to-ambient-brightness curve is customizable through clight conf file!
Moreover, it can change gamma temperature at night/day (or at fixed times), dim your screen and set screen dpms levels; it supports setting keyboard backlight too!
It is highly customizable, in nearly any aspect and it offers a nice dbus interface.
Finally, it supports org.freedesktop.ScreenSaver API to automatically pause dimming and dpms while eg: watching a movie.

It uses a dbus system service, [Clightd](https://github.com/FedeDP/Clightd), to accomplish all of that.

## It seems great, but will it eat my battery?

No, it won't.
Webcam frames are clustered; you can set different timeouts on AC and on battery.
It should indeed improve your battery life because it should avoid wasting useless power for high backlight levels when not needed.

## Ok, you have my attention. What's new?

Clight 4.0 spots a full port to [libmodule](https://github.com/FedeDP/libmodule); moreover it now supports different settings for DIMMER fading/leaving transitions.
And thanks to Clightd 4.0, DIMMER now works everywhere (on wayland and tty too)!

GAMMA gained 2 new modes: long-transitioning, to change gamma in a similar way to redshift/Windows (very slow), and ambient-gamma that will set current gamma level based on ambient brightness.

BACKLIGHT curve is now even more customizable with up to 50 regression points!

Moreover, users can now customize Clight' behaviour thanks to custom modules: you can write your own modules that will be runtime loaded by clight, wiki page explaining the concept and with a couple of examples: https://github.com/FedeDP/Clight/wiki/Custom-Modules.

And really lots, lots more! Have a look at: https://github.com/FedeDP/Clight/releases/tag/4.0.

I hope you'll enjoy using it at least how much I am enjoying developing it :)

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@r_linux

Last night's commit gave me more pleasure than last month's salary!

Hi r/linux,

I couldn't help but share this... the absolute joy of writing something that's so rewarding in itself.

I added this [commit](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/commit/e6f9d6d2d0a6213ef90759ce46375ff6436c0f21) recently to integrate `rclone` with `nnn`. Once done, I tested some cloud accounts I haven't accessed in years.

I mounted box, dropbox, mail.ru, google drive, yandex, mega, pcloud on my Linux box at a keystroke... I didn't know I've like TBs of free cloud storage till I checked the available spaces in the `nnn` help screen!

I was considering buying a new storage in Christmas. Realized I have more than enough in the cloud!

https://redd.it/e1ygai
@r_linux

digital will, sort of... looking for input

Hi,

I would like to give my family a chance to deal with my hardware, what's on it and my digital life in case I get hit by a truck or meteor next week.

I'm neither depressive nor has anything happened - I'm fine, just hoarded enough stuff, accounts and things I can't just explain without reason to my not-so-tech-savy family. I also kind of think I have the necessary skills to build such a thing, but maybe that already *is* a thing and I just don't know what to look for.

What I aim for:

* provide access to accounts (using pass, this should be relatively easy with a cold storage gnupg key)
* provide access to the files on my NAS (same as above, add a user or just dump an existing user & password)
* delete some files on my NAS (that's one of the things I would really like to avoid triggering by accident)
* maybe preparing hardware for sale, as this might happen - like a second stick which deletes just everything. Not everything lives on encrypted blockdevices.
* for computers which are not my NAS, I only need some sort of factory reset; they don't and probably will never need to be accessed. Maybe keep it locally for each one - that is something I am unsure about.
* things I haven't thought about yet, cloud stuff maybe.
* activate all this with a message in my will (which should be placed and found in a usual manner...)
* delivery of final instructions by mail? Because it seems sane... can't possibly encrypt this, though.

And activate by maybe putting an USB stick or a yubikey in one of my boxes, which should still work if the box has been moved (because the message has been delivered or seen too late). In any case, using a passive device lets me put that in a safe deposit box and not touch it while I update the pandoras box. Using a generic storage device will let the concept survive USB specs to come, but that's just theory crafting, maybe waste of time to think about (I should have enough time to migrate everything across devices).

Given I don't assume to need this next week, but in many years, I probably can't rely on say systemd or udev (who knows what drives gnu/linux in 10-20 years), but more on some sort of universal noscript, a trigger (which might again be udev) and a possibility for a dry run (for development and regular testing).

throwaway, as I don't want my friends to know about the killswitch in my house (I'll need a copy for testing), as I'll talk about that openly.

Thoughts?

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