I've been using Zorin for a long time, and I've loved it, but when I upgraded to the new AMD 9070 XT, I've had a lot of troubles on Zorin, and I can't seem to find the solution. My issues are exactly as this Reddit user has. I've read around, and a lot of people suggest upgrading the Mesa driver, but I can't seem to get the upgrade past 25.0.0. I've tried multiple PPAs but it seems to just be stuck on Mesa 25.0.0-devel, whether I try bleeding edge or stable theres no change. Any advice or help would be much appreciated, as I'm getting tired of the sluggishness of Windows.
A Note to that: Like You can read on the PPA Site the Support for Ubuntu Jammy (the Base from Zorin 17) will end with 2025-06-27. So, then You have to remove the PPA and switch to the stable Version:
Hey @nichr7. Not only you'll need the latest Mesa version 25.0 or newer but you also need the correct AMDGPU firmware. Check this site: Index of /pub/linux/kernel/firmware/ . Don't forget to make a backup copy of your firmware before replacing it. Good luck to you
Thanks for the reply! I had the stable version added previously, which still didn't seem to want to upgrade past 25.0.0, but after testing the Kisak test PPA, it didn't seem to change anything, as it still refuses to upgrade past 25.0.0. I've attached some pictures to show that it's on the kisak-mesa fresh PPA, but it still doesn't seem to want to upgrade correctly. If I'm doing something wrong, please inform me, but I've followed the instructions given in the PPA documentation.
Thank you for your reply. I believe I already have the correct AMDGPU firmware. When I installed my new GPU, I installed a fresh version of Zorin, and it didn't come with the correct AMD drivers, as it wasn't displaying the correct resolution and was locked to one monitor. I followed the instructions from the AMD webpage on the drivers for installation, and after I ran amdgpu-install and restarted my computer, everything seemed to be fine display-wise. The only issues I'm having now are related to freezing, which I think could be solved by upgrading the Mesa drivers. That's where I'm kinda stuck, and any help is much appreciated as I'm kinda stuck. I've attached a couple of photos to show what I think is the correct information, but please let me know if you need anything else.
I'm not using AMD GPU so can't help you there. Sorry. I would still recommend checking the version of your firmware though. Firmware updates solve hiccups and it might be what you need. AMD's driver installation script only installs drivers. I don't think it updates firmware but I could be wrong
New, indeed. You would need to backport in Mesa and use the 6.14 kernel, at least.
It would actually probably be easier on you to use a later distro, perhaps even a rolling release distro, than trying to fight that dependency battle on Zorin OS 17 (Based on Ubuntu 22.04).
I can recommend and easy rolling distro that support the latest gear: https://getsol.us/
It has 4 Desktop Environments to choose from: Gnome, KDE, Budgie and XFCE.
Hmm ... Then, I would suggest to try a newer Kernel like @Aravisian already sugested. Form Your Screenshot, I see that You already have added the cappelikan Repo. So, You could install the Mainline Tool to install a newer Kernel.
Or You could try a different Distro, too which is more up-to-date.
@nichr7 - I have compiled kernel 6.14 and been using it with no problem for more than a month now. I have a website that is still in the works (not 100% finished) but can run it and you can download the kernel if you want to try it. Let me know. Just thought I would offer instead of jumping to another distro. Your situation is exactly my vision. To help make it easier on people to upgrade, or downgrade for that matter, their PC so they won't have to sacrifice their preferred OS choice.
Thank you for providing me with that kernel! I appreciate your help immensely, and I'd like to give this a shot before going onto a new distro just because I like how Zorin feels compared to many other distros out there. Here's where my inexperience kicks in though, I'm not entirely sure how to load the kernel you provided, as I'm really only familiar with the GUI of Mainline when it came to trying different kernels out. If you could provide me with any documentation or explain to me how to upgrade it would be much appreciated.
Thanks for your reply! I've thought about switching to a rolling release distribution, but I wanted to try and get it working first before abandoning my current setup. I really like Zorin (to my disadvantage at this point), and I want to try to get it going first. @jun-dee provided a kernel, and if I can't get that to work, then I'll probably swap over. I appreciate all of your help, and your time for looking at this, as I've spent a lot of time troubleshooting, and posting on the forum was my last measure before I jumped ship.
Thanks for your suggestion! I looked through Solus, and I like it a lot. If I can't get the kernel that @jun-dee suggested to work how I'd like it to, swapping over will probably be my next course of action. I appreciate your time looking at this issue I've been having, and I'm grateful for your suggestion.
@nichr7 - it's simple. Once you extract the files, copy/move the files/folders to the right path/folder then do "sudo update-grub" and reboot. That's it.
Its structured how/where the files should be saved
It is. It is merely moving files into folders that are intended to hold them. Like moving music or videos around, organizing them.
Often, the above examples are an organization pattern set by the user and familiar. They are the same ease.
But... The kernel is the spine of the system. This creates higher stakes. And the lack of intimate knowledge of how the organization works and familiar would make anyone pause. @nichr7 ,
First, extract the downloaded package. Once done, open a terminal and elevate to root.
sudo -i
Now elevated, launch File manager to have it open in root.
At this point, it helps to Dual Pane or open Two Instances of the file manager. That way, you can drag and drop across windows.
You can see the tree in jun-dee's post:
In one file manager pane or window, navigate to /home, then your username, then downloads, then the folder your 6.14 kernel was extracted into.
You can then explore - see the usr folder. Clicking that open, you will see the nested folders - lib, modules, that is the Path. So these folders already exist, you do not need to move the folders or create them.
Follow the path in the Downloads folder to the6.14.0 Folder and right click > Copy.
On your other pane or FM window, navigate that Same Path
Clicking into each nested directory to reach /usr/lib/modules/ and once in Modules folder, right click > Paste
You should see the 6.14.0 folder appear in there.
Repeat this, backtracking in Downloads back up and then opening src and copying linux-headers-6.14.0 and pasting it in /src folder in the other pane / window.
In the Downloads pane, one more time - for boot.
When all are moved, in your terminal, run the following to update for the kernel:
Thanks @Aravisian for the detailed steps. Have to learn how to do that. And my sincere apology if I offended anybody by saying "it's simple". Didn't mean anything bad behind it. PEACE - Have a great day everyone!
Thanks in advance!
- Have a great day everyone!