The backport of version 8.42.3 of the ATI proprietary driver for 2008 is now complete (just in time for a new upstream version, we know, we know!) If you'd like to try this version of the driver, follow the instructions below:

* Enable the /backports repositories (you need main and non-free /backports repositories)
* Ensure you have the -devel-latest package for the kernel you are using (desktop, desktop586, laptop, server) installed
* Install the following packages:

dkms-fglrx-8.40.4-8mdv2008.0
dkms-fglrx-hd2000-8.42.3-4mdv2008.0
fglrx-control-center-8.40.4-8mdv2008.0
fglrx-hd2000-control-center-8.42.3-4mdv2008.0
x11-driver-video-fglrx-8.40.4-8mdv2008.0
x11-driver-video-fglrx-hd2000-8.42.3-4mdv2008.0
ldetect-lst-0.1.202-1mdv2008.0
drakx-kbd-mouse-x11-0.37.1-1mdv2008.0

* Run drakx11 and re-select the correct card group for your card (the correct group should be automatically detected). Say 'yes' when asked if you want to use the proprietary driver.

* Reboot, or restart X.

That should do it. The detection logic uses the new driver for all supported cards - that is, all cards later than the Radeon 9500, except for FireGL cards. FireGL cards will still use the 8.40.4 driver.

Please let us know via this thread if you have any trouble.

A backport of the newest version of the driver - "Catalyst 7.11", which would have been 8.43.x on the old naming scheme - might be forthcoming (it's an easier backport job than 8.42 was, but it's less of a significant update than 8.42 was).