startx gives a segmentation fault

Just_Endie · n00b Joined: 15 Mar 2024 Posts: 4

I have done a full installation of gentoo on an iMac G3, the 500mHZ model with 512 MB of ram.
However, after rebooting, X11 fails to start with a segmentation fault.

Here's the Xorg.0.log:

RayDude · Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2024 4:49 pm Post subject:

I'm not 100% sure, but I think you need linux-firmware for the R128 drivers to function.

And based on the google searches I did you have to use a linux kernel earlier than 6.3 as the rage 128 has been removed from 6.3 and newer kernels.

If you are using gentoo-sources you have to go back to: gentoo-sources-6.1.81

I have no idea if any of this will work. It's an old card...
_________________
Some day there will only be free software.

Just_Endie · n00b Joined: 15 Mar 2024 Posts: 4

Linux-firmware is already installed.
And how would I go back to an older kernel?

Banana · Veteran Joined: 21 May 2004 Posts: 1392 Location: Germany

Take [ 10654.305] (EE) open /dev/dri/card0: No such file or directory as a lead to find some topics here. They could maybe help
_________________
My personal space
My delta-labs.org snippets do expire

PFL - Portage file list - find which package a file or command belongs to.

Just_Endie · n00b Joined: 15 Mar 2024 Posts: 4

I may have a lead.

VIDEO_CARDS="amdgpu radeonsi" is for newer GPUs, not for one from the 2000s.
So I switched it to VIDEO_CARDS="radeon r100", which should be the correct arguments for a Rage 128 graphics card.

I'll update after this finishes compiling, likely overnight.

e8root · n00b Joined: 09 Feb 2024 Posts: 70

You can just clone any old versions of the kernel and as long as its folder has prefix linux- you will be able to select it with eselect kernel and build with genkernel --menuconfig kernel

For kernel source you can use official linux.org repository, find old ebuild for Gentoo or maybe even try something more specifically tuned for PowerPC.
I have not played with Linux/Gentoo on my eMac G4 and PowerMac G5 Dual yet but it is somewhere in queue of Linux/retro projects. What I was wondering about is maybe it might make sense to snatch kernel from Fienix Linux http://fienixppc.blogspot.com/ as its modern distro which specifically focuses on old PowerPC platforms so it might have fixes and improvements for PPC. You might also want/need to get patches for specific software as there are at times issues with endianess and guys who run such distros make patches. It is possible to re-apply those patches when compiling programs from source.

That said it might not be necessary. Not sure how well maintained is PowerPC arch on Gentoo's side.
_________________
Unix Wars - Episode V: AT&T Strikes Back

Just_Endie · n00b Joined: 15 Mar 2024 Posts: 4

I may have some form of lead, since I'm compiling everything on the Mac so maybe some amount of compiling fails. I mainly notice this because sometimes it compiles a kernel that doesn't boot.

There's also this line in dmesg every time I try to start anything with graphics, such as X or lightdm:

RayDude · Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2024 4:41 pm Post subject:

RayDude · Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2024 5:17 pm Post subject:

Make sure your kernel does not have any console graphics drivers enabled. That driver might be stealing the bus from the X driver.
_________________
Some day there will only be free software.

NeddySeagoon · Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2024 6:12 pm Post subject:

Just_Endie,

Please install wgetpaste, its a small bash script.
Use it to share your /usr/src/linux/.config by posting the URL.

Your