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mw007
Apprentice
Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 260
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 Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 8:03 pm Post subject: X.org problems with Gentoo PPC |
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Hi, I receive the following message when trying to start Xorg on a PowerMac G4:
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mom-mac root # Xorg -config /root/xorg.conf.new
Release Date: 18 December 2003
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0, Release 6.7
Build Operating System: Linux 2.6.9-gentoo-r1 ppc [ELF]
Current Operating System: Linux mom-mac 2.6.9-gentoo-r1 #3 Mon Nov 22 06:15:08 E
ST 2004 ppc
Build Date: 22 November 2004
Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.X.Org
to make sure that you have the latest version.
Module Loader present
Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
(++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
(WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
(==) Log file: "/var/log/Xorg.0.log", Time: Mon Nov 22 21:53:57 2004
(++) Using config file: "/root/xorg.conf.new"
Using vt 7
(EE) R128(0): Cannot read V_BIOS (5)
(EE) R128(0): No DFP detected
*** If unresolved symbols were reported above, they might not
*** be the reason for the server aborting.
Fatal server error:
Caught signal 7. Server aborting
Please consult the The X.Org Foundation support
at http://wiki.X.Org
for help.
Please also check the log file at "/var/log/Xorg.0.log" for additional informati
on.
Aborted
mom-mac root #
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I'm not really sure what this means, but I have a suspicion it's trying to tell me that I didn't compile the correct driver into the kernel. Not really sure how to do that either.
Here is what lspci returns for my graphics card:
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00:10.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc Rage 128 PF/PRO AGP 4x TMDS
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Also, I'm using kernel 2.6.9-r1. Not sure how to go about fixing this.
Thanks,
mw |
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skunkworx
Guru
Joined: 02 Feb 2003
Posts: 420
Location: Planet Houston
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| Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 8:16 pm Post subject: |
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Does console (text) mode work? If so, I assume you're using the kernel frame buffer. If all else fails, you can tell Xorg to use the kernel frame buffer as well. I'd give my xorg.conf file as an example, but apparently the power at my house went out again today. 
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"Everyday is just one day." -- not the Traveling Wilburys |
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mw007
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Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 260
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| Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 8:17 pm Post subject: Console does work |
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Yes, console mode does work. I'm not sure if I'm using frame buffer. How would I tell Xorg to use frame buffer?
Thanks,
mw |
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skunkworx
Guru
Joined: 02 Feb 2003
Posts: 420
Location: Planet Houston
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| Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 11:43 pm Post subject: Re: Console does work |
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Now that I have a connection to the house again...
| mw007 wrote: | | Yes, console mode does work. I'm not sure if I'm using frame buffer. How would I tell Xorg to use frame buffer? |
First of all, make sure you actually are using the kernel frame buffer for console mode. I'd bet money that you are, because I'm not aware of any Mac video hardware that supports VGA text. However, I haven't used any Macintosh newer than a PowerMac 7300, so it wouldn't hurt to make certain.
In your kernel configuration, under "Device Drivers -> Graphics Support", see if "Support for frame buffer devices" is checked. If so, the kernel frame buffer is available on your system, and you probably have one of the Apple video driver options in that section also checked. Then, under "Device Drivers -> Graphics Support -> Console Display Driver Support," see if "Framebuffer Console Support" is checked. If so, you are using the kernel frame buffer for console mode, and odds are it is working the way it's supposed to (your system would be next to useless if it wasn't).
Now, assuming that you do have a working kernel frame buffer, you can set up Xorg to use it by editing /etc/X11/xorg.conf so that the relevant sections look like this:
| Code: | Section "Device"
Identifier "Linux Framebuffer (Apple On-Board Video)"
Driver "fbdev"
EndSection
...
Section "Screen"
Identifier "My Screen"
Device "Linux Framebuffer (Apple On-Board Video)"
...
EndSection
...
Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Main Layout"
Screen "My Screen"
...
EndSection |
That should be enough to get Xorg up and running. If not, let us know.
One thing about Xorg (and XFree86) that took me a while to grasp is that it doesn't have to rely on kernel drivers to provide its video support.* As far as Xorg is concerned, the kernel frame buffer is just another video driver, and theoretically there are others to choose from. In your case, there may be an ATI-specific driver (perhaps "ati") that you can use instead of "fbdev". In fact, if it somehow turns out that you're not using the kernel frame buffer at all, you will have to find something besides "fbdev" to use (either that or recompile your kernel with frame buffer support). Using a driver besides "fbdev" will also be necessary if there are 2D or 3D acceleration features that you want to take advantage of.
Unfortunately this is where my experience is zero. I haven't played with any Mac video hardware other than what was provided onboard, and my machines come from the days before Apple started providing really good onboard video. Hopefully there are some Mac/ATI gurus here that can give you a better idea of what to try. In the meantime, I hope this helps.
* - Actually, kernel-level support is required in some cases, particularly for hardware 3D acceleration. But for basic 2D support, no kernel drivers are necessary.
(edited to add some extra info)
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"Everyday is just one day." -- not the Traveling Wilburys
Last edited by skunkworx on Fri Nov 26, 2004 6:56 am; edited 2 times in total |
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mw007
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Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 260
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| Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 6:49 pm Post subject: Problem solved! |
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Skunkworx:
Thank you VERY much for your help. I followed your directions verbatim and they worked on the first shot. Thanks again!
mw |
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