Getting these silly cards to work seems to be a recurring theme on this list. Hopefully, this message is enough that newcomers can just rtfm about it.
Carl Mummert --cut-- How to get an SiS 6236 video card to work with slink: I performed these steps when I set up an SiS card earlier this year. They may not be perfectly correct, as my memory is not perfect. They should be enough to guide you. I'm not responsible if anything gets broken, destroyed, or lost. Be careful. For your reference, below if my XF86Config file. It probably won't work for you without editing, but it may be useful as a reference. Steps: 1) Get the following files (paths correct as of 4-5-99): ftp://xfree86.org/pub/XFree86/3.3.3/binaries/Linux-ix86-glibc/Servers/XSVGA.tgz ftp://xfree86.org/pub/XFree86/3.3.3/doc/README.SiS 2) Make sure that the xserver-svga package is installed. You can check with the command # dpkg -s xserver-svga If you see 'Status: install ok installed' then it is installed; otherwise download the .deb and install it. 3) Become root 4) As root, enter the following commands in the directory where the XSVGA.tgz file is: # tar xzvf XSVGA.tgz # cd bin # chown root.root XF86_SVGA # chmod 755 XF86_SVGA # mv /usr/X11R6/bin/XF86_SVGA /usr/X11R6/bin/XF86_SVGA.debian # mv XF86_SVGA /usr/X11R6/bin Purists, see my note below. 5) Run xf86config, and enter reasonable information for your monitor, mouse, keyboard, etc. When asked, you want to use the SVGA server. Don't start X yet. 6) Edit /etc/X11/XF86Config with your favorite editor. Go the the following lines: # Device configured by xf86config: Section "Device" You need to add one or more of the following options to this section. Just put them before the word 'EndSection'. The lines with a leading '#' are commented out in my XF86Config. # Option "noaccel" # Option "no_imageblt" # may need to turn this on if problems with # displaying bitmaps, gif, or jpg images Option "no_bitblt" # doesn't work, so turn it off... # Option "no_linear" # turning this on will slow things Option "sw_cursor" # makes things work so you can see mouse cursor 7) Now try to start X. It should work. If X still does not work, please do the following when asking for help: * Run the program 'script'; you will get a command prompt back. * Run 'startx'. If X starts, kill it. * Type 'exit'. You will see a message saying 'Script done, output file is typescript' * When asking for help, include in your message the contents of the file named 'typescript' which will be in the current directory. (Actually, you could do this when asking for help on any package...) ------------ Note for purists: Yes, I moved a debian-owned file out of the way. Yes, I replaced it with my own file. The advantage to this is that there is no chance of having the rest of the system get confused about where the server is, and that I do not have to configure the rest of the system to look elsewhere for the server (which I don't want to have to learn how to do). The X system is fairly complex, and although I have been using debian for several years I do not fully understand the process through which Xwindows starts. I feel that my way is better than removing the 'X' executable and replacing it with a link (another possible solution). Anyway, if there are any problems, the you can always move the old file back. I am not interested in discussing this, or starting a flame war or other long discussion about it. /cm -----my XF86Config file--- # File generated by xf86config. # # Copyright (c) 1995 by The XFree86 Project, Inc. # # Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a # copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), # to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation # the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, # and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the # Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions: # # The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in # all copies or substantial portions of the Software. # # THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR # IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, # FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL # THE XFREE86 PROJECT OR CARL MUMMERT BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR # OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, # ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR # OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE. # # Except as contained in this notice, the name of the XFree86 Project shall # not be used in advertising or otherwise to promote the sale, use or other # dealings in this Software without prior written authorization from the # XFree86 Project. # # ********************************************************************** # Refer to the XF86Config(4/5) man page for details about the format of # this file. # ********************************************************************** # ********************************************************************** # Files section. This allows default font and rgb paths to be set # ********************************************************************** Section "Files" # The location of the RGB database. Note, this is the name of the # file minus the extension (like ".txt" or ".db"). There is normally # no need to change the default. RgbPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/rgb" # Multiple FontPath entries are allowed (which are concatenated together), # as well as specifying multiple comma-separated entries in one FontPath # command (or a combination of both methods) # # If you don't have a floating point coprocessor and emacs, Mosaic or other # programs take long to start up, try moving the Type1 and Speedo directory # to the end of this list (or comment them out). # FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/misc/" FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi/:unscaled" FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi/:unscaled" FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Type1/" FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Speedo/" FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi/" FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi/" # For OSs that support Dynamically loaded modules, ModulePath can be # used to set a search path for the modules. This is currently supported # for Linux ELF, FreeBSD 2.x and NetBSD 1.x. The default path is shown # here. # ModulePath "/usr/X11R6/lib/modules" EndSection # ********************************************************************** # Module section -- this is an optional section which is used to specify # which dynamically loadable modules to load. Dynamically loadable # modules are currently supported only for Linux ELF, FreeBSD 2.x # and NetBSD 1.x. Currently, dynamically loadable modules are used # only for some extended input (XInput) device drivers. # ********************************************************************** # # Section "Module" # # This loads the module for the Joystick driver # # Load "xf86Jstk.so" # # EndSection # ********************************************************************** # Server flags section. # ********************************************************************** Section "ServerFlags" # Uncomment this to cause a core dump at the spot where a signal is # received. This may leave the console in an unusable state, but may # provide a better stack trace in the core dump to aid in debugging # NoTrapSignals # Uncomment this to disable the <Crtl><Alt><BS> server abort sequence # This allows clients to receive this key event. # DontZap # Uncomment this to disable the <Crtl><Alt><KP_+>/<KP_-> mode switching # sequences. This allows clients to receive these key events. # DontZoom # Uncomment this to disable tuning with the xvidtune client. With # it the client can still run and fetch card and monitor attributes, # but it will not be allowed to change them. If it tries it will # receive a protocol error. # DisableVidModeExtension # Uncomment this to enable the use of a non-local xvidtune client. # AllowNonLocalXvidtune # Uncomment this to disable dynamically modifying the input device # (mouse and keyboard) settings. # DisableModInDev # Uncomment this to enable the use of a non-local client to # change the keyboard or mouse settings (currently only xset). # AllowNonLocalModInDev EndSection # ********************************************************************** # Input devices # ********************************************************************** # ********************************************************************** # Keyboard section # ********************************************************************** Section "Keyboard" Protocol "Standard" # when using XQUEUE, comment out the above line, and uncomment the # following line # Protocol "Xqueue" AutoRepeat 500 5 # Let the server do the NumLock processing. This should only be required # when using pre-R6 clients # ServerNumLock # Specify which keyboard LEDs can be user-controlled (eg, with xset(1)) # Xleds 1 2 3 # To set the LeftAlt to Meta, RightAlt key to ModeShift, # RightCtl key to Compose, and ScrollLock key to ModeLock: # LeftAlt Meta # RightAlt ModeShift # RightCtl Compose # ScrollLock ModeLock # To disable the XKEYBOARD extension, uncomment XkbDisable. # XkbDisable # To customise the XKB settings to suit your keyboard, modify the # lines below (which are the defaults). For example, for a non-U.S. # keyboard, you will probably want to use: # XkbModel "pc102" # If you have a US Microsoft Natural keyboard, you can use: # XkbModel "microsoft" # # Then to change the language, change the Layout setting. # For example, a german layout can be obtained with: # XkbLayout "de" # or: # XkbLayout "de" # XkbVariant "nodeadkeys" # # If you'd like to switch the positions of your capslock and # control keys, use: # XkbOptions "ctrl:swapcaps" # These are the default XKB settings for XFree86 # XkbRules "xfree86" # XkbModel "pc101" # XkbLayout "us" # XkbVariant "" # XkbOptions "" XkbKeymap "xfree86(us)" EndSection # ********************************************************************** # Pointer section # ********************************************************************** # from Carl's config file Section "Pointer" Protocol "MouseSystems" Device "/dev/gpmdata" BaudRate 2400 Emulate3Timeout 50 Resolution 100 # When using XQUEUE, comment out the above two lines, and uncomment # the following line. # Protocol "Xqueue" # Baudrate and SampleRate are only for some Logitech mice # BaudRate 9600 # SampleRate 150 # Emulate3Buttons is an option for 2-button Microsoft mice # Emulate3Timeout is the timeout in milliseconds (default is 50ms) Emulate3Buttons Emulate3Timeout 50 # ChordMiddle is an option for some 3-button Logitech mice # ChordMiddle EndSection # ********************************************************************** # Xinput section -- this is optional and is required only if you # are using extended input devices. This is for example only. Refer # to the XF86Config man page for a description of the options. # ********************************************************************** # # Section "Xinput" # SubSection "WacomStylus" # Port "/dev/ttyS1" # DeviceName "Wacom" # EndSubSection # SubSection "WacomCursor" # Port "/dev/ttyS1" # EndSubSection # SubSection "WacomEraser" # Port "/dev/ttyS1" # EndSubSection # # SubSection "Elographics" # Port "/dev/ttyS1" # DeviceName "Elo" # MinimumXPosition 300 # MaximumXPosition 3500 # MinimumYPosition 300 # MaximumYPosition 3500 # Screen 0 # UntouchDelay 10 # ReportDelay 10 # EndSubSection # # SubSection "Joystick" # Port "/dev/joy0" # DeviceName "Joystick" # TimeOut 10 # MinimumXPosition 100 # MaximumXPosition 1300 # MinimumYPosition 100 # MaximumYPosition 1100 # # CenterX 700 # # CenterY 600 # Delta 20 # EndSubSection # # The Mouse Subsection contains the same type of entries as the # standard Pointer Section (see above), with the addition of the # DeviceName entry. # # SubSection "Mouse" # Port "/dev/mouse2" # DeviceName "Second Mouse" # Protocol "Logitech" # EndSubSection # EndSection # ********************************************************************** # Monitor section # ********************************************************************** # Any number of monitor sections may be present Section "Monitor" Identifier "ss" VendorName "ss" ModelName "ss" # HorizSync is in kHz unless units are specified. # HorizSync may be a comma separated list of discrete values, or a # comma separated list of ranges of values. # NOTE: THE VALUES HERE ARE EXAMPLES ONLY. REFER TO YOUR MONITOR'S # USER MANUAL FOR THE CORRECT NUMBERS. HorizSync 30 - 70 # HorizSync 30-64 # multisync # HorizSync 31.5, 35.2 # multiple fixed sync frequencies # HorizSync 15-25, 30-50 # multiple ranges of sync frequencies # VertRefresh is in Hz unless units are specified. # VertRefresh may be a comma separated list of discrete values, or a # comma separated list of ranges of values. # NOTE: THE VALUES HERE ARE EXAMPLES ONLY. REFER TO YOUR MONITOR'S # USER MANUAL FOR THE CORRECT NUMBERS. VertRefresh 50-120 # Modes can be specified in two formats. A compact one-line format, or # a multi-line format. # These two are equivalent # ModeLine "1024x768i" 45 1024 1048 1208 1264 768 776 784 817 Interlace # Mode "1024x768i" # DotClock 45 # HTimings 1024 1048 1208 1264 # VTimings 768 776 784 817 # Flags "Interlace" # EndMode # This is a set of standard mode timings. Modes that are out of monitor spec # are automatically deleted by the server (provided the HorizSync and # VertRefresh lines are correct), so there's no immediate need to # delete mode timings (unless particular mode timings don't work on your # monitor). With these modes, the best standard mode that your monitor # and video card can support for a given resolution is automatically # used. # 640x400 @ 70 Hz, 31.5 kHz hsync Modeline "640x400" 25.175 640 664 760 800 400 409 411 450 # 640x480 @ 60 Hz, 31.5 kHz hsync Modeline "640x480" 25.175 640 664 760 800 480 491 493 525 # 800x600 @ 56 Hz, 35.15 kHz hsync ModeLine "800x600" 36 800 824 896 1024 600 601 603 625 # 1024x768 @ 87 Hz interlaced, 35.5 kHz hsync Modeline "1024x768" 44.9 1024 1048 1208 1264 768 776 784 817 Interlace # 640x400 @ 85 Hz, 37.86 kHz hsync Modeline "640x400" 31.5 640 672 736 832 400 401 404 445 -HSync +VSync # 640x480 @ 72 Hz, 36.5 kHz hsync Modeline "640x480" 31.5 640 680 720 864 480 488 491 521 # 640x480 @ 75 Hz, 37.50 kHz hsync ModeLine "640x480" 31.5 640 656 720 840 480 481 484 500 -HSync -VSync # 800x600 @ 60 Hz, 37.8 kHz hsync Modeline "800x600" 40 800 840 968 1056 600 601 605 628 +hsync +vsync # 640x480 @ 85 Hz, 43.27 kHz hsync Modeline "640x400" 36 640 696 752 832 480 481 484 509 -HSync -VSync # 1152x864 @ 89 Hz interlaced, 44 kHz hsync ModeLine "1152x864" 65 1152 1168 1384 1480 864 865 875 985 Interlace # 800x600 @ 72 Hz, 48.0 kHz hsync Modeline "800x600" 50 800 856 976 1040 600 637 643 666 +hsync +vsync # 1024x768 @ 60 Hz, 48.4 kHz hsync Modeline "1024x768" 65 1024 1032 1176 1344 768 771 777 806 -hsync -vsync # 640x480 @ 100 Hz, 53.01 kHz hsync Modeline "640x480" 45.8 640 672 768 864 480 488 494 530 -HSync -VSync # 1152x864 @ 60 Hz, 53.5 kHz hsync Modeline "1152x864" 89.9 1152 1216 1472 1680 864 868 876 892 -HSync -VSync # 800x600 @ 85 Hz, 55.84 kHz hsync Modeline "800x600" 60.75 800 864 928 1088 600 616 621 657 -HSync -VSync # 1024x768 @ 70 Hz, 56.5 kHz hsync Modeline "1024x768" 75 1024 1048 1184 1328 768 771 777 806 -hsync -vsync # 1280x1024 @ 87 Hz interlaced, 51 kHz hsync Modeline "1280x1024" 80 1280 1296 1512 1568 1024 1025 1037 1165 Interlace # 800x600 @ 100 Hz, 64.02 kHz hsync Modeline "800x600" 69.65 800 864 928 1088 600 604 610 640 -HSync -VSync # 1024x768 @ 76 Hz, 62.5 kHz hsync Modeline "1024x768" 85 1024 1032 1152 1360 768 784 787 823 # 1152x864 @ 70 Hz, 62.4 kHz hsync Modeline "1152x864" 92 1152 1208 1368 1474 864 865 875 895 # 1280x1024 @ 61 Hz, 64.2 kHz hsync Modeline "1280x1024" 110 1280 1328 1512 1712 1024 1025 1028 1054 # 1024x768 @ 85 Hz, 70.24 kHz hsync Modeline "1024x768" 98.9 1024 1056 1216 1408 768 782 788 822 -HSync -VSync # 1152x864 @ 78 Hz, 70.8 kHz hsync Modeline "1152x864" 110 1152 1240 1324 1552 864 864 876 908 # 1280x1024 @ 70 Hz, 74.59 kHz hsync Modeline "1280x1024" 126.5 1280 1312 1472 1696 1024 1032 1040 1068 -HSync -VSync # 1600x1200 @ 60Hz, 75.00 kHz hsync Modeline "1600x1200" 162 1600 1664 1856 2160 1200 1201 1204 1250 +HSync +VSync # 1152x864 @ 84 Hz, 76.0 kHz hsync Modeline "1152x864" 135 1152 1464 1592 1776 864 864 876 908 # 1280x1024 @ 74 Hz, 78.85 kHz hsync Modeline "1280x1024" 135 1280 1312 1456 1712 1024 1027 1030 1064 # 1024x768 @ 100Hz, 80.21 kHz hsync Modeline "1024x768" 115.5 1024 1056 1248 1440 768 771 781 802 -HSync -VSync # 1280x1024 @ 76 Hz, 81.13 kHz hsync Modeline "1280x1024" 135 1280 1312 1416 1664 1024 1027 1030 1064 # 1600x1200 @ 70 Hz, 87.50 kHz hsync Modeline "1600x1200" 189 1600 1664 1856 2160 1200 1201 1204 1250 -HSync -VSync # 1152x864 @ 100 Hz, 89.62 kHz hsync Modeline "1152x864" 137.65 1152 1184 1312 1536 864 866 885 902 -HSync -VSync # 1280x1024 @ 85 Hz, 91.15 kHz hsync Modeline "1280x1024" 157.5 1280 1344 1504 1728 1024 1025 1028 1072 +HSync +VSync # 1600x1200 @ 75 Hz, 93.75 kHz hsync Modeline "1600x1200" 202.5 1600 1664 1856 2160 1200 1201 1204 1250 +HSync +VSync # 1600x1200 @ 85 Hz, 105.77 kHz hsync Modeline "1600x1200" 220 1600 1616 1808 2080 1200 1204 1207 1244 +HSync +VSync # 1280x1024 @ 100 Hz, 107.16 kHz hsync Modeline "1280x1024" 181.75 1280 1312 1440 1696 1024 1031 1046 1072 -HSync -VSync # 1800x1440 @ 64Hz, 96.15 kHz hsync ModeLine "1800X1440" 230 1800 1896 2088 2392 1440 1441 1444 1490 +HSync +VSync # 1800x1440 @ 70Hz, 104.52 kHz hsync ModeLine "1800X1440" 250 1800 1896 2088 2392 1440 1441 1444 1490 +HSync +VSync # 512x384 @ 78 Hz, 31.50 kHz hsync Modeline "512x384" 20.160 512 528 592 640 384 385 388 404 -HSync -VSync # 512x384 @ 85 Hz, 34.38 kHz hsync Modeline "512x384" 22 512 528 592 640 384 385 388 404 -HSync -VSync # Low-res Doublescan modes # If your chipset does not support doublescan, you get a 'squashed' # resolution like 320x400. # 320x200 @ 70 Hz, 31.5 kHz hsync, 8:5 aspect ratio Modeline "320x200" 12.588 320 336 384 400 200 204 205 225 Doublescan # 320x240 @ 60 Hz, 31.5 kHz hsync, 4:3 aspect ratio Modeline "320x240" 12.588 320 336 384 400 240 245 246 262 Doublescan # 320x240 @ 72 Hz, 36.5 kHz hsync Modeline "320x240" 15.750 320 336 384 400 240 244 246 262 Doublescan # 400x300 @ 56 Hz, 35.2 kHz hsync, 4:3 aspect ratio ModeLine "400x300" 18 400 416 448 512 300 301 302 312 Doublescan # 400x300 @ 60 Hz, 37.8 kHz hsync Modeline "400x300" 20 400 416 480 528 300 301 303 314 Doublescan # 400x300 @ 72 Hz, 48.0 kHz hsync Modeline "400x300" 25 400 424 488 520 300 319 322 333 Doublescan # 480x300 @ 56 Hz, 35.2 kHz hsync, 8:5 aspect ratio ModeLine "480x300" 21.656 480 496 536 616 300 301 302 312 Doublescan # 480x300 @ 60 Hz, 37.8 kHz hsync Modeline "480x300" 23.890 480 496 576 632 300 301 303 314 Doublescan # 480x300 @ 63 Hz, 39.6 kHz hsync Modeline "480x300" 25 480 496 576 632 300 301 303 314 Doublescan # 480x300 @ 72 Hz, 48.0 kHz hsync Modeline "480x300" 29.952 480 504 584 624 300 319 322 333 Doublescan EndSection # ********************************************************************** # Graphics device section # ********************************************************************** # Any number of graphics device sections may be present # Standard VGA Device: Section "Device" Identifier "Generic VGA" VendorName "Unknown" BoardName "Unknown" Chipset "generic" # VideoRam 256 # Clocks 25.2 28.3 EndSection # Sample Device for accelerated server: # Section "Device" # Identifier "Actix GE32+ 2MB" # VendorName "Actix" # BoardName "GE32+" # Ramdac "ATT20C490" # Dacspeed 110 # Option "dac_8_bit" # Clocks 25.0 28.0 40.0 0.0 50.0 77.0 36.0 45.0 # Clocks 130.0 120.0 80.0 31.0 110.0 65.0 75.0 94.0 # EndSection # Sample Device for Hercules mono card: # Section "Device" # Identifier "Hercules mono" # EndSection # Device configured by xf86config: Section "Device" Identifier "ccc" VendorName "ccc" BoardName "ccc" VideoRam 8192 # Insert Clocks lines here if appropriate # Option "noaccel" # Option "no_imageblt" # may need to turn this on if problems with # displaying bitmaps, gif, or jpg images Option "no_bitblt" # doesn't work # Option "no_linear" # turning this on will slow things Option "sw_cursor" # makes things work so you can see mouse cursor EndSection # ********************************************************************** # Screen sections # ********************************************************************** # The Colour SVGA server Section "Screen" Driver "svga" # Use Device "Generic VGA" for Standard VGA 320x200x256 #Device "Generic VGA" Device "ccc" Monitor "ss" Subsection "Display" Depth 16 # Omit the Modes line for the "Generic VGA" device Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480" ViewPort 0 0 Virtual 800 600 # Use Virtual 320 200 for Generic VGA EndSubsection EndSection
