xorg won't configure (vesa, openchrome)

Message

Llama · #1 Post by **Llama** » 2008-10-13 14:34

Hi,

I'm trying to install X on my old notebook. Basic installation is Lenny netinst. The notebook is an old thing; every LiveCD in my household, including Knoppix, boots correctly on it. Tried to generate xorg.conf by means of Xorg -configure, dpkg-reconfigure and xdebconfigurator, to no avail. Tried even to use xorg.conf from Knoppix "as is"

... Nothing works.

Videocard, according to Knoppix detection scripts, is VIA VT8623 (UniChrome)

Knoppix uses vesa driver, succesfully.
MiniMe (PCLinuxOS) LiveCD uses openchrome driver, successfully.

Of xorg.conf files of my own manufacture the one generated with Xorg -configure (using openchrome) looks saner than the rest, but still won't work.

I can't paste xorg.conf files here, because It's impossible to post from the troubled box

. All tests fail very similarly, though:

(EE) CHROME(0): No valid modes found
(EE) Screen(s) found, but none have a usable configuration

or

(EE) VESA(0): No valid modes found
(EE) Screen(s) found, but none have a usable configuration

Any suggestions?

Lou · #2 Post by **Lou** » 2008-10-13 15:12

A shot in the dark:

# apt-get install xorg
# apt-get install <wm/desktop of your choice>

garrincha · #3 Post by **garrincha** » 2008-10-13 15:43

Try installing, xorg - that should pull in one of the videocard package:

Code: Select all

xserver-xorg-video-via

that should provides support for VIA/S3 CLE266/KM400/K8M800/UniChrome cards.

Also, maker sure if you haven't done so to edit your /etc/X11/xorg.conf file in the Section "Device":

Code: Select all

Driver          "via"

Llama · #4 Post by **Llama** » 2008-10-13 18:15

xorg is installed
xserver-xorg-video-via is installed

Driver "via":

(EE) VIA(0): No valid modes found
(EE) Screen(s) found, but none have a usable configuration

The same story every time...

garrincha · #5 Post by **garrincha** » 2008-10-13 23:00

Llama wrote:xorg is installed
xserver-xorg-video-via is installed

Driver "via":

(EE) VIA(0): No valid modes found
(EE) Screen(s) found, but none have a usable configuration
The same story every time...

Did you use a valid modeline in Section "Screen"? For example:

Code: Select all

Modes	"1024x768"

Please post your /etc/X11/xorg.conf file, the one that you configured for VIA driver that gave the above error message.

Llama · #6 Post by **Llama** » 2008-10-14 07:31

I can't post anything from the troubled box. Of course I tried the right mode:

Modes "1024x768"

Nothing helps, with any driver. It already looks like an achievement: on this hardware no distro ever refused to start X for two days. Until now

.

I'm going to try a classic "Testing+Unstable" desktop; does it make sense to pull xorg from unstable?

Llama · #7 Post by **Llama** » 2008-10-14 16:06

I've found a solution of sorts, but I like it not a bit

. Since the present activity is purely experimental, I've made a clean install of Debian Etch, "hands off" (the multiplatform DVD has been gathering dust for more than a year

). It installed cleanly, xorg, Gnome and all, sure enough.

First I saved the precious xorg.conf, then reinstalled using Lenny netinstall CD. With xorg.conf borrowed from Etch, it works! Small wonder, eh?

Etch xorg.conf, generated by installer, hands off:

Code: Select all

# /etc/X11/xorg.conf (xorg X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the /etc/X11/xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man /etc/X11/xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
#   sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section "Files"
	FontPath	"/usr/share/fonts/X11/misc"
	FontPath	"/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/misc"
	FontPath	"/usr/share/fonts/X11/cyrillic"
	FontPath	"/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/cyrillic"
	FontPath	"/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi/:unscaled"
	FontPath	"/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi/:unscaled"
	FontPath	"/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi/:unscaled"
	FontPath	"/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi/:unscaled"
	FontPath	"/usr/share/fonts/X11/Type1"
	FontPath	"/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Type1"
	FontPath	"/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi"
	FontPath	"/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi"
	FontPath	"/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi"
	FontPath	"/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi"
	# path to defoma fonts
	FontPath	"/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType"
EndSection

Section "Module"
	Load	"i2c"
	Load	"bitmap"
	Load	"ddc"
	Load	"dri"
	Load	"extmod"
	Load	"freetype"
	Load	"glx"
	Load	"int10"
	Load	"vbe"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
	Identifier	"Generic Keyboard"
	Driver		"kbd"
	Option		"CoreKeyboard"
	Option		"XkbRules"	"xorg"
	Option		"XkbModel"	"pc104"
	Option		"XkbLayout"	"us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
	Identifier	"Configured Mouse"
	Driver		"mouse"
	Option		"CorePointer"
	Option		"Device"		"/dev/input/mice"
	Option		"Protocol"		"ImPS/2"
	Option		"Emulate3Buttons"	"true"
EndSection

Section "Device"
	Identifier	"VIA Technologies, Inc. VT8623 [Apollo CLE266] integrated CastleRock graphics"
	Driver		"via"
	BusID		"PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
	Identifier	"Generic Monitor"
	Option		"DPMS"
	HorizSync	28-51
	VertRefresh	43-60
EndSection

Section "Screen"
	Identifier	"Default Screen"
	Device		"VIA Technologies, Inc. VT8623 [Apollo CLE266] integrated CastleRock graphics"
	Monitor		"Generic Monitor"
	DefaultDepth	24
	SubSection "Display"
		Depth		1
		Modes		"1024x768"
	EndSubSection
	SubSection "Display"
		Depth		4
		Modes		"1024x768"
	EndSubSection
	SubSection "Display"
		Depth		8
		Modes		"1024x768"
	EndSubSection
	SubSection "Display"
		Depth		15
		Modes		"1024x768"
	EndSubSection
	SubSection "Display"
		Depth		16
		Modes		"1024x768"
	EndSubSection
	SubSection "Display"
		Depth		24
		Modes		"1024x768"
	EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
	Identifier	"Default Layout"
	Screen		"Default Screen"
	InputDevice	"Generic Keyboard"
	InputDevice	"Configured Mouse"
EndSection

Section "DRI"
	Mode	0666
EndSection

xorg.conf generated in Lenny, xdebconfigurator; dexconf:

Code: Select all

# xorg.conf (X.Org X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
#   sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section "InputDevice"
	Identifier	"Generic Keyboard"
	Driver		"kbd"
	Option		"XkbRules"	"xorg"
	Option		"XkbModel"	"pc104"
	Option		"XkbLayout"	"us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
	Identifier	"Configured Mouse"
	Driver		"mouse"
EndSection

Section "Device"
	Identifier	"Configured Video Device"
	Driver		"via"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
	Identifier	"Configured Monitor"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
	Identifier	"Default Screen"
	Monitor		"Configured Monitor"
EndSection

Curiously, the headers of both files indicate the same method of generation, but the results are obviously different

. Any ideas?

I'm not the least bit happy...

garrincha · #8 Post by **garrincha** » 2008-10-14 17:05

From Xorg 7.3 onward, xorg.conf is not needed especially if you use Xorg's driver. So the file in Lenny will be blank.

Myself, I prefer to manually edit the file to better control various outputs like TV-out, twinscreen and of course 3d video.

So as long as you have a copy of xorg.conf, try copying some configurations from etch to lenny like Section "Device", Section "Monitor", HorizSync, VertRefresh, and modes. Experiment with different setting in console and login X to see the result, taking out some configurations if it keep giving you problem.

Llama · #9 Post by **Llama** » 2008-10-14 17:21

Tweaking xorg.conf is OK, but the question remains: how to generate a working xorg.conf from scratch? Why Etch installer managed it but I couldn't do it using the same (?) utilities?

garrincha · #10 Post by **garrincha** » 2008-10-14 18:05

Llama wrote:Tweaking xorg.conf is OK, but the question remains: how to generate a working xorg.conf from scratch? Why Etch installer managed it but I couldn't do it using the same (?) utilities?

I'm not sure how you can generate one apart from copying your old configurations or get one from a LiveCD. It's part of Xorg now that you don't need xorg.conf if you use Xorg's free driver. But it doesn't always work, and you will still need xorg.conf for things like 3d video card like nvidia, ati.

garrincha · #11 Post by **garrincha** » 2008-10-14 18:07

Llama wrote: Why Etch installer managed it but I couldn't do it using the same (?) utilities?

Etch use Xorg version 7.1. Lenny use newer implementation of Xorg from version 7.3.

Llama · #12 Post by **Llama** » 2008-10-14 18:58

That much I understand

. What am I to do short of the drastic measure I've employed, if I want it working from scratch, though?

garrincha · #13 Post by **garrincha** » 2008-10-14 20:14

Llama wrote:That much I understand . What am I to do short of the drastic measure I've employed, if I want it working from scratch, though?

I have no idea though as I always keep a backup of all my configuration file since I run mostly sid/unstable so didn't have to resort to drastic measure.

rickh · #14 Post by **rickh** » 2008-10-14 20:24

Take a deep breath and stop panicking. If it worked with Knoppix, you can get it to work with Debian. A frantic series of, "That didn't work, what do i do now." responses will get you nothing but grief and impatient answers.

Have you tried removing xorg.conf altogether, (rename it)?

There are a kazillion threads on these forums and the internet at large offering hints. Your first responsibility is to try solving it yourself. You can be confident that there is an easy solution using the most current version of Xorg.

Llama · #15 Post by **Llama** » 2008-10-15 08:20

Have you tried removing xorg.conf altogether, (rename it)?

No success. The console output is as follows:

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(EE) Unable to locate/open config file
New driver is "openchrome"
(==) Using default built-in configuration (54 lines)

Fatal server error:
Cannot run in framebuffer mode. Please specify busIDs for all framebuffer devices

dede · #16 Post by **dede** » 2008-10-15 11:54

Debian live-cd Lenny loads xorg openchrome for video. The only problem is the configured xorg.conf is not informative, is a vague document like yours, but the driver is openchrome.
I have the Xfce desktop. Choose one for a test drive here: http://live.debian.net/cdimage/lenny-bu ... 86/iso-cd/

Sidux KDE and Xfce lite also loads the openchrome the way you want. I've tested both and the KDE version is better on my desktop.

Llama · #17 Post by **Llama** » 2008-10-19 04:44

Voodoo, then, is the established method of configuration

. In such a case I better keep manual control while it's still possible.

aaronforjesus · #18 Post by **aaronforjesus** » 2008-10-29 16:23

It looketh like I got bit by this bug also. Just tried to install Debian Lenny on a laptop with a Via C3 processor and a Via CLE266 graphics chip. Same results as Llama. Is there a bug report that hath been filled out for this problem?

aaronforjesus · #19 Post by **aaronforjesus** » 2008-10-29 22:22

Here is the bug report just generated:
http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=503947

Hopefully it will be fixed ere Lenny is finished.

konfiguros · #20 Post by **konfiguros** » 2008-11-08 19:59

After facing a related problem with an Acer laptop with VIA KM400/KN400/P4M800 S3 UniChrome, I found that the solution (

) was to use the following in xorg.conf:

Code: Select all

Section "Monitor"
   Identifier   "Generic Monitor"
   Option      "DPMS"
   HorizSync   28-51
   VertRefresh   43-60
EndSection

See Llama's post on previous page for a complete working xorg.conf.

Edited by saulgoode to remove spam links.