slitaz-doc-wiki-data annotate pages/en/guides/xorg-xvesa.txt @ rev 7

Add pages/en folder.
author Christopher Rogers <slaxemulator@gmail.com>
date Sat Feb 26 12:17:18 2011 +0000 (2011-02-26)
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slaxemulator@7 1 ====== Xorg & XVesa ======
slaxemulator@7 2
slaxemulator@7 3 By default, SliTaz v3 uses Xorg 7.4 with the //xorg-xf86-video-vesa// v2.0.0 driver. This basic driver can cause problems with certain hardware combinations and can sometimes result in a very low resolution. Occasionally, X does not start at all and instead falls back to the log-in screen or to a text-based prompt. There are some simple solutions that can yield major improvements:
slaxemulator@7 4
slaxemulator@7 5 * check that you have enough RAM to run the default ISO. If not, use the [[http://mirror.slitaz.org/iso/3.0/flavors/|Low RAM ISO]] instead.
slaxemulator@7 6 * try the [[http://mirror.slitaz.org/iso/3.0/flavors/slitaz-3.0-xvesa.iso|XVesa ISO]] (a.k.a. TinyX)
slaxemulator@7 7 * install a more specific driver for your graphics card
slaxemulator@7 8 * customise your Xorg configuration file (//xorg.conf//)
slaxemulator@7 9
slaxemulator@7 10 Good introductions to Xorg Configuration can be found at [[http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en/books/handbook/x-config.html|The FreeBSD Handbook]] and [[https://wiki.ubuntu.com/X/Config|X Configuration from Ubuntu]].
slaxemulator@7 11
slaxemulator@7 12 <note tip> Up to v7.3, the Ctrl+Alt+Backspace key combination could be used to quit the X server. To enable it in version 7.4 and later, type the following command from any X terminal emulator:
slaxemulator@7 13
slaxemulator@7 14 <code>setxkbmap -option terminate:ctrl_alt_bksp</code>
slaxemulator@7 15
slaxemulator@7 16 </note>
slaxemulator@7 17
slaxemulator@7 18 <note important>
slaxemulator@7 19 Throughout this page, commands preceeded with a hash sign (#) should be executed as the **root** user. This is best under a terminal window. Otherwise, the dollar symbol ($) denotes a regular (tux) user.
slaxemulator@7 20 </note>
slaxemulator@7 21
slaxemulator@7 22
slaxemulator@7 23 ===== Using Xorg & Vendor-Specific Drivers =====
slaxemulator@7 24
slaxemulator@7 25 When you are using SliTaz as your main system, it's recommended to use Xorg over XVesa. You will get a much better display and performance than when using Xvesa tinyX.
slaxemulator@7 26
slaxemulator@7 27
slaxemulator@7 28 === AGP Cards ===
slaxemulator@7 29
slaxemulator@7 30 All AGP video cards need extra kernel modules to function under Xorg. Check if you have an AGP video card with //lspci//; if so, install the necessary modules in the //linux-agp// package before using Xorg:
slaxemulator@7 31
slaxemulator@7 32 <code>
slaxemulator@7 33 # tazpkg get-install linux-agp
slaxemulator@7 34 </code>
slaxemulator@7 35
slaxemulator@7 36 Load the modules using the SliTaz hardware detection tool:
slaxemulator@7 37
slaxemulator@7 38 <code># tazhw detect-pci</code>
slaxemulator@7 39
slaxemulator@7 40 You can now use the SliTaz X configuration tool to detect your settings:
slaxemulator@7 41
slaxemulator@7 42 <code># tazx</code>
slaxemulator@7 43
slaxemulator@7 44 Select the appropriate driver for your video card from the list.
slaxemulator@7 45
slaxemulator@7 46
slaxemulator@7 47 === DRI / DRM Problem ===
slaxemulator@7 48
slaxemulator@7 49 Sometimes, the auto-detection is not enough. Cards that require [[http://www.bitwiz.org.uk/s/how-dri-and-drm-work.html|DRI / DRM]] are supported under SliTaz, but v3 has a couple of bugs! The file ///dev/dri// should be a directory and not a file and, to get DRI working correctly, we have to add tux to the group video or modify permissions in the Xorg configuration file:
slaxemulator@7 50
slaxemulator@7 51 <code>
slaxemulator@7 52 # tazpkg get-install linux-drm
slaxemulator@7 53 # tazpkg get-install mesa-demos (for glxinfo and glxgears)
slaxemulator@7 54 # rm /dev/dri
slaxemulator@7 55 # mkdir /dev/dri/
slaxemulator@7 56 # addgroup tux video
slaxemulator@7 57 </code>
slaxemulator@7 58
slaxemulator@7 59 The //drm// module is not loaded by //tazhw// so you have to do it manually:
slaxemulator@7 60 <code># modprobe drm</code>
slaxemulator@7 61
slaxemulator@7 62 <note tip>All modules, which are loaded by tazhw and yourself to make your changes permanent, have to be added to the SliTaz Control Box under Initialization in "Load Modules". </note>
slaxemulator@7 63
slaxemulator@7 64
slaxemulator@7 65 === Intel cards ===
slaxemulator@7 66
slaxemulator@7 67 The xorg-xf86-video-vesa 2.0.0 driver has a lot of trouble with Intel chips. For example, on a 82945GM chipset it does not display 1280x1024 and 1024x768, but 1600x1200 is not a problem.
slaxemulator@7 68
slaxemulator@7 69 Use "tazx" to select the intel driver, then "tazhw detect-pci", solve the dri problem and load drm and restart X - normally that's it (perhaps you must change your xorg.conf too).
slaxemulator@7 70
slaxemulator@7 71 Some users may need to add the "intel_agp" module to the xorg.conf file:
slaxemulator@7 72
slaxemulator@7 73 <file>
slaxemulator@7 74 Section "Module"
slaxemulator@7 75 ...
slaxemulator@7 76 Load "intel_agp"
slaxemulator@7 77 ...
slaxemulator@7 78 EndSection
slaxemulator@7 79 </file>
slaxemulator@7 80
slaxemulator@7 81 for the driver to work.
slaxemulator@7 82
slaxemulator@7 83 Depending on the hardware, the //mode-setting// feature must be turned on or off. To turn it off append one of the following to the //kernel// line in the GRUB boot-loader configuration:
slaxemulator@7 84
slaxemulator@7 85 * //nomodeset//
slaxemulator@7 86 * //i810.modeset=0//
slaxemulator@7 87 * //i915.modeset=0//
slaxemulator@7 88
slaxemulator@7 89 If mode-setting is off by default and should instead be turned on, append one of the following:
slaxemulator@7 90
slaxemulator@7 91 * //modeset//
slaxemulator@7 92 * //i810.modeset=1//
slaxemulator@7 93 * //i915.modeset=1//
slaxemulator@7 94
slaxemulator@7 95 === Trident cards ===
slaxemulator@7 96
slaxemulator@7 97 Use "tazx" to select the trident driver, install mesa-dri-trident
slaxemulator@7 98 <code># tazpkg get-install mesa-dri-trident</code>and restart X
slaxemulator@7 99
slaxemulator@7 100
slaxemulator@7 101 === nVidia cards ===
slaxemulator@7 102
slaxemulator@7 103 SliTaz provides automatic configuration for nVidia cards. There are two drivers available, the Xorg-provided //[[#free-driver-nv|nv]]// and the nVidia-provided, non-free //[[#non-free-driver-nvidia|nvidia]]//. The //nv// driver should be tried first as this has been compiled for SliTaz, whereas the nVidia-supplied driver is a //binary blob// that tries to fit each and every Linux distribution.
slaxemulator@7 104 \\
slaxemulator@7 105
slaxemulator@7 106 == Free Driver (nv) ==
slaxemulator@7 107
slaxemulator@7 108 To set-up the free nVidia drivers, use the SliTaz Hardware Configuration tool:
slaxemulator@7 109 <code># tazhw setup nvidia </code>
slaxemulator@7 110
slaxemulator@7 111 Alternatively, you can do this process manually:
slaxemulator@7 112 * Download the following packages:
slaxemulator@7 113 * mesa, mesa-demos, linux-agp, xorg-xf86-video-nv
slaxemulator@7 114 <code># tazpkg get-install xorg-xf86-video-nv
slaxemulator@7 115 # tazpkg get-install mesa
slaxemulator@7 116 # tazpkg get-install mesa-demos
slaxemulator@7 117 # tazpkg get-install linux-agp</code>
slaxemulator@7 118
slaxemulator@7 119 * Load the kernel modules
slaxemulator@7 120 <code># tazhw detect-pci</code>
slaxemulator@7 121
slaxemulator@7 122 * Replace the standard //vesa// driver with //nv//
slaxemulator@7 123 <code># sed -i 's/vesa/nv/' /etc/X11/xorg.conf
slaxemulator@7 124 </code>
slaxemulator@7 125
slaxemulator@7 126 == Non-Free Driver (nvidia) ==
slaxemulator@7 127
slaxemulator@7 128 To set-up the non-free nVidia drivers, use the SliTaz Hardware Configuration tool with the //--non-free// switch:
slaxemulator@7 129 <code># tazhw setup nvidia --non-free </code>
slaxemulator@7 130
slaxemulator@7 131 Alternatively, you can do this process manually:
slaxemulator@7 132 * Download the following packages:
slaxemulator@7 133 * mesa mesa-demos linux-agp nvidia
slaxemulator@7 134 <code># tazpkg get-install nvidia
slaxemulator@7 135 # tazpkg get-install mesa
slaxemulator@7 136 # tazpkg get-install mesa-demos
slaxemulator@7 137 # tazpkg get-install linux-agp</code>
slaxemulator@7 138
slaxemulator@7 139 * Load the kernel modules
slaxemulator@7 140 <code># tazhw detect-pci</code>
slaxemulator@7 141
slaxemulator@7 142 * Attempt to configure the card with nVidia's tool:
slaxemulator@7 143 <code># nvidia-xconfig</code>
slaxemulator@7 144 * To test if rendering is working,
slaxemulator@7 145 <code># glxinfo | grep render</code>
slaxemulator@7 146 * To change nVidia's settings, use nVidia's Settings tool:
slaxemulator@7 147 <code># nvidia-settings</code>
slaxemulator@7 148
slaxemulator@7 149 == Hiding the Logo ==
slaxemulator@7 150 To hide the nVidia logo when the system boots, add the following to ///etc/X11/xorg.conf// at the end of the //Device// section:
slaxemulator@7 151 <file>Option "NoLogo" "True"</file>
slaxemulator@7 152
slaxemulator@7 153
slaxemulator@7 154 === ATI cards ===
slaxemulator@7 155
slaxemulator@7 156 SliTaz provides automatic configuration for ATI cards. There are two drivers available, the Xorg-provided //[[#free-driver-radeon|radeon]]// and the ATI-provided, non-free //[[#non-free-driver-catalyst|catalyst]]//. The //ati// driver should be tried first as this has been compiled for SliTaz, whereas the ATI-supplied driver is a //binary blob// that tries to fit each and every Linux distribution.
slaxemulator@7 157 \\
slaxemulator@7 158
slaxemulator@7 159 == Free Driver (radeon) ==
slaxemulator@7 160
slaxemulator@7 161 To set-up the free ATI drivers, install the AGP & DRM modules, then use the SliTaz Hardware Configuration tool:
slaxemulator@7 162
slaxemulator@7 163 <code># tazpkg get-install linux-agp
slaxemulator@7 164 # tazpkg get-install linux-drm
slaxemulator@7 165 # tazhw setup ati</code>
slaxemulator@7 166
slaxemulator@7 167 - but perhaps this is not enough - check /var/log/Xorg.0.log to see if other modules must be loaded: See [[#dri-drm-problem | DRI / DRM Problem ]]
slaxemulator@7 168
slaxemulator@7 169 Alternatively, you can do this process manually:
slaxemulator@7 170 * Download the following packages:
slaxemulator@7 171 * xorg-xf86-video-ati mesa-dri-ati mesa-demos linux-agp
slaxemulator@7 172 <code># tazpkg get-install xorg-xf86-video-ati
slaxemulator@7 173 # tazpkg get-install mesa-dri-ati
slaxemulator@7 174 # tazpkg get-install mesa-demos
slaxemulator@7 175 # tazpkg get-install linux-agp
slaxemulator@7 176 # tazpkg get-install linux-drm</code>
slaxemulator@7 177
slaxemulator@7 178 * Load the kernel modules
slaxemulator@7 179 <code># tazhw detect-pci</code>
slaxemulator@7 180
slaxemulator@7 181 * To install the free ATI driver radeon, replace //vesa// with //radeon// in the ///etc/X11/xorg.conf// file:
slaxemulator@7 182 <code># sed -i 's/vesa/radeon/' /etc/X11/xorg.conf</code>
slaxemulator@7 183
slaxemulator@7 184
slaxemulator@7 185 == Non-Free Driver (catalyst) ==
slaxemulator@7 186
slaxemulator@7 187 To set-up the non-free ATI drivers, use the SliTaz Hardware Configuration tool with the //--non-free// switch:
slaxemulator@7 188 <code># tazhw setup ati --non-free </code>
slaxemulator@7 189
slaxemulator@7 190
slaxemulator@7 191 === Modifying the Xorg Configuration ===
slaxemulator@7 192
slaxemulator@7 193 Normally Xorg will start successfully, but perhaps not with the correct resolution. See the [[#adding-resolutions|tips]] at the end of this page or sometimes search the Internet for the xorg.conf for your card and your monitor - or use another LiveCD and copy the working configuration file to SliTaz.
slaxemulator@7 194
slaxemulator@7 195
slaxemulator@7 196 ===== Configuring X =====
slaxemulator@7 197
slaxemulator@7 198 While X will do it's bets to auto-configure itself for your graphics card set-up, sometimes it needs a tweak. Its configuration file, ///etc/X11/xorg.conf//, is the place to customise the configuration. The best example of this is switching drivers or adding resolutions it doesn't detect.
slaxemulator@7 199
slaxemulator@7 200
slaxemulator@7 201 === Adding Resolutions ===
slaxemulator@7 202 1. Include //HorizSync// and //VertRefresh// (refresh timings) in the //Monitor// section:
slaxemulator@7 203
slaxemulator@7 204 <file>
slaxemulator@7 205 Section "Monitor"
slaxemulator@7 206 Identifier "Monitor0"
slaxemulator@7 207 VendorName "Monitor Vendor"
slaxemulator@7 208 ModelName "Monitor Model"
slaxemulator@7 209 HorizSync 28-64
slaxemulator@7 210 VertRefresh 60
slaxemulator@7 211 EndSection
slaxemulator@7 212 </file>
slaxemulator@7 213
slaxemulator@7 214 2. Include a //DefaultDepth// in the //Screen// section:
slaxemulator@7 215
slaxemulator@7 216 <file>
slaxemulator@7 217 Section "Screen"
slaxemulator@7 218 Identifier "Screen0"
slaxemulator@7 219 Device "Card0"
slaxemulator@7 220 Monitor "Monitor0"
slaxemulator@7 221 ** DefaultDepth 24 **
slaxemulator@7 222 </file>
slaxemulator@7 223
slaxemulator@7 224 3. Add an extra //Mode// to the line in the //Display// sub-section:
slaxemulator@7 225
slaxemulator@7 226 <file>
slaxemulator@7 227 SubSection "Display"
slaxemulator@7 228 Viewport 0 0
slaxemulator@7 229 Depth 24
slaxemulator@7 230 Modes "1024x768" "800x600"
slaxemulator@7 231 EndSubSection
slaxemulator@7 232 </file>
slaxemulator@7 233
slaxemulator@7 234 4. Also, add the default Font paths in the //Files// section:
slaxemulator@7 235
slaxemulator@7 236 <file>
slaxemulator@7 237 Section "Files"
slaxemulator@7 238 ModulePath "/usr/lib/X11/modules"
slaxemulator@7 239 FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/misc/"
slaxemulator@7 240 FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/TTF/"
slaxemulator@7 241 FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/OTF"
slaxemulator@7 242 FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/Type1/"
slaxemulator@7 243 FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi/"
slaxemulator@7 244 FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi/"
slaxemulator@7 245 FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/truetype/ttf-dejavu"
slaxemulator@7 246 EndSection
slaxemulator@7 247 </file>
slaxemulator@7 248
slaxemulator@7 249 * If you have DRI/DRM enabled, it may be easier to change its permission so all users can use it, rather than adding each to the //video// group. Append the following section:
slaxemulator@7 250
slaxemulator@7 251 <file>
slaxemulator@7 252 Section "DRI"
slaxemulator@7 253 Mode 0666
slaxemulator@7 254 EndSection
slaxemulator@7 255 </file>
slaxemulator@7 256
slaxemulator@7 257
slaxemulator@7 258 <note tip>You can use xrandr to identify your monitor(s). This utility is in the //xorg-xrandr// package:
slaxemulator@7 259
slaxemulator@7 260 <code># tazpkg get-install xorg-xrandr</code>
slaxemulator@7 261
slaxemulator@7 262 See the [[http://wiki.debian.org/XStrikeForce/HowToRandR12|Debian RandR 1.2 Wiki]] for more information.
slaxemulator@7 263 </note>
slaxemulator@7 264
slaxemulator@7 265
slaxemulator@7 266 === Restarting Xorg ===
slaxemulator@7 267
slaxemulator@7 268 For changes to take effect, you need to restart Xorg. This can be done by logging out of your session and back in again. Choose //Logout// from the Menu and select the //Logout X session// button. If you see the Slim log-in manager, Xorg has restarted successfully!
slaxemulator@7 269
slaxemulator@7 270
slaxemulator@7 271 ===== Using XVesa and Generic Drivers (TinyX) =====
slaxemulator@7 272
slaxemulator@7 273 The [[http://mirror.slitaz.org/iso/3.0/flavors/slitaz-3.0-xvesa.iso|SliTaz-3.0-xvesa.iso]] uses the XVesa system instead of Xorg, which offers a more generic driver at the cost of performance. It boots on nearly all computers and laptops, but can only display a 4:3 resolution.
slaxemulator@7 274
slaxemulator@7 275 To find out which resolutions are possible with your card, type:
slaxemulator@7 276
slaxemulator@7 277 <code># Xvesa -listmodes</code>
slaxemulator@7 278
slaxemulator@7 279 Here's a selection of resolutions for an example Intel Atom Board:
slaxemulator@7 280
slaxemulator@7 281 <code>VBE version 3.0 (Intel(r) 82945GM Chipset Family Graphics Chip Accelerated VGA BIOS)
slaxemulator@7 282 DAC is switchable, controller is VGA compatible, RAMDAC causes snow
slaxemulator@7 283 Total memory: 7872 kilobytes
slaxemulator@7 284 0x015A: 1600x1200x24 TrueColor [8:8:8:8]
slaxemulator@7 285 0x011B: 1280x1024x24 TrueColor [8:8:8:8]
slaxemulator@7 286 0x0118: 1024x768x24 TrueColor [8:8:8:8]
slaxemulator@7 287 0x0112: 640x480x24 TrueColor [8:8:8:8]
slaxemulator@7 288 0x0115: 800x600x24 TrueColor [8:8:8:8]</code>
slaxemulator@7 289
slaxemulator@7 290 This output shows widescreen resolutions cannot be displayed with XVesa.
slaxemulator@7 291
slaxemulator@7 292 If X does not start with the default SliTaz ISO, you could use the XVesa ISO to install your default Xorg driver. When you are asked for your resolution at boot-time, scroll down the window and find the option to install your Xorg driver //before// XVesa is started. However, don't use "tazx" and "tazhw setup ati or nv" on the XVesa ISO to install your Xorg driver because you will end up with a blank and confused screen!
slaxemulator@7 293
slaxemulator@7 294
slaxemulator@7 295 ----
slaxemulator@7 296 \\
slaxemulator@7 297 ^ Page Review Section ^^
slaxemulator@7 298 |Quality| Good |
slaxemulator@7 299 |Review| Minor Updates |
slaxemulator@7 300 |Priority| Medium |
slaxemulator@7 301 |Problems| add a [[http://forum.slitaz.org|forum post link]]|
slaxemulator@7 302 |::: | OR add a [[http://labs.slitaz.org/issues |lab issue tracker link ]]|
slaxemulator@7 303 |How to Improve| Extra config. for other cards? |
slaxemulator@7 304 |::: | More details on or references to xorg.conf |
slaxemulator@7 305
slaxemulator@7 306 \\
slaxemulator@7 307 ----