slitaz-doc-wiki-data view pages/en/guides/xorg-xvesa.txt @ rev 7
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| author | Christopher Rogers <slaxemulator@gmail.com> |
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| date | Sat Feb 26 12:17:18 2011 +0000 (2011-02-26) |
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1 ====== Xorg & XVesa ======
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:
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.
6 * try the [[http://mirror.slitaz.org/iso/3.0/flavors/slitaz-3.0-xvesa.iso|XVesa ISO]] (a.k.a. TinyX)
7 * install a more specific driver for your graphics card
8 * customise your Xorg configuration file (//xorg.conf//)
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]].
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:
14 <code>setxkbmap -option terminate:ctrl_alt_bksp</code>
16 </note>
18 <note important>
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.
20 </note>
23 ===== Using Xorg & Vendor-Specific Drivers =====
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.
28 === AGP Cards ===
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:
32 <code>
33 # tazpkg get-install linux-agp
34 </code>
36 Load the modules using the SliTaz hardware detection tool:
38 <code># tazhw detect-pci</code>
40 You can now use the SliTaz X configuration tool to detect your settings:
42 <code># tazx</code>
44 Select the appropriate driver for your video card from the list.
47 === DRI / DRM Problem ===
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:
51 <code>
52 # tazpkg get-install linux-drm
53 # tazpkg get-install mesa-demos (for glxinfo and glxgears)
54 # rm /dev/dri
55 # mkdir /dev/dri/
56 # addgroup tux video
57 </code>
59 The //drm// module is not loaded by //tazhw// so you have to do it manually:
60 <code># modprobe drm</code>
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>
65 === Intel cards ===
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.
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).
71 Some users may need to add the "intel_agp" module to the xorg.conf file:
73 <file>
74 Section "Module"
75 ...
76 Load "intel_agp"
77 ...
78 EndSection
79 </file>
81 for the driver to work.
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:
85 * //nomodeset//
86 * //i810.modeset=0//
87 * //i915.modeset=0//
89 If mode-setting is off by default and should instead be turned on, append one of the following:
91 * //modeset//
92 * //i810.modeset=1//
93 * //i915.modeset=1//
95 === Trident cards ===
97 Use "tazx" to select the trident driver, install mesa-dri-trident
98 <code># tazpkg get-install mesa-dri-trident</code>and restart X
101 === nVidia cards ===
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.
104 \\
106 == Free Driver (nv) ==
108 To set-up the free nVidia drivers, use the SliTaz Hardware Configuration tool:
109 <code># tazhw setup nvidia </code>
111 Alternatively, you can do this process manually:
112 * Download the following packages:
113 * mesa, mesa-demos, linux-agp, xorg-xf86-video-nv
114 <code># tazpkg get-install xorg-xf86-video-nv
115 # tazpkg get-install mesa
116 # tazpkg get-install mesa-demos
117 # tazpkg get-install linux-agp</code>
119 * Load the kernel modules
120 <code># tazhw detect-pci</code>
122 * Replace the standard //vesa// driver with //nv//
123 <code># sed -i 's/vesa/nv/' /etc/X11/xorg.conf
124 </code>
126 == Non-Free Driver (nvidia) ==
128 To set-up the non-free nVidia drivers, use the SliTaz Hardware Configuration tool with the //--non-free// switch:
129 <code># tazhw setup nvidia --non-free </code>
131 Alternatively, you can do this process manually:
132 * Download the following packages:
133 * mesa mesa-demos linux-agp nvidia
134 <code># tazpkg get-install nvidia
135 # tazpkg get-install mesa
136 # tazpkg get-install mesa-demos
137 # tazpkg get-install linux-agp</code>
139 * Load the kernel modules
140 <code># tazhw detect-pci</code>
142 * Attempt to configure the card with nVidia's tool:
143 <code># nvidia-xconfig</code>
144 * To test if rendering is working,
145 <code># glxinfo | grep render</code>
146 * To change nVidia's settings, use nVidia's Settings tool:
147 <code># nvidia-settings</code>
149 == Hiding the Logo ==
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:
151 <file>Option "NoLogo" "True"</file>
154 === ATI cards ===
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.
157 \\
159 == Free Driver (radeon) ==
161 To set-up the free ATI drivers, install the AGP & DRM modules, then use the SliTaz Hardware Configuration tool:
163 <code># tazpkg get-install linux-agp
164 # tazpkg get-install linux-drm
165 # tazhw setup ati</code>
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 ]]
169 Alternatively, you can do this process manually:
170 * Download the following packages:
171 * xorg-xf86-video-ati mesa-dri-ati mesa-demos linux-agp
172 <code># tazpkg get-install xorg-xf86-video-ati
173 # tazpkg get-install mesa-dri-ati
174 # tazpkg get-install mesa-demos
175 # tazpkg get-install linux-agp
176 # tazpkg get-install linux-drm</code>
178 * Load the kernel modules
179 <code># tazhw detect-pci</code>
181 * To install the free ATI driver radeon, replace //vesa// with //radeon// in the ///etc/X11/xorg.conf// file:
182 <code># sed -i 's/vesa/radeon/' /etc/X11/xorg.conf</code>
185 == Non-Free Driver (catalyst) ==
187 To set-up the non-free ATI drivers, use the SliTaz Hardware Configuration tool with the //--non-free// switch:
188 <code># tazhw setup ati --non-free </code>
191 === Modifying the Xorg Configuration ===
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.
196 ===== Configuring X =====
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.
201 === Adding Resolutions ===
202 1. Include //HorizSync// and //VertRefresh// (refresh timings) in the //Monitor// section:
204 <file>
205 Section "Monitor"
206 Identifier "Monitor0"
207 VendorName "Monitor Vendor"
208 ModelName "Monitor Model"
209 HorizSync 28-64
210 VertRefresh 60
211 EndSection
212 </file>
214 2. Include a //DefaultDepth// in the //Screen// section:
216 <file>
217 Section "Screen"
218 Identifier "Screen0"
219 Device "Card0"
220 Monitor "Monitor0"
221 ** DefaultDepth 24 **
222 </file>
224 3. Add an extra //Mode// to the line in the //Display// sub-section:
226 <file>
227 SubSection "Display"
228 Viewport 0 0
229 Depth 24
230 Modes "1024x768" "800x600"
231 EndSubSection
232 </file>
234 4. Also, add the default Font paths in the //Files// section:
236 <file>
237 Section "Files"
238 ModulePath "/usr/lib/X11/modules"
239 FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/misc/"
240 FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/TTF/"
241 FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/OTF"
242 FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/Type1/"
243 FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi/"
244 FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi/"
245 FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/truetype/ttf-dejavu"
246 EndSection
247 </file>
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:
251 <file>
252 Section "DRI"
253 Mode 0666
254 EndSection
255 </file>
258 <note tip>You can use xrandr to identify your monitor(s). This utility is in the //xorg-xrandr// package:
260 <code># tazpkg get-install xorg-xrandr</code>
262 See the [[http://wiki.debian.org/XStrikeForce/HowToRandR12|Debian RandR 1.2 Wiki]] for more information.
263 </note>
266 === Restarting Xorg ===
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!
271 ===== Using XVesa and Generic Drivers (TinyX) =====
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.
275 To find out which resolutions are possible with your card, type:
277 <code># Xvesa -listmodes</code>
279 Here's a selection of resolutions for an example Intel Atom Board:
281 <code>VBE version 3.0 (Intel(r) 82945GM Chipset Family Graphics Chip Accelerated VGA BIOS)
282 DAC is switchable, controller is VGA compatible, RAMDAC causes snow
283 Total memory: 7872 kilobytes
284 0x015A: 1600x1200x24 TrueColor [8:8:8:8]
285 0x011B: 1280x1024x24 TrueColor [8:8:8:8]
286 0x0118: 1024x768x24 TrueColor [8:8:8:8]
287 0x0112: 640x480x24 TrueColor [8:8:8:8]
288 0x0115: 800x600x24 TrueColor [8:8:8:8]</code>
290 This output shows widescreen resolutions cannot be displayed with XVesa.
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!
295 ----
296 \\
297 ^ Page Review Section ^^
298 |Quality| Good |
299 |Review| Minor Updates |
300 |Priority| Medium |
301 |Problems| add a [[http://forum.slitaz.org|forum post link]]|
302 |::: | OR add a [[http://labs.slitaz.org/issues |lab issue tracker link ]]|
303 |How to Improve| Extra config. for other cards? |
304 |::: | More details on or references to xorg.conf |
306 \\
307 ----