X with S3 trio64v+ Problems

[Tjoh311]

Hello,
Ok, the system is an old dinosaur Gateway P5-120 with an S3 trio64v+ pci video card. I'm running libranet 2.0 (minimal install). It tries to configure X like its supposed to, but when it runs a test screen nothing comes up. So I skipped the configuration, and tried to start GDM from the command line. It tries a few times then sends me a copy of the output file.

I attached the error log and the XF86config down below.

according to the logfile it has a problem with the depth being set at 24 for that resolution. Am I on the right track? Xfree86 says this card is supported. What else could possibly be the problem?

Thanks in advance

Troy

[ph34r]

What version of X? I have a working config somewhere for 4.x....

[ph34r]

Found it quick too!

[Tjoh311]

Thanks for the reply, I tried the file you attached, and still no luck. I'm gonna try a couple different config options. Any other Ideas?

BTW my version of X is 4.1.0.1

[JohnT]

I have an initial idea....edit your first post. The problem is the X server your using. If you have the option in your "xf86config" or install choose the S3 server.

[Tjoh311]

Well, I can get X to start if I set the default depth to 4 or 8. The problem is, 4 looks horrible, and 8 only displays the lower left of the screen. JohnT I'm not exactly sure what you mean by S3 server option. Is that something I need in XFConfig-4?

[Tjoh311]

I'm still google-ing trying to find the cure. Any help would be appreciated!:)

[JohnT]

Attach..not post.... your /etc/X11/XF86Config file, so we can have a look. I believe you have chosen the wrong server for your card, but need to look at your configs.

[Tjoh311]

Ok heres one

[Tjoh311]

heres the other

[JohnT]

Here's the two portions of "xf86config" that needs attention. Your monitor... If you know the horizontal and vertical...choose 11 on this screen and I believe 5 on the next. (you own settings). Your vid card is the first one on this trio.gif, might not be the case on your distro, but it should be close...choose it during configuration.

[JohnT]

Your vid card is the first one on this trio.gif, might not be the case on your distro, but it should be close...choose it during configuration.

[Tjoh311]

Still no luck,:(

I think I might have to try a different card. The Xf86config tool complains that the card is basically unsupported when I select it from the database.

[Tjoh311]

It actually looks as though xfree86 3.3.6 supports that particular card. (which is odd its older isn't it?) So how do I go about removing the version of Xfree86 that I have on there now and installing that one. Would that be overly complex?

[JohnT]

Originally posted by Tjoh311
It actually looks as though xfree86 3.3.6 supports that particular card. (which is odd its older isn't it?) So how do I go about removing the version of Xfree86 that I have on there now and installing that one. Would that be overly complex? M/B I have seriously overlooked it in your post somewhere, but what distro are you running, before I advise on a removal solution?

[Tjoh311]

I'm running libranet 2.0 with xfree86 v4.1.0.1

The distro is old, but its the only one I have on hand that allows you to make boot floppies for the install. My bios doesn't like to boot from CDrom for some reason or another.

[JohnT]

Look on your cd..it might be available on there. if it is m/b the option is included to re-run install scripts. Normal procedure is to download all your XFree pkg's, drop to init level 3 then uninstall the old and install the new. What pkg system does Libranet use?

The distro is old, but its the only one I have on hand that allows you to make boot floppies for the install. My bios doesn't like to boot from CDrom for some reason or another. If you'll post this problem in the hardware forum, there are remedies.

[Tjoh311]

libranet uses .deb pakages so dpkg, or dselect. I think Apt is on there but I haven't gotten around to configuring the network yet. One thing at a time.
I will try to post the problem with my BIOS in the hardware forum tonight. I've got a lot on my plate today with the 6 machines I'm trying to get configured.

[JohnT]

Configure Apt because that would be the easiest. Keep me posted on your progress.