Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : Gentoo: X Configuration (was:Gentoo Install Advice Needed)


Dancen
10-30-2004, 05:45 PM
Well, I'm trying to install Gentoo, and I'm having some trouble. I've printed out the handbook and installed twice so far. The first time I did it, I did a stage2 install and couldn't boot into Linux at all, although I'm certain it was an error on my part somewhere.

So I tried to install again (stage2), and everything went pretty smoothly, except I can't use any kind of graphical anything. I emerged eterm and fluxbox, and set up the xinitrc, but nothing. I think the problem is in my video drivers. Whenever I type in startx, I the screen blanks and kicks me back to the console with the message "VESA (0): Set VBE Mode failed," and a couple lines above it I see it saying "setting new device driver "ati"," then something about failing to find a Radeon device. Given that I don't have a Radeon in my system, I think this is the problem. My video card is an ATI X800 Pro, my monitor is a Dell 2001FP. That in mind, here are the things I think may be pertinent that I did while installing:

- I set the USE flags -kde and -gnome (since I don't plan on using them at all).
- When I configured the kernel, I selected an ATI package from one of the menus (arg, can't remember which!) and set it to use 1600x1200 VESA graphics. Oh, this was for the "gentoo-dev-sources" kernel (2.6.9).
- I emerged ati-drivers-extra (but not ati-drivers since the description says "ATI Radeon 8500+/FireGL graphics" and I don't have those cards).

Is there any way I can fix this without reinstalling (ie, emerging something, editing some files)?

If not, what does everyone recommend I do as far as configuring the kernel and options to get my video card actually recognized, or at least functioning with generic drivers? Also, is there any additional way other than setting the -kde and -gnome USE flags that I can optimize for fluxbox?

Any help would be appreciated. If any additional info is needed let me know and I'll try to remember :)

Hayl
10-30-2004, 06:09 PM
did you run the config app for X (or manually edit your /etc/X11/xorg.conf (or XF86Config)) yet?

PS: there is absolutely NO reason that you would need to reinstall. You can get this fixed. Reinstalling is for Windows people.

linux_composer
10-30-2004, 06:10 PM
It should be even simpler than that, unless you've done things that you've not stated.

Did you configure X?

run : /usr/X11R6/bin/xf86config

if you haven't done so already. If you have done, then have you followed any of the excellent Gentoo specific docs on their website?

Dancen
10-30-2004, 09:16 PM
Thanks guys, I set that up and now Fluxbox starts up with no problems! :D

I didn't realize I needed to do that. The file I had to run was actually called "xorgconfig", so I guess they changed it? At any rate, now I've got a useable desktop. Thanks for your help!