Decent graphics settings on an IBM thinkcentre?
Forum: User Feedback
Topic: Decent graphics settings on an IBM thinkcentre?
started by: wolfpeach
Posted by wolfpeach on Jan. 28 2005,12:02
Hi all -Been having loads of fun with DSL, but unable to get decent graphics working on an IBM Thinkcentre desktop I'm using.
After messing around with booting 'dsl vga=normal xsetup' and experimenting with the options, I was unable to get anything other than nastily pixelated graphics, weird colours, no destop icons... except at 480 x 640 resolution, where any open window went off the edge of the screen...
After reading some of the other posts here on Xsetup and video options, tried booting to command line, and using
# sudo -u dsl Xvesa -listmodes | more
Turns out the best decent colour (ie 16) option with the default xserver is 480 x 640.
So tried to install the XFree86.dsl, after reading henk's post here:
< http://damnsmalllinux.org/cgi-bin....xfree86 >
But ran into problems. Here's what Ive done so far:
1) Not being an expert in this, but knowing that Knoppix used XFree86 to get decent resolution on hte same pc, I booted the pc with knoppix (3.6) & saved the /etc/X11/XF86Config file that it generated.
2) rebooted with dsl (0.9), copied over the saved XF86Config file
3) loaded the XFree86.dsl,
4) and replaced the contents of /home/dsl/.xserverrc (using nano) with the line: 'exec /usr/X11R6/bin/XFree86 -nolisten tcp'
5) ctrl-alt-backspace to exit Fluxbox
6) # exit
to start the new xserver.
Didnt work. Got error messages about an error in line 33 of the XFreeconfig file... (will try to duplicate so that i can post all error messages if it would help...)
Any ideas about where to go next? I'm getting out of my depth here, but the video thing is bugging me so much need to get it sorted out!
Posted by SaidinUnleashed on Jan. 28 2005,15:10
post your XF86Config-4 file (in [code] tags) here as well.maybe we can figure something out.
also, have you tried framebuffer mode?
-J.P.
Posted by wolfpeach on Jan. 28 2005,21:31
Hi there SaidinUnleashedThanks for that! Yes, have tried framebuffer, but no joy.
Here are the error messages visible on screen immediately on dropping out of flux:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
apm : overidden by ACPI
insmod: /lib/modules/2.4.26/kernel/arch/i386/kernel/apn.o : init_module : no such device
insmod: /lib/modules/2.4.26/kernel/arch/i386/kernel/apn.o : insmod chr-major-10-134 failed
Failed to load groupfile
IMLIB ERROR : cannot find pallette
rxvt : Cant load color ............ [loads of these
]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
and here are the error messages after trying to restart with 'startx', having loaded the Xfree86.dsl:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/usr/X11R6/XFree86 : No such file or directory
giving up...
/home/dsl/.xserverrc xinit No such file or directory (errno 2) : unable to conncet to X server
xinit : no such process (errno 3) : server error
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sorry if syntax dodgy with the above - was not able to copy & paste & had to rely on my (terrible) handwriting.
Posted by wolfpeach on Jan. 28 2005,21:40
oops, sorry, you asked for the config file (bit confused - didnt have a '4' at the end... just XF86config....) Anyway, here goes - not sure what you meant about 'code' either.... Sorry this is a bit of a monster 
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Section "Files"
RgbPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/rgb"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/misc:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/misc"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Speedo"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/PEX"
# Additional fonts: Locale, Gimp, TTF...
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/cyrillic"
# FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/latin2/75dpi"
# FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/latin2/100dpi"
# True type and type1 fonts are also handled via xftlib, see /etc/X11/XftConfig!
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/ttf/western"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/ttf/decoratives"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/truetype"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/truetype/openoffice"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/truetype/ttf-bitstream-vera"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/latex-ttf-fonts"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/defoma/CID"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/defoma/TrueType"
EndSection
Section "ServerFlags"
EndSection
Section "Keyboard"
Protocol "Standard"
AutoRepeat 500 5
LeftAlt Meta
RightAlt Meta
ScrollLock Compose
RightCtl Control
# This is just the default keymap for X.
# May be changed with the KDE international keyboard tool.
XkbModel "pc105"
XkbLayout "us"
# XkbOptions "ctrl:swapcaps"
# XkbKeycodes "xfree86"
# XkbTypes "default"
# XkbCompat "default"
# XkbSymbols "us(pc101)"
# XkbGeometry "pc"
# XkbRules "xfree86"
# XkbModel "pc101"
# XkbLayout "us"
EndSection
Section "Pointer"
Protocol "IMPS/2"
Device "/dev/mouse"
Emulate3Buttons
Emulate3Timeout 70
EndSection
# Auto-generated by mkxf86config
Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
VendorName "IBM"
ModelName "IBM18a3"
HorizSync 30 - 69 # DDC-probed
VertRefresh 50 - 120 # DDC-probed
# These are the DDC-probed settings reported by your monitor.
# 1024x768, 85.0Hz; hfreq=68.68, vfreq=85.00
ModeLine "1024x768" 94.50 1024 1072 1168 1376 768 769 772 808 +hsync +vsync
# 1024x768, 75.0Hz; hfreq=60.02, vfreq=75.03
ModeLine "1024x768" 78.75 1024 1040 1136 1312 768 769 772 800 +hsync +vsync
# 800x600, 85.0Hz; hfreq=53.67, vfreq=85.06
ModeLine "800x600" 56.25 800 832 896 1048 600 601 604 631 +hsync +vsync
# 800x600, 75.0Hz; hfreq=46.88, vfreq=75.00
ModeLine "800x600" 49.50 800 816 896 1056 600 601 604 625 +hsync +vsync
# 800x600, 60.0Hz; hfreq=37.88, vfreq=60.32
ModeLine "800x600" 40.00 800 840 968 1056 600 601 605 628 +hsync +vsync
# 640x480, 85.0Hz; hfreq=43.27, vfreq=85.01
ModeLine "640x480" 36.00 640 696 752 832 480 481 484 509 -hsync -vsync
# 640x480, 75.0Hz; hfreq=37.50, vfreq=75.00
# 640x480, 60.0Hz; hfreq=31.47, vfreq=59.94
ModeLine "640x480" 25.17 640 648 744 784 480 482 484 509 -hsync -vsync
# Extended modelines with GTF timings
# 640x480 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 50.90 kHz; pclk: 43.16 MHz
ModeLine "640x480" 43.16 640 680 744 848 480 481 484 509 -HSync +Vsync
# 768x576 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 35.82 kHz; pclk: 34.96 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 34.96 768 792 872 976 576 577 580 597 -HSync +Vsync
# 768x576 @ 72.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 43.27 kHz; pclk: 42.93 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 42.93 768 800 880 992 576 577 580 601 -HSync +Vsync
# 768x576 @ 75.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 45.15 kHz; pclk: 45.51 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 45.51 768 808 888 1008 576 577 580 602 -HSync +Vsync
# 768x576 @ 85.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 51.42 kHz; pclk: 51.84 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 51.84 768 808 888 1008 576 577 580 605 -HSync +Vsync
# 768x576 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 61.10 kHz; pclk: 62.57 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 62.57 768 816 896 1024 576 577 580 611 -HSync +Vsync
# 800x600 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 63.60 kHz; pclk: 68.18 MHz
ModeLine "800x600" 68.18 800 848 936 1072 600 601 604 636 -HSync +Vsync
# 1024x768 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 81.40 kHz; pclk: 113.31 MHz
ModeLine "1024x768" 113.31 1024 1096 1208 1392 768 769 772 814 -HSync +Vsync
# 1152x864 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 53.70 kHz; pclk: 81.62 MHz
ModeLine "1152x864" 81.62 1152 1216 1336 1520 864 865 868 895 -HSync +Vsync
# 1152x864 @ 85.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 77.10 kHz; pclk: 119.65 MHz
ModeLine "1152x864" 119.65 1152 1224 1352 1552 864 865 868 907 -HSync +Vsync
# 1152x864 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 91.50 kHz; pclk: 143.47 MHz
ModeLine "1152x864" 143.47 1152 1232 1360 1568 864 865 868 915 -HSync +Vsync
# 1280x960 @ 72.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 72.07 kHz; pclk: 124.54 MHz
ModeLine "1280x960" 124.54 1280 1368 1504 1728 960 961 964 1001 -HSync +Vsync
# 1280x960 @ 75.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 75.15 kHz; pclk: 129.86 MHz
ModeLine "1280x960" 129.86 1280 1368 1504 1728 960 961 964 1002 -HSync +Vsync
# 1280x960 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 101.70 kHz; pclk: 178.99 MHz
ModeLine "1280x960" 178.99 1280 1376 1520 1760 960 961 964 1017 -HSync +Vsync
nc +Vsync
# 1280x1024 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 108.50 kHz; pclk: 190.96 MHz
ModeLine "1280x1024" 190.96 1280 1376 1520 1760 1024 1025 1028 1085 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 65.22 kHz; pclk: 122.61 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 122.61 1400 1488 1640 1880 1050 1051 1054 1087 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 72.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 78.77 kHz; pclk: 149.34 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 149.34 1400 1496 1648 1896 1050 1051 1054 1094 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 75.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 82.20 kHz; pclk: 155.85 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 155.85 1400 1496 1648 1896 1050 1051 1054 1096 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 85.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 93.76 kHz; pclk: 179.26 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 179.26 1400 1504 1656 1912 1050 1051 1054 1103 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 111.20 kHz; pclk: 214.39 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 214.39 1400 1512 1664 1928 1050 1051 1054 1112 -HSync +Vsync
# 1600x1200 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 127.10 kHz; pclk: 280.64 MHz
ModeLine "1600x1200" 280.64 1600 1728 1904 2208 1200 1201 1204 1271 -HSync +Vsync
EndSection
nc +Vsync
# 1280x1024 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 108.50 kHz; pclk: 190.96 MHz
ModeLine "1280x1024" 190.96 1280 1376 1520 1760 1024 1025 1028 1085 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 65.22 kHz; pclk: 122.61 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 122.61 1400 1488 1640 1880 1050 1051 1054 1087 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 72.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 78.77 kHz; pclk: 149.34 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 149.34 1400 1496 1648 1896 1050 1051 1054 1094 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 75.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 82.20 kHz; pclk: 155.85 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 155.85 1400 1496 1648 1896 1050 1051 1054 1096 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 85.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 93.76 kHz; pclk: 179.26 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 179.26 1400 1504 1656 1912 1050 1051 1054 1103 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 111.20 kHz; pclk: 214.39 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 214.39 1400 1512 1664 1928 1050 1051 1054 1112 -HSync +Vsync
# 1600x1200 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 127.10 kHz; pclk: 280.64 MHz
ModeLine "1600x1200" 280.64 1600 1728 1904 2208 1200 1201 1204 1271 -HSync +Vsync
EndSection
Section "Device"
Identifier "My Video Card"
VendorName "Unknown"
BoardName "Unknown"
# TextClockFreq 22.175
EndSection
Section "Device"
Identifier "fbdev"
VendorName "Unknown"
BoardName "Unknown"
EndSection
# Standard Server
Section "Screen"
Driver "svga"
Device "My Video Card"
Monitor "Monitor0"
Subsection "Display"
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
ViewPort 0 0
EndSubsection
EndSection
# Accel. Server(s)
Section "Screen"
Driver "accel"
Device "My Video Card"
Monitor "Monitor0"
Subsection "Display"
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
ViewPort 0 0
EndSubsection
EndSection
# Fallback
Section "Screen"
Driver "vga16"
Device "My Video Card"
Monitor "Monitor0"
Subsection "Display"
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubsection
EndSection
Section "Screen"
Driver "fbdev"
Device "fbdev"
Monitor "Monitor0"
SubSection "Display"
Depth 32
Modes "default"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "default"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "default"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "default"
Device "fbdev"
Monitor "Monitor0"
SubSection "Display"
Depth 32
Modes "default"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "default"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "default"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "default"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "default"
EndSubSection
EndSection
Posted by wolfpeach on Jan. 28 2005,21:45
Oh yes, and according to windoze, the display adapter is an Intel 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV/ graphics controller... mean anything?? 
Posted by cbagger01 on Jan. 29 2005,03:02
The i845 video is notoriously bad for Vesa graphics support.Basically, your choices are:
Built-in XVesa server at 640x480x16
Built-in XVesa server at 800x600 or 1024x768 with 8 bit depth and add the -swaprgb command to your .xserverrc file
Install Xfree86 and use the appropriate driver, probably the i810 driver.
Good Luck.
Posted by subarus on Jan. 29 2005,03:43
| Quote (wolfpeach @ Jan. 28 2005,16:40) |
| Section "Files" RgbPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/rgb" FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/misc:unscaled" FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/misc" FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi:unscaled" FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi" : : and etc etc |
I think its path problem.
check the dsl config file. i have the feeling its NOT /usr/X11R6/..... if thats the case substitute the path in the knoppix version to the correct path in dsl environment.
I dont know much but just trying to help. sorry to see you missing the dsl coolness becoz of minor display config issue.
Posted by SaidinUnleashed on Jan. 29 2005,05:19
Actually, I'm afraid cbagger is correct.He has the dreaded IEG. Intel "Extreme" Graphics.
The "extreme" means extremely sucky. Basically, it's a glorified framebuffer device.
-J.P.