OLD Hitachi Laptop doesn't like X

Forum: X and Fluxbox
Topic: OLD Hitachi Laptop doesn't like X
started by: bendalton

Posted by bendalton on Dec. 08 2004,14:53

I can boot int CLI mode FINE, but when i try to launch X, I get an EXTREMELY distorted screen with only marginal ability to make out shapes. When I exit X, even the cli is distorted and I cant make anything out any longer. DSL is installed on my HD (no cdrom, i installed it to the hd off another computer).

frame buffered mode doesn't even start
4bit color 640x480 had vertical bars that make it unreadable

any help would be appreciated
bd

Posted by caulktel on Dec. 08 2004,16:10

Ben,

From what info I can find on that laptop, it seems that it only has 8 meg of ram, I think you need at least 12, and more would even be better to run X. Maybe yours has more installed. I am using DSL on a old Hitachi laptop, (Visionbook 4140X, P1 133MMX w/96 meg ram), and it works very good. If you can, find out how much ram you have installed, and get back to us.

Posted by bendalton on Dec. 08 2004,16:14

Specs: 16mb of ram, 1gb hd, p1 133

Posted by caulktel on Dec. 08 2004,16:40

Ben, According to this:
M133T

The good news right ahead: I haven't found anything that doesn't work with this laptop. It seems to be 99% linux compatible! The missing one percent is the automatic power management (APM). I haven't found a way to check the battery state from Linux. If you do a cat /proc/apm you will always get battery life unknown.

* Installing W95 and Linux

* You can keep the existing W95 partition and use FIPS to create the Linux partitions. Setting up the BIOS

* Nothing special needs to be done. Configuring the kernel

* Currently I am running S.u.S.E 5.3 with the 2.0.35 kernel. This is the .config file. Enable AMD Lance and PCnet and AMD PCInet32 under Network device support. Enable PS/2 mouse support. and Advanced Power Management BIOS support under Character devices. Configuring the X11 server

* The M133T features a Cirrus Logic GD7543 graphic chip with 1 MByte RAM. This is the XF86Config file I use. Running Linux

Everything works fine. Nothing to worry about.

It should work OK, but might need more ram. I will see what more I can find on it.

Posted by caulktel on Dec. 08 2004,17:07

Well, it seems that this site puts the M133T in the same catagory as your E133T, but they are not the same laptops, so we are back to square 1. Disregard my former post. I will look some more.

Posted by bendalton on Dec. 08 2004,17:35

is there a way to enable framebuffering off a hd install? I wonder if that would work.

Posted by caulktel on Dec. 08 2004,18:07

Yes, just type xsetup.sh from the console prompt, then select frame buffer, then answer all the questions about the mouse. After that's all done type startx.

Posted by bendalton on Dec. 08 2004,18:42

i've tried that, but when i startx, x dies and it wont work

Posted by caulktel on Dec. 08 2004,18:51

What error message does the x server output? Example: can't find screens or can't find pointer, etc.