FOLLOWUP / UPDATE: Problem: ATI fglrx, Fedora Core 5, HP nw8240 Notebook

On Tue, 01 Aug 2006 22:11:26 GMT, Tom Horsley
wrote:

You would probably be better off visiting rpm.livna.org
and checking out their fedora kernel modules for installing
the fglrx drivers.

Good afternoon, Tom.

Unfortunately I had to put this project aside for a couple of weeks,
but last night I got back on it again, and tried what you suggested.

I have two Linux hard drives for the HP nw8240 notebook, one with
Fedora Core 3 and the other with Fedora Core 5, both fresh
out-if-the-box installations with plain-vanilla out-of-the-box kernels
(2.6.9-1.667 and 2.6.15-1.2054_FC5, respectively).

I went through the setup and install procedure detailed on the
rpm.livna.org website (basically, "yum install
kernel-module-fglrx-$(uname -r)"). For each attempt (FC3 and FC5),
yum went through what looked like a fairly complete set of operations,
downloading and installing all kinds of cool stuff, then at the very
end it said "No Match for argument: kernel-module-fglrx-2.6.9-1.667
(for FC3; kernel-module-fglrx-2.6.15-1.2054_FC5 for FC5). Nothing to
do."

The notes on the livna website said that one might see something like
that (though the error messages it cited were different) IF one is
trying to use a homegrown kernel or some other non-supported kernel. I
wasn't doing that ... I was using the kernels as directly supplied on
the FC3 and FC5 installation DVDs.

So, still no luck in getting the HP nw8240 to properly run Linux. With
FC3, I get a max resolution of 800x600 (plain vanilla generic VGA
driver) and with FC5 I get no video at all, when trying to use X (both
of them run fine in non-X, non-graphics text mode).

Any ideas?

On Wed, 16 Aug 2006 15:51:30 -0400, C.J.Clegg wrote:

Any ideas?

Apparently the livna build system is down and there is no target
for repair. Until it comes back, livna are getting behind
in their module builds, so "wait for livna", or "try downloading
the source rpm and building your own kernel module rpms" are
the two possible solutions. Personally, I'm trying the "wait"
one :-).

hi. I wouldn't evin bother with watering for somebody to make u a kernel
module just download the latest fglrx driver from ati's website, the
installer not the rpm, and make the module your self

goto /lib/modules/fglrx/build_mod and run ./make.sh

let it run throw and go up a dir

run ./make_install.sh

that is it the module is made, modprobe fglrx and if is shows up in
lsmod then it worked

use aticonfig --initial [other options] to setup xf86config/xorg.conf
for the new driver

this is the inside of my xorg.conf file, you maby have to change some things

I have a crt svga monitor as primary and a tv as secondary in clone mode

running x at 1024x768x24bpp

dri works
hardware opengl works

# File generated by XFdrake.
# ************************************************** ********************
# Refer to the XF86Config man page for details about the format of
# this file.
# ************************************************** ********************
# Section "Device"
# Identifier "device1"
# Driver "vesa"
# Option "DPMS"
# EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "layout1"
Screen 0 "aticonfig-Screen[0]" 0 0
InputDevice "Keyboard1" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "Mouse1" "CorePointer"
EndSection

Section "Files"

# Multiple FontPath entries are allowed (they are concatenated
together)
# By default, Mandrake 6.0 and later now use a font server
independent of
# the X server to render fonts.
FontPath "unix/:-1"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "dbe" # Double-Buffering Extension
Load "v4l" # Video for Linux
Load "extmod"
Load "type1"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx" # 3D layer
Load "dri"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"

#DontZap # disable CrtlAltBS (server abort)
# allows the server to start up even if the mouse does not work
#DontZoom # disable CrtlAltKP_+/KP_- (resolution switching)
Option "allowmouseopenfail"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Keyboard1"
Driver "keyboard"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "en_US"
Option "XkbOptions" "compose:rwin"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Mouse1"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "IMPS/2"
Option "Device" "/dev/mouse"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"

# Monitor preferred modeline (60.0 Hz vsync, 64.0 kHz hsync, ratio 5/4)
Identifier "monitor1"
VendorName "Plug'n Play"
ModelName ""
HorizSync 30.0 - 72.0
VertRefresh 50.0 - 160.0
ModeLine "1280x1024" 108.0 1280 1328 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066
+hsync +vsync
ModeLine "768x576" 50.0 768 832 846 1000 576 590 595 630
ModeLine "768x576" 63.1 768 800 960 1024 576 578 590 616
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "aticonfig-Monitor[0]"
Option "VendorName" "ATI Proprietary Driver"
Option "ModelName" "Generic Autodetecting Monitor"
Option "DPMS" "true"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "aticonfig-Device[0]"
Driver "fglrx"
Option "OpenGLOverlay" "0"
Option "VideoOverlay" "1"
Option "DesktopSetup" "clone"
Option "BlockSignalsOnLock" "1"
Option "OverlayOnCRTC1" "1"
Option "OverlayOnCRTC2" "1"
Option "UseFastTLS" "1"
Option "ForceGenericCPU" "1"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "screen1"
Device "aticonfig-device[0]"
Monitor "monitor1"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Virtual 1024 768
Depth 8
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Virtual 1024 768
Depth 15
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Virtual 1024 768
Depth 16
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Virtual 1024 768
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "aticonfig-Screen[0]"
Device "aticonfig-Device[0]"
Monitor "aticonfig-Monitor[0]"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Virtual 1024 768
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection

here is the output from aticonfig to help you pick the options you want

Usage: aticonfig [OPTION] ...
Parses an existing X-Server configuration file and modifies it to
operate with
ATI products.

The following command-line options can be invoked as parameters:

ATI Initial Configuration:
--initial
Generate a default ATI device section in the configuration file
which
is capable of loading the fglrx driver.
--initial=dual-head
Same as '--initial' but generate a basic dual head
configuration file.

TV Options:
--tvf, --tv-format-type=STRING
Change the TV signal format. STRING can be one of:
NTSC-M
NTSC-JPN
NTSC-N
PAL-B
PAL-COMB-N
PAL-D
PAL-G
PAL-H
PAL-I
PAL-K
PAL-K1
PAL-L
PAL-M
PAL-N
PAL-SECAM-D
PAL-SECAM-K
PAL-SECAM-K1
PAL-SECAM-L
Note: Not all graphics cards support every mode. Regional
settings are applicable.
--tvs, --tv-standard-type=STRING
Change the TV standard for TV output. STRING can be one of:
VIDEO
SCART
YUV
--tv-overscan={on|off}
Enable or disable overscan mode for TVout
Note, not all tv-formats support overscan. Try to
toggle overscan off before changing tv-format if
and error occurs.
--tv-info
Print out the current tv geometry, tv format, and if the
tv is physically connected.
--tv-geometry=WIDTHxHEIGHT{+|-}X{+|-}Y
=WIDTHxHEIGHT
Change the size and position of the TVout display.
WIDTH and HEIGHT are in percentage units. Please note
that the valid range for WIDTH and HEIGHT depends on
the tv-format selected. However, as a rule of thumb
WIDTH and HEIGHT are valid in the range [1,100]
X and Y are pixels offsets from centre
of the screen. X and Y are have variable ranges dependant
on ASIC. Use tv-info to get valid X and Y ranges
If tv-geometry is invoked with just width and height
then X and Y are assumed to be 0
See example 5 below for a sample usage.

FireGL Workstation Board Features:
--app, --use-app-profile=STRING
Change the application profile for a FireGL workstation board.
STRING can be one of:
default
maya
softimage-xsi
softimage-3d
houdini4.0
houdini5.0
houdini5.5
FSAA Options:
--fsaa={on|off}
Enable/disable full scene anti-aliasing. Enable this option to
enhance
photo-realism in 3D rendering. Disable it to get the most
accurate 3D
image.
--fs, --fsaa-samples={off,0,2,4,6}
Set the number of FSAA samples per pixel or 2, 4, 6. off is
the same
as setting 0 samples.
--fsg, --fsaa-gamma={on|off}
Enable/disable FSAA gamma.
--fmsp, --fsaa-ms-positions=x0,y0,x1,y1,x2,y2,x3,y3,x4,y4,x5,y5
Change the FSAA Multi-Sample Positions for x0,y0 to x5,y5. You
must
specify exactly 12 real number values separated by commas.

Screen-Related Options:
--ovt, --overlay-type=STRING
Change the overlay for the X server. STRING can be one of:
opengl
Xv
disable
--ovon, --overlay-on={0|1}
Choose which head the hardware overlay should be visible on. The
hardware overlay can be used for either OpenGL, video, pseudo-color
or stereo.
--lcd, --lcd-mode=STRING
Change the LCD mode. STRING can be one of:
center
full
--dtop, --desktop-setup=STRING
Change the desktop setup for multiple display adapters.
STRING can be one of:
single 1 screen, second dark
mirror 2 screens - same content, identical
refresh rate/resolution
Note: This option is NOT supported with
Avivo
clone 2 screens - same content, allows for
different refresh rates/resolutions
horizontal 2 screens - one framebuffer,
screen 1 right of screen 0
horizontal,reverse 2 screens - one framebuffer,
screen 1 left of screen 0
vertical 2 screens - one framebuffer,
screen 1 above of screen 0
vertical,reverse 2 screens - one framebuffer,
screen 1 below of screen 0
Note: This option is not valid if '--initial=dual-head' is
specified.
--vs, --sync-vsync={on|off}
Enable/disable sync buffer swaps with vsync. Enable this option to
prevent tearing during 3D rendering.
--psc, --pseudo-color={on|off}
Enable/disable pseudo-color visuals. Enable this option to get
16-bit
color support.
--stereo={on|off}
Enable/disable quad-buffer stereo support. Enable this option
only for
using applications that support the use of hardware 3D shutter
glasses.
--ss, --stereo-sync={on|off}
Enable/disable quad-buffer stereo sync. Enable this option to
get 3D
glasses to synchronize with the infrared transmitter.
--resolution=Screen#,W1xH1,W2xH2,W3xH3,...
Set the modes for the specified screen. You may specify several
resolutions separated by commas.
Screens start at 0. You can use 1 for dual-head
--hsync=Screen#,LOW-HIGH
Change the horizontal sync range of the specified monitor.
Make sure
you know the capabilities of your monitor before changing this
option.
Screens start at 0. You can use 1 for dual-head
--vrefresh=Screen#,LOW-HIGH
Change the vertical refresh range of the specified monitor.
Make sure
you know the capabilities of your monitor before changing this
option.
Screens start at 0. You can use 1 for dual-head
--hsync2=LOW-HIGH
Change the horizontal sync range of the second display. Make
sure you
know the capabilities of your monitor before changing this option.
--vrefresh2=LOW-HIGH
Change the vertical refresh range of the second display. Make
sure you
know the capabilities of your monitor before changing this option.
--mode2=W1xH1,W2XH2,W3xH3,...
Change the modes for the second display. You may specify several
resolutions separated by commas. Only valid for clone and big
desktop
settings.
--screen-layout={left|right|above|below}
Set the secondary screen position for dual head.
--screen-overlap=NUM
Set the screen overlap region in big desktop mode to be NUM pixels.
--force-monitor=STRING[,STRING...]
Describe all displays that are to be enabled and/or disabled
regardless
of physical connection. STRING can be one or more of the following
set, separated by commas:
crt1
crt2
lvds
tv
tmds1
tmds2
tmds2i
nocrt1
nocrt2
nolvds
notv
notmds1
notmds2
notmds2i

POWERplay Options:
Following options will not change the config file.
These options will be effective immediately. Other options on
the same command line will be ignored.
--lsp, --list-powerstates
Print information about power states and exit.
--set-powerstate=NUMBER
Set a power state listed by --list-powerstates.

Advanced Options:
--tls={on|off}
Enable/disable fast thread local storage. Disable this option when
virtual machines or WineX fail to work properly.
--sb, --signal-block={on|off}
Enable/disable signal blocking. Disable this option when
debugging a
multi-threaded OpenGL application.
--locked-userpages={on|off}
Enable/disable locked user pages. Disable this option if the system
hangs when running fgl_glxgears.
User page lock is no longer available on AGP system now.
--gcpu, --generic-cpu={on|off}
Enable/disable generic CPU. Use this option if the CPU is being
reported improperly. For example: If you have an AMD cpu that is
being reported as Intel.
--max-gart-size=NUMBER
Set user-defined max GART size for non-AGP systems.
Possible integer values are from 64 to 512 (mb).

Dynamic Display Management Options:
Following options will not change the config file. They are
used for querying driver, controller and adaptor information.
These options will be effective immediately. Other options on
the same command line will be ignored.
--enable-monitor=STRING,STRING
Setting current monitor to be enabled. Only 2 displays
can be enabled at the same time. Any displays
that are not on the list will be disabled.
STRING can be one of the following set, separated
by commas:
none
crt1
crt2
lvds
tv
tmds1
tmds2
auto -- use default policy to enable the displays.
--query-monitor
This will return connected and enabled monitor information

External Events Daemon Options:
Following options will not change the config file. They are
used to send commands to the atieventsd external events daemon.
--set-policy=STRING
Sets the event policy for the daemon to be STRING.
See the atieventsd(8) manpage for further details.

Miscellaneous Options:
-v, --verbose
Show what aticonfig is doing.
-q, --quiet
Disable all information output except for errors.
--effective={now,startup}
Choose when the requested changes should take effect.
now: Immediately. This change will affect the running X
session if applicable. Only 'set-powerstate' and
'overlay-on' are applicable for now.
startup: On future X server startups. This change will
modify the
X server configuration file if applicable.
The default is 'now,startup', i.e., do both as applicable.
-i, --input=FILE
Select a FILE to input as the configuration file. Set FILE to
'-' to
pipe from standard input. Without this option, aticonfig will
search
/etc/X11 for the default configuration file.
-o, --output=FILE
Select a FILE to output the new configuration file to. Set
FILE to '-'
to print to standard output. Without this option, aticonfig will
replace the input file with the newly generated file.
-h, --help
Display this help screen.
-f, --force
Only valid with 'initial' option. Force aticonfig to generate
default
Monitor, Device, and Screen sections even if the original
configuration
file has invalid settings in these sections.

Examples:
1. Setting up fglrx for the first time.
Single head : aticonfig --initial --input=/etc/X11/xorg.conf
Dual head : aticonfig --initial=dual-head --screen-layout=above
This command will generate a dual head
configuration
file with the second screen located above the first
screen.
2. Setting up big desktop to horizontal and set overlay on secondary
display.
aticonfig --dtop=horizontal --overlay-on=1
3. Setting up modes for primary display.
aticonfig
--resolution=0,1600x1200,1280x1024,1024x768
4. Force primary CRT on and TV-out off.
aticonfig --force-monitor=crt1,notv
5. Change tv geometry
aticonfig --tv-geometry=85x90+10-10
This will set tv to 85% width (where 100% ==
overscan) 90% height and shift 10 pixels right of centre
and 10 pixels down of centre.

Please report bugs to http://support.ati.com

wooooo hope your head isnot spining, mine is almost lol

well that is all I can give you good luck

C. J. Clegg wrote:
On Tue, 01 Aug 2006 22:11:26 GMT, Tom Horsley
wrote:

You would probably be better off visiting rpm.livna.org
and checking out their fedora kernel modules for installing
the fglrx drivers.

Good afternoon, Tom.

Unfortunately I had to put this project aside for a couple of weeks,
but last night I got back on it again, and tried what you suggested.

I have two Linux hard drives for the HP nw8240 notebook, one with
Fedora Core 3 and the other with Fedora Core 5, both fresh
out-if-the-box installations with plain-vanilla out-of-the-box kernels
(2.6.9-1.667 and 2.6.15-1.2054_FC5, respectively).

I went through the setup and install procedure detailed on the
rpm.livna.org website (basically, "yum install
kernel-module-fglrx-$(uname -r)"). For each attempt (FC3 and FC5),
yum went through what looked like a fairly complete set of operations,
downloading and installing all kinds of cool stuff, then at the very
end it said "No Match for argument: kernel-module-fglrx-2.6.9-1.667
(for FC3; kernel-module-fglrx-2.6.15-1.2054_FC5 for FC5). Nothing to
do."

The notes on the livna website said that one might see something like
that (though the error messages it cited were different) IF one is
trying to use a homegrown kernel or some other non-supported kernel. I
wasn't doing that ... I was using the kernels as directly supplied on
the FC3 and FC5 installation DVDs.

So, still no luck in getting the HP nw8240 to properly run Linux. With
FC3, I get a max resolution of 800x600 (plain vanilla generic VGA
driver) and with FC5 I get no video at all, when trying to use X (both
of them run fine in non-X, non-graphics text mode).

Any ideas?