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-====== Xorg - Xvesa ======+====== Xorg & XVesa ======
  
-The # sign means that you do this command as root on your console.+By default, SliTaz v3 uses Xorg 7.4 with the //xorg-xf86-video-vesa// v2.0.0 driver. This basic driver can cause problems with certain hardware combinations and can sometimes result in a very low resolution. Occasionally, X does not start at all and instead falls back to the log-in screen or to a text-based prompt. There are some simple solutions that can yield major improvements:
  
-The default Slitaz-3.0.iso uses xorg 7.4 with the xorg-xf86-video-vesa 2.0.0 driver. This xvesa-driver can cause quite a few problems - it can result in a very low resolution or X does not start at all (falls back to slim or to the console). There are however some more possibilities:+  * check that you have enough RAM to run the default ISO. If not, use the [[http://mirror.slitaz.org/iso/3.0/flavors/|Low RAM ISO]] instead. 
 +  * try the [[http://mirror.slitaz.org/iso/3.0/flavors/slitaz-3.0-xvesa.iso|XVesa ISO]] (a.k.a. TinyX) 
 +  * install a more specific driver for your graphics card 
 +  * customise your Xorg configuration file (//xorg.conf//)
  
-  * check first, if you have enough Ram to run the default.iso - if not use the [[http://mirror.slitaz.org/iso/3.0/flavors/|lowram.iso]] +Good introductions to Xorg Configuration can be found at [[http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en/books/handbook/x-config.html|The FreeBSD Handbook]] and [[https://wiki.ubuntu.com/X/Config|X Configuration from Ubuntu]].
-  * you use the slitaz-3.0-xvesa.iso (TinyX) +
-  * you install the xorg video driver for your card +
-  * you can try to change your xorg.conf+
  
-Note: In Xorg versions up to 7.3, the Ctrl+Alt+Backspace key combination could be used to quit the X server. To enable it in version 7.4 and later, you can type the following command from any X terminal emulator:+<note tip> Up to v7.3, the Ctrl+Alt+Backspace key combination could be used to quit the X server. To enable it in version 7.4 and later, type the following command from any X terminal emulator:
  
 <code>setxkbmap -option terminate:ctrl_alt_bksp</code> <code>setxkbmap -option terminate:ctrl_alt_bksp</code>
  
-Good introductions to Xorg Configuration: [[http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en/books/handbook/x-config.html|The FreeBSD Handbook]] and [[https://wiki.ubuntu.com/X/Config|X Configuration from Ubuntu]]+</note>
  
 +<note important>
 +Throughout this page, commands preceeded with a hash sign (#) should be executed as the **root** user. This is best under a terminal window. Otherwise, the dollar symbol ($) denotes a regular (tux) user.
 +</note>
  
-===== slitaz-xvesa.iso with tinyX Server ===== 
  
 +===== Using Xorg & Vendor-Specific Drivers =====
  
-You can download the slitaz-3.0-xvesa.iso here: [[http://mirror.slitaz.org/iso/3.0/flavors/slitaz-3.0-xvesa.iso|SliTaz-3.0-xvesa.iso]]+When you are using SliTaz as your main system, it's recommended to use Xorg over XVesa. You will get a much better display and performance than when using Xvesa tinyX.
  
-It boots on nearly all computers and laptops, but you can only display a 4:3 resolution. To find out which resolutions are possible with your card, type: 
  
-<code>Xvesa -listmodes</code>  +=== AGP Cards ===
-Here's a selection of resolutions for my Intel Atom Board:+
  
-<code>VBE version 3.0 (Intel(r) 82945GM Chipset Family Graphics Chip Accelerated VGA BIOS) +All AGP video cards need extra kernel modules to function under Xorg. Check if you have an AGP video card with //lspci//; if so, install the necessary modules in the //linux-agp// package before using Xorg:
-DAC is switchable, controller is VGA compatible, RAMDAC causes snow +
-Total memory: 7872 kilobytes +
-0x015A: 1600x1200x24 TrueColor [8:8:8:8] +
-0x011B: 1280x1024x24 TrueColor [8:8:8:8] +
-0x0118: 1024x768x24 TrueColor [8:8:8:8] +
-0x0112: 640x480x24 TrueColor [8:8:8:8] +
-0x0115: 800x600x24 TrueColor [8:8:8:8]</code>+
  
-So widescreen resolutions cannot be displayed with the slitaz-3.0-xvesa.iso.+<code> 
 +# tazpkg get-install linux-agp 
 +</code>
  
-If X does not start with the default SliTaz.iso (falls back to slim), you could use the xvesa.iso to install your default xorg driver. Because when you are asked for your resolution at boot, you can scroll down the window and find the possibility to install your xorg.driver before X is started. But don't use "tazx" and "tazhw setup ati or nv" on the xvesa.iso to install your xorg driver, because you will end up with a black screen.+Load the modules using the SliTaz hardware detection tool:
  
-===== Xorg Video Driver ===== 
- 
-When you are using SliTaz as your daily OS, it's recommended to setup your default xorg video driver. You will get a much better picture than using the xvesa driver or tinyX. 
- 
-**If you have a AGP-Videocard** 
- 
-Check with "lspci" - if you find AGP, you should do this first: 
-<code> 
-# tazpkg get-install linux-agp 
-</code> Then load the modules: 
 <code># tazhw detect-pci</code>  <code># tazhw detect-pci</code> 
  
-Then normally, you just run as root:+You can now use the SliTaz X configuration tool to detect your settings:
  
-<code># tazx</code> And install your video driver from the list.+<code># tazx</code>
  
-- but sometimes this is not enough.+Select the appropriate driver for your video card from the list.
  
-**DRI / DRM Problem** 
  
-[[http://www.bitwiz.org.uk/s/how-dri-and-drm-work.html|DRI / DRM]] - SliTaz 3.0 has a file in a wrong place - /dev/dri should be a directory and not a file. And to get DRI working: we have to add tux to the group video:+=== DRI / DRM Problem === 
 + 
 +Sometimes, the auto-detection is not enough. Cards that require [[http://www.bitwiz.org.uk/s/how-dri-and-drm-work.html|DRI / DRM]] are supported under SliTaz, but v3 has a couple of bugs! The file ///dev/dri// should be a directory and not a file and, to get DRI working correctly, we have to add tux to the group video or modify permissions in the Xorg configuration file:
  
 <code> <code>
Line 69: Line 56:
 # addgroup tux video # addgroup tux video
 </code> </code>
-The module drm is not loaded by tazhw, you have to do it manually:+ 
 +The //drm// module is not loaded by //tazhw// so you have to do it manually:
 <code># modprobe drm</code> <code># modprobe drm</code>
  
-**Load modules persistently**+<note tip>All modules, which are loaded by tazhw and yourself to make your changes permanent, have to be added to the SliTaz Control Box under Initialization in "Load Modules". </note>
  
-Please note that all modules, which are loaded by tazhw and yourself to make your changes permanent, have to be added to the SliTaz Control Box under Initialization in "Load modules". 
  
-**Change your xorg.conf**+=== Intel cards ===
  
-Normally X will start, but perhaps not with the correct resolution. See the tips at the end of this page or sometimes search the net for the xorg.conf for your card and your monitor - or use another LiveCD and copy the working conf file to SliTaz.+The xorg-xf86-video-vesa 2.0.0 driver has a lot of trouble with Intel chips. For example, on a 82945GM chipset it does not display 1280x1024 and 1024x768, but 1600x1200 is not a problem.
  
-**Restart X**+Use "tazx" to select the intel driver, then "tazhw detect-pci", solve the dri problem and load drm and restart X - normally that's it (perhaps you must change your xorg.conf too).
  
-Use the normal shutdown button and select on SliTaz Desktop logout the button Logout X session.+Some users may need to add the "intel_agp" module to the xorg.conf file:
  
-Check the /var/log/Xorg.0.log to see if you get any essential (WW)- warnings or (EE) - errors. When you installed mesa-demos you can test if rendering is working: +<file> 
-<code>glxinfo | grep render</code>+Section "Module" 
 +        ... 
 + Load  "intel_agp" 
 + ... 
 +EndSection 
 +</file>
  
-=== intel-video cards ===+for the driver to work.
  
-The xorg-xf86-video-vesa 2.0.0 driver has a lot of trouble with intel chips - e.g. on my 82945GM Chipset it does not display 1280x1024 and 1024x768, but 1600x1200 is not a problem.+Depending on the hardware, the //mode-setting// feature must be turned on or off. To turn it off append one of the following to the //kernel// line in the GRUB boot-loader configuration:
  
-Use "tazx" to select the intel driver, then "tazhw detect-pci", solve the dri problem and load drm and restart X - normally that's it (perhaps you must change your xorg.conf).+  *  //nomodeset// 
 +  *  //i810.modeset=0// 
 +  *  //i915.modeset=0//
  
-Some users may need to add the "intel_agp" module to the xorg.conf file: +If mode-setting is off by default and should instead be turned on, append one of the following: 
-<code>Section "Module" + 
-        ... +  *  //modeset// 
- Load  "intel_agp" +  *  //i810.modeset=1// 
-EndSection</code> +  *  //i915.modeset=1//
-for the driver to work.+
  
-=== trident-video cards ===+=== Trident cards ===
  
 Use "tazx" to select the trident driver, install mesa-dri-trident Use "tazx" to select the trident driver, install mesa-dri-trident
 <code># tazpkg get-install mesa-dri-trident</code>and restart X <code># tazpkg get-install mesa-dri-trident</code>and restart X
  
-=== nvidia cards === 
-Slitaz provides automatic configuration for nvidia cards.  
-For free nvidia drivers, do: 
-<code># tazhw setup nvidia </code> 
  
-For non-free nvidia drivers (supplied by NVIDIA), do: +=== nVidia cards ===
-<code># tazhw setup nvidia --non-free </code>+
  
-**To setup non-free nvidia manually:**+SliTaz provides automatic configuration for nVidia cards. There are two drivers available, the Xorg-provided //[[#free-driver-nv|nv]]// and the nVidia-provided, non-free //[[#non-free-driver-nvidia|nvidia]]//. The //nv// driver should be tried first as this has been compiled for SliTaz, whereas the nVidia-supplied driver is a //binary blob// that tries to fit each and every Linux distribution. 
 +\\
  
-First download: mesa mesa-demos linux-agp nvidia +== Free Driver (nv) == 
-<code># tazpkg get-install nvidia+ 
 +To set-up the free nVidia drivers, use the SliTaz Hardware Configuration tool: 
 +<code># tazhw setup nvidia </code> 
 + 
 +Alternatively, you can do this process manually: 
 +  * Download the following packages: 
 +    *  mesa, mesa-demos, linux-agp, xorg-xf86-video-nv 
 +<code># tazpkg get-install xorg-xf86-video-nv
 # tazpkg get-install mesa # tazpkg get-install mesa
 # tazpkg get-install mesa-demos # tazpkg get-install mesa-demos
 # tazpkg get-install linux-agp</code> # tazpkg get-install linux-agp</code>
-Load modules+ 
 +  * Load the kernel modules 
 <code># tazhw detect-pci</code> <code># tazhw detect-pci</code>
-To configure nvidia automatically  
-<code># nvidia-xconfig</code>  
-To test if rendering is working 
-<code>glxinfo | grep render</code> 
-To change nvidia settings  
-<code># nvidia-settings</code> 
  
-For no logo at bootup, add the following to xorg.conf +  * Replace the standard //vesa// driver with //nv// 
-<code>Option "NoLogo" "True"+<code># sed -i 's/vesa/nv/' /etc/X11/xorg.conf
 </code> </code>
  
-**To setup free nvidia manually:**+== Non-Free Driver (nvidia) ==
  
-First download: mesa mesa-demos linux-agp xorg-xf86-video-nv +To set-up the non-free nVidia drivers, use the SliTaz Hardware Configuration tool with the //--non-free// switch: 
-<code># tazpkg get-install xorg-xf86-video-nv+<code># tazhw setup nvidia --non-free </code> 
 + 
 +Alternatively, you can do this process manually: 
 +  * Download the following packages: 
 +    *  mesa mesa-demos linux-agp nvidia 
 +<code># tazpkg get-install nvidia
 # tazpkg get-install mesa # tazpkg get-install mesa
 # tazpkg get-install mesa-demos # tazpkg get-install mesa-demos
 # tazpkg get-install linux-agp</code> # tazpkg get-install linux-agp</code>
-Load modules + 
 +  * Load the kernel modules 
 <code># tazhw detect-pci</code> <code># tazhw detect-pci</code>
-Replace vesa with nv 
-<code># sed -i 's/vesa/nv/' /etc/X11/xorg.conf 
-</code> 
  
-=== ati cards ===+  * Attempt to configure the card with nVidia's tool: 
 +<code># nvidia-xconfig</code> 
 +  * To test if rendering is working,  
 +<code># glxinfo | grep render</code> 
 +  * To change nVidia's settings, use nVidia's Settings tool: 
 +<code># nvidia-settings</code>
  
-For free ati drivers (preferred), do: +== Hiding the Logo == 
-<code>tazpkg get-install linux-agp +To hide the nVidia logo when the system boots, add the following to ///etc/X11/xorg.conf// at the end of the //Device// section: 
-tazpkg get-install linux-drm +<file>Option "NoLogo" "True"</file>
-tazhw setup ati</code>+
  
-- but perhaps this is not enough - check /var/log/Xorg.0.log to see if other modules must be loaded: See **DRI / DRM Problem**  
  
-For non-free ati catalyst drivers (known to be not so good), do: +=== ATI cards === 
-<code> tazhw setup ati --non-free </code>+ 
 +SliTaz provides automatic configuration for ATI cards. There are two drivers available, the Xorg-provided //[[#free-driver-radeon|radeon]]// and the ATI-provided, non-free //[[#non-free-driver-catalyst|catalyst]]//. The //ati// driver should be tried first as this has been compiled for SliTaz, whereas the ATI-supplied driver is a //binary blob// that tries to fit each and every Linux distribution. 
 +\\ 
 + 
 +== Free Driver (radeon) == 
 + 
 +To set-up the free ATI drivers, install the AGP & DRM modules, then use the SliTaz Hardware Configuration tool: 
 + 
 +<code># tazpkg get-install linux-agp 
 +# tazpkg get-install linux-drm 
 +# tazhw setup ati</code>
  
-**To setup free ati manually:**+- but perhaps this is not enough - check /var/log/Xorg.0.log to see if other modules must be loaded: See [[#dri-drm-problem | DRI / DRM Problem ]]
  
-First download: xorg-xf86-video-ati mesa-dri-ati mesa-demos linux-agp+Alternatively, you can do this process manually: 
 +  * Download the following packages: 
 +    *  xorg-xf86-video-ati mesa-dri-ati mesa-demos linux-agp
 <code># tazpkg get-install xorg-xf86-video-ati <code># tazpkg get-install xorg-xf86-video-ati
 # tazpkg get-install mesa-dri-ati # tazpkg get-install mesa-dri-ati
Line 166: Line 175:
 # tazpkg get-install linux-agp # tazpkg get-install linux-agp
 # tazpkg get-install linux-drm</code> # tazpkg get-install linux-drm</code>
-Load modules+ 
 +  * Load the kernel modules 
 <code># tazhw detect-pci</code> <code># tazhw detect-pci</code>
-The free ati driver is called radeon, replace vesa with radeon 
-<code># sed -i 's/vesa/radeon/' /etc/X11/xorg.conf 
-</code> 
  
-===== Edit Xorg.conf manually =====+  * To install the free ATI driver radeon, replace //vesa// with //radeon// in the ///etc/X11/xorg.conf// file: 
 +<code># sed -i 's/vesa/radeon/' /etc/X11/xorg.conf</code>
  
-This is how we can get a 1024x768 resolution: if your display is stuck at a low resolution, say 800x600, just add edit "Modes" in step 2b below. 
  
-I edited the following sections in xorg.conf (/etc/X11/xorg.conf):+== Non-Free Driver (catalyst) ==
  
-1) Include HorizSync and VertRefresh  in section "Monitor" +To set-up the non-free ATI drivers, use the SliTaz Hardware Configuration tool with the //--non-free// switch: 
-<code>+<code># tazhw setup ati --non-free </code> 
 + 
 + 
 +=== Modifying the Xorg Configuration === 
 + 
 +Normally Xorg will start successfully, but perhaps not with the correct resolution. See the [[#adding-resolutions|tips]] at the end of this page or sometimes search the Internet for the xorg.conf for your card and your monitor - or use another LiveCD and copy the working configuration file to SliTaz. 
 + 
 + 
 +===== Configuring X ===== 
 + 
 +While X will do it's bets to auto-configure itself for your graphics card set-up, sometimes it needs a tweak. Its configuration file, ///etc/X11/xorg.conf//, is the place to customise the configuration. The best example of this is switching drivers or adding resolutions it doesn't detect. 
 + 
 + 
 +=== Adding Resolutions === 
 +1. Include //HorizSync// and //VertRefresh// (refresh timings) in the //Monitor// section: 
 + 
 +<file>
 Section "Monitor" Section "Monitor"
  Identifier   "Monitor0"  Identifier   "Monitor0"
Line 187: Line 210:
  VertRefresh  60  VertRefresh  60
 EndSection EndSection
-</code>+</file>
  
-2a) In Section "Screen"; added Default Depth +2. Include a //DefaultDepth// in the //Screen// section: 
- +  
-<code>+<file>
 Section "Screen" Section "Screen"
  Identifier "Screen0"  Identifier "Screen0"
  Device     "Card0"  Device     "Card0"
  Monitor    "Monitor0"  Monitor    "Monitor0"
- DefaultDepth 24 +** DefaultDepth 24 ** 
-</code>+</file>
  
-2b) In Sub-section Display: added "Modes" +3. Add an extra //Mode// to the line in the //Display// sub-section: 
-<code>+ 
 +<file>
    SubSection "Display"    SubSection "Display"
  Viewport   0 0  Viewport   0 0
Line 206: Line 230:
  Modes   "1024x768" "800x600"  Modes   "1024x768" "800x600"
  EndSubSection  EndSubSection
-</code>+</file>
  
-3) Also, added default Slitaz Font path in Section Files +4. Also, add the default Font paths in the //Files// section: 
-<code>+ 
 +<file>
 Section "Files" Section "Files"
  ModulePath   "/usr/lib/X11/modules"  ModulePath   "/usr/lib/X11/modules"
Line 220: Line 245:
  FontPath     "/usr/share/fonts/truetype/ttf-dejavu"  FontPath     "/usr/share/fonts/truetype/ttf-dejavu"
 EndSection EndSection
-</code>+</file>
  
-You can use xrandr to identify your monitor(s) [[http://wiki.debian.org/XStrikeForce/HowToRandR12|Debian RandR 1.2 Wiki]]+  *  If you have DRI/DRM enabled, it may be easier to change its permission so all users can use it, rather than adding each to the //video// group. Append the following section: 
 + 
 +<file> 
 +Section "DRI" 
 +        Mode 0666 
 +EndSection 
 +</file> 
 + 
 + 
 +<note tip>You can use xrandr to identify your monitor(s). This utility is in the //xorg-xrandr// package:
  
 <code># tazpkg get-install xorg-xrandr</code> <code># tazpkg get-install xorg-xrandr</code>
 +
 +See the [[http://wiki.debian.org/XStrikeForce/HowToRandR12|Debian RandR 1.2 Wiki]] for more information.
 +</note>
 +
 +
 +=== Restarting Xorg ===
 +
 +For changes to take effect, you need to restart Xorg. This can be done by logging out of your session and back in again. Choose //Logout// from the Menu and select the //Logout X session// button. If you see the Slim log-in manager, Xorg has restarted successfully!
 +
 +
 +===== Using XVesa and Generic Drivers (TinyX) =====
 +
 +The [[http://mirror.slitaz.org/iso/3.0/flavors/slitaz-3.0-xvesa.iso|SliTaz-3.0-xvesa.iso]] uses the XVesa system instead of Xorg, which offers a more generic driver at the cost of performance. It boots on nearly all computers and laptops, but can only display a 4:3 resolution.
 +
 +To find out which resolutions are possible with your card, type:
 +
 +<code># Xvesa -listmodes</code> 
 +
 +Here's a selection of resolutions for an example Intel Atom Board:
 +
 +<code>VBE version 3.0 (Intel(r) 82945GM Chipset Family Graphics Chip Accelerated VGA BIOS)
 +DAC is switchable, controller is VGA compatible, RAMDAC causes snow
 +Total memory: 7872 kilobytes
 +0x015A: 1600x1200x24 TrueColor [8:8:8:8]
 +0x011B: 1280x1024x24 TrueColor [8:8:8:8]
 +0x0118: 1024x768x24 TrueColor [8:8:8:8]
 +0x0112: 640x480x24 TrueColor [8:8:8:8]
 +0x0115: 800x600x24 TrueColor [8:8:8:8]</code>
 +
 +This output shows widescreen resolutions cannot be displayed with XVesa.
 +
 +If X does not start with the default SliTaz ISO, you could use the XVesa ISO to install your default Xorg driver. When you are asked for your resolution at boot-time, scroll down the window and find the option to install your Xorg driver //before// XVesa is started. However, don't use "tazx" and "tazhw setup ati or nv" on the XVesa ISO to install your Xorg driver because you will end up with a blank and confused screen!
  
  
Line 235: Line 301:
 |Problems| add a [[http://forum.slitaz.org|forum post link]]| |Problems| add a [[http://forum.slitaz.org|forum post link]]|
 |:::     | OR add a [[http://labs.slitaz.org/issues |lab issue tracker link ]]| |:::     | OR add a [[http://labs.slitaz.org/issues |lab issue tracker link ]]|
-|How to Improve| How about other xorg-cards? | +|How to Improve| Extra config. for other cards? | 
-|::: | More details or references on Xorg.conf  |+|::: | More details on or references to xorg.conf  |
  
 \\ \\
 ---- ----
 
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