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en:guides:xorg-xvesa [2010/06/20 16:25] – cleaned intro seawolfen:guides:xorg-xvesa [2010/09/12 13:49] (current) – linea
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 ====== Xorg & XVesa ====== ====== Xorg & XVesa ======
  
-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. Occaisionally, 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:+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:
  
   * 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.   * 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.
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 ===== Using Xorg & Vendor-Specific Drivers ===== ===== Using Xorg & Vendor-Specific Drivers =====
  
-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.+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.
  
-**If you have a AGP-Videocard** 
  
-Check with "lspci" - if you find AGP, you should do this first:+=== AGP Cards === 
 + 
 +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: 
 <code> <code>
 # tazpkg get-install linux-agp # tazpkg get-install linux-agp
-</code> Then load the modules:+</code> 
 + 
 +Load the modules using the SliTaz hardware detection tool: 
 <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>
  
-<code># tazx</code> And install your video driver from the list.+Select the appropriate driver for your video card from the list.
  
-- but sometimes this is not enough. 
  
-**DRI / DRM Problem**+=== 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:+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>
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 # 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>
  
 +for the driver to work.
  
-=== Intel cards ===+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:
  
-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.+  *  //nomodeset// 
 +  *  //i810.modeset=0// 
 +  *  //i915.modeset=0//
  
-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).+If mode-setting is off by default and should instead be turned on, append one of the following:
  
-Some users may need to add the "intel_agp" module to the xorg.conf file: +  *  //modeset// 
-<code>Section "Module" +  *  //i810.modeset=1// 
-        ... +  *  //i915.modeset=1//
- Load  "intel_agp" +
-EndSection</code> +
-for the driver to work.+
  
 === Trident cards === === Trident cards ===
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 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 === === 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: +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. 
-<code># tazhw setup nvidia --non-free </code>+\\
  
-**To setup non-free nvidia manually:**+== Free Driver (nv) ==
  
-First download: mesa mesa-demos linux-agp nvidia +To set-up the free nVidia drivers, use the SliTaz Hardware Configuration tool: 
-<code># tazpkg get-install nvidia+<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 +  * Attempt to configure the card with nVidia's tool: 
-</code>+<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> 
 + 
 +== Hiding the Logo == 
 +To hide the nVidia logo when the system boots, add the following to ///etc/X11/xorg.conf// at the end of the //Device// section: 
 +<file>Option "NoLogo" "True"</file> 
  
 === ATI cards === === ATI cards ===
  
-For free ati drivers (preferred), do: +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. 
-<code>tazpkg get-install linux-agp +\\
-tazpkg get-install linux-drm +
-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** +== Free Driver (radeon) ==
  
-For non-free ati catalyst drivers (known to be not so good), do: +To set-up the free ATI drivers, install the AGP & DRM modules, then use the SliTaz Hardware Configuration tool:
-<code> tazhw setup ati --non-free </code>+
  
-**To setup free ati manually:**+<code># tazpkg get-install linux-agp 
 +# tazpkg get-install linux-drm 
 +# tazhw setup ati</code>
  
-First download: xorg-xf86-video-ati mesa-dri-ati mesa-demos linux-agp+- 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 ]] 
 + 
 +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
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 # 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 +  * To install the free ATI driver radeon, replace //vesa// with //radeon// in the ///etc/X11/xorg.conf// file: 
-</code>+<code># sed -i 's/vesa/radeon/' /etc/X11/xorg.conf</code> 
 + 
 + 
 +== Non-Free Driver (catalyst) == 
 + 
 +To set-up the non-free ATI drivers, use the SliTaz Hardware Configuration tool with the //--non-free// switch: 
 +<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 ===== ===== Configuring X =====
  
-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.+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.
  
-I edited the following sections in xorg.conf (/etc/X11/xorg.conf): 
  
-1) Include HorizSync and VertRefresh  in section "Monitor" +=== Adding Resolutions === 
-<code>+1. Include //HorizSync// and //VertRefresh// (refresh timings) in the //Monitor// section: 
 + 
 +<file>
 Section "Monitor" Section "Monitor"
  Identifier   "Monitor0"  Identifier   "Monitor0"
Line 169: Line 210:
  VertRefresh  60  VertRefresh  60
 EndSection EndSection
-</code> +</file>
- +
-2a) In Section "Screen"; added Default Depth+
  
-<code>+2. Include a //DefaultDepth// in the //Screen// section: 
 +  
 +<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
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  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 202: 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) =====
  
-===== XVesa ISO (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.
  
-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]]+To find out which resolutions are possible with your card, type:
  
-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> 
  
-<code>Xvesa -listmodes</code>  +Here's a selection of resolutions for an example Intel Atom Board:
-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) <code>VBE version 3.0 (Intel(r) 82945GM Chipset Family Graphics Chip Accelerated VGA BIOS)
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 0x0115: 800x600x24 TrueColor [8:8:8:8]</code> 0x0115: 800x600x24 TrueColor [8:8:8:8]</code>
  
-So widescreen resolutions cannot be displayed with the slitaz-3.0-xvesa.iso.+This output shows widescreen resolutions cannot be displayed with XVesa.
  
-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.+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!
  
  
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 |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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en/guides/xorg-xvesa.1277051137.txt.gz · Last modified: (external edit)