Ebicom_Admin
asked on
X-Windows config error
Hi,
Here is a description of my problem:
Please help, I have looked all over the net for a solution to my problem, and no one seems to have the same problem. I recently bought Mandrake Linux 6.5, and immediately attempted to install it. I am installing it on a dual boot Windows '98/Linux system. I followed all instructions that came with the package, creating 2 more partitions, etc, and proceeded to install. I got as far as the X configurator. What happens here is that it detects my video card (ATI Mach 64) then goes on to ask me what kind of monitor I have. I have all my monitor specs right here in front of me, but I selected a range of values WELL inside my monitors capabilities. Even though, it doesn't work. It says X will attempt to test the settings, the screen goes black, and after about 10 seconds it pops up saying an error with X has occurred. I went as far as selecting the most basic options, 8bit color, 640x480, 50hz. I have a CTX VL950 19" monitor, which I know for sure can handle that resolution. Yet, still the same problem. Is there anything I can do or will I be stuck with Windows forever???? HELP!!!
Here is the info you request:
Complete product title: Deluxe Linux operating System 6.5
Error message: Error configuring X-Windows
Make, model, etc: Home-built, PIII 500, 128MB RAM, 20GB HD, Currently running Windows '98, want to dual boot.
Distribution: Linux Mandrake 6.1
Video, sound, etc: ATI Expert @ Play AGP 8mb video card, Diamond Monster sound, CTX VL950 19" Monitor, no network.
e-mail: kstroh@merlin.ebicom.net
Here is a description of my problem:
Please help, I have looked all over the net for a solution to my problem, and no one seems to have the same problem. I recently bought Mandrake Linux 6.5, and immediately attempted to install it. I am installing it on a dual boot Windows '98/Linux system. I followed all instructions that came with the package, creating 2 more partitions, etc, and proceeded to install. I got as far as the X configurator. What happens here is that it detects my video card (ATI Mach 64) then goes on to ask me what kind of monitor I have. I have all my monitor specs right here in front of me, but I selected a range of values WELL inside my monitors capabilities. Even though, it doesn't work. It says X will attempt to test the settings, the screen goes black, and after about 10 seconds it pops up saying an error with X has occurred. I went as far as selecting the most basic options, 8bit color, 640x480, 50hz. I have a CTX VL950 19" monitor, which I know for sure can handle that resolution. Yet, still the same problem. Is there anything I can do or will I be stuck with Windows forever???? HELP!!!
Here is the info you request:
Complete product title: Deluxe Linux operating System 6.5
Error message: Error configuring X-Windows
Make, model, etc: Home-built, PIII 500, 128MB RAM, 20GB HD, Currently running Windows '98, want to dual boot.
Distribution: Linux Mandrake 6.1
Video, sound, etc: ATI Expert @ Play AGP 8mb video card, Diamond Monster sound, CTX VL950 19" Monitor, no network.
e-mail: kstroh@merlin.ebicom.net
ASKER
Yes, it is the Mach 64 chip in the ATI card. The Linux installer detects it with no problems. I am not sure which version of Xfree86 I am using, how would I find out? Also, where would I go to download the full xfree86 source? I have used Linux a lot in the past, but this is my first attempt at installing it.
Thanks for the help.....
Thanks for the help.....
mandrake 6.5, eh? It should say somewhere in your packaging which version of xfree86 is installed. Alternately, you could do a rpm -q -a | grep xfree, and look at the results. It should show which version of xfree86 you have.
You can download the source code for xfree86 from http://www.xfree86.org/ --there are a couple dozen mirrors listed in their download instructions :)
You can download the source code for xfree86 from http://www.xfree86.org/ --there are a couple dozen mirrors listed in their download instructions :)
ASKER
You are right, the box says it is Xfree 3.3.x. I guess that is the same thing as Xfree86. I will try the downloaded version and see what happens....
ASKER
Ok, the file I downloaded has a .diff.gz extension. I know what the gz part is, but not the .diff part. What do I do with this downloaded file?
Two answers: 1) a diff is a difference file between 2 source code bases. Apply it using the patch tool, called patch. cd to the directory above your Xwindows source directory, gunzip the diff file, and type patch -p0 patchfile.diff
2) I don't trust Mandrake to get much of anything right, so I'd download ALL of the xfree86 source, everything for xfree86 3.3.5, and compile from there. Mandrake seems to be able to bungle the simplest things--such as compiling the S3 server for Xwindows correctly. How they screwed that one up is beyond me, since all they had to do was type 'make', but they managed to do it. Even Redhat could learn a thing or two from Mandrake, when it comes to hosing a distribution </rant>
I'll be on vacation for about a week, so I'll be slow to respond--you'll hear from me in a week, if you have more questions. Basically, download the xfree86 3.3.5 .tar.gz files :)
:)
2) I don't trust Mandrake to get much of anything right, so I'd download ALL of the xfree86 source, everything for xfree86 3.3.5, and compile from there. Mandrake seems to be able to bungle the simplest things--such as compiling the S3 server for Xwindows correctly. How they screwed that one up is beyond me, since all they had to do was type 'make', but they managed to do it. Even Redhat could learn a thing or two from Mandrake, when it comes to hosing a distribution </rant>
I'll be on vacation for about a week, so I'll be slow to respond--you'll hear from me in a week, if you have more questions. Basically, download the xfree86 3.3.5 .tar.gz files :)
:)
ASKER
Ok, will do. Just out of curiosity, which distribution would you recomend that is easiest to install and will most likely work the best? Also, in order to compile this thing, all i should have to type is "make" and the filename, right? I just don't want to screw it up!
Thanks again.....
Thanks again.....
ASKER
Ok, I downloaded the full xfree86 3.5.5. It is like 3 files each around 15mb. How can I transfer those files from my Windows partition to my Linux partition? I tried a program called linux-to-dos that runs in windows, but for some reason it can't see my Linux partition. Is there any way to get it from the windows partition from inside Linux? Please help!
mount the windows partition under Linux
mount -t vfat /dev/(windoze partition) mount point.
Pray that mandrake compiled support into the kernel for vfat :)
Copy the source to the main directory, then run make config (or if you have an option ./configure). Then make install cleanwill do the rest. Just read the makefile and ensure that these options exist.
You could have downloaded the rpms as well, they are available at redhat (though I got mine from xfree86.org)
then its simply a matter of rpm -ivh <filename>.rpm and you have the server installed.
mount -t vfat /dev/(windoze partition) mount point.
Pray that mandrake compiled support into the kernel for vfat :)
Copy the source to the main directory, then run make config (or if you have an option ./configure). Then make install cleanwill do the rest. Just read the makefile and ensure that these options exist.
You could have downloaded the rpms as well, they are available at redhat (though I got mine from xfree86.org)
then its simply a matter of rpm -ivh <filename>.rpm and you have the server installed.
Sorry thats make install clean.
I avoid pre-compiled rpm files since redhat likes to put security holes in their kernels. I don't trust them to be able to configure and run a compile properly. Mandrake has proven itself to be incapable of doing so as well.
Source! :)
Source! :)
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ASKER
Thanks, what I ended up doing is buying an old TNT card from a friend, and when I re-installed Linux this time, everything works, including X-Windows! My only problem now is that it is at 640x480, could someone tell me how to change the resolution inside KDE? Thanks!
What chipset does the Xpert@Play card use?
I'm pretty sure it's a bit of wonkiness with either your Xserver, or your xconfig. According to the xfree86.org page, The Xpert@Play is definitely a Mach64 card, so you should be using the right driver.
What version of Xfree86 are you using?