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robbybabyFlag for United States of America

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Help with vertical scan in XF86Config-4

I successfully installed Mandrake 8.2 (3 CD download version I bought from spidertools.com) on AMD K6 266 (overclocked to 300 on the CPU) socket 7 mainboard with i430TX chipset.  The Mandrake install routine found everything, ISA SB soundcard, ISA modem, usb wheel mouse, all IDE devices, PCI nic OK.

XFDrake found my specific monitor (Princeton E040) and the PCI S3Virge/GX/4MB ram video card.
I edited XF86Config-4 adding multiple horiz scan values from the monitor specs and now the terminal screen is good after logging out of X.  I also fixed? the mouse cursor in X by uncommenting   Option  "HWcursor".

I need help with my remaining problem in X which is vertical scan.

Now when logged into X the mouse smears a gobbledy gook trail whenever you move it.  When I logout of X there are about four lines that all say vertical timings are timed out.

The monitor spec sheet says:
Vertical Scan Range:  Auto-synchronizing 50-110Hz.
It also says:
Maximum Dot Clock:    65MHz (-3db) nominal.
Boot message says I have a i686 kernel. I expected a i586 kernel on a Pentium I?

I can be more specific about error messages, or send you the XF86Config-4 text.
Do you need any other info that will help you to help me with this last vexing problem?
Thanks  
robbybaby    
sylvestb@neteze.com
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Gns

DotClock == pixel clock == How often the graphics equipment can shoot the cannon at a dot on the screen (often called "bandwidth"). This limit pertains to what modelines are feasible on this monitor. The value can (and will) be deduced from the Horizontal refresh/Vertical refresh values.
I'm not sure I understand what you are saying here. FDrake has an entry for your monitor, and the values for Horizontal and vertical refresh are correct (as read from your manual), you shouldn't be bothering with those.

What is far more likely to be happening is that the S3 "missbehaves". Getting the HWCursor/SWcursor setting correct is one of the more common questions we get here for S3s.
man s3virge
will show what other options you have to play with. Turning off acceleration is the first step, to see that it is "fruitful" to play with specific accelerationrelated options.

Also keep in mind that X will "automatically" generate ModeLines if none are mentioned in the XF86Config-4 file. You can copy some lines you find "good" from the 3.3.6 configurationfile /etc/X11/XF86Config (I personally prefer75Hz modes). If this is a flat panel you should use "low refresh modes" like 60Hz ones.

-- Glenn
Grr.... "FDrake ..." should be "If XFDrake ..."

-- Glenn (a.k.a. Le Grand Typo)
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ASKER

Thanks, I'll look at the man s3virge pages pertaining to acceleration & hw cursor/sw cursor.  Meanwhile here is the exact error message after logging out of X.  

s3v: warning: VerticalRetraceWait timed out(1:3).
s3v: warning: VerticalRetraceWait timed out(3:3).
s3v: warning: VerticalRetraceWait timed out(1:3).
s3v: warning: VerticalRetraceWait timed out(3:3).

I do have an i586 kernel.
Its a CRT monitor.
In X the mouse cursor behaves like an Etch-A-Sketch, leaving a
wide trail of crazy colors behind wherever you move it.  

If I had more points I'd give em to you.



 
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Gns

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