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On Feb 6, 7:11pm, Jonathan Markevich wrote:
Subject: Re: [S.u.S.E. Linux] Mach64 Problem
On 06-Feb-98 Frank Pawlak wrote:
Looks like you have picked a tough one here :-)
Are they all like this or is this exceptional?
I've setup a few but have never had the challenge factor quite this high.
This is very strange, I read the video mode timings HOWTO and it seems out to lunch. Even the math of his own example doesn't fit his explanations.
That is a tough go, am not sure of the calculations either.
It's confusing, "Maximum Dot clock" on my card is 200.000 but that ain't anywhere near my monitor's capability...
This is in my XF86Config:
# 1024x768 @ 76 Hz, 62.5 kHz hsync Modeline "1024x768" 85 1024 1032 1152 1360 768 784 787 823
My monitor CAN handle 1024x768 @ 76Hz (it can apparenly go up to 80Hz)
I don't like the look of the 85. The startup messages say "This is an illegal mode according to the BIOS" and it sure seems like it.
It appears that the card BIOS is reporting the wrong RAMDAC info to the server config. The is a document on Xfree's web site relating to this problem. You may want ot check it out -- looks like easier reading then the one you picked up yesterday. I had a quick glance at it this morning and it looks as if it explains the options for getting maximum performance from your card.
What I would try first is to make certain that I had the latest server version from XFree. I know you'd like to use the SuSE server but we can do that later once we get something stable running. What I am getting at is to use XF86Setup to do a basic server setup.
I tried both. I had to download the XSuSE one because it wasn't on my CDs!
If the following appears to be simplistic please note that no insults to
your
intelligence are intended, just trying to get a basic known setup that works. This is offered on a take or leave basis and your millage may vary.
Well, I'd rather be told if I'm wrong especially where damage could result!
Much appreciated, some people get offended by too much detail and it can end up in a flame war, and I can understand that too.
Setup the mouse -- if memory serves that is the first step. Setup the keyboard -- using the apply button on this and above.
No problem.
Setting up the card -- just select the card you have from the list, don't do any detailed setup, let XFree do that.
Tried it.
Setting up the monitor -- when you get that screen -- don't select a resolution, enter the correct vertical and horizontal frequency rates for your monitor on the respective lines. They are right above the big section listing various resolutions etc.
Yes, I entered 30-66 and 50-120 and it selected the wrong monitor! It said Multiscan monitor that can do 1280x1024 @ 76! I can only do 60 at that resolution! This seemed like a new bug (since the XSuSE server) I just selected the highest resolution/refresh I could handle.
When I didn't select that, as soon as I went into graphics mode, it kicked out (power down).
This seems to confirm what I indicated above about the RAMDAC information.
Shutdown and restart the server using the above command but substitute 24 & 32 for 16 and recheck all resolutions for stability. I use the Matrox Millennium and 24 bit color depth is flakey but 32 bit works fine -- go figure hey.
I did so, still. More info below.
If everything goes well and is stable. then when you have a server running in 32 bit color mode at highest resolution, grab an xterm and fire up xvidtune and
Doesn't seem to make a difference. I just used the monitor controls.
This concerns me. Xvidtune should have allowed you to adjust the image -- that just makes me wonder -- what in the devil is causing that. Not sure what to say about this just yet...
to do. Restart the xserver and make sure all is well. If it is, then
This was a good explanation, thanks very much.
Thanks for the flowers -- not a problem -- there are rewards in giving back to the community.
Unfortunately, the same result, uh, ...resulted.
But, I think that we learned some things here, so all is not lost.
/etc/XFConfig should have an array of known working modes that can be used to fine tune or re-setup X using a differnet server <real big grin>... Good luck and best regards. Let me know how it works out.
Here I am!
Finally I went in (because of the "Illegal mode" setting and just changed the mode number to 75 (the "Dot Rate" for VESA 1024x768 in my monitor manual) and it worked! Well at 8 and 16, if not the others. Slick. I checked the manual again. Ahh, 1024x768 had a "dot rate" of 78.75, I typed that in and it WORKED! (same story). While I was in there, I changed the Monitor frequencies back to 30-66 and 50-120
Excellent!! Good thinking and good work. This is exactly what the next step was. By doing all the above you proved out where the problem is, once you have it isolated the next logical thing is to fix it. That's great, and am happy for you that it is working.
My BIG question is, am I slowly burning out my monitor or something because of my changes? I didn't really change them with full knowledge of what they did. As of now, I can at least use xfmail without the colors flashing!!!! Grr.
Error on the side of caution is good here. As long. as what you have entered manually is within the monitor spec's I don't see any harm. If your image is distorted, tearing or has lines running through it or your monitor starts to squeal then harm is being done. Kill the server (Ctrl+Alt + Backspace) will give an immediate kill. You may want to visit that doc that I mentioned above, may have some tips that will work to improve overall performance. Millage varies -- I'm an information junkie I guess -- just have to know why things do what they do. Anyway the choice is yours. If you need and desire more help, we can do that next week. I will be AWOL this weekend -- have to do some family things, but Monday I'll be around. let me know how it all works out. That thing with xvidtune not working still bothers me for some reason -- well let's think on it awhile.. Regards, Frank
Well thanks everyone for all your help! If I could build up my knowledge a bit more, I'd consider putting together a mini-howto or something.
--- Jonathan Markevich
You worry too much about your job. Stop it. You're not paid enough to worry.
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