XFree86 Installation ?

[mowman]

I mentioned this in a previous post, but didn't get a reply.

Sorry for posting this again--but which one should work for my ATi Mobility-P 8MB gfx chip (Mach64 server) and IBM 15" LCD screen on my laptop...

1. XFree86 4.0.1 with 2D accel only OR XFree86 3.3.6 with 3D?

This question pops up near the end of the Mandrake 7.2 installation and when I choose either one, I have lots of trouble choosing which monitor in the configuration actually fits my IBM LCD (model ITSX93) since it is not listed.

Then my questions are...

2. Why isn't there any XFree4.0.1 3D support? I went to XFree86.org and they have 3D support for all Mach64 based chips.

3. Which one (3/4) is more stable? I can care less about 3D (although it would be real nice to have)

4. And which monitor should I select...I first tired "GenericLCD", then "ThinkPad 1400x1050" and both didnt work...could I select a generic CRT monitor? Which one?


Thank you for the support

[This message has been edited by mowman (edited 10 December 2000).]

[mowman]

Yeah! I got it to work by selecting a Generic 1024x768 High-Freqencey 70Hz Monitor (CRT is presume) and a setting of 8bit colour INSTEAD of 16bit+

Then I selected XFree86 4.0.1 (2D only?)over XFree86 3.3.6 w/ 3D ... still don't know whether this was a good choice or not, and whether or not my ATI Mobility-P supports 3D under XF86 4.0.1 (it should b/c it's based on the MACH_64 server).

But I don't think everything is perfect yet.

There seems to be some "refresh" flickering that I have never noticed in windows or on a LCD screen...how can change refresh rates in KDE and for that matter, resolutions as well. It's running at 1280x1024 at 8bit colour...I need 1024x768, 16bit. I'm not sure if this will work at higher colour depths and I'm afraid that I will get the BSON that I will explain below

BSON - n. (syn. BSOD) "Black Screen of Nothingness"

I get a BSON upon logging out of KDE...I know BASH or something is there...but I don't see it. I seems that XFree86 can't change resolutions and colour depths that well and crashes...well semi-crashes since at the BSON I got after logging off, I was able to CTRL-ALT-DEL and reboot successful.

So what is the deal here? I'm not a happy man with this XFree stuff...I get BSONs and I don't know how to change resolutions or configure XF86Config (with numbers and such)...even going through xf86config screwed things up previously and I used to recieve error messages like on line 48, etc...

Please help me, or better, give me a config with someone who successfully can run XFree86 at 1024x768 16bit with a:

Dell Inspiron 5000
ATi Mobility P 8MB
15" SXGA+ (IBM ITSX93) LCD Panel
Mandrake 7.2 (just installed http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/smile.gif for the 3rd time
PS/2 mouse

thanks

[Evil Jeff]

Mowman, I don't know about your card, if it has 3d capability, etc, but mine doesn't (ati rage mobility lt pro), and either work fine for me.

For screen, there is normally a set of generic lcd monitors and generic regular monitors. All of them should work, since horizontal sync has no bearing on a monitor without a cathode ray tube in it.

Good luck, if you have any more questions, give me an email.

Evil Jeff
www.hellincorporated.com (http://www.hellincorporated.com)