Strange resolution / xserve / gnome problem on acer laptop, debian lenny testing

phil989 · 05-24-2008, 03:48 AM

i've had the stable release of debian for a while - and so i thought i'd change the sources file, run apt-get distupgrade. turns out this was a mistake, so i did a fresh netinstall of Lenny.

the screen of the laptop has broken, and so i am using an external monitor all the time - and it seems that the full resolution of 1280x1024 is supported (the monitor itself claims vga in: 1280x1024). yet, gnome only uses about 2/3 of the screen by default. ie, the bottom gnome panel is on the bottom of the screen - but the wallpaper fills the screen, and windows / cursor can be put down there. (this is how it shows after booting for the first time, haven't changed anything apart from aptitude full-upgrade before logging into X)

i discovered that i could move the bottom panel and it would spring to the bottom, seemingly solving the problem. but if, for example, one of those dualogue boxes asking for the administrative password comes up, then only 2/3 of the display is 'shaded' black.

i've tried reconfiguring the xserve - but oddly it doesn't even mention a display, only keyboards and the like. my xorg.conf file is seemingly devoid of a video driver as well,

Code:

Section "InputDevice"
    Identifier    "Generic Keyboard"
    Driver        "kbd"
    Option        "XkbRules"    "xorg"
    Option        "XkbModel"    "pc105"
    Option        "XkbLayout"    "gb"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
    Identifier    "Configured Mouse"
    Driver        "mouse"
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier    "Configured Video Device"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier    "Configured Monitor"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier    "Default Screen"
    Monitor        "Configured Monitor"
EndSection

this is the output of lspci -v

Code:

00:00.0 Host bridge: ATI Technologies Inc Radeon 9100 IGP Host Bridge (rev 02)
    Subsystem: Acer Incorporated [ALI] Device 0065
    Flags: bus master, 66MHz, medium devsel, latency 64
    Memory at ea000000 (32-bit, prefetchable) [size=32M]
    Memory at e8000000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
    Capabilities: [a0] AGP version 3.0
    Kernel driver in use: agpgart-ati
    Kernel modules: ati-agp

00:01.0 PCI bridge: ATI Technologies Inc Radeon 9100 IGP AGP Bridge
    Flags: bus master, 66MHz, medium devsel, latency 99
    Bus: primary=00, secondary=01, subordinate=01, sec-latency=68
    I/O behind bridge: 00009000-00009fff
    Memory behind bridge: e8100000-e81fffff
    Prefetchable memory behind bridge: f0000000-f7ffffff
    Kernel modules: shpchp

00:13.0 USB Controller: ATI Technologies Inc OHCI USB Controller #1 (rev 01) (prog-if 10)
    Subsystem: Acer Incorporated [ALI] Device 0065
    Flags: bus master, 66MHz, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 18
    Memory at e8001000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
    Kernel driver in use: ohci_hcd
    Kernel modules: ohci-hcd

00:13.1 USB Controller: ATI Technologies Inc OHCI USB Controller #2 (rev 01) (prog-if 10)
    Subsystem: Acer Incorporated [ALI] Device 0065
    Flags: bus master, 66MHz, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 18
    Memory at e8002000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
    Kernel driver in use: ohci_hcd
    Kernel modules: ohci-hcd

00:13.2 USB Controller: ATI Technologies Inc EHCI USB Controller (rev 01) (prog-if 20)
    Subsystem: Acer Incorporated [ALI] Device 0065
    Flags: bus master, 66MHz, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 18
    Memory at e8003000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
    Capabilities: [dc] Power Management version 2
    Kernel driver in use: ehci_hcd
    Kernel modules: ehci-hcd

00:14.0 SMBus: ATI Technologies Inc SMBus (rev 1a)
    Subsystem: Acer Incorporated [ALI] Device 0065
    Flags: 66MHz, medium devsel
    I/O ports at 8060 [size=16]
    Memory at e8004000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=1K]
    Kernel driver in use: piix4_smbus
    Kernel modules: i2c-piix4

00:14.1 IDE interface: ATI Technologies Inc Dual Channel Bus Master PCI IDE Controller (prog-if 8a [Master SecP PriP])
    Subsystem: Acer Incorporated [ALI] Device 0065
    Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 16
    I/O ports at 01f0 [size=8]
    I/O ports at 03f4 [size=1]
    I/O ports at 0170 [size=8]
    I/O ports at 0374 [size=1]
    I/O ports at 8070 [size=16]
    Kernel driver in use: ATIIXP_IDE
    Kernel modules: atiixp

00:14.3 ISA bridge: ATI Technologies Inc Device 434c
    Subsystem: Acer Incorporated [ALI] Device 0065
    Flags: bus master, 66MHz, medium devsel, latency 0

00:14.4 PCI bridge: ATI Technologies Inc IXP200 3COM 3C920B Ethernet Controller (prog-if 01)
    Flags: bus master, 66MHz, medium devsel, latency 64
    Bus: primary=00, secondary=02, subordinate=04, sec-latency=68
    I/O behind bridge: 0000a000-0000afff
    Memory behind bridge: e8200000-e82fffff

00:14.5 Multimedia audio controller: ATI Technologies Inc IXP150 AC'97 Audio Controller (rev 01)
    Subsystem: Acer Incorporated [ALI] Device 0065
    Flags: bus master, 66MHz, slow devsel, latency 64, IRQ 17
    Memory at e8004400 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=256]
    Kernel driver in use: ATI IXP AC97 controller
    Kernel modules: snd-atiixp

00:14.6 Modem: ATI Technologies Inc IXP AC'97 Modem (rev 01)
    Subsystem: Acer Incorporated [ALI] Device 0065
    Flags: bus master, 66MHz, slow devsel, latency 64, IRQ 17
    Memory at e8004800 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=256]
    Kernel driver in use: ATI IXP MC97 controller
    Kernel modules: snd-atiixp-modem

01:05.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc RV350 [Mobility Radeon 9600 M10]
    Subsystem: Acer Incorporated [ALI] Device 0065
    Flags: bus master, fast Back2Back, 66MHz, medium devsel, latency 66, IRQ 16
    Memory at f0000000 (32-bit, prefetchable) [size=128M]
    I/O ports at 9000 [size=256]
    Memory at e8100000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=64K]
    [virtual] Expansion ROM at e8120000 [disabled] [size=128K]
    Capabilities: [58] AGP version 3.0
    Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 2
    Kernel modules: radeonfb

02:00.0 FireWire (IEEE 1394): VIA Technologies, Inc. IEEE 1394 Host Controller (rev 80) (prog-if 10)
    Subsystem: Acer Incorporated [ALI] Device 0065
    Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 16
    Memory at e8200000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=2K]
    I/O ports at a400 [size=128]
    Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 2
    Kernel driver in use: firewire_ohci
    Kernel modules: firewire-ohci

02:02.0 Ethernet controller: Linksys, A Division of Cisco Systems [AirConn] INPROCOMM IPN 2220 Wireless LAN Adapter (rev 01)
    Subsystem: AMBIT Microsystem Corp. Device 0305
    Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 11
    I/O ports at a480 [size=32]
    Memory at e8201000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=32]
    Memory at e8200800 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=2K]
    Capabilities: [40] Power Management version 2

02:03.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL-8139/8139C/8139C+ (rev 10)
    Subsystem: Acer Incorporated [ALI] Device 0036
    Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 128, IRQ 18
    I/O ports at a000 [size=256]
    Memory at e8201400 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=256]
    Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 2
    Kernel driver in use: 8139too
    Kernel modules: 8139too, 8139cp

02:04.0 CardBus bridge: ENE Technology Inc CB-710/2/4 Cardbus Controller
    Subsystem: Acer Incorporated [ALI] Device 0065
    Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 168, IRQ 16
    Memory at e8203000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
    Bus: primary=02, secondary=03, subordinate=03, sec-latency=176
    Memory window 0: 40000000-43fff000 (prefetchable)
    Memory window 1: 44000000-47fff000
    I/O window 0: 0000a800-0000a8ff
    I/O window 1: 0000ac00-0000acff
    16-bit legacy interface ports at 0001
    Kernel driver in use: yenta_cardbus
    Kernel modules: yenta_socket

02:04.1 FLASH memory: ENE Technology Inc ENE PCI Memory Stick Card Reader Controller
    Subsystem: Acer Incorporated [ALI] Device 0065
    Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 11
    Memory at e8201800 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=128]
    Capabilities: [80] Power Management version 2

02:04.2 SD Host controller: ENE Technology Inc ENE PCI Secure Digital Card Reader Controller (prog-if 01)
    Subsystem: Acer Incorporated [ALI] Device 0065
    Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 17
    Memory at e8201c00 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=256]
    Capabilities: [80] Power Management version 2
    Kernel driver in use: sdhci
    Kernel modules: sdhci

02:04.3 FLASH memory: ENE Technology Inc FLASH memory: ENE Technology Inc:
    Subsystem: Acer Incorporated [ALI] Device 0065
    Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 11
    Memory at e8202000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=128]
    Capabilities: [80] Power Management version 2

03:00.0 Ethernet controller: Atheros Communications Inc. AR2413 802.11bg NIC (rev 01)
    Subsystem: Atheros Communications Inc. Device 1052
    Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 168, IRQ 16
    Memory at 44000000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=64K]
    Capabilities: [44] Power Management version 2
    Kernel driver in use: ath5k_pci
    Kernel modules: ath5k

interestingly, i was under the impression i had an ati mobility radeon 9700.

Thanks,
Phil

rickh · 05-24-2008, 08:29 AM

There are numerous people having problems with Lenny and the new Xorg. It's supposed to "just work," and often it does, but sometimes it doesn't.

I would try installing the proprietary fglrx drivers. You could also try manually editing xorg.conf to use the radeon drivers. Finally, you could look around on the Debian Forums for additional suggestions.

phil989 · 05-25-2008, 04:11 AM

cheers for the pointer! OK so i've done some more looking around and you're quite right, there's *loads* of discussion about the new 'features' of xorg. I found the following links helpful:

it seems that the display resolution is configured dynamically so as you said, it 'just works'. however, form what i gather it is possible to manually change the .conf file, its just not as simple as it was before. but maybe its more reliable, i don;t know.

http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?t=26577
^this link discusses 'modelines' and how to use them to manually edit the .conf file

http://www.scripts-net.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=23
by the looks of things, modelines are more complicated than just typing in your resolution like before. this thread ^ discusses how to write a modeline for a nvidia card

http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?t=26577
^ this sounds like a better solution. use the command 'gtf' to output a modeline. i guess the first two numbers are the resolution, and the last the refresh rate

i read this on the xorg thinkwiki: http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Xorg_RandR_1.2

Quote:

Note for Gnome users
Gnome places the menu bar on screen 0 and thus with the Intel chip and driver Screen 0 (the external VGA monitor) will always be the default display if it is connected. This applies even if the external monitor is switched off but the cable connected: if you have a blank laptop monitor check if you have anything plugged in to the VGA port. Also beware that desktop icons and windows can disappear into the invisible parts of the virtual display. (see diagram below). If you want the panel(s) to appear by default on a different head, drag it to the head you want it on and GNOME will keep it there.

sounds about right

but its a bit of a temporary solution, as it doesn't affect everything. i guess thats why its called testing

Phil

(the thinkwiki explains everything about about the new xorg, definitely worth reading if you're having problems)

phil989 · 05-25-2008, 03:59 PM

i had a go at adding a few modelines - this seemed to cause way more problems than before so i restored a backed up xorg.conf file in single user mode.

i'm trying to install the fglrx driver now, but aticonfig --initial and aticonfig--initial -f claim

Quote:

data incomplete in file /etc/X11/xorg.conf

hmm. it sounds like fglrx hasn;t been updated to support the latest xorg, but i'd heard that it does. maybe only in sid?

just checked in synaptic and i'm running
fglrx version 8.47.3-3
xorg version 1:7.3+10

according to the thinkwiki
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Fglrx#...g_for_Xorg_7.0

this should be fine (implies that subsequent versions work as normal)

checking with the ati website reveals that a newer driver is available. so i changed the sources.list to use the sid repos, reloaded synaptic, installed the latest versions of all things fglrfx, checked 'lock version' and changed the sources.list back.

rebooted, tried aticonfig --initial. success!! rebooted, ......out of range 640x480. at least this implies that the new driver is being used, even if its picked a crap resolution that my monitor cant display.

ctrl+alt+f1, used vim to add a "Modes" line with 1280x1024, 1024x768 and 800x600

rebooted - xserve didn't like that at all, "fatal error, no screens found" hmm.
tried aticonfig --initial again, it also didn;t like the "800x600" line. fair enough. restored xorg.conf from backup, ran aticonfig --initial again.

i think i stupidly had whitespace between the different resolution options... oops. tried again using

Code:

aticonfig --resolution=0,1280x1024,1024x768,800x600

YES!!!! i have a full screen, nice looking login screen

fglrxinfo... i'm not using the fglrx drivers.

at least the problem has been solved though (no idea how, but oh well lol)

ok so as per the installation instructions, i ran

Code:

mkdir -p /usr/X11R6/lib/modules/dri
ln -s /usr/lib/dri/fglrx_dri.so /usr/X11R6/lib/modules/dri

nothings changed

so the current status is :the original problem is solved, but installing the fglrx drivers hasnot worked, and frankly i'm not sure what i've changed, or whats going on.

Phil