jess_nc

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I hope my question is in the right forum...

I'm using Debian lenny and I just made some days ago an update:
+Packages upgrade
+Kernel compilation

All of my depots in /etc/apt/sources.list are free only. I hardly want to use free software instead of any proprietary programs.

I used the linux-image-2.6.26 for a while before compiling my own kernel (because of a problem with my Thinkpad wifi's led, I applied a patch)

And now, I'm surprised, a DRI problem occur:
[drm] Loading R300 Microcode
platform radeon_cp.0: firmware: requesting radeon/R300_cp.bin
radeon_cp: Failed to load firmware "radeon/R300_cp.bin"
[drm:radeon_do_init_cp] *ERROR* Failed to load firmware!

I have the solution: I must install firmware-linux from non-free packages. But I don't want have to do it!

My questions are:
+ Why I don't experienced this problem with DRI despite I use only free depots?
+ Is there any solution to use the performances of my ATI's graphic card without using non-free programs?

(I'm working to use the framebuffer, but it seem not be a solution for performances. (Notify me if I'm wrong))

regards.

bridgman

Until recently the microcode was built into the kernel driver and no separate package was required... so you've always been using it. What changed is that the microcode was moved out of the kernel driver into a separate package so you would be more aware of its presence.

Some GPUs have their microcode burned into the chip; others require that the drivers load or patch firmware at startup, as is done with your CPU. Your R300 happens to be one which requires the firmware to be loaded at startup.

You should be able to run XAA acceleration without the firmware on an R300 GPU, and I *think* you can get video playback through the overlay, but you won't be able to use EXA acceleration, Textured Video or 3D acceleration.

jess_nc

Well... Thanks for your explication.

I have no luck. I bought a ThinkPad T43 and now, I can't plug an harddisk of my choice and I have a graphic card that require a 'software' proprietary microcode.

I miss my T40...

adamk75

If you object to microcode, you will be stuck without nearly any functioning hardware :-)