I cannot get the sis video module to load into my kernel. In looking at Winischhofer web site he indicates that the whole X-tree source is needed. I updated to xfree 4.3 following their instructions, but I don't have many of the directories that are included in Winischhofer instructions.

Hi,

In general before you go about trying to build your own XFree-86 stuff, go to
their website and check to make sure that this card is supported. Next, check
what driver they are recommending to use with this card. Check to see if
the driver requires certain specific parameters to be specified to work properly.
Check in your distribution if you have the driver. It is typically (on RedHat atleast)
it is in /usr/X11R6/lib/modules/drivers. Once you have the basics convered,
then start X and let it fail. Go to the logs and see what X is having a problem with
You need to pay most attention to lines that begin with "(EE)" (parantheses included)
and see why X is unhappy with the card (typically the driver is unhappy with the card).
That will give you some additional information (maybe the driver is unable to
probe and set ram size etc. properly). Check your bios settings as well to ensure
that your video settings are not hosed.

Last but not the least check to make sure that the card is working properly by
booting your machine via windows (if you have an install) and configuring. Otherwise
send emails out to the mailing list.

In general I have found that with Linux, if you can't get it to work in 2-days that means
it is going to be rather tough to get the hardware working with the current versions
of things. You would be better off returning the card and buying a different one if
that is an option. If that is not an option, you could try some of the other tips/tricks
they specify in XFree86 website such as running in vesafb mode etc. They may help you
but with reduced performance I believe.

good luck

with regards
-DJ

Hi,

One more point that I missed out in my earlier post was try moving the
video card to another PCI slot if it is a PCI card. If it is an AGP card,
then sometimes the power requirements may not be met by the motherboard
or possibly powersupply causing the card to have wierd problems. However,
if windows runs fine, the in theory the hardware is allright. Still pulling
the card out cleaning the socket and putting it back can sometimes do the trick.

good luck

with regards
-DJ