Hercules eCafé EC-800 screen resolution

[Member anewangelfades]

Hello,
I have the netbook above, with 1GB RAM and an AMD Geode LX 800 processor.

The screen resolution of this particular PC is known for its difficulties: the native resolutions are 800×480 and 1024×600.

None of them work out of the box in antiX 19.
I tried an old xorg.conf I used with ubuntu 12.04 but it did’t worked;
I also tried to do
X -configure
as root, but it didn’t worked, either.
I tried to install xserver-xorg-video-geode drivers from the repository, but after rebooting I couldn’t even start any GUI.

The bug is described here:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-video-geode/+bug/433142?comments=all

but the solutions that used to work with ubuntu 10, 11 and 12 don’t work with antiX.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

• This topic was modified 3 years, 6 months ago by anewangelfades.

[Forum Admin rokytnji]

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Safe video mode using vesa usually with newer xorg AntiX ships with is usually a good starting point with old chips like geode, savage,sis,etc…….

Just My opinion though. You old Ubuntu xorg conf worg as not probabaly compatible with newer xorg version Debian supplies in Buster. Newer Xorg and old chip drivers don’t play nice mostly. In my experience.

Be nice if you you posted a

inxi -Fxz -r

also in this thread so folks can see your install < like kernel/xorg version > and gear. To make better responses.

Sometimes I drive a crooked road to get my mind straight.
Not all who Wander are Lost.
I'm not outa place. I'm from outer space.

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[Member PPC]

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anewangelfades wrote:

the native resolutions are 800×480 and 1024×600.

Hi! I have a old intel netbook, with integrated intel graphics card, same RAM (shared), same resolution- never had a single problem since antiX 16 (now using 19 on that machine)- always ran live with safe mode (nomodeset , and selected the option to “ask for console resolution” (I belive that’s the term). It runs great at 1024*600-
If you get it to work on your netbook too, I have a good tip- activate IceWM toolbar option to (I belive) “show colapse button”- colapsing the toolbar allows you to see the applications working at almost a default resolution when you need it, without the “hassle” of autohiding it- also if you can’t see the bottom part of a window- click the maximize button- and the window content’s usually auto organize to show everything (not sure why that’s not the default setting).

P.

[Member anewangelfades]

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This is inxi -Fxz -r output:

$ inxi -Fxz -r
System:
  Host: EC-800 Kernel: 4.9.193-antix.1-486-smp i586 bits: 32 compiler: gcc v: 8.3.0 
  Desktop: IceWM 1.5.5+git20190610 
  Distro: antiX-19_386-full Marielle Franco 16 October 2019 
  base: Debian GNU/Linux 10 (buster) 
Machine:
  Type: Desktop System: Hercules product: EC-800 v: 1.0 serial: <filter> 
  Mobo: TECO and Machinery model: TR2350 v: Rev 1.33 serial: <filter> BIOS: Insyde 
  v: 4.00.01 Rev. 1.00.003 date: Built: 08/18/2005 
Battery:
  ID-1: BATT charge: 14.6 Wh condition: 21.7/29.8 Wh (73%) model: YOKU ENERGY BT-6005 
  status: Discharging 
CPU:
  Topology: Single Core model: Geode Integrated by AMD PCS bits: 32 type: UP 
  arch: Geode rev: 2 L2 cache: 128 KiB 
  flags: N/A bogomips: 996 
  Speed: 498 MHz min/max: N/A Core speed (MHz): 1: 498 
Graphics:
  Message: No Device data found. 
  Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.4 driver: vesa resolution: 640x480~N/A 
  OpenGL: renderer: llvmpipe (LLVM 7.0 128 bits) v: 3.3 Mesa 18.3.6 direct render: Yes 
Audio:
  Device-1: AMD CS5536 [Geode companion] Audio driver: snd_cs5535audio v: kernel 
  bus ID: 00:0f.3 
  Sound Server: ALSA v: k4.9.193-antix.1-486-smp 
Network:
  Device-1: Realtek RTL-8100/8101L/8139 PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter driver: 8139too 
  v: 0.9.28 port: df00 bus ID: 00:0d.0 
  IF: eth0 state: down mac: <filter> 
  IF-ID-1: wlan0 state: up mac: <filter> 

• This reply was modified 3 years, 6 months ago by anewangelfades.

[Member anewangelfades]

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PPC wrote:

anewangelfades wrote:

the native resolutions are 800×480 and 1024×600.

Hi! I have a old intel netbook, with integrated intel graphics card, same RAM (shared), same resolution- never had a single problem since antiX 16 (now using 19 on that machine)- always ran live with safe mode (nomodeset , and selected the option to “ask for console resolution” (I belive that’s the term). It runs great at 1024*600-
If you get it to work on your netbook too, I have a good tip- activate IceWM toolbar option to (I belive) “show colapse button”- colapsing the toolbar allows you to see the applications working at almost a default resolution when you need it, without the “hassle” of autohiding it- also if you can’t see the bottom part of a window- click the maximize button- and the window content’s usually auto organize to show everything (not sure why that’s not the default setting).

P.

Thank you very much for your answer!

I’m not using antiX live, I installed it to my hard drive.
How can I select “safe mode”, nomodeset and select the option to “ask for console resolution” now?

Thanks in advance!

[Forum Admin rokytnji]

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You are already running vesa

Graphics:
  Message: No Device data found. 
  Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.4 driver: vesa 

So nothing to do there.

Sometimes I drive a crooked road to get my mind straight.
Not all who Wander are Lost.
I'm not outa place. I'm from outer space.

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How to Search for AntiX solutions to your problems

[Member Xecure]

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anewangelfades wrote:

How can I select “safe mode”, nomodeset

You need to edit (with root privileges) /etc/default/grub file. You need to edit the line that says:
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="
and add the options there. For example:
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet xorg=safe nomodeset"

Then save and update grub:
sudo grub-update

Restart your system and see how it goes.
Hopefully some experts can recommend other boot options.

antiX Live system enthusiast.
General Live Boot Parameters for antiX.

[Forum Admin rokytnji]

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in terminal.

xrandr -s 1024x600

might quick change resolution. You can put that line in startup in AntiX.

I have never tried the boot repair option myself in Control Center though. I am currently dist-upgradeing while I post this.

Sometimes I drive a crooked road to get my mind straight.
Not all who Wander are Lost.
I'm not outa place. I'm from outer space.

Linux Registered User # 475019
How to Search for AntiX solutions to your problems

[Member anewangelfades]

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rokytnji wrote:

xrandr -s 1024×600

Output:

$ xrandr -s 1024x600
Size 1024x600 not found in available modes

[Member anewangelfades]

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anewangelfades wrote:

How can I select “safe mode”, nomodeset

You need to edit (with root privileges) /etc/default/grub file. You need to edit the line that says:
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="
and add the options there. For example:
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet xorg=safe nomodeset"

Then save and update grub:
sudo grub-update

Restart your system and see how it goes.
Hopefully some experts can recommend other boot options.

Thanks.
I already tried several grub configurations, but none worked.
Moreover, the default installation had a vga=791 parameter that gave an error at boot, saying that was deprecated.

I am wondering if I have to install the xserver-xorg-video-geode package and try to find a working combination of boot options andò xorg.conf

[Forum Admin rokytnji]

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Hmmmm. That vga791 error was a atom 9 inch screen error on touchscreen single core atom netbooks.

I think I posted at the old forum about that.

Sometimes I drive a crooked road to get my mind straight.
Not all who Wander are Lost.
I'm not outa place. I'm from outer space.

Linux Registered User # 475019
How to Search for AntiX solutions to your problems

[Member anewangelfades]

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rokytnji wrote:

Hmmmm. That vga791 error was a atom 9 inch screen error on touchscreen single core atom netbooks.

I think I posted at the old forum about that.

Do you have a precise idea?
I cannot find a similar problem in the old forum, I cannot even find the post about the atom touchscreen netbook you are referring to.
It’s unlucky, since antiX is working, but 640×480 is really a resolution too low.

[Moderator caprea]

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anewangelfades wrote:

$ xrandr -s 1024×600
Size 1024×600 not found in available modes

If a particular screen resolution is not found in available modes by xrandr,
there is a possibility to add a new modeline. It’s described in comment #51 in the bug-report you linked to or on this side
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Faxebase.net%2Fblog%2F2011%2F07%2F27%2Fhinzufuegen-einer-aufloesung-ueber-cvt-und-xrandr%2F

or on this side under resolution http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwiki.ubuntuusers.de%2FRandR%2F%23Statische-Konfiguration-ohne-xorg-conf
You have to know the technical data for the screen.
I don’t have any experience with it, so I can’t promise that it will work and really help you, but maybe it’s worth a try.

You probably have already realized that an older antiX version might have less problems.

[Member anewangelfades]

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caprea wrote:

anewangelfades wrote:

$ xrandr -s 1024×600
Size 1024×600 not found in available modes

If a particular screen resolution is not found in available modes by xrandr,
there is a possibility to add a new modeline. It’s described in comment #51 in the bug-report you linked to or on this side
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Faxebase.net%2Fblog%2F2011%2F07%2F27%2Fhinzufuegen-einer-aufloesung-ueber-cvt-und-xrandr%2F

or on this side under resolution http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwiki.ubuntuusers.de%2FRandR%2F%23Statische-Konfiguration-ohne-xorg-conf
You have to know the technical data for the screen.
I don’t have any experience with it, so I can’t promise that it will work and really help you, but maybe it’s worth a try.

You probably have already realized that an older antiX version might have less problems.

Great idea, thanks!
I installed the Geode drivers, and used an old xorg.conf I saved from an working xubuntu installation, reported below:

Section "Module"
    Load  "ztv"
EndSection
Section "Device"
    Identifier	"card0"
    Driver	"geode"
    BusID	"PCI:0:1:1"
    Option	"PanelMode" "33450 800 840 968 1056 480 490 492 525"
EndSection
Section "Monitor"
    Identifier	"monitor0"
    Modeline  "1024x768" 64.56 1024 1056 1296 1328 768 783 791 807 -hsync +vsync
    Modeline  "1024x600" 48.96 1024 1064 1168 1312 600 601 604 622 -hsync +vsync
    Modeline   "800x480" 33.45  800  840  968 1056 480 490 492 525 -hsync +vsync
    Option	"dpms"
EndSection
Section "Screen"
    Identifier	"Default Screen"
    Monitor	"monitor0"
    Device	"card0"
    DefaultDepth 24
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 24
        Modes "1024x600" "1024x768" "800x480"
    EndSubsection        
EndSection

Next time I booted up, I got a console. Logged in, typed startx, but I got an error.
The file /var/log/Xorg.0.log said the following:

[    55.164]    Module class: X.Org Video Driver
[    55.164]    ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 24.0
[    55.164] (II) z4l driver for Video4Linux
[    55.164] (II) GEODE: Driver for AMD Geode Chipsets: Geode LX, Geode GX
[    55.185] (WW) Falling back to old probe method for z4l
[    55.187] AmdPciProbe: Probing for supported devices!
[    55.188] (II) Loading sub module "vgahw"
[    55.188] (II) LoadModule: "vgahw"
[    55.194] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/libvgahw.so
[    55.221] (II) Module vgahw: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    55.221]    compiled for 1.20.4, module version = 0.1.0
[    55.221]    ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 24.0
[    55.222] (EE)
Fatal server error:
[    55.222] (EE) Unable to open /dev/cpu/0/msr: No such file or directory
[    55.222] (EE)
[    55.223] (EE)
Please consult the The X.Org Foundation support
         at http://wiki.x.org
 for help.
[    55.223] (EE) Please also check the log file at "/var/log/Xorg.0.log" for additional $
[    55.223] (EE)
[    55.339] (EE) Server terminated with error (1). Closing log file

So I typed sudo modprobe msr and then startx again, and it worked!

Now inxi -Fxz -r gives the following output:

System:
  Host: EC-800 Kernel: 5.2.15-antix.1-486-smp i586 bits: 32 compiler: gcc v: 8.3.0 
  Desktop: IceWM 1.5.5+git20190610 
  Distro: antiX-19_386-full Marielle Franco 16 October 2019 
  base: Debian GNU/Linux 10 (buster) 
Machine:
  Type: Desktop System: Hercules product: EC-800 v: 1.0 serial: <filter> 
  Mobo: TECO and Machinery model: TR2350 v: Rev 1.33 serial: <filter> BIOS: Insyde 
  v: 4.00.01 Rev. 1.00.003 date: Built: 08/18/2005 
Battery:
  ID-1: BATT charge: 20.0 Wh condition: 20.9/29.8 Wh (70%) model: YOKU ENERGY BT-6005 
  status: Unknown 
CPU:
  Topology: Single Core model: Geode Integrated by AMD PCS bits: 32 type: UP 
  arch: Geode rev: 2 L2 cache: 128 KiB 
  flags: N/A bogomips: 996 
  Speed: 498 MHz min/max: N/A Core speed (MHz): 1: 498 
Graphics:
  Message: No Device data found. 
  Display: server: X.Org 1.20.4 driver: geode resolution: 1024x600~60Hz 
  OpenGL: renderer: llvmpipe (LLVM 7.0 128 bits) v: 3.3 Mesa 18.3.6 direct render: Yes 
Audio:
  Device-1: AMD CS5536 [Geode companion] Audio driver: snd_cs5535audio v: kernel 
  bus ID: 00:0f.3 
  Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.2.15-antix.1-486-smp 
Network:
  Device-1: Realtek RTL-8100/8101L/8139 PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter driver: 8139too 
  v: 0.9.28 port: df00 bus ID: 00:0d.0 
  IF: eth0 state: down mac: <filter> 
  IF-ID-1: wlan0 state: up mac: <filter> 
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 18.66 GiB used: 4.41 GiB (23.6%) 
  ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Samsung model: HS020GB size: 18.66 GiB 
Partition:
  ID-1: / size: 16.24 GiB used: 4.41 GiB (27.1%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1 
  ID-2: swap-1 size: 2.00 GiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda2 
Sensors:
  Message: No sensors data was found. Is sensors configured? 
Repos:
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/antix.list 
  1: deb http://it.mxrepo.com/antix/buster buster main nonfree
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian-stable-updates.list 
  1: deb http://ftp.it.debian.org/debian/ buster-updates main contrib non-free
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian.list 
  1: deb http://ftp.it.debian.org/debian/ buster main contrib non-free
  2: deb http://security.debian.org/ buster/updates main contrib non-free
  No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/onion.list 
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/palemoon.list 
  1: deb http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/stevenpusser/xUbuntu_16.04/ /
  No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/various.list 
Info:
  Processes: 91 Uptime: 19m Memory: 973.8 MiB used: 186.5 MiB (19.1%) Init: SysVinit 
  runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: 8.3.0 Shell: bash v: 5.0.3 inxi: 3.0.36 

There are two problems anyway:

1) I always have to do sudo modprobe msr and then startx at startup: is there any way to fix it?
2) If I change desktop, e.g. fluxbox, or jwm, everything freezes. Why?!? Also if I use Ctrl+Alt+F2 (or F3, or F8, or any other F*). I cannot understand the reason for this.

Any ideas?

Thank you again!

[Member anewangelfades]

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Ok, everything works now, I just added msr at beginning of /etc/modules

So the steps for anyone with this problem are simply installing the xserver-xorg-video-geode package, use the xorg.conf above and add msr in the /etc/modules file to have it loaded at startup.

It’s great to have a modern system running, I also installed the non-SSE2 version of the Pale Moon browser, and everything works fine now.

Thanks!

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