topic title: I just installed Antix-16. Here's what happened...
Posts: 47
boombaby
Joined: 20 Apr 2016
#1
I just installed Antix-16. Here's what happened...


> First install -"Live" came up great."Install", failed.

Don't remember precise details. Couldn't a get desktop login.

.
> Second try."Live" came up great."Install" failed.

Same old problem for me. No driver for the SiS-6326 video card (despite reference to this precise driver - ie"sis" - as a"feature" for 16). So I end up with a"giant" desktop - and no SiS driver. ["Giant" here refers to a default desktop of which I can only see and access the top left quadrant, and which is one of the 4 built-in default ?VESA? resolutions (of which I can only use two).] So, regrettably, I headed to the Xorg.0.log file to"discover" where the problem arises. The log file showed the SiS module loads but the SiS driver fails, then the SiS module unloads. Yes; there is a "...sisimedia.so" file in the modules>drivers subdirectory (which I thought I had used in Antix-15). In 16 it appears there is NO"SiS" driver (per se). Anyway, after mucking around for some time - and possibly messing up the"clean" install - I thought I'd try clicking a few different options on another install.

> Third try."Live" came up great. Nup."Install" failed. Same problem - no SiS driver. This time in the xorg.conf file I tried using variations on the module & driver names - given there is no "...-sis-...." module/driver file. This time I also tried a virtual desktop which finally gave me (hope and) something to work with.

Then I had a brainwave. (A rarety!) Since there is a"..sisimedia.so" driver file in the modules>drivers directory, then in the xorg.conf file I would try naming the (video) driver"sisimedia", not"sis" (which is the normal usage). Well, knock me down with a feather - it worked!!

So, module"sisimedia", and driver"sisimedia"! Funny because in Antix-15 there was a driver"...-sis-...". So what's that all about? Where's the"...sis..." module/driver?

[Personally, I am wondering if some ways back in time there was a driver mix-up"across" Debian repos which (perhaps one contained a"problem") which has generated all the long-standing difficulties with"SiS" in Debian distros. {Just a"feeling"; not based on"fact". I say that because I am still only a Pnewbie (Post-newbie; silent"n"; copyright waived.) }]

By the way, this all took hours upon hours of effort for me. I don't like that in Linux - although I have to say there is that certain type of"satisfaction" when it finally works.

.
Anyway, Antix-16? So far, great! I really like Antix.

Regards,
aka boombaby
anticapitalista
Posts: 5,955
Site Admin
Joined: 11 Sep 2007
#2
It also takes us devs hours and hours and hours to produce a distro.

Glad you found the solution and posted it.
anticapitalista
Posts: 5,955
Site Admin
Joined: 11 Sep 2007
#3
Some more of your time - if you don't mind.

Post the output of etc/X11/xorg.conf when running live
Post the output of etc/X11/xorg.conf when running installed before your changes (if you can)
Post the output of etc/X11/xorg.conf when running installed with your changes.

thanks
Posts: 47
boombaby
Joined: 20 Apr 2016
#4
Hello, Anticapitalista...


Here's the info you requested, in 3 parts.

.
>>1. xorg.conf FILE GENERATED AT INSTALL

As I have mentioned in another part of Antix Forum some time ago (in my original misunderstanding of SamK's helpful advice) there is no "xorg.conf" file generated by the Antix install on my system. [That might be how it is, by design. HOWEVER in the .../ etc/X11... dir there IS an "xorg.conf.in" file. (When I first encountered it I took the ".in" suffix to mean something like "installed at install time" but, hey, it might not be - and that doesn't really matter anyway.)]

So, no"xorg.conf" exists after install, but here is that"xorg.conf.in" file...
Section"ServerFlags"
Option"DontZap""Off"
Option"AllowMouseOpenFail""true"
Option"blank time""0"
Option"standby time""0"
Option"suspend time""0"
Option"off time""0"
EndSection

Section"InputClass"
Identifier"middle button emulation class"
MatchIsPointer"on"
#Option"Emulate3Buttons""on"
#Option"Emulate3Timeout""50"
EndSection

Section"InputDevice"
Identifier"Touchpad"
Driver"synaptics"
Option"Device""/dev/psaux"
Option"Protocol""auto-dev"
Option"LeftEdge""1700"
Option"RightEdge""5300"
Option"TopEdge""1700"
Option"BottomEdge""4200"
Option"FingerLow""25"
Option"FingerHigh""30"
Option"MaxTapTime""180"
Option"MaxTapMove""220"
Option"VertScrollDelta""100"
Option"HorizScrollDelta""0"
Option"MinSpeed""0.09"
Option"MaxSpeed""0.18"
Option"AccelFactor""0.0015"
Option"SHMConfig""on"
EndSection

Section"InputDevice"
Driver"synaptics"
Identifier"ALPS Touchpad"
Option"Device""/dev/input/mice"
Option"Protocol""event"
Option"LeftEdge""130"
Option"RightEdge""840"
Option"TopEdge""130"
Option"BottomEdge""640"
Option"FingerLow""7"
Option"FingerHigh""8"
Option"MaxTapTime""180"
Option"MaxTapMove""110"
Option"EmulateMidButtonTime""75"
Option"VertScrollDelta""20"
Option"HorizScrollDelta""0"
Option"MinSpeed""0.25"
Option"MaxSpeed""0.50"
Option"AccelFactor""0.030"
Option"EdgeMotionMinSpeed""200"
Option"EdgeMotionMaxSpeed""200"
Option"UpDownScrolling""1"
Option"CircularScrolling""1"
Option"CircScrollDelta""0.1"
Option"CircScrollTrigger""2"
Option"SHMConfig""on"
EndSection

Section"InputDevice"
Identifier"Appletouch"
Driver"synaptics"
Option"Device""/dev/psaux"
Option"Protocol""auto-dev"
Option"LeftEdge""100"
Option"RightEdge""1120"
Option"TopEdge""50"
Option"BottomEdge""310"
Option"FingerLow""25"
Option"FingerHigh""30"
Option"MaxTapMove""220"
Option"TapButton1""1"
Option"TapButton2""3"
Option"TapButton3""2"
Option"MinSpeed""0.79"
Option"MaxSpeed""0.88"
Option"AccelFactor""0.0015"
Option"SHMConfig""on"
EndSection

Section"Monitor"
Identifier"Monitor0"
VendorName"unknown"
ModelName"unknown"
Option"DPMS""true"
HorizSync 30-75
VertRefresh 55-70
EndSection

Section"Device"
Identifier"Card0"
Driver"@@XMODULE@@"
BoardName"unknown"

Screen 0
#Option"UseDisplayDevice""dfp"
#Option"MonitorLayout""crt,crt"
#BusID"PCI:1:0:0"
#Option"sw_cursor" # needed for some ati cards
#Option"hw_cursor"
#Option"NoAccel"
#Option"ShowCache"
#Option"ShadowFB"
#Option"UseFBDev"
#Option"Rotate"
Option"UseInternalAGPGART""no"

Option"XAANoOffscreenPixmaps""true"

# savage special options, use with care
#Option"NoUseBios"
#Option"BusType""PCI"
Option"DmaMode""None"

# nvidia special options, use with care
Option"CursorShadow""1"
Option"CursorShadowAlpha""63"
Option"CursorShadowYOffset""2"
Option"CursorShadowXOffset""4"
Option"FlatPanelProperties""Scaling = native"
Option"NoLogo""true"
Option"UseEDID""true"
Option"AddARGBGLXVisuals""true"
Option"RenderAccel""true"
#Option"AllowGLXWithComposite""true"
EndSection

Section"Device"
Identifier"Card1"
Driver"@@XMODULE@@"
BoardName"unknown"

Screen 1
#Option"MonitorLayout""crt,crt"
#BusID"PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection

Section"Screen"
Identifier"Screen0"
Device"Card0"
Monitor"Monitor0"
DefaultColorDepth 16

SubSection"Display"
Depth 8
@@MODES@@
EndSubSection
SubSection"Display"
Depth 15
@@MODES@@
EndSubSection
SubSection"Display"
Depth 16
@@MODES@@
EndSubSection
SubSection"Display"
Depth 24
@@MODES@@
EndSubSection
SubSection"Display"
Depth 32
@@MODES@@
EndSubSection

# Only the official NVIDIA driver supports twinview
# these setting are an example
Option"TwinView""false"
Option"SecondMonitorVendorName""unknown"
Option"SecondMonitorModelName""unknown"
Option"SecondMonitorHorizSync""30-75"
Option"SecondMonitorVertRefresh""55-70"
#Option"MetaModes""1024x768, 1024x768"
Option"TwinViewOrientation""RightOf"
Option"ConnectedMonitor""dfp,dfp"
EndSection

Section"DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection

Section"Extensions"
Option"Composite""Enable"
EndSection
.
.
>>2. xorg.conf FILE WHEN RUNNING"LIVE"

I was not sure how to find this one. I booted the"Live" disk and located another "xorg.conf.in" file. It is identical to the one above (ie the one already installed onto harddisk) so I am not sure if this is what you want.

LIVE xorg.conf file...

Same as above

.
.
>>3. CURRENT xorg.conf FILE WHEN RUNNING INSTALLED ANTIX (ie NORMAL USE)

Essentially my working "xorg.conf" file was created by copying the one out of Mageia-5 which has been my workhorse, always-there, no-fail, can't-kill-it-with-a-stick, linux distro. (That's why there is the"...drake..." message in the top of it. ;o) ) Now that I have a different driver in Antix-16 (ie sisimedia) I have had to change the relevant details about that.

So, here is my Antix-16 working"xorg.conf" file...
# ***************************************
# File generated by XFdrake (rev 262502)
#
# ***************************************

Section"Extensions"
Option"Composite""Disable"
EndSection

Section"ServerFlags"
AllowMouseOpenFail # allows the server to start up even if the mouse does not work
Option"DontZap""False" # disable <Ctrl><Alt><BS> (server abort)
#DontZoom # disable <Ctrl><Alt><KP_+>/<KP_-> (resolution switching)
EndSection

Section"Module"
Load"sisimedia"
EndSection

Section"Device"
Identifier"GrfxDevice1"
VendorName"Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS]"
BoardName"SiS old series-based cards"
Driver"sisimedia"
Option"DPMS"
EndSection

Section"Monitor"
Identifier"Monitor1"
VendorName"Acer"
ModelName"Acer AL1916W"
HorizSync 30.0-82.0
VertRefresh 56.0-76.0
#
# 1440x900 59.89 Hz (CVT 1.30MA) hsync: 55.93 kHz; pclk: 106.50 MHz
Modeline"1440x900_60.00" 106.50 1440 1528 1672 1904 900 903 909 934 -hsync +vsync
#
# 1680x1050 59.95 Hz (CVT 1.76MA) hsync: 65.29 kHz; pclk: 146.25 MHz
Modeline"1680x1050_60.00" 146.25 1680 1784 1960 2240 1050 1053 1059 1089 -hsync +vsync
#
# modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
ModeLine"1440x900_75" 136.49 1440 1536 1688 1936 900 901 904 940 -HSync +Vsync
#
EndSection

Section"Screen"
Identifier"Screen1"
Device"GrfxDevice1"
Monitor"Monitor1"
DefaultColorDepth 16
EndSection

Section"ServerLayout"
Identifier"Layout1"
Screen"Screen1"
EndSection

>>APPENDIX
For some reason (some) Linux distros seem to see my system as"a laptop". One distro even showed my config in the"display" system-config GUI as a laptop and simply refused to allow me to alter it. [I have always assumed this detection is because of the LCD monitor (and maybe in combo with the SiS graphics card, and/or power control), but it may be due to other devices or factors too. I just don't know.] I only add this because it may have a bearing on how you view my"xorg.conf" file for Antix.

P.S.
Today, while meandering through Synaptic Pkg Mgr, I found the (installed)"...video-sis-antix" driver in the"main" Section. So, even though I had originally tried to load the"sis" module and use the"sis" driver, it failed. Sis unloaded. However, as you can see in the xorg.conf above it seems to have been solved another way, with"sisimedia" module-&-driver. Is that right?)

.
Kind Regards,
aka boombaby
Posts: 1,028
SamK
Joined: 21 Aug 2011
#5
boombaby wrote: ..."Live" came up great."Install", failed.

...I end up with a"giant" desktop

...in the xorg.conf file I would try naming the (video) driver"sisimedia"
Cannot reproduce these symptoms. On a test sytstem here it works as as expected and uses the sisimedia driver in both live and installed modes.


The following reports were obtained via a CD using the shipped ISO. No additional software nor updates/upgrades were applied.

Live

Code: Select all

inxi -G -c0
Graphics:  Card: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] 65x/M650/740 PCI/AGP VGA Display Adapter
           Display Server: X.Org 1.16.4 driver: N/A Resolution: 1280x1024@75.00hz
           GLX Renderer: Gallium 0.4 on llvmpipe (LLVM 3.5, 128 bits) GLX Version: 3.0 Mesa 10.3.2
cat / etc/X11/xorg.conf
#-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
# xorg.conf file
#
# Generated by make-xorg-conf sometime around Thu Jul  7 07:34:02 BST 2016
#
# If you want to save customizations, delete the line above or this
# file will get automatically deleted on the next live boot.
#-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Section"Monitor"
    Identifier"Monitor0"
    Option"DPMS""true"
EndSection

Section"Device"
    Identifier"Device0"
    Driver    "sisimedia"
EndSection

Section"Screen"
    Identifier     "Screen0"
    Monitor        "Monitor0"
    Device         "Device0"
    DefaultDepth    16
    SubSection"Display"
        Modes"1280x1024""1333x768""1024x768""800x600"
    EndSubSection
EndSection
Installed to Disk

Code: Select all

inxi -G -c0
Graphics:  Card: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] 65x/M650/740 PCI/AGP VGA Display Adapter
           Display Server: X.Org 1.16.4 driver: N/A Resolution: 1280x1024@75.00hz
           GLX Renderer: Gallium 0.4 on llvmpipe (LLVM 3.5, 128 bits) GLX Version: 3.0 Mesa 10.3.2
cat / etc/X11/xorg.conf
#-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
# xorg.conf file
#
# Generated by make-xorg-conf sometime around Tue Jul  5 18:03:52 BST 2016
#
# If you want to save customizations, delete the line above or this
# file will get automatically deleted on the next live boot.
#-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Section"Monitor"
    Identifier"Monitor0"
    Option"DPMS""true"
EndSection

Section"Device"
    Identifier"Device0"
    Driver    "sisimedia"
EndSection

Section"Screen"
    Identifier     "Screen0"
    Monitor        "Monitor0"
    Device         "Device0"
    DefaultDepth    16
    SubSection"Display"
        Modes"1280x1024""1333x768""1024x768""800x600"
    EndSubSection
EndSection