Huge fonts in Kubuntu 8.04 live cd make impossible to install

[hardhu]

Binary package hint: casper

I have tried to install kubuntu 8.04 kde 4 remix on an Acer Aspre 5024 notebook, which has an Ati Mobility Radeon X700. I can boot the live cd, I choose to install, but when I get to the screen where the installation process begins, I have huge fonts ( I can see only the word 'Welcome' on the half upper side of the screen), and I cannot go on. The same happens if I only run the livecd: when I get to kde desktop, the font problem is the same. And the same happens if I make an installation from the alternate cd.

(II) RADEON(0): Manufacturer: LPL Model: 0 Serial#: 0
(II) RADEON(0): Year: 2004 Week: 0
(II) RADEON(0): EDID Version: 1.2
(II) RADEON(0): Digital Display Input
(II) RADEON(0): Max H-Image Size [cm]: horiz.: 33 vert.: 21
(II) RADEON(0): Gamma: 2.20
(II) RADEON(0): No DPMS capabilities specified; RGB/Color Display
(II) RADEON(0): First detailed timing is preferred mode
(II) RADEON(0): redX: 0.590 redY: 0.344 greenX: 0.323 greenY: 0.534
(II) RADEON(0): blueX: 0.156 blueY: 0.138 whiteX: 0.312 whiteY: 0.328
(II) RADEON(0): Manufacturer's mask: 0
(II) RADEON(0): Supported additional Video Mode:
(II) RADEON(0): clock: 71.2 MHz Image Size: 289 x 21 mm
(II) RADEON(0): h_active: 1280 h_sync: 1328 h_sync_end 1360 h_blank_end 1440 h_border: 0
(II) RADEON(0): v_active: 800 v_sync: 802 v_sync_end 808 v_blanking: 823 v_border: 0
(II) RADEON(0): LGPhilipsLCD
(II) RADEON(0): LP154W01-A5K2

[hardhu (qzerty)]

I add some more informations: this bug has certainly something to do with radeon driver. In fact, I have just been able to get the correct fonts by changing the driver with the proprietay one fglrx.
This has been not simple, the steps I have made are the following:
- first I started with the installation I have done with the alternate cd;
- then I get to a console (ctrl+alt+F1)
- then I have used aptitude to download and install fglrx video driver (remember that i couldn't do using kde hardware driver manager since I couldn't use the desktop!)
- I tried to use the command 'aticonfig --initial' to create a new /etc/X11/xorg.conf, but it failed since there was no Driver line in the video device section;
- I added the line 'Driver "fglrx" and I restarted x server;
- the screen flashed a while, and then it became black; I have been forced to make a reboot with ctrl+alt+canc since I couldn't get to the console anymore
- in the reboot process, I selected the single user mode so that the x server didn't start;
- I checked the /var/log/Xorg.log and I saw that the problem was related to depth (8) not supported by the fglrx driver, so I edited the /etc/X11/xorg.conf and I have added a line with "Defaultdepth 24" in Section "Screen", and I finally could get the desktop working.

I am an experienced linux user, and so I could solve this problem, but what would have a new user done?
If you really want to fix bug number 1, these installation problems should really not be present.

[jon (jonathan-albrecht)]

I get the same thing with the xubuntu live cd. Ihave an acer travelmate 4400. It also has a mobility radeon x700.

[Stunatra (stunatra)]

I have this same problem too (see attachment) It's really annoying. I've tried installing KDEcore from Gnome Ubuntu 8.04 and when I login the fonts are just huge, you can't even use the Desktop Environment. I was told this problem was fixed, but I guess not. If someone could PLEASE make a fix for this. Thank you.

[Bryce Harrington (bryce)]

Please attach your /var/log/Xorg.0.log.
Also please tell me the make and model of your monitor or laptop.

[hardhu (qzerty)]

Here is my Xorg.0.log; as I wrote before, my laptop is an Acer Aspre 5024, that has an Ati Mobility Radeon X700, the monitor is an lcd one 15.4".

[Tormod Volden (tormodvolden)]

Seems like the "quirk_detailed_v_in_cm" edid quirk is needed:
(II) RADEON(0): clock: 71.2 MHz Image Size: 289 x 21 mm

hardhu, can you please check if this is still a problem in Jaunty alpha 3?

jon and Stunatra, these things need to be fixed for each model, so please file a new bug each where you attach your Xorg.0.log. It is not specific to the graphics card, I have the same card and it works fine on my laptop.

[Tormod Volden (tormodvolden)]

Hmm, it already has this quirk. However, it also has "quirk_detailed_use_maximum_size" so that the 289 mm is also multiplied by 10!

[Tormod Volden (tormodvolden)]

Ok, I did not understand it. Forget my last comment. The message "Detailed timings give sizes in cm" is misleading.

One thing that seems wrong is that it has the horizontal quirk instead of the vertical one:
(II) RADEON(0): EDID quirk: Detailed timings give horizontal size in cm.
but this should not matter since the "quirk_detailed_use_maximum_size" is active:
(II) RADEON(0): EDID quirk: Detailed timings give sizes in cm.
So it will use this instead:
(II) RADEON(0): Max H-Image Size [cm]: horiz.: 33 vert.: 21
which seems reasonable.

[hardhu (qzerty)]

No problems in jaunty alpha 3.

[Tormod Volden (tormodvolden)]

Thanks, can you please attach the jaunty log?

[hardhu (qzerty)]

Here it is