[PM800]Bad graphics modes.

[dlamer]

Here is my previous unsolved bug about the problem:

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-video-openchrome/+bug/350330

Now I have some more information about it:

xrandr shows graphics modes that are not available for my LCD matrixs (i.e matrix is up to 1024x768 , xrandr shows few modes upper than it, i.e. 1920x1440)

I think ubuntu get's the highest mode by default ( IN: instalator , usplash , gdm login manager , gdm user session)

Instalator: I've installed Ubuntu 9.10 seeing only upper left part of the screen (1024x768 from 1920x1440) by clicking ENTER as "next" button.

usplash : I've changed /etc/usplash.conf to 1024x768 , add vga=791 to grub.conf , and made sudo update-initramfs ....

gdm user session: I've used change resolution tool to make it 1024x768

gdm login manager: it's still 1920x1440 ....

So, now when booting, first i can see white ubuntu logo i good resolution , then I see this brown progress screen and login manager in 1920x1440, after provide login and password it's going to proper 1024x768 (brown progress and desktop)

1) After CTRL+ALT+F1 (F2 etc) i have screen with artefacts (lines in different colors) , i'm sure its bad video mode.

2) Once CTRL+ALT+F1 got me into proper text mode, but only once and I dont know why.

3)
Video card (after lspci)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. CN400/PM800/PM880/PN800/PN880 [S3 UniChrome Pro] (rev
02)

[Bartosz Kosiorek (gang65)]

Check if this error exist in the Ubuntu Hardy (by running Live CD)?

Please attach Xorg.0.log file

[Bartosz Kosiorek (gang65)]

Try also build/install the latest openchrome driver and enable debug mode.
The detail build instruction for Ubuntu/Debian is available at:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/OpenChrome

Attach your /var/log/Xorg.0.log file.
If you can from after reproducing this issue (or /var/log/Xorg.0.log.old).

[dlamer (l-wojtus)]

This error exist in Ubuntu LiveCD 8.10 and 9.04 and 9.10. I didn't try any
other.

I did a manual build of openchrome - didn't help.

I did sudo Xorg -configure to generate Xorg.conf (and place it to /etc/X11)
- didn't help

I add line :
Modes "1024x768" to every subsection "Display" of xorg.conf
It helps, now I have propper resolution in loading and login screen, BUT

Still after "CTRL+ALT+1" i got bad graphic mode and I can't see login
prompt.

Interesting thing:
At grub menu , i typed 'e' to edit and I added vga=791 (which is
depreceated) and boot. Now, after loading i can switch to text mode
(CTRL+ALT+1,2,3) and I have everything OK. But I can't make this change
presistent.

Which grub file and how I need to edit to make mode "791" ever time I boot ?

[Bartosz Kosiorek (gang65)]

To make this change persistent you must edit file:
/boot/grub/menu.lst

[Bartosz Kosiorek (gang65)]

Try to enable New mode switch by adding "Option ModeSwitchMethod new" to your xorg.conf file
Is it working correctly for your chipset?

Then attach your /var/log/Xorg.0.log file.

[dlamer (l-wojtus)]

2009/11/18 Bartosz <email address hidden>

> To make this change persistent you must edit file:
> /boot/grub/menu.lst
>
> ** Package changed: ubuntu => xserver-xorg-video-openchrome (Ubuntu)
>
> ** Changed in: xserver-xorg-video-openchrome (Ubuntu)
> Status: New => Confirmed
>

In my system ( 9.10 ) there is no menu.lst.

--
Pozdrawiam
Łukasz Wojtuś
<email address hidden>

[Bartosz Kosiorek (gang65)]

Here you have information about grub2:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1195275

[dlamer (l-wojtus)]

2009/11/18 Bartosz <email address hidden>

> Here you have information about grub2:
> http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1195275
>
>
First, I've enabled Option "ModeSwitchMethod" "new" in xorg.conf - restart
and nothings changed. Everything is as it was.

As in the instruction above I've edited /etc/default/grub with:
GRUB_GFXMODE=1024x768 (also tried 0x117)
sudo update-grub (also tried update-grub2)

After reboot, grub is still in 640x480. In grub comandline I use "vbeinfo"
and it says that 1024x768 is available (like other modes up to 1920x1440)
but it's using 640x480. Like my changes goes to hell.

The key to resolve this problem is to figure out what special "vga=791"
does, and to adopt it to grub2 or figure why X server is trying to use
1920x1440 by default (matrix is only 1024x768).

[Bartosz Kosiorek (gang65)]

Please replace the via_driver.c file (from openchrome) with this one, and check if it works.

If it hangs, check where it hangs.

Attach Xorg.0.log file after hang.

[dlamer (l-wojtus)]

2009/11/18 Bartosz <email address hidden>

> Please replace the via_driver.c file (from openchrome) with this one,
> and check if it works.
>
> If it hangs, check where it hangs.
>
> Attach Xorg.0.log file after hang.
>
> ** Attachment added: "via_driver.c"
> http://launchpadlibrarian.net/35828909/via_driver.c
>

After build/install and .... It's working ;)

 I can switch to console mode by CTRL+ALT+F1 ;)

 Console is in low res. ( i think 6400x480) , when I used this "vga=791"
trick console was in higher resolution but it's not a primary feature for me
;)

I attached log file if you need to check smth.

If you want or need to do a deeper investigation feel free to contact me
(via here or private in our native language)

Thx !

Btw. What did you changed ?