Diamond FireGL1: Corrupted graphics mode during installation; XFree configuration by means of SaX

Support knowledgebase (firegl1_oldbios)
Applies to

SuSE Linux: Versions 7.0 to 7.1
This article refers to an older version of SuSE Linux. Therefore some of the informations given in this article may be outdated or the article may contain stale links.

Symptom:

Your system operates a DIAMOND Fire GL1 graphics adapter featuring a somewhat old BIOS version. The problem described below was observed on adapters which issued the following message on system startup:
DIAMOND Fire GL1 VGA Bios Version 1.20 03/05/99                    
1. Upon booting the installation medium for SuSE Linux the OS enters at once the framebuffer graphics mode. As soon as YaST2 is then started, the graphics display becomes corrupted.

2. (SuSE Linux 7.0): You don't succeed in configuring XFree86 by means of SaX2 for your DIAMOND Fire GL1 (however YaST2 is able to do so when you proceed as described below under "Solution").

Causes:

These video BIOS versions fool Linux into erroneously assuming that the graphics adapter may well be operated in framebuffer mode while, in truth, this won't work.

The problem disappeared for adapters equipped with more recent BIOS versions (observed with: BIOS Version 2.00 03/17/99).

The Fire GL 1 is supported only by XFree86 version 4 and up. SaX2 ist the configuration tool for this XFree86 version. However, the sax package contained in SuSE Linux 7.0 contains a bug in /var/X11R6/lib/sax/profile/firegl which prevents SaX2 from using this file when in automatic mode.

Solution:

1. Keep Linux from switching into framebuffer mode by means of the appropriate kernel boot parameter. To do so, wait for the
boot:
prompt (appearing below the first greeting screen when booting from the installation medium), and enter the following:
linux vga=normal
Now Linux will start in text mode, and YaST2 will then be able to switch to a working graphics mode.

2. (SuSE Linux 7.0) Use the following command line to configure XFree86 via SaX2:

sax2 -f -a -b profile < /var/X11R6/lib/sax/profile/firegl
(-f forces hardware detection, -a = automatic mode). This will create a preliminary "default" configuration /etc/X11/XF86Config which uses but poor graphics modes.

Now you're able to start SaX2 another time (command this time: sax2) and to adapt the configuration for your monitor (manufacturer/type, resp., the monitor frequency limits). You can then choose a more powerful graphics mode as well. Important: In the "monitor" section of SaX2 disable mode line calculation (lest the good modelines provided by the profile would get overwritten).


Keywords: DIAMOND, FIREGL1, XFREE86, INSTALLATION, YAST2, SAX2, GRAPHICS, VIDEO

Categories: Graphic cards , X Server

SDB-firegl1_oldbios, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany - Version: 02. Mär 2001
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 02. Mär 2001 by kgw (sdb_gen 1.40.0)