Linux Lite Forums
Hardware - Support => Video Cards => Topic started by: starhawk on February 11, 2016, 05:44:37 PM
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Hello! I'm a Puppy Linux evangelist most of the time (lol) but I thought I'd take a look at Linux Lite for a project of mine. I have neither prejudice for it nor against it -- haven't heard enough to be swayed.
Unfortunately, my hardware is a bit peculiar and Linux Lite doesn't seem to want to play along. I'm using a WYSE Cx0-series system, which is intended as a "thin client" (a sort of sophisticated KVM-over-network scheme using a remote session -- the thin client's role is analogous to that of an old-fashioned RS232 videoteletype terminal such as the famous DEC VT100).
This particular example has a rather anemic 1.0GHz VIA Eden CPU (based on the VIA C7) and an odd VIA VX855 chipset -- most thin clients using this CPU pick the VIA CN700 chipset; however, for unknown (to me at least!) reasons, WYSE (now part of Dell) used the VX855. Go figure.
I suspect that the driver Linux Lite is using is the 'openchrome' driver -- which has a known issue with this particular chipset -- support got broken in version 0.3.3, which is what Ubuntu Trusty Tahr uses. I'm actually working with the 'openchrome' people to get that sorted out (shout out to them!), but in the meantime I'd still like to try Linux Lite. At the moment I'm reduced to using LiveDVD ISOs; I can't seem to revert to text mode once the graphical system tries to bring things up. Version 0.2.904 of 'openchrome' is the last known working configuration of that driver that operates on this hardware... that would be the version from Ubuntu Precise Pangolin. If someone could patch together a DVD ISO for me with that version of 'openchrome' I'd be much obliged... if it's too much, though -- I understand, just let me know and I'll disappear.
Thanks in advance.
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Linux Lite 2.8 is based on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS. Ubuntu Precise Pangolin is from Ubuntu 12.04 LTS. To get Linux Lite based on 12.04 LTS, you'll need to download something from the 1.0.x series. You can find that here: https://sourceforge.net/projects/linuxlite/files/
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I understand -- I was just hoping that, since it's IIRC three files (the driver lib, glx.so, and something else that I've now forgotten) that it would be a simple enough matter to recompile that and add to the DVD.
I'd do it myself, but I don't know how friendly Linux Lite's boot system would be to that -- if it does a CRC of some sort (integrity check) at every LiveDVD boot, then that would eliminate the method I'm familiar with. In Puppy, I can compile the driver on any system that will at least give me a text mode interface, and once that's done it's a simple matter to fold it in permanently -- just unsquashfs the primary filesystem, drop in the requisite files, and mksquashfs -- done. I can get the DEB with the proper 'openchrome' version and files -- that's not an issue -- but I can only "fix" it on my end if I can manually edit the ISO and still have the thing willing to boot. Follow?
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No further response? This issue is not solved.
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I think you may need to give people more than 1 day, and it is quite specialised hardware...
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Sorry about that, then. Just wanted to put out a tickler.
I will wait.
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No problem...
LL is based on Ubuntu 14.04, have you checked into the Ubuntu Forums, maybe Hardware.??
GL
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I have not. I wouldn't think that would help much, either -- the issue is definitively with the driver, and is being pursued in their bugtracker as bug # 91966. (Link (https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=91966)) I am working with a fellow named Kevin Brace to solve the issue. Until it is resolved, really the only solution on this hardware is to roll the driver back to the last known good version -- which would be Precise Pangolin's v.0.2.904.
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O.K, GL
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Off topic -- I just noticed your older systems mention -- that's some good stuff. I've two Commodore 64s, two Commodore Plus/4s, an MC-10, TRS-80 CoCo Model II (IIRC), and a PC-XT system. Some of it's scratch'n'dent tho -- the C64s have memory issues, one of the Plus/4s has a destroyed keyboard cable, and the PC-XT refuses to boot (I think its BIOS has had a bit flip or two from too much time in the sun ;) ). But -- like I said -- good stuff :) You still got any of it? I wish I had a ZX Spectrum. (Alas, shipping to the US would be an absolute killer.)
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Unfortunately after many house moves(15), inc 5 international since 1981, I just let stuff go.
You can get a Spectrum Vega (http://metro.co.uk/2015/08/14/new-sinclair-zx-spectrum-vega-is-out-in-two-weeks-5342770/) if you want :)
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Ya know, I don't blame you on that one!
That Spectrum Vega doesn't look keyboardy enough ;) I like the real thing more than the redo, I think.
EDIT: ...so as not to bump and irritate. Checked out Linux Lite on one of my tinkerin' machines, an ASUS 1005HA netbook. Booted from USB (a tool on the Puppy forum called ISOBooter -- much easier to use even than Unetbootin, which I've never had work properly outside of Windows). Very friendly -- and fast! Puppy is considered one of the faster distros out there. I use a remix (it's complicated) called "X-Tahr 1b3" which is based on TahrPup which in turn is based on Ubuntu Trusty Tahr -- like Linux Lite is. X-Tahr has, by way of comparison, the following baked-in apps -- XFCE+Thunar, Firefox 38, Abiword (WP), GNumeric (spreadsheet), Sylpheed (email), mtPaint (drawing), eVince, and a few miscellaneous smaller bits and bobs that I can't be bothered to remember. Linux Lite has more professional stuff -- I see LibreOffice and the GIMP in there -- and it's marginally faster, just enough to notice.
I'm highly impressed.
For the record, I also looked at Linux Mint on the same machine (I'd been able to install it to the same drive) and I was... far less enthused. Definitely slower than Puppy, couldn't install from the software center (not even an error message!)... and I had to start Firefox in Terminal, it wouldn't run from the menu (no error shown there, either... hmm...). Rather a mess, if you ask me. Even the default desktop wallpaper there is shameless self-promotion. Here it's a feather, which I suppose is in a similar vein, but it's rather more... subtle. At least, it is to me.
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You may want to check out the link below. It appears that it could be what you are looking for.
http://www.ubuntuupdates.org/package/core/precise/main/base/xserver-xorg-video-openchrome
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Yes, that is the package -- now, how do I apply it? ;)
I cannot (apparently) boot to a graphical desktop on that system with Linux Lite, nor can I access text mode the way I can in Puppy (I realize I'm in a different place, but by way of comparison -- CTRL+ALT+BKSP does the trick over there, without restarting the GUI immediately). If I knew that the boot manager did not check for ISO integrity before booting, I could modify the requisite SquashFS file, "baking it in" -- which would work fine for me -- but whether (and how) that is checked, is something I do not have an answer to at the moment.
I apologize if I sound angry -- I'm not -- I'm just frustrated. Again, I know I'm not there, but on Puppy's support forum I'd have received at least one set of explain-like-I'm-five level instructions at well inside of four hours, and probably inside of half of one hour (it depends a little on the time of day). In fact, I've been on the side to provide that, and I've been well inside the shorter period personally. I'll note that the Puppy Forum tends to have more members that are spambots than are actual users and devs!
Meanwhile, it's been almost exactly forty-eight hours here. Hey, I freakin' love the distro itself, already -- it's far, far better than Linux Mint on the same hardware, and it's even faster than the XFCE Puppy I use, which is no small feat -- but I can't say I'm as impressed with the hold times I'm getting when I (metaphorically speaking) phone in for customer service, you know? Maybe this is more normal for forum help waiting times, and I'm just spoiled or what-have-you by my fellow Puppians -- but, nevertheless, I am a little disappointed and a little frustrated at how long this is taking.
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Yes, that is the package -- now, how do I apply it?
since you cannot get into a graphical desktop.
ctl+alt+f1
should give you a terminal prompt.
hopefully you downloaded the right 32 bit deb to usb and used your puppy iso to throw that .deb in /home/<username>
to run the install
sudo dpkg -i <name of openchrome 32 bit .deb goes here>
It should show it installing. You only need the first few letters for openchrome .deb typed in. Then hit tab key to autocomplete.
Reboot when done.
On my savage and via computers. I gave up on savage and openchrome and just rolled with vesa.
I found the newer xorg does not play nice with these graphics chips.
PS. Murga has more worldwide members. Plus members period. Plus is a older forum than this one.
Kinda comparing small town vs big city when it comes to support.
I was also told to take into consideration the user base here.
Windows refugees.
Which means they have no idea on supporting linux.
Only old hands like me.
I do not come here every day.
My boxes need no phone in support.
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Now, you're about the last person I expected to see over here! Gave me a chuckle seeing that name. Where you been, man? You haven't posted over at the Puppy place that much lately...
As for this forum... that would explain a few things. I didn't actually look at the statistics -- had I, I might've been a little less temperamental. I'm still a little dismayed, but consider it, er, tempered a bit. Scaled back.
Just realized -- ISOLinux will do a CRC of the ISO -- so I can't simply edit it. Roky, if you're still around -- someone else if he's not -- can I do what we in Puppyland would call a manual frugal install to USB with this distro? (May try it just to find out.) Basically, for the others, that's "copy the contents of the DVD image to USB and install Grub4Dos". I've never ever done that with a non-Puppy distro.
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I had a birthday a few days ago. Which made me eligible to apply for Social Security. So I retired from my shop .
I am more busy now retired than when I ran my motorcycle repair shop. It has been a good business for me all these years.
I am removing all my gear and emptying the shop because of a plan I have had for awhile.
I am adding 10 more feet to the length of my shop. I am also re-concreting and elevating the shop floor to keep rain off the floor.
I could post pictures but I am off topic enough already. Plus I do not want to make anyone jealous with all my toys.
Some folks have IRA's. I have toys instead of a IRA. My life philosophy is not even close to any ones else idea on how life should e lived.
But I am a happy camper with grandkids and am comfy during all seasons of weather.
I still have not finished remodeling the old hospital I call home.
My retirement business is to turn my motorcycle shop into a Pet Day Care center. I own 5 dogs and 1 cat so I am already set up for this.
The oil rig workers bring their pets and live in travel trailers.
It will be a lucrative business practice for me and not require a lot of effort or work on my part and will still be a fun job to work at every day.
I still have to finish some chain link pen work outside the shop and being a one man crew.
I have no time for Murga, Computers, or much else until the early or late hours. Because I am outside all day.
So that is where I have been. Living life. On a poor mans budget. Using my brain.
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Well -- double congrats!
If you feel like offloading any of your computer stuff, well, you know where I live ;) PM me on Murga if you've lost the info.
I'll have to owe you for shipping for a little bit tho.
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Just realized -- ISOLinux will do a CRC of the ISO -- so I can't simply edit it. Roky, if you're still around -- someone else if he's not -- can I do what we in Puppyland would call a manual frugal install to USB with this distro? (May try it just to find out.) Basically, for the others, that's "copy the contents of the DVD image to USB and install Grub4Dos". I've never ever done that with a non-Puppy distro.
Made the drive, haven't tested it yet. My fault.
Anyone know if there's a text-mode install-to-PC doohickey? That would also work here.
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No real replies, still...? Screw this. Ya'll folks got no dang business producin' some crap if ya cain't support whatcha make. Whadda buncha amateurs.
I'm better than this. (You should be, too...) Off to see if Mint people are better to me. I bet they are.
starhawk --> out.
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1057/1051307799_72df025ad9.jpg)