[parisc-linux] Question (fbdev, fbset, debconf)

[parisc-linux] Question (fbdev, fbset, debconf)

[Tobias Giesen]

Hello,

after a long search in the archives and elsewhere this is seems to be
the only remaining place to ask.

I have a fresh install of Debian 3.0 on my HP Visualize C200. Everything
went fine, except:

X server: no screens found.

So I tried to run fbset or debconf, but even though I said yes when
asked whether I wanted frame buffer support during the installation, and
even though the debconf package is installed, I do not have any fbset or
debonf executables on my hard disk.

There is also no /dev/fbdev.

So which is the command to configure my Linux? How do I get a
/dev/fbdev?

Cheers,
Tobias

RE: [parisc-linux] Question (fbdev, fbset, debconf)

[Tobias Giesen]

> First of all, what kind of graphics card 
> do you have in it?

Hmm - all I know is: A4552A. I didn't see a list of supported
graphics cards anywhere. Where do I look?

In any case I will try a newer kernel.

Cheers,
Tobias

Re: [parisc-linux] Question (fbdev, fbset, debconf)

[B. Douglas Hilton]

An A4552A is a Visualize-FX2. Supposedly a very good
graphics board but sadly AFAIK it is not supported
yet for X11. Unsure if it will work at all. You may
need to run in serial-console mode until it is completed,
or try and get a used cheap Visualize-EG card somewhere.



Tobias Giesen wrote:
>>First of all, what kind of graphics card 
>>do you have in it?
> 
> 
> Hmm - all I know is: A4552A. I didn't see a list of supported
> graphics cards anywhere. Where do I look?
> 
> In any case I will try a newer kernel.
> 
> Cheers,
> Tobias
> 
> 
> 

RE: [parisc-linux] Question (fbdev, fbset, debconf)

[Tobias Giesen]

> get a used cheap Visualize-EG card somewhere.

I see - any other models that will work? I read your post about a
Visualize-24. Also, do all the different Visualize-EG models work?

Best wishes,
Tobias

Re: [parisc-linux] Question (fbdev, fbset, debconf)

[B. Douglas Hilton]

Don't get a Visualize-24 card. I don't think those
work right now either. Your choice of graphics boards
for a C200 is pretty slim. You have to be careful,
I found that out the HCRX-24Z board apparently fried
my onboard LAN devices when I plugged it onto the GSC bus.
I'm selling it on Ebay right now, so don't buy it,
it won't work :-)

Visualize-EG boards were the low-end boards for C-200
and I think C-180 machines. You may be able to scrounge
one if you are patient. I believe the one you want
is the A4450A. Even still it only has 8-bit color.

I'm going to be attempting to get a *Voodoo2* board
working with X, so if you hang around I may be able
to write a HOWTO-hppa-Voodoo2-XFree86 guide, assuming
it works.

In the meantime, consider getting a used dumb terminal.
I have one and it is pretty convenient at times like
these. If I was getting a new one I think I'd take my
chances on a Wyse-30, they are extremely compact, but
I'm not sure how developed their terminfo support is.
I used my dumb terminal to initially bootstrap my
machine.

Or just run a null modem cable into the serial port
of your other linux box and use something like minicom
to be its terminal.

I realize I'm ramlbing here. Well, I believe that people
are working on getting the FX2/4/6 board working, so
don't get rid of it just yet.




Tobias Giesen wrote:
>>get a used cheap Visualize-EG card somewhere.
> 
> 
> I see - any other models that will work? I read your post about a
> Visualize-24. Also, do all the different Visualize-EG models work?
> 

Not sure. Be careful about putting cards from older machines
into the C200. May cause hardware damage.