Xorg issues

dave1022 · 2010-08-02 10:13:14

I'm currently trying to get xorg working on a MacBook 5,2. I've been follwing the guide at http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Xorg, but when I startx all I get is a frozen screen with some green lines. I'm pretty new the the whole arch linux thing, so any help is appreciated.

mits · 2010-08-02 10:39:57

Tell us what video card&driver did you use, if you want some help.
Did you see/try these http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Macbook?

Last edited by mits (2010-08-02 10:43:36)

dave1022 · 2010-08-02 10:42:32

I'm using a nvidia 9400m, and trying to use the nouveau driver

mits · 2010-08-02 10:49:31

http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Nvidia
Try to install oficial nvidia driver (256.35-1 from extra), follow the wiki.

Last edited by mits (2010-08-02 10:52:08)

dave1022 · 2010-08-02 14:44:18

I've just installed the driver, and got xorg with gnome working. The dpi seems to be wrong though.

- I've used "$ xdpyinfo | grep dimensions" and this gives me a correct screen size: dimensions: 1280x800 pixels (290x181 millimeters)
- I've also used "$ xdpyinfo | grep "dots per inch" " and this seems to be correct too: resolution: 112x112 dots per inch
- But I'm using sized 10 fonts and they seem awfully big.

Last edited by dave1022 (2010-08-02 14:49:06)

mits · 2010-08-02 15:07:17

Maybe you must to install/set some fonts.
I recomend to install ttf-dejavu fonts.
I don't know to set dpi&antialising fonts in gnome (I am kde user).

Last edited by mits (2010-08-02 15:09:18)

.:B:. · 2010-08-02 15:15:41

Unless he wants 3D, there is no reason to recommend nVidia's binary driver over nouveau. Dave, install nouveau, try to start Xorg again, and kill it, then post the output of the following:

grep EE /var/log/Xorg.0.log

That will filter out the errors. If it's a lot of code, please use an online pastebin like pastebin.com and put the link here. For the sake of completeness you might also want to put the full Xorg.0.log up on a pastebin and link to it as well.

Note that nouveau, unlike nvidia, supports KMS, so it will set the display to its native resolution if all goes well.

dave1022 · 2010-08-02 15:30:58

mits wrote:

Maybe you must to install/set some fonts.
I recomend to install ttf-dejavu fonts.
I don't know to set dpi&antialising fonts in gnome (I am kde user).

It's okay, I've just put them down to size 8 and it looks fine.

How would I go about changing video drivers? I also seem to remember that starting xorg using nouveau completely froze the laptop. Would Xorg.0.log still be there after a cold reboot?

mits · 2010-08-02 15:43:23

If nouveau driver don't have powersave feature for your video card, I recomend to stay with nvidia binary driver if you want longer battery time.
I don't have nvidia card on my Dell 1555 with Radeon HD4570 video card, so with open source ati driver I don't have powersave feature (called powerplay)
instead with catalyst driver and baterry time is about ~3 hours and ~70 °C with xf86-video-ati vs ~4,5 hours and ~60 °C with catalyst driver.
So is not only about 3D.

Last edited by mits (2010-08-02 15:46:40)

.:B:. · 2010-08-02 15:45:50

Mits: true, I tend to forget about that. Plus that KMS is fancy

dave1022 wrote:

How would I go about changing video drivers? I also seem to remember that starting xorg using nouveau completely froze the laptop. Would Xorg.0.log still be there after a cold reboot?

Yes it would.

Make sure your xorg.conf is as minimal as possible, and add a driver section. The alternative is uninstalling the nvidia package (which you will have to do probably, since it will conflict with the opensource GL that the nouveau driver depends on, if I'm not mistaken).

Either way, if you have only one graphics driver installed (be it vesa, nv, nvidia or nouveau), then Xorg should automatically pick that one up. Also, if Xorg locks up when you start it (I assume you boot directly into runlevel 5?), edit your boot menu (presse e when GRUB comes up) and append 3 to the end of the kernel line. That will boot you into a tty, so you can log in, run startx, and if it crashes, it should give you back the prompt.

Arch Linux

#1 2010-08-02 10:13:14

Xorg issues

#2 2010-08-02 10:39:57

Re: Xorg issues

#3 2010-08-02 10:42:32

Re: Xorg issues

#4 2010-08-02 10:49:31

Re: Xorg issues

#5 2010-08-02 14:44:18

Re: Xorg issues

#6 2010-08-02 15:07:17

Re: Xorg issues

#7 2010-08-02 15:15:41

Re: Xorg issues

#8 2010-08-02 15:30:58

Re: Xorg issues

#9 2010-08-02 15:43:23

Re: Xorg issues

#10 2010-08-02 15:45:50

Re: Xorg issues

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