[VGA2USB] - Why Ubuntu wins for all drivers, but why not ArchLinux?

IamTrying · 2011-10-27 07:45:38

I have tried several several way in Archlinux with my very limited knowledge in Archlinux. To make the VGA2USB device get installed and make it work so that i can feel more comfortable and not need to use Ubuntu/Fedora/CentOS.

On other hand Just by installing Ubuntu 11.04, and like magic (speed of light), all drivers are working without any issue.

Does this mean Archlinux we should not use? When we need hardware's support? e.g: USB3.0 , PCI-X1, USB2.0, Scanners, printer.....

Why?? For only hardware driver i have to switch to different distro?

ethail · 2011-10-27 08:43:14

No, that means you have to take your time and configure it and reading what it needs.

tomk · 2011-10-27 08:53:48

If you find that Ubuntu suits you better, use it. There are many distros to choose from, because different users have different requirements.

You admit a "very limited knowledge", so it is perfectly reasonable to choose a distro that does more for you. You can increase your knowledge while using Ubuntu, and come back to Arch later if you wish.

IamTrying · 2011-10-27 10:07:14

Its very frustrating when you buy a hardware device and you want to use it in your own Linux distro, but it fails. This applies to all not only me.

All the time i spend to make this work, was impossible. And manufacturer also rejected by saying they don't make drivers for Archlinux. That does not tells me yet, i am a nonsense or idiot so far. I did kernel swap and i also did kernel merge with other distros but all failed.

** Ubuntu/Fedora is not the way how a Linux/Unix dreamer dreams. They are more likely now a days completely GUI minded. And putting all hidden from the audience or end users. To me, if someone would like to use Ubuntu/Fedora. They should simply use Microsoft Windows and do not say i am Linux user trying to be creative, because using GUI and Microsoft Windows makes no difference. Microsoft Windows is much better choice for that case (supports all drivers and more less clicks to get the target).

** To do Linux/Unix way of working was ArchLinux to me, because its simple and stick with Unix mind.

But its the hardware that made me failure/loser/upset.

wonder · 2011-10-27 10:11:09

just use ubuntu to find out which driver to install on arch

/dev/zero · 2011-10-27 10:16:31

IamTrying wrote:

Ubuntu/Fedora is not the way how a Linux/Unix dreamer dreams. They are more likely now a days completely GUI minded. And putting all hidden from the audience or end users. To me, if someone would like to use Ubuntu/Fedora. They should simply use Microsoft Windows and do not say i am Linux user trying to be creative, because using GUI and Microsoft Windows makes no difference. Microsoft Windows is much better choice for that case (supports all drivers and more less clicks to get the target).

It's all Linux. With sufficient work, any Linux distribution can be turned into any other Linux distribution. While I tend to be a bit contemptuous of Ubuntu these days, I think it is really neither fair nor accurate to equate it with Windows. On any ubuntu machine, I can still get a command line, and once I have that command line, it feels like any other Linux machine.

I suggest take your trolling elsewhere.

IamTrying · 2011-10-27 10:22:55

/dev/zero wrote:

IamTrying wrote:
Ubuntu/Fedora is not the way how a Linux/Unix dreamer dreams. They are more likely now a days completely GUI minded. And putting all hidden from the audience or end users. To me, if someone would like to use Ubuntu/Fedora. They should simply use Microsoft Windows and do not say i am Linux user trying to be creative, because using GUI and Microsoft Windows makes no difference. Microsoft Windows is much better choice for that case (supports all drivers and more less clicks to get the target).
It's all Linux. With sufficient work, any Linux distribution can be turned into any other Linux distribution. While I tend to be a bit contemptuous of Ubuntu these days, I think it is really neither fair nor accurate to equate it with Windows. On any ubuntu machine, I can still get a command line, and once I have that command line, it feels like any other Linux machine.
I suggest take your trolling elsewhere.

Its not true. Any linux is not same linux. I give you terminal in Archlinux too. Can you install VGA2USB please? No. you cant.

IamTrying · 2011-10-27 10:24:12

wonder wrote:

just use ubuntu to find out which driver to install on arch

You can use Debian with backport kernel that works for Xv.

Last edited by IamTrying (2011-10-27 10:24:25)

tomk · 2011-10-27 10:29:03

IamTrying wrote:

** To do Linux/Unix way of working was ArchLinux to me, because its simple and stick with Unix mind.

Understood - but....

IamTrying wrote:

I have tried several several way in Archlinux with my very limited knowledge in Archlinux.

Learn to walk before you try to run. Arch isn't going to disappear, and your inability to achieve the required result is temporary.

IamTrying · 2011-10-27 10:34:09

tomk wrote:

Learn to walk before you try to run. Arch isn't going to disappear, and your inability to achieve the required result is temporary.

<-Debian: http://www.epiphan.com/downloads/linux/ … -amd64.tbz
|
<- CentOS: http://www.epiphan.com/downloads/linux/ … x86_64.tbz
|
<- Fedora: http://www.epiphan.com/downloads/linux/ … x86_64.tbz
|
<- Ubuntu: http://www.epiphan.com/downloads/linux/ … X86_64.tbz
|
|
^
Archlinux ????? all kernel was injected on this distro and tested with those drivers too. But none worked. What??? Why???

defears · 2011-10-27 10:45:22

My WAG is it's using video4linux. Pretty much the same for webcam use. Look that up. Everyone needs to be pointed in the right direction in the beginning.

IamTrying · 2011-10-27 10:52:42

defears wrote:

My WAG is it's using video4linux. Pretty much the same for webcam use. Look that up. Everyone needs to be pointed in the right direction in the beginning.

You are correct. Appreciate your tips. The normal procedure of installing such is:

Action 1:
=======

Step 1: cd /var/tmp; wget http://whatever_we_are_thinking_should_work_/download.tbz

Step 2: tar xvfj download.tbz

Step 3: make clean; make; make install
cp -R vga2usb.ko /lib/modules/<correct kernel path>

Step 4: depmod -a

Step 5: modprobe vga2usb

[ all i tried, all i failed ]

Action 2:
=======

Step 1: build debian, centos, fedora, ubuntu

Step 2: make Action 1 and test it, check if its working, checked works all other distro

Step 3: ArchLinux kernel transplantation action start

Step 4: same setup retry all failed

Action 3:
=======

Step 1: Seeking for help

Step 2: no answer

What else i should do???? I tried my best knowledge till this stage.

Last edited by IamTrying (2011-10-27 10:56:14)

eldragon · 2011-10-27 11:00:07

IamTrying wrote:

What else i should do???? I tried my best knowledge till this stage.

well.. how about.... some logs... for a change....

IamTrying · 2011-10-27 11:04:12

eldragon wrote:

IamTrying wrote:
What else i should do???? I tried my best knowledge till this stage.
well.. how about.... some logs... for a change....

$ cd /var/tmp;
wget http://www.epiphan.com/downloads/linux/ … kernel-lts or default arch kernel>-server_X86_64.tbz

$ modprobe vga2usb
FATAL: error inserting vga2usb (/lib/modules/3.0-ARCH/vga2usb.ko): unknonwn symbol in module, or unknown parameter (see dmesg)

$ dmesg

vga2usb: version magic '3.0.0-12-server SMP mod_unload modversions should be '3.0-ARCH SMP preempt mod_unload'
vga2usb: unknonwn symbol pv_lock_ops (err 0)
vga2usb: unknonwn symbol pv_lock_ops (err 0)
vga2usb: unknonwn symbol pv_lock_ops (err 0)
vga2usb: unknonwn symbol pv_lock_ops (err 0)

Last edited by IamTrying (2011-10-27 11:06:09)

Awebb · 2011-10-27 13:05:26

The manufacturer's website has generic linux drivers: http://www.epiphan.com/downloads/linux/
vga2usb-3.26.0.26-2.6.32-71.el6.i686.tbz

There is even one for a 3.x kernel: vga2usb-3.26.0.27-ubuntu-3.0.0-12-generic-i686.deb

Tinker some more, you'll make it eventually.

Now really, not releasing a real generic driver isn't very useful. I wouldn't buy something like that after checking the Linux compatibility. You did, didn't you?

Last edited by Awebb (2011-10-27 13:07:06)

tomk · 2011-10-27 13:46:28

In case you are unaware, this is a closed source driver, and the company that provides it has chosen to support a limited number of distros. Their download page cautions users of other distros to make enquiries regarding compatibility before purchasing the product.

Additionally, it seems likely that you are the only Arch user who needs this driver, based on the complete lack of other threads, aur packages, wiki entries, etc.

My final suggestion is to contact the provider again, to see if they would consider releasing the source code (probably unlikely) or providing an Arch-compatible build.

One more thing - your first post in this thread is misleading, as it suggests that Arch is unable to support a wide range of hardware, when the reality is that your issue concerns vga2usb only.

Apologies, some overlap with Awebb.

Last edited by tomk (2011-10-27 13:47:53)

.:B:. · 2011-10-27 17:45:00

As you can gather from the posts above, and from the info on the manufacturer's website, the issue lies with the manufacturer. They only seem to provide binary drivers, and they do not provide one for Arch. It would be unreasonable to expect them to do otherwise; Arch is a niche distro.

Furthermore, your complaint about being left in the cold with hardware is moot. A moderately experienced Linux user researches before he buys. Add to that the fact that drivers are indeed available, and you have nothing to complain about. So yes, this is kind of a useless troll.

Why do you want to run Arch if you don't know how to solve this problem? You'll keep bumping into stuff like this.

Last edited by .:B:. (2011-10-27 17:46:00)

/dev/zero · 2011-10-27 18:59:34

IamTrying wrote:

Its not true. Any linux is not same linux. I give you terminal in Archlinux too. Can you install VGA2USB please? No. you cant.

You missed my qualifier: "With sufficient work". You clearly put in insufficient work.

If I had a machine where I needed to install VGA2USB, I would make it work. Part of making it work might involve asking questions, but I would not be trolly about it like you have been. Making it work might involve falling back to using Ubuntu instead of Archlinux, and if that was the case then I would do it without making a big song and dance and having a little cry over it and insulting the Archlinux community.

ngoonee · 2011-10-28 00:25:40

@OP, it looks like you have quite a bit to learn, so here's some point-forms:-

1 - Linux is linux, the differences between distros aren't insurmountable.
2 - Closed-sourced hardware drivers are dangerous especially when using a less popular distro. This is NOT an issue with the distro, pure economics from the standpoint of the manufacturer.
3 - Do not double-post on the same topic. I am closing this thread, please continue in the other thread where it seems you already have gotten help.

EDIT: link to the other thread is here - https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=128867

Last edited by ngoonee (2011-10-28 00:26:04)

Arch Linux

#1 2011-10-27 07:45:38

[VGA2USB] - Why Ubuntu wins for all drivers, but why not ArchLinux?

#2 2011-10-27 08:43:14

Re: [VGA2USB] - Why Ubuntu wins for all drivers, but why not ArchLinux?

#3 2011-10-27 08:53:48

Re: [VGA2USB] - Why Ubuntu wins for all drivers, but why not ArchLinux?

#4 2011-10-27 10:07:14

Re: [VGA2USB] - Why Ubuntu wins for all drivers, but why not ArchLinux?

#5 2011-10-27 10:11:09

Re: [VGA2USB] - Why Ubuntu wins for all drivers, but why not ArchLinux?

#6 2011-10-27 10:16:31

Re: [VGA2USB] - Why Ubuntu wins for all drivers, but why not ArchLinux?

#7 2011-10-27 10:22:55

Re: [VGA2USB] - Why Ubuntu wins for all drivers, but why not ArchLinux?

#8 2011-10-27 10:24:12

Re: [VGA2USB] - Why Ubuntu wins for all drivers, but why not ArchLinux?

#9 2011-10-27 10:29:03

Re: [VGA2USB] - Why Ubuntu wins for all drivers, but why not ArchLinux?

#10 2011-10-27 10:34:09

Re: [VGA2USB] - Why Ubuntu wins for all drivers, but why not ArchLinux?

#11 2011-10-27 10:45:22

Re: [VGA2USB] - Why Ubuntu wins for all drivers, but why not ArchLinux?

#12 2011-10-27 10:52:42

Re: [VGA2USB] - Why Ubuntu wins for all drivers, but why not ArchLinux?

#13 2011-10-27 11:00:07

Re: [VGA2USB] - Why Ubuntu wins for all drivers, but why not ArchLinux?

#14 2011-10-27 11:04:12

Re: [VGA2USB] - Why Ubuntu wins for all drivers, but why not ArchLinux?

#15 2011-10-27 13:05:26

Re: [VGA2USB] - Why Ubuntu wins for all drivers, but why not ArchLinux?

#16 2011-10-27 13:46:28

Re: [VGA2USB] - Why Ubuntu wins for all drivers, but why not ArchLinux?

#17 2011-10-27 17:45:00

Re: [VGA2USB] - Why Ubuntu wins for all drivers, but why not ArchLinux?

#18 2011-10-27 18:59:34

Re: [VGA2USB] - Why Ubuntu wins for all drivers, but why not ArchLinux?

#19 2011-10-28 00:25:40

Re: [VGA2USB] - Why Ubuntu wins for all drivers, but why not ArchLinux?

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