Author Topic: This HP Mini ..... (Given up) (Read 1721 times)

bicol_willem · « **on:** March 17, 2012, 09:20:35 PM »

All one can do when beaten .... (Mission impossible)

It is in fact a HP 2133 and it puzzles me. I can do with some help. (Hoping someone got one of the same and solved the problem or a smart "as" that can help here).
It is a bit amazing. My neighbor WANT PCLinuxOS running on it and so we started the joke with a fully updated latest and greatest remaster.
Well during booting into LiveCD the screen simply fades away and left us with nothing ...
Tried from external CD as well as from LiveUSB. Same problem.
The thing runs fine on i.e. PMagic and it even runs on Fedora 16 (Gnome 3 is however complaining about the incapability of the videa card) But we got a screen to work with.
Not what we want, we want PCLinuxOS! So connected the HP Mini to a external monitor and even while the screen fades away on the laptop, we can go on using the monitor installing PCLinuxOS... That worked and when we made the first reboot we could log in and create user etc. It then log's us in and .... we got a familiar screen/Desktop. Maybe a bit of a low resolution but it is there.
So far so good, everything else works like a charm and we "fly" on line.
BUT .... once we reboot the laptop, we NEVER got back to any screen unless we re-connect the monitor to see what is up. It is all there then and all works.
Configuring the videocard (It is using Chrome 9 driver) won't change a thing, not even setting to vesa driver.... Just ..NOthing on the laptop screen!
A fresh install again leads to a Desktop again so there IS a option to run PCLinuxOS having a display... But, a reboot stops all the fun again

??

I don't get it and need a little help on this.
Anyone?

lspci shows:
lspci
00:00.0 Host bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. CN896/VN896/P4M900 Host Bridge
00:00.1 Host bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. CN896/VN896/P4M900 Host Bridge
00:00.2 Host bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. CN896/VN896/P4M900 Host Bridge
00:00.3 Host bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. CN896/VN896/P4M900 Host Bridge
00:00.4 Host bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. CN896/VN896/P4M900 Host Bridge
00:00.5 PIC: VIA Technologies, Inc. CN896/VN896/P4M900 I/O APIC Interrupt Controller
00:00.6 Host bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. CN896/VN896/P4M900 Security Device
00:00.7 Host bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. CN896/VN896/P4M900 Host Bridge
00:01.0 PCI bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT8237/VX700 PCI Bridge
00:02.0 PCI bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. CN896/VN896/P4M900 PCI to PCI Bridge Controller (rev 80)
00:03.0 PCI bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. CN896/VN896/P4M900 PCI to PCI Bridge Controller (rev 80)
00:0f.0 IDE interface: VIA Technologies, Inc. Device 5372
00:10.0 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller (rev b0)
00:10.2 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller (rev b0)
00:10.3 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller (rev b0)
00:10.4 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. USB 2.0 (rev 90)
00:11.0 ISA bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT8237S PCI to ISA Bridge
00:11.7 Host bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT8251 Ultra VLINK Controller
00:13.0 Host bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT8237A Host Bridge
00:13.1 PCI bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT8237A PCI to PCI Bridge
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. CN896/VN896/P4M900 [Chrome 9 HC] (rev 01)
02:00.0 Network controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM4312 802.11b/g LP-PHY (rev 01)
07:03.0 Ethernet controller: Broadcom Corporation NetXtreme BCM5788 Gigabit Ethernet (rev 03)
80:01.0 Audio device: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT1708/A [Azalia HDAC] (VIA High Definition Audio Controller) (rev 10)

xorg.conf shows:
# File generated by XFdrake (rev 262502)

# **********************************************************************
# Refer to the xorg.conf man page for details about the format of
# this file.
# **********************************************************************

Section "ServerFlags"
   Option "DontZap" "False" # disable <Ctrl><Alt><BS> (server abort)
   #DontZoom # disable <Ctrl><Alt><KP_+>/<KP_-> (resolution switching)
   AllowMouseOpenFail # allows the server to start up even if the mouse does not work
EndSection

Section "Module"
   Load "v4l" # Video for Linux
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
   Identifier "monitor1"
   VendorName "Generic"
   ModelName "Flat Panel 1024x768"
   HorizSync 31.5-48.0
   VertRefresh 56.0-65.0

   # TV fullscreen mode or DVD fullscreen output.
   # 768x576 @ 79 Hz, 50 kHz hsync
   ModeLine "768x576" 50.00 768 832 846 1000 576 590 595 630

   # 768x576 @ 100 Hz, 61.6 kHz hsync
   ModeLine "768x576" 63.07 768 800 960 1024 576 578 590 616
EndSection

Section "Device"
   Identifier "device1"
   VendorName "VIA Technologies, Inc."
   BoardName "VIA Chrome9-based cards"
   Driver "openchrome"
   Option "DPMS"
   Option "SWcursor"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
   Identifier "screen1"
   Device "device1"
   Monitor "monitor1"
   DefaultColorDepth 24

   Subsection "Display"
   Depth 8
   Modes "1024x768" "832x624" "800x600" "640x480" "480x360" "320x240"
   EndSubsection

   Subsection "Display"
   Depth 15
   Modes "1024x768" "832x624" "800x600" "640x480" "480x360" "320x240"
   EndSubsection

   Subsection "Display"
   Depth 16
   Modes "1024x768" "832x624" "800x600" "640x480" "480x360" "320x240"
   EndSubsection

   Subsection "Display"
   Depth 24
   Modes "1024x768" "832x624" "800x600" "640x480" "480x360" "320x240"
   EndSubsection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
   Identifier "layout1"
   Screen "screen1"
EndSection

This posted from the HP Mini using a external monitor (Screen of the laptop shows no sign of life)
No, the hardware is actually OK.

Found something about this problem at linlap.com/wiki/hp+2133 However the author mentioned to have successfully installed various distro's after all.
I just don't grasp HOW he did it.

DeBaas · « **Reply #1 on:** March 23, 2012, 03:06:32 AM »

Are there any BIOS settings for Video graphics to play with ?
As it seems the lappy's screen is set to seccond display......
This mostly also can be changed with Fn key combinations.

Ed

bicol_willem · « **Reply #2 on:** March 24, 2012, 09:59:13 PM »

Quote from: DeBaas on March 23, 2012, 03:06:32 AM

Are there any BIOS settings for Video graphics to play with ?
As it seems the lappy's screen is set to seccond display......
This mostly also can be changed with Fn key combinations.

Ed

Well Ed, this lappy is "out of my hands" again and it runs again WinXP (yuck).
I remember nothing I could find in the BIOS as it was all very basic and limited.
I am aware (and played with) the fn > second screen option.
It was all to no avail.
This VIA video chip is a nasty animal. It "should" work with the Chrome 9 driver but ... it doesn't in combination with this screen of the laptop and PCLinuxOS/our available kernel. They (VIA) has Linux drivers made available for it but only for limited distro's. And even for these distro's not even for the latest versions.
A fight we cannot win I guess. HP must have thought they needed to re-invent the wheel.

Thanks for the heads up.

Fonnie · « **Reply #3 on:** March 26, 2012, 04:01:43 AM »

it should work, I've got the same, and indeed the videodriver is the culprit.
normally it should be fixed if you try it with the latest iso.

Don't have my hands on it rigth now, but can do some testing this evening if you need help.

Windows XP really is not the right Os for this little beauty

if you get it running, CPU scaling is the first thing you need, els it will run (too) hot.

driver you will need is openchrome

what version do you have regarding scrren size 1024x600 or another

let me know if i can try to help

djohnston · « **Reply #4 on:** March 26, 2012, 04:15:29 PM »

Quote from: Fonnie on March 26, 2012, 04:01:43 AM

it should work, I've got the same, and indeed the videodriver is the culprit.
normally it should be fixed if you try it with the latest iso.

Fonnie,

Can you post what kernel is used on that iso?

uname -r

Fonnie · « **Reply #5 on:** March 26, 2012, 11:48:07 PM »

will check this evening when I'm home (morning now), and post back,

regards

Fonnie

Fonnie · « **Reply #6 on:** March 27, 2012, 12:47:09 PM »

output uname -r

2.6.38.8-pclos3.pae.bfs

important: you will need the openchromedriver

in synaptic: x11-driver-video-openchrome version 20110829-2pclos2011

don't expect 3D to be working, not needed on a little netbook (my opinion)

certainly install cpufreq and cpufrequtils (if not default, can't remember) to get the cpu scaling working.

putting the temperature monitor (simple CPU temperature widget and frequency monitor (CpuFrqDisplay) in the panel helps keeping an eye on things

please see some other posts on this subject, some outdated, but helpfull.

search for 'openchrome' 'mini2133' or even 'via'
http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,95896.0.html this is a good start

if you start up with the right videodriver, you should still expect to see a colourfull, scrambled startupscreen, but the loginscreen should be fine

good luck

Fonnie

djohnston · « **Reply #7 on:** March 27, 2012, 01:46:08 PM »

Quote from: Fonnie on March 27, 2012, 12:47:09 PM

output uname -r

2.6.38.8-pclos3.pae.bfs

important: you will need the openchromedriver

in synaptic: x11-driver-video-openchrome version 20110829-2pclos2011

Fonnie,

The kernel may make the difference for bicol_willem's neighbor. I noticed he used an updated remaster, but his remaster may have had a different kernel. Thanks for the info.

bicol_willem · « **Reply #8 on:** March 27, 2012, 04:42:57 PM »

Quote from: djohnston on March 27, 2012, 01:46:08 PM

Quote from: Fonnie on March 27, 2012, 12:47:09 PM
output uname -r

2.6.38.8-pclos3.pae.bfs

important: you will need the openchromedriver

in synaptic: x11-driver-video-openchrome version 20110829-2pclos2011

Fonnie,

The kernel may make the difference for bicol_willem's neighbor. I noticed he used an updated remaster, but his remaster may have had a different kernel. Thanks for the info.

Nope ... same kernel, be it that I used 2.6.38.8.pclos3.bfs I didn't see the need for "pae" as this machine has no more then 2Gb memory. Anyone thinks it WILL make a difference?
Also used the same Openchrome driver (

)
I recon my best bet would probably be to get the xorg.conf file from a working machine but it isn't the first time I daydream...
If time (of my neighbor) was more plentiful available I would be happy to try again but .... they need that machine nearly daily. It was to me a weirdo experience!

Fonnie · « **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2012, 12:00:41 AM »

if you want, I could sent you my Xorg file.

there is still one thing i've changed in my startup (grub-line), i've added something like acpi_osi="!Windows2006", but i think it is not needed anymore, it was needed for cpufreq to work in an earlier edition.

which version are you trying to install?
did you try to start-up in vesa mode?
did you try without an external monitor?

Since it is not your netbook, are you giving up or can you have it for some time to really 'go for it'?

best regards

Fonnie

CaptainSarcastic · « **Reply #10 on:** March 28, 2012, 12:16:11 AM »

This may be neither here nor there, and is based on my own anecdotal experience from some years back, but when dealing with VIA onboard video in a machine I was running PCLOS 2007 on the only way I could get it to behave was to remove every other video driver from the system. I could never get 3D effects working with the onboard video until I used Synaptic and removed every single video driver except the one I was using - once I got rid of all the Nvidia, ATI, and Intel drivers I was able to enable 3D graphics and the board worked about as well as possible.

Like I said, this is anecdotal and was the result of trial and error on my part, but I figured I would mention it.

Fonnie · « **Reply #11 on:** March 28, 2012, 01:31:29 AM »

problem with this specific one, VIA Technologies, Inc. CN896/VN896/P4M900, is that is rarely used, except in this little netbook (and then only in this mini2133).
Somewhere on another forum somebody (...b....tu..) achieved 3D for this chipset, but only on a specific distro with a specific kernel. don't know if it ever got further developped.

I seem to remember that the latest XFCE release did not install, and the KDE iso did, never figured out why.

bicol_willem · « **Reply #12 on:** March 28, 2012, 05:07:33 AM »

if you want, I could sent you my Xorg file.

Well, IF it was KDE you was running and you still can dig it up, please....

there is still one thing i've changed in my startup (grub-line), i've added something like acpi_osi="!Windows2006", but i think it is not needed anymore, it was needed for cpufreq to work in an earlier edition.

which version are you trying to install?

KDE!

did you try to start-up in vesa mode?

Yup, to no avail

did you try without an external monitor?

Yup (that is how I started anyway)

Since it is not your netbook, are you giving up or can you have it for some time to really 'go for it'?

Well .... that is up to my neighbor. He was VERY interested but ... as it didn't work out during 3 days and 2 nights trying hard and the fact that he needed his machine up and running at that time we simply had to bow to Redmond.
I guess once I have a "plan of action" a renewed trial is a option. (Dual boot i.e. this time would keep him going in between).

best regards

Fonnie

Fonnie · « **Reply #13 on:** March 28, 2012, 01:20:10 PM »

confirmed for the grub line 'acpi_osi="!Windows2006" is added

xorg.conf: watch out, my system is the 1024x600 one, there is another model

# File generated by XFdrake (rev 262502)

# **********************************************************************
# Refer to the xorg.conf man page for details about the format of
# this file.
# **********************************************************************

Section "ServerFlags"
   Option "DontZap" "False" # disable <Ctrl><Alt><BS> (server abort)
   #DontZoom # disable <Ctrl><Alt><KP_+>/<KP_-> (resolution switching)
   AllowMouseOpenFail # allows the server to start up even if the mouse does not work
EndSection

Section "Module"
   Load "v4l" # Video for Linux
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
   Identifier "monitor1"
   VendorName "Generic"
   ModelName "Flat Panel 1024x600"
   HorizSync 31.5-55.0
   VertRefresh 40.0-70.0
   Option "PreferredMode" "1024x600"

   # TV fullscreen mode or DVD fullscreen output.
   # 768x576 @ 79 Hz, 50 kHz hsync
   ModeLine "768x576" 50.00 768 832 846 1000 576 590 595 630

   # 768x576 @ 100 Hz, 61.6 kHz hsync
   ModeLine "768x576" 63.07 768 800 960 1024 576 578 590 616

   # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
   ModeLine "1024x600_120" 107.41 1024 1096 1208 1392 600 601 604 643 -HSync +Vsync

   # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
   ModeLine "1024x600_100" 87.51 1024 1088 1200 1376 600 601 604 636 -HSync +Vsync

   # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
   ModeLine "1024x600_85" 72.83 1024 1080 1192 1360 600 601 604 630 -HSync +Vsync

   # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
   ModeLine "1024x600_75" 63.20 1024 1080 1184 1344 600 601 604 627 -HSync +Vsync

   # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
   ModeLine "1024x600_60" 48.96 1024 1064 1168 1312 600 601 604 622 -HSync +Vsync

   # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
   ModeLine "1024x600_50" 39.55 1024 1048 1152 1280 600 601 604 618 -HSync +Vsync
EndSection

Section "Device"
   Identifier "device1"
   VendorName "VIA Technologies, Inc."
   BoardName "VIA Chrome9-based cards"
   Driver "openchrome"
   Option "DPMS"
   Option "SWcursor"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
   Identifier "screen1"
   Device "device1"
   Monitor "monitor1"
   DefaultColorDepth 24

   Subsection "Display"
   Depth 8
   Modes "1024x600"
   EndSubsection

   Subsection "Display"
   Depth 15
   Modes "1024x600"
   EndSubsection

   Subsection "Display"
   Depth 16
   Modes "1024x600"
   EndSubsection

   Subsection "Display"
   Depth 24
   Modes "1024x600"
   EndSubsection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
   Identifier "layout1"
   Screen "screen1"
EndSection

and maybe the modprobe.preload

# /etc/modprobe.preload: kernel modules to load at boot time.
#
# This file should contain the names of kernel modules that are
# to be loaded at boot time, one per line. Comments begin with
# a `#', and everything on the line after them are ignored.
# this file is for module-init-tools (kernel 2.5 and above) ONLY
# for old kernel use /etc/modules
fuse
raw1394
sbp2
ohci1394

acpi-cpufreq
cpufreq_ondemand
cpufreq_powersave
cpufreq_conservative
nvram
padlock-aes
padlock-sha
evdev

changing these files need root-privileges

best regards

Fonnie

Fonnie · « **Reply #14 on:** March 28, 2012, 01:40:10 PM »

i've just tried to run from a liveusb (latest Pclinuxos KDE 02.2012) created with unetbootin (see repo)
startup by F9

it takes some time to boot up, but is does, screen is slightly misconfigured (1024x7xx in stead op 1024x600) but that is easely fixed.

everything seems to be fine, except for wireless not connecting properly but i think my signal is to weak (just barely sees my network)

could it be that the iso you are using is not the latest, or a custom made one, or a false burn?

you should check this first. and if you try to run live, have patience, it takes some time.

good luck

Fonnie

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Author Topic: This HP Mini ..... (Given up) (Read 1721 times)

bicol_willem

This HP Mini ..... (Given up)

DeBaas

Re: This HP Mini ..... (Given up)

bicol_willem

Re: This HP Mini ..... (Given up)

Fonnie

Re: This HP Mini ..... (Given up)

djohnston

Re: This HP Mini ..... (Given up)

Fonnie

Re: This HP Mini ..... (Given up)

Fonnie

Re: This HP Mini ..... (Given up)

djohnston

Re: This HP Mini ..... (Given up)

bicol_willem

Re: This HP Mini ..... (Given up)

Fonnie

Re: This HP Mini ..... (Given up)

CaptainSarcastic

Re: This HP Mini ..... (Given up)

Fonnie

Re: This HP Mini ..... (Given up)

bicol_willem

Re: This HP Mini ..... (Given up)

Fonnie

Re: This HP Mini ..... (Given up)

Fonnie

Re: This HP Mini ..... (Given up)