Problem re-installing X11 video driver package

[peter_pclos]

I'm working my way through a monitor/screen resolution problem in an OpenBox installation.  The screen image suddenly became horizontally elongated, and I think that the X11 driver may have accumulated a glitch, as the monitor works OK on another machine, and PCC tells me that both resolution figures (1366x768) match the ACER monitor I use.  However, when I try to reinstall via Synaptic I get the message

While preparing for installation:

   package x11-driver-video-geode-2.11.6-2pclos2010 is already installed
E: Error while running transaction

so I'm stuck.  Any advice, anybody?

PS  To make things even more complex (?) the wallpaper image 'pclinuxos OB Open Box' is the correct width, but everything else (desktop icons, panel icons, any window and its contents) are horizontally stretched out.

[AS]

Hi,

I think you need to proceed using console mode (i.e. boot at runlevel 3), and manually remove/reinstall the driver,
something like described here, only that you need to specify the interested package name:
http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,90668.msg760426.html#msg760426

In addition, may be it's not a driver problem but instead an xorg.conf problem ?
In such case you should try to recofigure your video card and then reboot. (if not already done ...)

HTH, AS

[peter_pclos]

Thanks, AS.

I think xorg.conf is OK, but will quote it here to see what you think:

# File generated by XFdrake (rev )

# **********************************************************************
# 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"
    Disable "dri"
    Load "dbe" # Double-Buffering Extension
    Load "v4l" # Video for Linux
    Load "extmod"
    Load "glx" # 3D layer
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier "monitor1"
    VendorName "Generic"
    ModelName "Flat Panel 1366x768"
    HorizSync 31.5-53.0
    VertRefresh 56.0-69.0
    Option "PreferredMode" "1366x768"
   
    # 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 "1368x768_120"  185.67  1368 1472 1624 1880  768 769 772 823  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1368x768_100"  151.73  1368 1464 1616 1864  768 769 772 814  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1368x768_85"  125.67  1368 1456 1600 1832  768 769 772 807  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1368x768_75"  110.19  1368 1456 1600 1832  768 769 772 802  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1368x768_60"  85.86  1368 1440 1584 1800  768 769 772 795  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1368x768_50"  69.92  1368 1424 1568 1768  768 769 772 791  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1360x765_120"  182.63  1360 1456 1608 1856  765 766 769 820  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1360x765_100"  149.22  1360 1456 1600 1840  765 766 769 811  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1360x765_85"  124.65  1360 1448 1592 1824  765 766 769 804  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1360x765_75"  108.34  1360 1440 1584 1808  765 766 769 799  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1360x765_60"  84.40  1360 1424 1568 1776  765 766 769 792  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1360x765_50"  69.34  1360 1416 1560 1760  765 766 769 788  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x720_120"  161.56  1280 1376 1512 1744  720 721 724 772  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x720_100"  131.85  1280 1368 1504 1728  720 721 724 763  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x720_85"  110.01  1280 1360 1496 1712  720 721 724 756  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x720_75"  95.65  1280 1352 1488 1696  720 721 724 752  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x720_60"  74.48  1280 1336 1472 1664  720 721 724 746  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x720_50"  60.47  1280 1328 1456 1632  720 721 724 741  -HSync +Vsync
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier "device1"
    VendorName "Advanced Micro Devices [AMD]"
    BoardName "AMD Geode GX/LX"
    Driver "geode"
    Option "DPMS"
    Option "PanelGeometry" "1366x768"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier "screen1"
    Device "device1"
    Monitor "monitor1"
    DefaultColorDepth 24
   
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 8
        Modes "1366x768" "1360x765" "1280x720"
    EndSubsection
   
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 15
        Modes "1366x768" "1360x765" "1280x720"
    EndSubsection
   
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 16
        Modes "1366x768" "1360x765" "1280x720"
    EndSubsection
   
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 24
        Modes "1366x768" "1360x765" "1280x720"
    EndSubsection
EndSection

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

The parameters which appear in the XFdrake window correspond to the driver and resolution (1366x768) as set via PCC and listed in the xorg.conf file.

I can get an undistorted screen display if I let the monitor set the aspect ratio automatically, but this results in a 4:3 ratio 'screen' in the centre of the monitor, while forcing the 16:9 ratio with the monitor's own controls simply stretches the 4:3 screen horizontally.  When used with my PCLinuxOS/KDE desktop, the monitor picks up the 16:9 aspect ratio automatically and produces a non-distorted display.  I'm still at a loss as to why this behaviour kicked in without any apparent cause, but to me it is still the driver which is suspect, especially as the 'native' Linutop4 OS which is still available on the machine where I use PCLinuxOS OpenBox handles the screen aspect ratio correctly, so the chipset seems to be OK.

I'd greatly appreciate your reactions to the above.

[AS]

I can get an undistorted screen display if I let the monitor set the aspect ratio automatically,

Interesting note. You should take a look at file /var/log/Xorg.0.log, searching for the effective resolution choosen from xorg,
mine show a line like:

...
(II) May 22 10:01:29 NVIDIA(0): Initialized GPU GART.
(II) May 22 10:01:29 NVIDIA(0): Setting mode "1440x900"
(II) Loading extension NV-GLX
...

if you will find that the resolution is 1366x768, that will means your monitor is getting fooled at some point ...
Also, you should find in the same log file other info, like screen resolution "offered" by your monitor ...

i.e. mine is showing something like:

(II) May 22 10:01:28 NVIDIA(0): Assigned Display Device: DFP-0
(WW) May 22 10:01:28 NVIDIA(0): No valid modes for "1280x800"; removing.
(II) May 22 10:01:28 NVIDIA(0): Validated modes:
(II) May 22 10:01:28 NVIDIA(0):     "1440x900"

In my case I will not be able to use a 1280x800 mode ... because not supported by my monitor.

About the differences between Linutopt4 and PCLinuxOS, they are probably using different xorg version... and therefore different results.
I do not see anything wrong in your xorg.conf files.

AS

[peter_pclos]

Thanks again, AS.

I followed your advice and investigated /var/log/Xorg.0.log but am if anything even more confused!

Lines 132-164 are:

(WW) System lacks support for changing MTRRs
(II) Loading sub module "vgahw"
(II) LoadModule: "vgahw"
(II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules//libvgahw.so
(II) Module vgahw: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
   compiled for 1.6.5, module version = 0.1.0
   ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 5.0
Unable to open /dev/cpu/0/msr: 6
(**) GEODE(0): Depth 24, (--) framebuffer bpp 32
(==) GEODE(0): RGB weight 888
(==) GEODE(0): Default visual is TrueColor
(==) GEODE(0): Using gamma correction (1.0, 1.0, 1.0)
(==) GEODE(0): No DCON is present
(II) GEODE(0): LX output options:
(II) GEODE(0):  CRT: YES
(II) GEODE(0):  PANEL: NO
(II) GEODE(0):  DCON: NO
(II) GEODE(0):  VGA: YES
(II) Loading sub module "int10"
(II) LoadModule: "int10"
(II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules//libint10.so
(II) Module int10: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
   compiled for 1.6.5, module version = 1.0.0
   ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 5.0
(II) GEODE(0): Primary V_BIOS segment is: 0xc000
(II) GEODE(0): Output default using monitor section monitor1
(**) GEODE(0): Option "PreferredMode" "1366x768"
(II) GEODE(0): I2C bus "CS5536 DDC" initialized.
(II) GEODE(0): I2C device "CS5536 DDC:E-EDID segment register" registered at address 0x60.
(II) GEODE(0): I2C device "CS5536 DDC:ddc2" registered at address 0xA0.
(II) GEODE(0): Output default connected
(II) GEODE(0): Using fuzzy aspect match for initial modes
(II) GEODE(0): Output default using initial mode 1024x768

with the last of these lines corresponding to the 4:3 display which I actually see, despite the 'Option "PreferredMode" "1366x768"' six lines above it.  There is also the oddity that the monitor type is set as CRT, while PCC has it logged as a panel.  These lines are followed by the xorg.conf data  you've already seen.  Then, lower down the log file, at line 255, I find:

(II) GEODE(0): Setting screen physical size to 270 x 203

which looks quite bizarre, in the light of the screen pixel geometry and the pixel dimensions given in xorg.conf.

Does this information help in finding out what's going on? (As you will realize, and as I have conceded in other threads, I'm not really a systems person!)  BTW, in case you don't know the Linutop4 OS, it's a ?buntu derivative.

[AS]

Quote
(II) GEODE(0): Setting screen physical size to 270 x 203
which looks quite bizarre, in the light of the screen pixel geometry and the pixel dimensions given in xorg.conf.

No, this is the supposed screen size expressed in mm, although wrong because of 4:3 ratio, look reasonable accordingly to a 1024x768 resolutions.

Can you please post the exact video card brand/model you are using ? also try the following command from a root console: lspci | grep vga
How many output ports are present on your card ?
Brand/model of LCD monitor ?

AS

[peter_pclos]

Thanks for the clarification on the mm size - I said I wasn't primarily a systems person!

The monitor is an Acer P195HQL LCD with a native resolution of 1366x768

The graphics 'card' is on the motherboard of a Linutop2 PC, which carries the PCLinuxOS/OpenBox OS on an external USB SDD (Transcend 32GB IDE). The details of the graphics side of the Linutop2 as listed on the linutop.com web site are:

VGA output (SUB-D15)
Resolution 1920x1440 max
2D Graphic Acceleration

PCC shows the video details as:

Identification
Vendor: ‎Advanced Micro Devices [AMD]
Description: ‎Geode LX Video
Media class: ‎VGA compatible controller
Connection
Bus: ‎PCI
PCI domain: ‎0
Bus PCI #: ‎0
PCI device #: ‎1
PCI function #: ‎1
Vendor ID: ‎0x1022
Device ID: ‎0x2081
Sub vendor ID: ‎0x1509
Sub device ID: ‎0x801b
Misc
Module: ‎Card:AMD Geode GX/LX

lspci | grep vga produced no response in a root console.

If you need any more details, let me know.

Peter N

[AS]

The command should have been lspci | grep VGA, however you have already provided the relevant card info.

A fast google search show that the geode driver has been updated quite frequently from the actual PCLinuxOS version 2.11.6 to the lastest 2.11.12
http://cgit.freedesktop.org/xorg/driver/xf86-video-geode/
http://cgit.freedesktop.org/xorg/driver/xf86-video-geode/log/?ofs=50

the version 2.11.12 is actually in testing, along with the new xorg server, may be it can be OK just wait for the new release ?
May you can check the geode driver version used from linutop4 ?