Customize a Matrox G450 DH

Support knowledgebase (pohletz_matroxg450)
Applies to

SuSE Linux: Versions 7.0 to 7.2
This article refers to an older version of SuSE Linux. Therefore some of the informations given in this article may be outdated or the article may contain stale links.

Kernel: Version 2.2.x
XFree86: Versions since 4.0.1

Request:

You own a Graficcard of the Type Matrox G450 Dualhead and want to use (logically) both Chipsets.

Procedure:

Installation of the X-Server with DualHead-Card Matrox G450.

  1. Installation of Minimal + KDE System with Yast1 (Should work also if you choose a Standard eg. Standard with Office Installation, but isn't tested yet)
  2. Download the SAX2 Files from Directory ftp://ftp.suse.com/pub/suse/i386/X/XFree86/XFree86-4.0.2-SuSE/suse70/sax2
  3.         sax2-4.2-11.i386.rpm
    

  4. Download the XFree86 4.0.2 Files from Directory ftp://ftp.suse.com/pub/suse/i386/X/XFree86/XFree86-4.0.2-SuSE/suse70
  5.                                                                                      
            xdevel-4.0.2-6.i386.rpm
            xextra-4.0.2-6.i386.rpm
            xf86-4.0.2-6.i386.rpm
            xfnt100-4.0.2-6.i386.rpm
            xfntcyr-4.0.2-6.i386.rpm
            xfntscl-4.0.2-6.i386.rpm
            xloader-4.0.2-6.i386.rpm
            xman-4.0.2-6.i386.rpm
            xmodules-4.0.2-6.i386.rpm
            xshared-4.0.2-6.i386.rpm
            xxprt-4.0.2-6.i386.rpm
    

  6. At ftp://ftp.matrox.com/pub/mga/archive/linux/2001/beta_1_01_05/ download the Driver for Linux. (mga_drv.o). (Please use the right Mousekey and choose "Save Link as...") The downloaded Driver is in the Directory of the User who's downloaded it.
    Important: Please install first of all the old version Driver:
    ftp://ftp.matrox.com/pub/mga/archive/linux/2001/beta_1_00_04/ and configure your X-Server.

    Only after that you could install and use the new version.

    Please also take a look at the following README files:

    ftp://ftp.matrox.com/pub/mga/archive/linux/2001/beta_1_01_05/readme.txt

    ftp://ftp.suse.com/pub/suse/i386/X/XFree86/XFree86-4.0.2-SuSE/README

  7. Proceed as under http://support.suse.de/sdb/de/html/wessels_how_to_install_xfree.html described.
  8. Copy the Matrox Driver with the command(you must be root)

    	cp /home/username/mga_drv.o /usr/X11R6/lib/modules/drivers/
    whereat "username" got to be substituted with the Username you logged in.

    or, if you are User root :

    	cp /root/mga_drv.o /usr/X11R6/lib/modules/drivers/
    into the correct Subdirectory.
  9. Start Sax2 with the command:

    	sax2 -f

    now it should run without Problems.

  10. IMPORTANT: The XF86Config File generated by Sax2 is unusable !!!
    Sax2 should recognize the Matrox as a G400 Card and reside on PCI Bus 1:0:0 (AGP). Just integrate a second Card with the same Parameters(see below)

  11. Now you can set up the Monitor (Resolution, Colordepth, etc.), take care that both have the same Colordepth, cause otherwise Sax grumbles.

  12. Now test the whole Thing, only ONE Monitor switches on, just fine tune it. The Option "xinerama" is not necessary at this Configuration and doesn't gain anything.

  13. If the XF86Config File is generated, with the command
    	startx
    you can test, if it's working. (Only ONE Monitor turns on!)

  14. Let's have a look at the Example-XF86Config File, you got to modulate it:
    ATTENTION: Please pay attention that the Values for the Monitor only valid for the Model S700JT1 from Ilyama. In any case you've to fill in your own correct Values for the Monitor!!

    Section "Monitor" HorizSync 30-70 Identifier "Monitor[0]" ModelName "S700JT1" VendorName "IIyama" VertRefresh 50-160 UseModes "Modes[0]" EndSection

    Section "Monitor" HorizSync 30-70 Identifier "Monitor[1]" ModelName "S700JT1" VendorName "IIyama" VertRefresh 50-160 UseModes "Modes[1]" EndSection
    Section "Modes" Identifier "Modes[0]" Modeline "1024x768" 71.39 1024 1040 1216 1384 768 768 778 802 Modeline "1024x768" 81.59 1024 1040 1216 1384 768 768 778 802 Modeline "1024x768" 92.96 1024 1040 1216 1384 768 768 778 802 Modeline "800x600" 62.40 800 816 928 1064 600 600 610 642 Modeline "800x600" 68.64 800 816 928 1064 600 600 610 642 Modeline "800x600" 72.80 800 816 928 1064 600 600 610 642 Modeline "640x480" 58.24 640 688 752 872 480 480 490 517 Modeline "1280x1024" 116.48 1280 1280 1536 1720 1024 1024 1034 1070 EndSection
    Section "Modes" Identifier "Modes[1]" Modeline "1024x768" 71.39 1024 1040 1216 1384 768 768 778 802 Modeline "1024x768" 81.59 1024 1040 1216 1384 768 768 778 802 Modeline "1024x768" 92.96 1024 1040 1216 1384 768 768 778 802 Modeline "800x600" 62.40 800 816 928 1064 600 600 610 642 Modeline "800x600" 68.64 800 816 928 1064 600 600 610 642 Modeline "800x600" 72.80 800 816 928 1064 600 600 610 642 Modeline "640x480" 58.24 640 688 752 872 480 480 490 517 Modeline "1280x1024" 116.48 1280 1280 1536 1720 1024 1024 1034 1070 EndSection
    Section "Screen" DefaultDepth 16 SubSection "Display" Depth 15 Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480" ViewPort 0 0 EndSubSection SubSection "Display" Depth 16 Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480" ViewPort 0 0 EndSubSection SubSection "Display" Depth 24 Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480" ViewPort 0 0 EndSubSection SubSection "Display" Depth 32 Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480" ViewPort 0 0 EndSubSection SubSection "Display" Depth 8 Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480" ViewPort 0 0 EndSubSection Device "G450_1" Identifier "Screen[0]" Monitor "Monitor[0]" EndSection
    Section "Screen" DefaultDepth 16 SubSection "Display" Depth 15 Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480" ViewPort 0 0 EndSubSection SubSection "Display" Depth 16 Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480" ViewPort 0 0 EndSubSection SubSection "Display" Depth 24 Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480" ViewPort 0 0 EndSubSection SubSection "Display" Depth 32 Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480" ViewPort 0 0 EndSubSection SubSection "Display" Depth 8 Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480" ViewPort 0 0 EndSubSection Device "G450_2" Identifier "Screen[1]" Monitor "Monitor[1]" EndSection
    Section "Device" BoardName "Matrox G450" BusID "1:0:0" Driver "mga" Identifier "G450_1" VendorName "Matrox" Screen 0 EndSection
    Section "Device" BoardName "Matrox G450" BusID "1:0:0" Driver "mga" Identifier "G450_2" VendorName "Matrox" Screen 1 EndSection
    Section "ServerLayout" Identifier "Layout[all]" InputDevice "Keyboard[0]" "CoreKeyboard" InputDevice "Mouse[1]" "CorePointer" Option "Xinerama" "on" Screen "Screen[0]" LeftOf "Screen[1]" Screen "Screen[1]" EndSection
  15. You can read about modifications for other things like "TV", "3D-Accel." or "Clone Mode" in the README from Matrox.DVD-Max and Zoom are not possible.

  16. Now execute your first Test with the command:
    	startx
  17. Hint: Create three Configurations, one for a resolution up to 1280 at DualHead, one up to 1024 DualHead and another one at SingleHead with DRI, cause DRI won't be activated at DualHead Mode.

  18. And now....Have fun.

Note: Don't try to read the edited XF86Config File with SAX2 again (second Config) cause this will probably mess up your working Configuration.

We can't give any Installation Support for the above described procedure!

This Tutorial was kindly provided by Mr. T. Kortmann.

Keywords: MATROX, G450, GRAFIKKARTE, GRAPHIC, DUALHEAD, MGA

Categories: Graphic cards

SDB-pohletz_matroxg450, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany - Version: 19. Jan 2001
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 16. Apr 2002 by pohletz (sdb_gen 1.40.0)