Graphic Cards with the SiS 6326 Chipset

Support knowledgebase (jd_diamond_a50)
Applies to

SuSE Linux: Versions up to (including) 8.0
XFree86: Versions since 3.3.3

Symptom:

You have a graphic card with the SiS 6326 chipset. After you configure it with the XFree86-3.3.3 SVGA server you notice the following malfunctions: Other possible symptoms are, for example, that the server does not come up properly or, in the worst case, that the computer freezes. Please send us your feedback if you have used our suggestion below to sucessfully configure your graphics card with different errors from those mentioned here.

Cause:

The SiS 6326 chipset is not fully supported yet.

Solution:

Edit the file /etc/XF86Config manually and insert the following lines in the 'Device' section:
      Option "sw_cursor"
      Option "no_accel"
      Option "no_linear"
At least now everything should work with 8bpp.

Procedure:

Use the xf86 configuration tool to configure the SVGA server for your graphics card. After completing the configuration, edit the file /etc/XF86Config with an editor of your choice. The example below is for a Diamond SpeedStar A50. Find the Device section of the file -- it looks something like this:
Section "Device"
   Identifier      "Diamond SpeedStar A50"
   VendorName      "Diamond"
   BoardName       "SpeedStar A50"
Modify the section by appending the "option" lines as shown below:
Section "Device"
   Identifier      "Diamond SpeedStar A50"
   VendorName      "Diamond"
   BoardName       "SpeedStar A50"
   Option          "sw_cursor"
   Option          "no_accel"
   Option          "no_linear"

Alternative approaches:

You have a working X server, but it produces poor results. You should first verify that you have the latest version of your X server. Check the release date of your X server with the following command:
       /usr/X11/bin/X -showconfig
Either the second or third line of ouput will say somehting like:
Release Date: January 4 1999
An alternative would be the command:
       /usr/X11/bin/XF86_SVGA -showconfig
       /usr/X11/bin/X -version  (undocumented)
If the X server has a pre November 1998 release date, then you should update your server. You need the SVGA Server for your chipset. Instructions on how to update your X server are given in this support database.

2. Solution:

As a result of the work of one of our customers, H. Schulz, it is possible to obtain 24 bpp on some boards:
Append the following options to the "Device" section of the
/etc/XF86Config file.

#####################
Option		"no_accel"
Option		"no_imageblt"
Option		"sw_cursor"
dacspeed	135
Option		"fast_vram"
Option		"no_bitblt"
VideoRam	8192
#####################

With these options it is possible to use 24 bbs.
[...]
I have been using these configuration options for X on my computer about a month, without negative effects.
Warning!
If you are having problems with this solution (unreproducible freezing, poor picture quality, flickering etc.), please try the first solution. Unfortunately we cannot take any responsibility for damage to your system from these recommendations ;-(
Keywords: XSERVER, XFREE, GRAPHICS CARD, SIS, 6326, GRAPHIC, CHIPSET, X, WINDOW, XWINDOW

Categories: Graphic cards , X Server

SDB-jd_diamond_a50, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany - Version: 19. Jan 1999
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 21. Jun 2002 by Joerg.Dippel (sdb_gen 1.40.0)