How to use vesa graphic driver

[kukamuumuka]

If command xrandr output tells something like xrandr: Failed to get size of gamma for output default , the graphic driver may not work properly. Command inxi -G can tell something like

Graphics: Card: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] 661/741/760 PCI/AGP or 662/761Gx PCIE VGA Display Adapter
Display Server: X.Org 1.16.4 drivers: fbdev (unloaded: modesetting,vesa)
Resolution: 800x600@0.00hz
GLX Renderer: Gallium 0.4 on llvmpipe (LLVM 3.5, 128 bits)
GLX Version: 3.0

... so we can see that system uses fbdev driver

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_framebuffer

The Linux framebuffer (fbdev) is a graphic hardware-independent abstraction layer to show graphics on a computer monitor, typically on the console.[1] The word framebuffer means a part of video memory containing a current video frame, and the Linux framebuffer means “access method to the framebuffer under the Linux kernel”, without relying on system-specific libraries such as SVGALib or another user space software.

Vesa-driver may be better than fbdev-driver, but it requires a /etc/X11/xorg.conf file so that system uses a vesa-driver. Fortunately it is quite easy to make a xorg.conf file, which uses vesa-driver.

1. Open Terminal or command line and run

Code: Select all

sudo Xorg :1 -configure

That command makes a $USER/xorg.conf.new file which probably uses "unworkable" driver. To make a workable xorg.conf you need to find a line Section "Device" and on the bottom of section lines like

Identifier "Card0"
Driver "sisimedia"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection

Replace Driver ("sisimedia") using "vesa" and save the file as xorg.conf

2. Now when configured xorg.conf file is made, it is needed to copy to /etc/X11

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sudo cp xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf

3. Reboot and see a difference. Command inxi -G tells what driver is on. An example from FUJITSU SIEMENS Amilo A1645 laptop.

Graphics: Card: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] 661/741/760 PCI/AGP or 662/761Gx PCIE VGA Display Adapter
Display Server: X.Org 1.16.4 driver: vesa
Resolution: 1024x768@61.00hz
GLX Renderer: Gallium 0.4 on llvmpipe (LLVM 3.5, 128 bits)
GLX Version: 3.0

Compairing vesa and fbdev-resolutions in FUJITSU SIEMENS Amilo A1645

vesa = 1024x768
fbdev = 800x600

Edit: Tahr Puppy makes an excellent xorg.conf, but it need to edit a little like:

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# Good /etc/X11/xorg.conf file. Made using Linux Puppy Tahr

Section "Monitor"
	Identifier   "Monitor0"
	VendorName   "Monitor Vendor"
	ModelName    "Monitor Model"
	HorizSync    35-81
	VertRefresh  59-76
	#UseModes     "Modes0" #monitor0usemodes
	Option      "PreferredMode" "1280x1024x16" #monitor0prefmode
EndSection
	
Section "Modes"
	Identifier "Modes0"
	#modes0modeline0
EndSection

Section "Device"
	Identifier  "Card0"
	Driver      "vesa" #card0driver
	VendorName  "Unknown Vendor"
	BoardName   "Unknown Board"
	BusID       "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
	Identifier "Screen0"
#	Device     "Card0"
	Monitor    "Monitor0"
	DefaultDepth 24
	Option         "metamodes" "1280x800_60 +0+0" #METAMODES_0
	Subsection "Display"
		Depth       24
		Modes       "1280x1024x16" #screen0modes
	EndSubsection
EndSection

vesa-driver-in-use.jpg

[vansloneker]

After copying xorg.conf to /etc/X11/xorg.conf, xorg.conf.new and xorg.conf from $user folder can be removed?

[kukamuumuka]

After copying xorg.conf to /etc/X11/xorg.conf, xorg.conf.new and xorg.conf from $user folder can be removed?

Yes. It is only a suggestion for a config-file.

[vansloneker]

Thanks.

[jedial23]

Excelent! working on Mint 19.2. Thanks!