Re: Xorg FYI

[T <bobs%thelibertytree.org@localhost>]

The datasheet for the Vison864 is here: 
http://www.vgamuseum.info/index.php/component/k2/item/351-s3-vision864
On page 1-1 there's a table that shows the different resolutions 
supported by the chip. The E15 has 2MB, so it looks like it could 
support all those resolutions, but that is currently not the case in 
actual use.
The specs for the E15 are described under the header "IBM E15-type" on 
this page:
https://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?infotype=dd&subtype=sm&htmlfid=897/ENUS7248-132
I'm not sure if the limiting factor is hardware or software, since this 
is beyond my knowledge/skill level.

As for that kernel option, it is probably missing because the dev, that 
did much of the work for this port, had no desire to use onboard video. 
It's mentioned on the port page that he only used RS-232 with these 
machines. This is also likely why the install CD-ROM uses the boot_com0 
boot loader. I have to build my own ISO with custom kernels, so it's not 
that big of a deal for me, but if the majority of folks still using 
these machines want to use X, then yeah, it might make sense to add it.

-Tim

On 10/30/19 3:56 PM, David Brownlee wrote:
> On Sat, 26 Oct 2019 at 22:17, T <bobs%thelibertytree.org@localhost> wrote:
> > Hi all,
> > just an FYI about running Xorg, you'll need to use a custom kernel
> > config because the standard ones lack the following line, which is
> > required to run X:
> >
> > options         INSECURE        # needed for X to work
> Quite a few ports default to "options INSECURE" enabled in GENERIC -
> might it make sense to switch port-prep across?
>
> > I was able to get the integrated IBM E15 display adapter working in
> > 8-bit mode, 16-bit and 24-bit modes did start, but had weird color
> > issues and small resolutions. Those modes are functionally unusable. The
> > datasheet for the S3 Vision864 chip claims to support better color and
> > resolutions, but the E15 implementation does not look to work with them
> > and the IBM documentation only states support for the 8-bit resolutions.
> > 1024x768 8-bit seems to work okay, which is the max resolution mentioned
> > in the IBM documentation.
> Maybe there is some additional chipset setup needed for those modes
> which the system ROM just omits? You might want to ask macallan@ if
> he's seen anything similar (I'm sure he won't mind me touting him on
> this :-p) as he has a fair amount of experience in getting oddball
> display chipsets running.
>
> David