Red Hat Bugzilla – Bug 47926
bad feature in XFree, won't install or run in RH7.1
Last modified: 2007-04-18 12:34:33 EDT
Description of Problem: Installation fails because no workable selection of video graphics can be found. How Reproducible: 100% Steps to Reproduce: When running RedHat 6.2, reboot from 7.1 CD and attempt to install. 1. normal function until the probe of the video card 2. do the test 3. it always fails whatever selection i make to override the probe, which also fails Actual Results: garbage test image Expected Results: little box with question "do you see this?" or something similar Additional Information: Hardware has been working, unchanged for >1yr, and continues to work when I revert to 6.2. Reversion to 6.2 is painful since 6.2 install scripts only work if I first wipe the disk clean. video card is Diamond SpeedStar A90 (yes I know this is not on your approved list, but it is working fine under RH6.2 (and, of course, X 3.3.6) It is X 4.0.x which I think is the problem, bur I can't figure a work around. Version changes in rpm, among other things block my efforts.)
Try Xconfigurator --preferxf3 That will set it up to use XFree86 3.3.6 instead of 4.x. Does that fix the problem?
If you install, and bypass the X configuration in the installer, you should be able to finish the install. After that run the command I gave you above, if your video worked in RHL 6.2, it should work now also, since they are the exact same drivers. Also, you may want to upgrade to the errata release of 3.3.6 for RHL 7.1. If this does not work, please provide more information, including a file attachment of your X server logs using the link below.
The --preferxf3 switch fixed the problem. FYI, the old driver (for SVGA) was somehow lost during the run up to doing Xconfigurator --preferxf3 Consequently, it was also necessary to reinstall an SVGA rpm. Now, I live in fear of accidentally zapping the "old" XFree 3.3.6 during an update of some other software. I see on the XFree web site that version 4.2 is released. How soon might it be available from RedHat as an rpm?
No need to live in fear. The only way XFree86 3.3.6 will get uninstalled is if you uninstall it, or upgrade it. If you stick to RPM's you should be ok. There is no such thing as XFree86 4.2. 4.1.0 is in rawhide though.