No graphics (Out of scan range) -- console login OK

[wco]

I just installed xubuntu 8.10 on an older system (using alternate install cd -- could not get regular graphical installation to work). Install seems to have completed successfully, but cannot get video to work in graphics mode--after boot up, monitor shows "Out of scan range." After hitting CTRL-ALT-F1, I am able to login using console.

I ran sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg but only got questions about keyboard-no monitor or video questions. xorg.conf file is barebones (can post if required).

Search of the forums and google does not reveal anything specific. I tried manually changing xorg.conf file based on other postings without success.

System specs:
Athlon 800Ghz
256Mb RAM
ATI Rage 128 32Mb video card
Monitor: Sony CPD 220VS

I can post xorg log if helpful. It seems I am using the "r128" driver. I am willing to troubleshoot myself but need some guidance on how to proceed.

[mgranet]

Yes, please post the xorg.

[wco]

Ok - can't attach or copy and paste the entire log file, since the computer is not connected to network as of yet. Here are the highlights (retyped) including all WWs and EEs:

....

(II) Module r128: vendor="X.Org Foundation"

....

(II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules//libint10.so
....
(II) R128(0): initializing int10
(EE) R128(0): No V_BIOS found
....
(WW) R128(0): Video BIOS not found!
....
(WW) R128(0): Can't determine panel dimensions, and none specified. Disabling programming of FP registers.
(WW) R128(0): Video BIOS not detected, using default PLL parameters!
....
(II) Reloading /usr/lib/xorg/modules//libint10.so
....
(EE) R128(0): No V_BIOS found
....
(WW) R128(0): Unable to estimate virtual size


If there are other sections of interest in the log file, I can type them also.

[mgranet]

Well, I was thinking it might be something simple, like a xorg.conf problem. But I've never seen the Video Bios not found problem. All I can suggest is to make sure you have defined resolution and refresh rates in your xorg.conf file. I hate to make you type it all out manually, but posting your xorg.conf file will be helpful.

[wco]

My xorg.conf file is essentially empty -- it is all set for autodetection at boot time (this is apparently how newer versions of Ubuntu work). I attempted to make changes using dpkg-reconfigure, but that doesn't address video options at all.

Here's my xorg.conf file (nothing really in it):

Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Configured Monitor"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Monitor "Configured Monitor"
Device "Configured Video Device"
EndSection


That's it.


I also tried Xorg -configure which created a more specific xorg.conf file. Using this file made no difference.

I also tried manually adding HorizSync 30-70 and VertRefresh 50-120 (following my monitor's manual specs) to the Monitor Section with no change

I also tried using gtf 1024 768 60 to create a Modeline. The result was

Modeline "1024x768_60.00" 64.11 1024 1080 1184 1344 768 772 795 -HSync + VSync

which I added to the Monitor Section, and then added a Display Subsection to Screen with

Modes "1024x768_60.00"

None of those changes made a difference.

I suspect the can't find V_BIOS might be part of the problem. I do see occasional postings about a "black screen" with ATI Rage cards (essentially what I get) but no clear answer. The steps sometimes mentioned are the ones I outlined above.

How can I tell (from the ctrl-alt-f1 virtual terminal) exactly what resolution and refresh rates are been sent to my monitor? I can only assume that the monitor is receiving a rate that it cannot process.

[mgranet]

Just to make sure, you have the xserver-xorg-video-r128 package installed?

[stderr]

Just to make sure, you have the xserver-xorg-video-r128 package installed?

Might be worth purging and reinstalling it too.

sudo apt-get purge xserver-xorg-video-r128
sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-video-r128

The output of

glxinfo

may help us.

Also, have you tried booting the recovery kernel and running x-fix?

[wco]

Yes, dpkg -l | grep r128 shows:

ii xserver-xorg-video-r128 6.8.0-1ubuntu2 X.Org X server - ATI r128 display driver

[mgranet]

Might be worth purging and reinstalling it too.

sudo apt-get purge xserver-xorg-video-r128
sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-video-r128

The output of

glxinfo

may help us.

Agreed on the purge. It may re-write the xorg correctly.

Also post the relevant lines of

lspci

[wco]

Keep in mind that I have no internet connection. If I purge the package, will I be able to get it back (is it stored locally?)

I tried glxinfo, but unfortunately I got the following message:

The program 'glxinfo' is currently not installed. You can install it by typing: sudo apt-get install mesa-utils.

I tried that and I got the following:

Package mesa-utils is not available, but is referred to by another package. This may mean that the package is missing, has been obsoleted, or is only available from another source.


Sounds like I can't easily install packages without internet connection (of course I wanted to get my graphical output first, then use some of the GUI tools before I proceeded to work on configuring my wireless card).