Re: Multihead in Debian/Debian-based distro and 64-bits?

[Helge H. <hel...@hi...>]

drbista wrote:

>Dear friends:
>
>Many greetings! I have created a dualhead in FC1 (thanks to Zoli). But I am 
>trying to create one in Debian/Debian-based distro SimplyMEPIS. Before 
>proceeding I have a few questions:
>
>1) I have installed LTSP (ltsp.org) and three different terminals are being 
>used in the current machine (PIII 1GHz 256MB). Could the ltsp and multihead 
>coexist in the same machine? Anyone has experience?
>
>  
>
Probably no problem - just install both.  Problems happen only if
both programs wants to use the same hardware, I believe that
doesn't happen in this case.

>2) I have seen instructions for debian multihead at 
>http://www.c3sl.ufpr.br/fourhead/howto-en.php but it does not mention of the 
>pci_isolate_device_feature.diff 
>(http://www.ltn.lv/~aivils/files/080_pci_isolate_device_feature.diff) as 
>stated in Aivils' site (http://www.ltn.lv/~aivils/eng-down.html). Any idea?
>
>  
>
When using debian, make sure you get your X from the testing
distribution. It makes sense to use the "testing" distro anyway,
as "stable" is so old.  The xserver from "testing" have
isolatedevice compiled in so you don't need to patch at all.
You can use stuff like
        Option          "IsolateDevice" "PCI:1:0:0"
in XF86Config-4 - it just works.

The screen section may need a
        Option          "InitPrimary" "on"
for xservers running on secondary graphichs cards (i.e. those cards
not initialized by the bios.)

>3) Whether it is necessary to make changes in the display manager? In my 
>current SimplyMEPIS (debian-based) distro, I am using kdm. When creating 
>multihead with FC1, I do remember that I made changes at gdm.conf under 
>[servers].
>
>  
>
You make changes to gdm.conf if you use gdm.
When you use kdm, you make changes to the kdm config file instead.
(Or xdm config files, for those who use xdm like I do.)

>4) I have acquired with much difficulty a PCI VGA card from Tseng labs (ET6000 
>22a26K650). Does anyone have any experience about this card working with 
>multihead?
>
>  
>
Not me.  I use a Matrox G550 AGP and a Radeon sapphire 9200 SE PCI.
One problem here - the radeon xserver is unstable and hang itself
(and sometimes the entire pc) occationally.  Bad hardware or bad driver,
I don't know.  I got a radeon because they were supposed to work well
in multihead configurations, even with 3D.  Unfortunately, it is older
radeons that work well. . .

>5) May I have some contacts or sites which is peculiarly working on the 64-bit 
>linux multiheads? Of course I know my dear friend Zoli from Hungary who has 
>been active in FC3, but I want to know more who has been involved in debian 
>or debian-based distros.
>
>  
>
I'm trying to get 64-bit going (amd64) but I'm going slowly.  There is
so many other things to do. :-/   I am currently stuck with 2.6.8.1
because later kernels simply hang when X tries to initialize the
PCI radeon.  [Not a ruby problem, it happens with plain 2.6.9 too. :-(  ]

>Thanking you for your time and cooperation. May all of you be successful in 
>your missions, prosperous, free from sufferings, health, happy, and in peace, 
>always!
>
Helge Hafting