Dwight,
I had problems with an SiS 730/630 on board video chipset, similar but
not quite the same. I eventually loaded Mandrake 7.2 (with
MandrakeFreq) instead, at least for the time being, but these are some
possibilities you might try. (IIRC, in Mandrake 8.0 it gave me a
message like "can't <do something> with <argument = 0>", which led me to
believe that the "database" of video cards did not have an entry for
whatever the video chip was reporting as its identity, maybe SiS
730/630, or whatever. Similarly (again IIRC), in MandrakeFreq, the
installation froze if I tested video during the install -- I chose text
mode install and said no to the video test.)
Aside: When I visited the X site, it was unclear to me whether XFree
4.0.3 supported the 630 or not. IIRC, it is specifically mentioned for
3.3.6 and 4.0.2 but not for 4.0.3. (And, IIUC, the SiS 730 is sort of a
different chip set that implements the same thing as the SiS 630.)
Even though the Mandrake 8.0 installation hung during the video test,
the machine actually booted afterwards (without X, i.e., in one of the
console modes). If it does, you could try to configure X "manually",
using Xconfigurator or xf86config. (I made only a halfhearted attempt
at this because I had very little idea what I was doing.)
Does it freeze before or after it gives you the opportunity to
choose/confirm your video card? (IIRC, it will give you an opportunity
to choose or confirm your video card if you're in expert mode). If you
get the chance to choose/confirm, choose one of the standard drivers,
like SVGA or the "framebuffer", instead of the SiS 630. (Not sure how
they are labeled.)
Another thing you could try (and which worked for me during the Mandrake
7.2 install) is to use the text mode install (press <F1> early in the
install sequence as the CD first loads, read the screen that appears,
and type something like "text"). Then configure X but do not test it --
just finish the install and boot up. (I think it was on Mandrake 7.2
with the MandrakeFreq update that this worked.)
Similarly, try the regular install and skip the test -- just complete
the install, including configuring X but without testing the video and
then boot.
If you have the opportunity during the install, choose XFree 3.3.6
instead of 4.0.3. (During most of my attempts at installing, I was
presented with the choice of XFree 3.3.6 with or without experimental 3D
support -- 4.0.3 was not a choice.)
I'm sorry I can not be more helpful. Hopefully someone else will chip
in with better or more definite suggestions. If you do get it working,
please let me know how, maybe it will help me next time I try
upgrading. (And let me know more about your motherboard -- is the SiS
630 onboard or is on a card?)
Good luck,
Randy Kramer
Dwight Follick wrote:
>
> Hi
>
> I've recently been trying to load Mandrake 8.0 on my machine (I'm fricken
> sick of Windoze) and when I'm in the installation trying to configure the
> XFree86 4.03 part, it tests out my card and it freezes when it switches
> screen modes or something - the screen goes black.
>
> My card is a SiS 630 and I believe that XFree86 4.03 is having some problems
> with those cards.
>
> Is there no way around this?
>
> I have the Mandrake distribution on 2 ReWritable CDs - I downloaded the ISOs
> on a 56k modem (and yes it took a fricken long time)
>
> Is there anyway I can update XFree86?
>
> Windoze is pissing me off and I want to try Linux bad...
>
> Thanx if you can help - Screw you if you can't!
> Haha I'm just kidding...
>
> Please help though...
>
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