Hello, I've noticed this with the Intel 865G chipset (i810 driver) on XFree86 4.7.0 (Linux, 2.4.35 kernel).
I've got two different machines with this chipset. In both cases, the BIOS is set-up for using 8MB of VRAM (this memory is taken from the RAM). 1) industrial PC : 8085:2572 with subvendor/device 8086:4246 (Intel 865 GBF motherboard) Here there is no crash. 2) Dell GX270 : 8086:2572 with subvendor/device 1028:0151 (Dell motherboard) Here X crashes when switching to text console and back to X. It seems that the Dell BIOS mismanages something ... The solution I found to avoid this crash is to use 865patch (available at http://www.chzsoft.com.ar/855patch.html) and set the VRAM to 32000 (for example) before starting X. I think this could be mentionned in the release-notes and/or i810 man page. IMHO the same information could be given for the Intel 845G (eg apply 845patch). Have a nice day. Loïc, Toulouse, France