Your problem seems identical to my problem with a Compaq 4000 and its
version of the S3 Virge GX card which, as I recall, used the same chip
you mention.
The solution: use XFree86 version 3.3.6 rather than 4.x.x.
Here is
what worked for my installation of Redhat 7.2. (Posted Previously)
Regarding Deskpro (4000?) using S3 ViRGE GX. I have just gone
through
the same experience. I am installing RedHat 7.2.
My symptoms were a small, rectangular area that adjacent to the cursor,
plus other annoying distortions. I was using a SonyCPD 1304 monitor
that was supported by RedHat..
I found the solution at "www.dsm.fordham.edu/~moniot/linux-compaq/".
With RedHat's help (see below) I was able to implement the solution.
The basic problem seems to be that the XFree86 version 4.XX XF86_SVGA
server doesn't support
Compaq's (OEM version?) of the S3 Virge card. The S3 card is
better supported by
the XFree86 version 3.3.6 XF86_S3 server which was also included on
the RedHat 7.2
distribution disks.
Here is how Red Hat advised me to implement the fix recommended at
www.dsm.fordham.edu/~moniot/linux-compaq/:
About the video settings, we suggest that you install the XFree86-S3V
package which is located at the Red Hat CD#2, under the RedHat/RPMS
directory.
To install that package please use this command:
rpm -ivh XFree86-S3V*
Then issue this command to reconfigure the settings:
Xconfigurator --expert --preferxf3 --server XF86_S3V
As I recall, there was a little confusion in selecting a server even after getting the ver. 3.3.6 software on the computer. You need to be certain that you are running version 3.3.6, not version 4.x. Evenutally I worked through it, and my antique computer was running linux with Xwindows!
There remained one glitch, however: When you close an Xwindow you are left with a somewhat garbled text screen. You can make out enough of what is happening to issue commands, but not to do any sort of complex work. The site I mentioned above said that there should be a vgareset utility that can be run to restore the text screen, but I never located that software. Upon rebooting the text screen is restored -- until, of course, you run Xwindows again.
By the way, there is a big difference between versions 3.3.6 and version 4.x versions. I'm not sure I can articulate it at this point - which is really to say that I'm not sure I remember (or maybe even ever fully understood) the difference. As I recall, ver. 3.3.6 had individual "driver" or "server" files for different cards, but all "drivers" are contained in one file for 4.X. Someday I hope to understand all this a lot better than I do now.
Please advise if you receive this message and tell me whether or not it did you any good. If necessary, I could dig back through my files to see if I have any further information regarding this problem.
