Customize a Matrox G450 DH

Support knowledgebase (pohletz_matroxg450)

SuSE Linux: Versions 7.0 to 7.2
This article refers to an older version of SuSE Linux. Therefore some of the informations given in this article may be outdated or the article may contain stale links.

Kernel: Version 2.2.x
XFree86: Versions since 4.0.1

Request:

Procedure:

1. Installation of Minimal + KDE System with Yast1 (Should work also if you choose a Standard eg. Standard with Office Installation, but isn't tested yet)
2. Download the SAX2 Files from Directory ftp://ftp.suse.com/pub/suse/i386/X/XFree86/XFree86-4.0.2-SuSE/suse70/sax2

        sax2-4.2-11.i386.rpm

3. Download the XFree86 4.0.2 Files from Directory ftp://ftp.suse.com/pub/suse/i386/X/XFree86/XFree86-4.0.2-SuSE/suse70

                                                                                     
        xdevel-4.0.2-6.i386.rpm
        xextra-4.0.2-6.i386.rpm
        xf86-4.0.2-6.i386.rpm
        xfnt100-4.0.2-6.i386.rpm
        xfntcyr-4.0.2-6.i386.rpm
        xfntscl-4.0.2-6.i386.rpm
        xloader-4.0.2-6.i386.rpm
        xman-4.0.2-6.i386.rpm
        xmodules-4.0.2-6.i386.rpm
        xshared-4.0.2-6.i386.rpm
        xxprt-4.0.2-6.i386.rpm

4. At ftp://ftp.matrox.com/pub/mga/archive/linux/2001/beta_1_01_05/ download the Driver for Linux. (mga_drv.o). (Please use the right Mousekey and choose "Save Link as...") The downloaded Driver is in the Directory of the User who's downloaded it.
   Important: Please install first of all the old version Driver:
   ftp://ftp.matrox.com/pub/mga/archive/linux/2001/beta_1_00_04/ and configure your X-Server.
   
   Only after that you could install and use the new version.
   
   Please also take a look at the following README files:

   ftp://ftp.matrox.com/pub/mga/archive/linux/2001/beta_1_01_05/readme.txt

   ftp://ftp.suse.com/pub/suse/i386/X/XFree86/XFree86-4.0.2-SuSE/README

5. Proceed as under http://support.suse.de/sdb/de/html/wessels_how_to_install_xfree.html described.
6. Copy the Matrox Driver with the command(you must be root)
   
   

   	cp /home/username/mga_drv.o /usr/X11R6/lib/modules/drivers/

   whereat "username" got to be substituted with the Username you logged in.
   
   or, if you are User root :
   
   

   	cp /root/mga_drv.o /usr/X11R6/lib/modules/drivers/

   into the correct Subdirectory.
7. Start Sax2 with the command:
   

   	sax2 -f

   now it should run without Problems.

8. IMPORTANT: The XF86Config File generated by Sax2 is unusable !!!
   Sax2 should recognize the Matrox as a G400 Card and reside on PCI Bus 1:0:0 (AGP). Just integrate a second Card with the same Parameters(see below)
   


9. Now you can set up the Monitor (Resolution, Colordepth, etc.), take care that both have the same Colordepth, cause otherwise Sax grumbles.
   
   
10. Now test the whole Thing, only ONE Monitor switches on, just fine tune it. The Option "xinerama" is not necessary at this Configuration and doesn't gain anything.
    
    
11. If the XF86Config File is generated, with the command

    	startx

    you can test, if it's working. (Only ONE Monitor turns on!)
    
    
12. Let's have a look at the Example-XF86Config File, you got to modulate it:
    ATTENTION: Please pay attention that the Values for the Monitor only valid for the Model S700JT1 from Ilyama. In any case you've to fill in your own correct Values for the Monitor!!

    
    Section "Monitor"
      HorizSync     30-70
      Identifier    "Monitor[0]"
      ModelName     "S700JT1"
      VendorName    "IIyama"
      VertRefresh   50-160
      UseModes      "Modes[0]"
    EndSection
    
    
    Section "Monitor"
      HorizSync     30-70
      Identifier    "Monitor[1]"
      ModelName     "S700JT1"
      VendorName    "IIyama"
      VertRefresh   50-160
      UseModes      "Modes[1]"
    EndSection
    
    
    Section "Modes"
      Identifier    "Modes[0]"
      Modeline      "1024x768" 71.39 1024 1040 1216 1384 768 768 778 802
      Modeline      "1024x768" 81.59 1024 1040 1216 1384 768 768 778 802
      Modeline      "1024x768" 92.96 1024 1040 1216 1384 768 768 778 802
      Modeline      "800x600" 62.40 800 816 928 1064 600 600 610 642
      Modeline      "800x600" 68.64 800 816 928 1064 600 600 610 642
      Modeline      "800x600" 72.80 800 816 928 1064 600 600 610 642
      Modeline      "640x480" 58.24 640 688 752 872 480 480 490 517
      Modeline      "1280x1024" 116.48 1280 1280 1536 1720 1024 1024 1034 1070
    EndSection
    
    
    Section "Modes"
      Identifier    "Modes[1]"
      Modeline      "1024x768" 71.39 1024 1040 1216 1384 768 768 778 802
      Modeline      "1024x768" 81.59 1024 1040 1216 1384 768 768 778 802
      Modeline      "1024x768" 92.96 1024 1040 1216 1384 768 768 778 802
      Modeline      "800x600" 62.40 800 816 928 1064 600 600 610 642
      Modeline      "800x600" 68.64 800 816 928 1064 600 600 610 642
      Modeline      "800x600" 72.80 800 816 928 1064 600 600 610 642
      Modeline      "640x480" 58.24 640 688 752 872 480 480 490 517
      Modeline      "1280x1024" 116.48 1280 1280 1536 1720 1024 1024 1034 1070
    EndSection
    
    
    Section "Screen"
      DefaultDepth  16
      SubSection "Display"
        Depth       15
        Modes       "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        ViewPort    0 0
      EndSubSection
      SubSection "Display"
        Depth       16
        Modes       "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        ViewPort    0 0
      EndSubSection
      SubSection "Display"
        Depth       24
        Modes       "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        ViewPort    0 0
      EndSubSection
      SubSection "Display"
        Depth       32
        Modes       "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        ViewPort    0 0
      EndSubSection
      SubSection "Display"
        Depth       8
        Modes       "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        ViewPort    0 0
      EndSubSection
      Device        "G450_1"
      Identifier    "Screen[0]"
      Monitor       "Monitor[0]"
    EndSection
    
    
    Section "Screen"
      DefaultDepth  16
      SubSection "Display"
        Depth       15
        Modes       "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        ViewPort    0 0
      EndSubSection
      SubSection "Display"
        Depth       16
        Modes       "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        ViewPort    0 0
      EndSubSection
     SubSection "Display"
        Depth       24
        Modes       "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        ViewPort    0 0
      EndSubSection
      SubSection "Display"
        Depth       32
        Modes       "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        ViewPort    0 0
      EndSubSection
      SubSection "Display"
        Depth       8
        Modes       "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        ViewPort    0 0
      EndSubSection
      Device        "G450_2"
      Identifier    "Screen[1]"
      Monitor       "Monitor[1]"
    EndSection
    
    
    Section "Device"
      BoardName     "Matrox G450"
      BusID         "1:0:0"
      Driver        "mga"
      Identifier    "G450_1"
      VendorName    "Matrox"
      Screen        0
    EndSection
    
    
    Section "Device"
      BoardName     "Matrox G450"
      BusID         "1:0:0"
      Driver        "mga"
      Identifier    "G450_2"
      VendorName    "Matrox"
      Screen        1
    EndSection
    
    
    Section "ServerLayout"
      Identifier    "Layout[all]"
      InputDevice   "Keyboard[0]"   "CoreKeyboard"
      InputDevice   "Mouse[1]"      "CorePointer"
      Option        "Xinerama"      "on"
      Screen        "Screen[0]" LeftOf "Screen[1]"
      Screen        "Screen[1]"
    EndSection
    

13. You can read about modifications for other things like "TV", "3D-Accel." or "Clone Mode" in the README from Matrox.DVD-Max and Zoom are not possible.
    
    
14. Now execute your first Test with the command:
    

    	startx

15. Hint: Create three Configurations, one for a resolution up to 1280 at DualHead, one up to 1024 DualHead and another one at SingleHead with DRI, cause DRI won't be activated at DualHead Mode.
    
    
16. And now....Have fun.