Ubuntu

SONY VAIO VA1 NO GUI

Asked by Donald Campbell

I have 2MB RAM; 2 * 250GB drives. I have tried installing various flavours (I prefer ubuntu but have tried red hat SUSE 10.1 MEPIS and UBUNTU - in none of them will the system boot to a GUI - I note that when I try alternate CD rom the autodetect gets stuck at the Configuring X Server and I can't get past that but when I try to run of fthe CD it just defaults to te command line. I've tried to edit the /etc/X11 configuration file but none of the alternatives offered seem to result in anything but a blank screen, which defaults to the command line with ctrl-alt-f7

I am running ubuntu on several others includin the laptop and really want to get the VAio to run linux

The splash screens and setup run fine till you reboot though I can't get a GUI off the DVD. The video card is

I've tried all variations of the bios and raltek setup and the bios is up to date.ATI RAdeon 7400 with 256MB on the card

There is a splash warning at startup that `"4294672.346000 PCI th edevice is unable to allocate memory in region 00.00.00.0" and some versions of Linux state the kernal is tainted by propritary Sony message.

The command line however runs linux fine with all lsts and sudo commands running. I can use gedit off the command line but am unsure what to try - I've trioed sony help\who simply domn't want to know about anything that isn't Windows!!

Is there a downloadable driver for the ATI card which will help or a default setting for the VAIO VA1?

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Revision history for this message
Alan Pope 🍺🐧🐱 🦄 (popey) said : 		#1

You can reconfigure X using the following command:-

$ sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

And try using the ati driver, or the vesa driver.

I don't know if updating the software packages on the machine will help. If your network is working and you have high speed internet access you could update your system with the following commands:-

$ sudo apt-get update

followed by

$ sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

Let us know how you get on.

Revision history for this message
Donald Campbell (bellerophon) said : 		#2

Many thanks - still no go neither with vesa nor ati.

Some of the fault message is:

VESA (0) : no matching modes

Screens found but none has a useable configuration

Fatal server error no screens found

Failed to start X interface
Module loader present
X window server v. 7.0.0

Xprotocol VII Revision 0 Release 7

X server output Xserver now disabled restart GDM when connfiguration correct.

The splash screen appears with all messages "OK" status until reach login which is text only.

I have updated everything except for the ATI driver which I have downloaded but am unsure which directory to put it in

any further suggestions? This is getting very frustrating!!!!!
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Alan Pope<mailto:<email address hidden>>
  To: <email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden>>
  Sent: 10 October 2006 08:07
  Subject: [Support #2028]: Re: SONY VAIO VA1 NO GUI

  Support request #2028 on Ubuntu changed:
  https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+ticket/2028<https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+ticket/2028>

  Comment:
  You can reconfigure X using the following command:-

  $ sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

  And try using the ati driver, or the vesa driver.

  I don't know if updating the software packages on the machine will help. If your network is working and you have high speed internet access you could update your system with the following commands:-

  $ sudo apt-get update

  followed by

  $ sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

  Let us know how you get on.

Revision history for this message
Donald Campbell (bellerophon) said : 		#3

Support request #2028 on Ubuntu changed:
https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+ticket/2028<https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+ticket/2028>

Comment:
Many thanks - still no go neither with vesa nor ati.

Some of the fault message is:

VESA (0) : no matching modes

Screens found but none has a useable configuration

Fatal server error no screens found

Failed to start X interface
Module loader present
X window server v. 7.0.0

Xprotocol VII Revision 0 Release 7

X server output Xserver now disabled restart GDM when connfiguration correct.

The splash screen appears with all messages "OK" status until reach login which is text only.

I have updated everything except for the ATI driver which I have downloaded but am unsure which directory to put it in

any further suggestions? This is getting very frustrating!!!!!
  ----- Original Message -----

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Donald Campbell<mailto:<email address hidden>>
  To: <email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden>>
  Sent: 10 October 2006 14:12
  Subject: [Support #2028]: Re: [Support #2028]: Re: SONY VAIO VA1 NO GUI

  Support request #2028 on Ubuntu changed:
  https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+ticket/2028<https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+ticket/2028>

  Comment:
  Many thanks - still no go neither with vesa nor ati.

  Some of the fault message is:

  VESA (0) : no matching modes

  Screens found but none has a useable configuration

  Fatal server error no screens found

  Failed to start X interface
  Module loader present
  X window server v. 7.0.0

  Xprotocol VII Revision 0 Release 7

  X server output Xserver now disabled restart GDM when connfiguration correct.

  The splash screen appears with all messages "OK" status until reach login which is text only.

  I have updated everything except for the ATI driver which I have downloaded but am unsure which directory to put it in

  any further suggestions? This is getting very frustrating!!!!!
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Alan Pope<mailto:<email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden>>>
    To: <email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden>>>
    Sent: 10 October 2006 08:07
    Subject: [Support #2028]: Re: SONY VAIO VA1 NO GUI

    Support request #2028 on Ubuntu changed:
    https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+ticket/2028<https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+ticket/2028<https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+ticket/2028<https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+ticket/2028>>

    Comment:
    You can reconfigure X using the following command:-

    $ sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

    And try using the ati driver, or the vesa driver.

    I don't know if updating the software packages on the machine will help. If your network is working and you have high speed internet access you could update your system with the following commands:-

    $ sudo apt-get update

    followed by

    $ sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

    Let us know how you get on.

Revision history for this message
Donald Campbell (bellerophon) said : 		#4

Comment:
Many thanks - still no go neither with vesa nor ati.

Some of the fault message is:

VESA (0) : no matching modes

Screens found but none has a useable configuration

Fatal server error no screens found

Failed to start X interface
Module loader present
X window server v. 7.0.0

Xprotocol VII Revision 0 Release 7

X server output Xserver now disabled restart GDM when connfiguration correct.

The splash screen appears with all messages "OK" status until reach login which is text only.

I have updated everything except for the ATI driver which I have downloaded but am unsure which directory to put it in

any further suggestions? This is getting very frustrating!!!!!
  ----- Original Message -----

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Donald Campbell<mailto:<email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden>>>
  To: <email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden>>>
  Sent: 10 October 2006 14:12
  Subject: [Support #2028]: Re: [Support #2028]: Re: SONY VAIO VA1 NO GUI

  Support request #2028 on Ubuntu changed:
  https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+ticket/2028<https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+ticket/2028<https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+ticket/2028<https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+ticket/2028>>

  Comment:
  Many thanks - still no go neither with vesa nor ati.

  Some of the fault message is:

  VESA (0) : no matching modes

  Screens found but none has a useable configuration

  Fatal server error no screens found

  Failed to start X interface
  Module loader present
  X window server v. 7.0.0

  Xprotocol VII Revision 0 Release 7

  X server output Xserver now disabled restart GDM when connfiguration correct.

  The splash screen appears with all messages "OK" status until reach login which is text only.

  I have updated everything except for the ATI driver which I have downloaded but am unsure which directory to put it in

  any further suggestions? This is getting very frustrating!!!!!
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Alan Pope<mailto:<email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden>>>>
    To: <email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden>>>>
    Sent: 10 October 2006 08:07
    Subject: [Support #2028]: Re: SONY VAIO VA1 NO GUI

Revision history for this message
Donald Campbell (bellerophon) said : 		#5

Donald Campbell <<email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden>>>

Many thanks - still no go neither with vesa nor ati.

Some of the fault message is:

VESA (0) : no matching modes

Screens found but none has a useable configuration

Fatal server error no screens found

Failed to start X interface
Module loader present
X window server v. 7.0.0

Xprotocol VII Revision 0 Release 7

X server output Xserver now disabled restart GDM when connfiguration correct.

The splash screen appears with all messages "OK" status until reach login which is text only.

I have updated everything except for the ATI driver which I have downloaded but am unsure which directory to put it in

any further suggestions? This is getting very frustrating!!!!!
  ----- Original Message -----

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Donald Campbell<mailto:<email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden><about:blank>>>
  To: <email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden><mailto:<email address hidden><about:blank>>>
  Sent: 10 October 2006 14:12
  Subject: [Support #2028]: Re: [Support #2028]: Re: SONY VAIO VA1 NO GUI

  Support request #2028 on Ubuntu changed:
  https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+ticket/2028<https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+ticket/2028<https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+ticket/2028<https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+ticket/2028<about:blank>>>

  Comment:
  Many thanks - still no go neither with vesa nor ati.

  Some of the fault message is:

  VESA (0) : no matching modes

  Screens found but none has a useable configuration

  Fatal server error no screens found

  Failed to start X interface
  Module loader present
  X window server v. 7.0.0

  Xprotocol VII Revision 0 Release 7

  X server output Xserver now disabled restart GDM when connfiguration correct.

  The splash screen appears with all messages "OK" status until reach login which is text only.

  I have updated everything except for the ATI driver which I have downloaded but am unsure which directory to put it in

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