Ubuntu
xserver-xorg-driver-s3 package

7.04 liveCD install hangs using K8M800 chipset for S3 Unichrome video

Asked by Spieman

I'm new at using Linux and Ubuntu but wanted to load my new pc with 7.04 liveCD to try it out, however after it starts loading the monitor blanks and it locks up requiring POR to get it going again. My MB is ECS K8M800-M2 (2.0) using S3/Unichrome Pro graphics chipset. I'm assuming this is causing the hang so was trying to figure out:
1) how to find an appropriate driver and
2) how to install the driver using the liveCD.
If somehow installing an S3 driver using liveCD is not possible then how would I go about installing 7.04 to the HD and then installing the supporting driver. Guess I'm a bit confused about how to do anything if the video is blank.
Hoping someone can help me get started or explain what's going on at this point in the install cycle.
Thanks.

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Ubuntu xserver-xorg-driver-s3 Edit question
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Flavius
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Revision history for this message
Albrecht Mühlenschulte (a7p) said : 		#1

You should give the alternate install cd a try. May be that will work.

Revision history for this message
Ken (kflack) said : 		#2

Try loading in safe graphic mode.This will limit you to 1024x768 screen but should work.
After trying the live CD you can install permanently,if you wish (Again) with safe graphics mode.
Perfom a "Update" to load latest drivers. (Note: You may also have to select restricted drivers under system)

If this still fails report the details of the failure

Good luck

Ken

Revision history for this message
Spieman (cbwrigh) said : 		#3

Thanks for the suggestions. I tried selecting Safe Graphic Mode and the monitor now shows columns of unreadable characters. Then about 10 seconds later the CD drive light turns off and system is locked with the screen still showing the columns.
I haven't found where to get the Alternate Install CD. Where/how would I download it?
Just to try and clarify:
This is a new system hardware build; Never had Windows at all.
MOBO is ECS K8M800-M2 which had built in VIA S3 Unichrome Pro Graphics chipset
  *It doesn't look like Ubuntu 7.04 supports this graphics adapter so how can it work?
80 GB IDE hard drive with FAT 32 Partition right now.
Flat Panel 17 LCD Display -not digital interface.
DVD/CD NEC/Sony Recordable drive.

I put the Ubuntu 7.04 CD in and boot system. Boots from CD drive since nothing is on HD.
Gets the Ubuntu screen with horizontal progress bar. Progress indicator runs fast for several times then it slows down to a step mode. Display shows columns of unreadable characters. Then it locks up. CD drive light out. ALT-CTL/DEL won't restart. Mush turn power off/on to reset and start over.
Seems like this should be easier but it's my first time to load a Linux distro on a PC.

Thanks for suggestions or point me to information links.

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Spieman (cbwrigh) said : 		#4

Help. Maybe if someone can just point me to a step by step install list. Do I need to install Windows first??? Do I need to somehow format or partition the hard drive? I just cannot seem to find any information in my searches that give me any clues.
Thanks for any help to get me going.

Revision history for this message
Spieman (cbwrigh) said : 		#5

Thanks for helping. How can I get the Alternate Install CD? This is probably simple but I'm just starting with this and am not getting anywhere fast. I have a new build was hoping to go with a Linux distribution like this but so far nothing is working. Is there a checklist and step by step? Best I can tell everybody just pops the cd in an magic happens but no magic here so far.
Sorry for the complaining.
Thanks for any help or direction pointing.
Charles :)

-----Original Message-----
From: <email address hidden> [mailto:<email address hidden>]On Behalf Of a7p
Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2007 2:19 PM
To: <email address hidden>
Subject: Re: [Question #10045]: 7.04 liveCD install hangs using K8M800 chipsetfor S3 Unichrome video

Your question #10045 on Ubuntu changed:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/10045

    Status: Open => Answered

a7p proposed the following answer:
You should give the alternate install cd a try. May be that will work.

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Revision history for this message
Best Flavius (fcopaciu-deactivatedaccount) said : 		#6

Hi,

first check the CD integrity as per https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/CDIntegrityCheck Just to rule out a bad CD. If the CD is OK but you still can't install (it looks so) try the alternative install (steps described below).

Get the AMD64 alternative CD (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/GettingUbuntu), burn the ISO image (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/GettingUbuntu), check the CD (as mentioned before) and if all is OK so far, try the installation. The following link https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/I386 is 386 specific but I think you can use that as base info for your install.

It looks like the Unichrome Project (http://unichrome.sourceforge.net/) is working on driver support for S3 Unichrome family of integrated graphics devices, if you're lucky your card is or will be supported.

Revision history for this message
Flavius (fcopaciu-deactivatedaccount) said : 		#7

It looks like openChrome took over and extended the Unichrome code, and they support K8M800! There's also a tutorial for Ubuntu on getting the card supported https://help.ubuntu.com/community/OpenChrome

Revision history for this message
Spieman (cbwrigh) said : 		#8

Wow! Thanks for getting me going with all the links and explanations. Very helpful.

Revision history for this message
Oldyun (chrisc-gmx) said : 		#9

I followed in the hope that it would solve my install problem.. I just want to try it off the cd first but I cannot get the graphics to work.. so how does all this sudo stuff help.. if the cd cannot load up even in VGA mode so you can actually see what you are doing to 'sudo' what the heck use is it.. the last two machines I have attempted to 'try' Ubuntu on have both failed on the graphics.. one dell and one generic with a pm800 mobo.. both with different integrated chipsets.

I think its about time the people at ubuntu revised this release. with such a technonerd workload to do a simple install its no wonder billy boy isn't too worried. at least windows will load using a basic driver so you can move on from there this needs renaming, whats the african word for Rubbish?

Oh as a byline Knoppix loads from the cd no problem.

Chris