New Via 3D Driver for Ubuntu Jaunty (Chrome9)

[martin]

Hey!

I just found some good news for these of us, who are hoping for a working Ubuntu Jaunty Via Driver.
Just have a look here!

http://ubuntu-virginia.ubuntuforums....079314&page=25

In this Forum, someone talks about a new experimental Chrome9 Driver, he got directly from the developers. Sounds serious, doesn't it?
I have currently Ubuntu Karmic running, and don't want to switch over to Jaunty again, yet.

It is for the VX800 Chipset I think, don't know if we can use it yet. But it definitly means, that they are working on something, I guess.

Eventhough, I expect it to be some work, to get the xorg.conf file right, again. But with the help of mikez old xorg.conf files, that should be possible.

Please just tell it here, how it works for you. Even if it's not working, it's worth a post. I would like to have a working VGA-out at least, but Ubuntu 8.10 is getting old by now.

Good Luck!
Martin

PS:
Just dig the forums for the right xorg.conf files.
Or google for "Hp 1233 Ubuntu LaptopTestingTeam"

[mikez]

mikez is moving to his own little corner of the Internet: http://minimodding.com

[martin]

Hey,
The Via Chrome 9 Driver for the CN896 platform is official released now and can be found at the VIA Linux Portal. I have always believed in them^^.

So I guess Ubuntu 9.04 will be the best choice for everyone who needs the VGA-out or wants some eye-candy!
Martin

[zbrown0529]

so wait...if I go and get Ubuntu 9.04...install it...and then install this new driver...I can have compiz working....and it will run at a decent frame rate on my 2133?

Any special steps?

[martin]

I have tried the Via drivers for Ubuntu 8.04 and 8.10. They worked well. And even if many people keep saying, the chrome 9 is to weak for Compiz, it is not.

I use a Hp2133 with Via c7 1.6 Ghz and a 1280x768 display resolution and had always framerates around 80 frames/second while rotating the desktop cube etc.

"Just install and works" may not be possible. For the last Via drivers, it has been neccessary to use a custom "Xorg.conf" file. How to do is described in the driver readme. But it may be easier, just to use the xorg.conf, that mikez/who wrote for Ubuntu 8.10. It should just work. With VGA-out and 3d-effects.

Post your experience!

I would like to try, but university is too much work aktually. Currently, I don't have time to delete my Karmic Koala, rescue all the data and programms and try another one out. Maybe in the weekend.

[zbrown0529]

well alright I'm downgrading one of my SD cards to 9.04 as I type this and next I will pop it in and report back....mikez, wheres that xorg at?

[mikez]

well alright I'm downgrading one of my SD cards to 9.04 as I type this and next I will pop it in and report back....mikez, wheres that xorg at?

I never did one for 9.04, that was 'who'.

I think this is the page you have in mind:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LaptopTestin...splayConfig810

Which probably still links back here.

[azotyp]

Can someone give a link to download that driver and a name of proper xorg (there are couple of xorgs there and I dont want to mess my system).
ps I'm a linux noob and dont know a full name of this grapgic card.

[martin]

The downloadlink is:

http://linux.via.com.tw/support/downloadFiles.action

our driver is the one for "CN896".
But if you are a linux-noob, I suggest you to wait, till someone else managed the installation. You should at least know, how to backup and restore the xorg.conf-file of your system and how to add boot parameters. (xforcevesa etc.). If you dont want to risk a broken system, it's the wrong thing to do for now.
Martin

[zbrown0529]

iv downgraded to 9.04 and there are 150 updates...if I update them will the new driver still work?