Linux 2.4.x and Via KT400A

Haakon Nilsen

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Oct 13, 2003, 1:52:49 PM10/13/03

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Hello,

Some time ago I got a new EPoX EP-8K9A9i mainboard. Since then, I still
haven't got proper AGP support to work. When XFree86 couldn't load DRI
support to give me nifty 3D support, I tracked the problem down to the
agpgart kernel module. It simply won't load. When I try to, it looks like
this:

[root@localhost root]# modprobe agpgart
/lib/modules/2.4.20-8/kernel/drivers/char/agp/agpgart.o: init_module:
Invalid argument
Hint: insmod errors can be caused by incorrect module parameters, including
invalid IO or IRQ parameters.
You may find more information in syslog or the output from dmesg
/lib/modules/2.4.20-8/kernel/drivers/char/agp/agpgart.o: insmod
/lib/modules/2.4.20-8/kernel/drivers/char/agp/agpgart.o failed
/lib/modules/2.4.20-8/kernel/drivers/char/agp/agpgart.o: insmod agpgart
failed

[root@localhost root]# dmesg | tail -4
Linux agpgart interface v0.99 (c) Jeff Hartmann
agpgart: Maximum main memory to use for agp memory: 439M
agpgart: Detected Via Apollo Pro KT400 chipset
agpgart: unable to determine aperture size.
[root@localhost root]#

I've tried this on the standard Red Hat 9 and Knoppix 3.2/3.3 kernels (which
are all 2.4.20 or newer), always with the same result. I see from dmesg
that it thinks it has found a KT400 and not the KT400A that I actually
have, which has made me suspect that the KT400A is actually not supported.

All my requests for help have gone unanswered everywhere, and I'm getting
pretty frustrated having a brand new super fast system and not being able
to use the 3D capabilities. So I'm hoping some people here can throw me a
bone. The only other possible mention I've found on news is a German post
at
<URL:http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=3019829.tfIr8ilpmD%40usenet.pinguin.uni.cc>,
but my German has rusted badly and it doesn't look like the same problem
anyway.

Thanks for any reply. I'll grant one million Linuxland Fantasy Funbucks to
anyone who can help me solve this. :-)

Georg Voigtländer

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Oct 13, 2003, 4:44:01 PM10/13/03

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Haakon Nilsen wrote:
> Hello,
Hi,

> [root@localhost root]# dmesg | tail -4
> Linux agpgart interface v0.99 (c) Jeff Hartmann
> agpgart: Maximum main memory to use for agp memory: 439M
> agpgart: Detected Via Apollo Pro KT400 chipset
> agpgart: unable to determine aperture size.
> [root@localhost root]#

had the same problem with my a7v600 (kt600). after a long search i found
a ati-fglry patch. it adds agp3 support and works fine with my matrox
550. you'll have to patch your kernel-sources manualy, cause the
ati-patch seens to base on some other ati modifications.
georg

Georg Voigtländer

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Oct 13, 2003, 4:59:38 PM10/13/03

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found again: http://nifelheim.dyndns.org/~cocidius/
georg

Haakon Nilsen

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Oct 17, 2003, 6:41:59 AM10/17/03

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Georg Voigtländer wrote:

> found again: http://nifelheim.dyndns.org/~cocidius/

Thanks, but that patch seems to be meant for FireGL, which I understand is
the closed-source ATI drivers which I don't use. I just try to use the
standard agpgart module from the 2.4 kernel. Now I've even tried on the
2.4.22 kernel, with the same error as I described. This means I have to
run the stupid VESA driver for X. I'm very interested to hear if anyone
else has this same problem with KT400A, or if I may have a lightly defect
hardware. Anyone?

Georg Voigtländer

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Oct 17, 2003, 7:19:48 AM10/17/03

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Hi,

> Thanks, but that patch seems to be meant for FireGL, which I understand is
> the closed-source ATI drivers which I don't use. I just try to use the
> standard agpgart module from the 2.4 kernel. Now I've even tried on the
> 2.4.22 kernel, with the same error as I described. This means I have to
> run the stupid VESA driver for X. I'm very interested to hear if anyone
> else has this same problem with KT400A, or if I may have a lightly defect
> hardware. Anyone?

kernel 2.4.x won't support the AGP3.0 interface, VIA KT400A comes with.
There are some special registers included, agpgart isn't able to detect.
the this patch will add support for AGP3.0 to the agpgart, there is need
to use the ati-drivers. it really works on my system.
to get the patch work, you'll have to apply them manually - it will only
work with ati-drivers automatically. if you want, i can send you my
patched agpgard-sources per mail

georg

Haakon Nilsen

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Oct 18, 2003, 5:51:50 AM10/18/03

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Georg Voigtländer wrote:

> kernel 2.4.x won't support the AGP3.0 interface, VIA KT400A comes with.
> There are some special registers included, agpgart isn't able to detect.

Thanks a lot, I decided to try a 2.6 kernel, and everything just works!
Finally, direct rendering in X :)