How to Initialise second (and third) card before starting X?

jozemi · 12-02-05, 06:23 AM

I have two ge MX4000 cards that I need to operate using the ggi graphics library through 2 framebuffers.

When the system boots, only the primary graphics card is started. The other two monitors are blank.

How do I start the other two graphics cards WITHOUT starting X????

Regards

Jozemi

JanR · 12-02-05, 11:15 AM

Hi,

create a xorg.conf (or XF86Config) for these cards (important: different PCI-ids) and then run X -probeonly using these files. This does not really start X and exits fast, but it enables the cards.

I use this to initialize my Dualseat Dual Quadro NVS280 system in order to avoid conflicts during the real parallel start of both X servers.

Hope this helps.

Greetings,

Jan

jozemi · 12-06-05, 04:01 AM

Jan,

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, that didn't work for me. I am running suse 9.3. I know my xorg.conf is correct since the second monitor starts when doing a regular "startx"

JanR · 12-06-05, 02:37 PM

Hi,

this is not the point... I mean: Create a second (!) xorg.conf that ONLY contains the card that is not initialized. Then run THIS xorg.conf with -probeonly within your boot script BEFORE starting X. That way the card is initialized for the "real" X. This second xorg.conf is not needed to be correct in resolution etc... only important is that it contains the cards parameter.

Greetings,

Jan

jozemi · 12-21-05, 12:41 PM

Jan,

Thanks - I'll try that.

To explain further. My application does not use X at all but I need to use three monitors. If your suggestion works, do you think I will be able to assign a framebuffer for each monitor? Any idea how to do this?

Thanks Again.

JanR · 12-21-05, 06:52 PM

Hi,

unfurtunately, I have no idea regarding that.

Greetings,

Jan

12-02-05, 06:23 AM	#1
jozemi Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 3	How to Initialise second (and third) card before starting X? I have two ge MX4000 cards that I need to operate using the ggi graphics library through 2 framebuffers. When the system boots, only the primary graphics card is started. The other two monitors are blank. How do I start the other two graphics cards WITHOUT starting X???? Regards Jozemi

12-02-05, 11:15 AM	#2
JanR Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 12	Re: How to Initialise second (and third) card before starting X? Hi, create a xorg.conf (or XF86Config) for these cards (important: different PCI-ids) and then run X -probeonly using these files. This does not really start X and exits fast, but it enables the cards. I use this to initialize my Dualseat Dual Quadro NVS280 system in order to avoid conflicts during the real parallel start of both X servers. Hope this helps. Greetings, Jan

12-06-05, 04:01 AM	#3
jozemi Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 3	Re: How to Initialise second (and third) card before starting X? Jan, Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, that didn't work for me. I am running suse 9.3. I know my xorg.conf is correct since the second monitor starts when doing a regular "startx"

12-06-05, 02:37 PM	#4
JanR Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 12	Re: How to Initialise second (and third) card before starting X? Hi, this is not the point... I mean: Create a second (!) xorg.conf that ONLY contains the card that is not initialized. Then run THIS xorg.conf with -probeonly within your boot script BEFORE starting X. That way the card is initialized for the "real" X. This second xorg.conf is not needed to be correct in resolution etc... only important is that it contains the cards parameter. Greetings, Jan

12-21-05, 12:41 PM	#5
jozemi Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 3	Re: How to Initialise second (and third) card before starting X? Jan, Thanks - I'll try that. To explain further. My application does not use X at all but I need to use three monitors. If your suggestion works, do you think I will be able to assign a framebuffer for each monitor? Any idea how to do this? Thanks Again.

12-21-05, 06:52 PM	#6
JanR Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 12	Re: How to Initialise second (and third) card before starting X? Hi, unfurtunately, I have no idea regarding that. Greetings, Jan