[ydl-gen] dvi/video out on alubook 1,67 ghz (powerbook 5,6)

[Jurvis LaSalle]

WOW.  What a complete and utter failure to communicate...
	My understanding of the situation is that Benoit would like to attach  
his external display to his PB and have desktop spanning enabled (as  
opposed to mirroring).  His hardware most certainly does support dual  
head operation.  64MB of VRAM is more than enough for this task.  I had  
to give up my ydl install on my PB when I installed Tiger (I'll get it  
back when I've saved up for one of those nice 120GB 2.5" HD), so I  
can't boot into it and see if there's a way to do this from the GUI.  A  
little googling (  
http://www.google.com/search?rls=en-us&q=dual+head+YDL&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF 
-8 ) turned up this link:  
http://www.yellowdoglinux.com/support/hardware/video.php .  Looking up  
Benoit's model, it seems dual head is "Probably not..." supported.   
Then again, the ydl front page (  
http://www.yellowdoglinux.com/index.shtml/ ) states "X.org 6.8.2,  
featuring improved Radeon dual-head support."  To sum up, you may be  
able to set this up from the GUI if you are subscribed to ydl.net and  
are running ydl4.1.  Otherwise, more googling (  
http://www.google.com/search?rls=en- 
us&q=dual+head+linux+powerbook&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8 ) turns up this link:  
http://www.johnleach.co.uk/documents/powerpc/ .  You'll probably have  
to get your hands dirty in X config files to tailor Mr. Leach's config  
to your particulars.  Good luck!

hth,
JL

PS  Derick, this a linux list and all so there's no need to lay the FUD  
on so thick.  We're already drinking the kool-aid.  It would be equally  
pointless for me to point out that all Benoit would have had to do is  
plug the display in if he was booted into OS X.



On Jan 14, 2006, at 12:57 PM, Derick Centeno wrote:

> Hi Benoit:
> €
>
> €
> I'm explaining that hacking Xorg will not be as useful as discussing €
> with Apple (call that Apple warranty support number -- it is posted on  
> €
> Apple's website) that under the warranty you are interested in €
> upgrading the VRAM from 64 to 128MG and that you want that dual  
> digital €
> video out plug also.  They usually go together anyway.
> €
>
> €
> You don't have to stay within OS X to use the "full power" of your PB.  
>  €
> YDL is more efficient and faster than OS X; professional studies by €
> engineering labs have brought this fact out, especially as Apple was €
> blaming the PowerPC for being too slow.  The actual culprit, from the €
> engineering study was OS X itself.  What is challenging about YDL, of €
> course is that not every user is a programmer, engineer or system €
> administrator and the different aspects of Linux -- all of it  
> available €
> to any user is like asking someone visiting a modern hospital to €
> comprehend how the operating room interfaces with the hospital network  
> €
> from an IT perspective.
> €
>
> €
> What is important is understanding computer fundamentals as thoroughly  
> €
> as possible, expanding our own understanding a bit each day.  YDL and €
> other Linux distributions allow that to happen and although it can be €
> frustrating, we ourselves are in control.  Other operating systems  
> such €
> as Solaris, OS X, AIX and others require that "they" someone else is  
> in €
> control of your machine -- you can change parts of it but not every  
> and €
> anything regarding to software.  Let's understand that Apple does many  
> €
> things absolutely wonderfully.  However, if one develops enough of a €
> background in almost any area of expertise one will eventually want to  
> €
> do things one's own way for one's own purpose.
> €
> Apple is becoming extremely flexible, but just as with any company the  
> €
> perspective and truth reported is none-the-less the Apple Corporate €
> view.
> €
>
> €
> This isn't a problem, unless it is a problem which interferes with  
> what €
> you want to do or are thinking about doing.
> €
>
> €
> For the sake of clarity let's suppose that your PB did not come with €
> Bluetooth technology.  The current version of YDL allows has software €
> for Bluetooth.  Is it possible for your PB to use Bluetooth, after you  
> €
> acquire YDL?
> €
>
> €
> The answer will be no.
> €
>
> €
> Why?  Because the PB was not designed with the hardware necessary for €
> Bluetooth to function.
> €
>
> €
> This is exactly similar to your discussion regarding Xorg and the  
> video €
> out ports.  In short, the VRAM capacity is not physically present at €
> this time and trying to program Xorg so that it overcame that (with €
> brilliant and insightful programming) limitation is not as efficient  
> as €
> calling Apple and investigating the possibility of an upgrade of the €
> VRAM and video out ports while your PB is still under warranty.
> €
>
> €
> Good luck...
> €
>
> €
> On Jan 14, 2006, at 11:44 AM, Benoit Chesneau wrote:
> €
>
> €
>> As I understand your answer I can't use a second screen without
> €
>> hacking xorg.  Am I right ? Do you have any link about such hack .
> €
>>
> €
>> I've also a mac mini I could use with my external scxreen (currently
> €
>> under linux) . But the speed under X isn't very good and even with
> €
>> r300 the directe rendering is only about 1000 fps :( . So do you have
> €
>> to stay on macosx to use full power of my powerbook ?
> €
>>
> €
>> Hope there is some hacks to apply :) ANd my powerbook  is still under
> €
>> warranty but... :)
> €
>>
> €
>> - Benoît
> €
>> On Jan 14, 2006, at 5:34 PM, Derick Centeno wrote:
> €
>>
> €
>>> Benoit:
> €
>>>
> €
>>> Of course, you know where the dvi plug is.  I wasn't indicating that
> €
>>> as your difficulty.
> €
>>>
> €
>>> I had interpreted your question as a misunderstanding.
> €
>>>
> €
>>> The limitation is with the firmware and the VRAM.  Xorg can interface
> €
>>> no doubt with aspects of whatever is there, however it is unlikely to
> €
>>> be able to overcome what the VRAM limits it to.  As you've got the
> €
>>> same VRAM I have, you are limited to utilizing (for digital video
> €
>>> output) a screen to be no more than a certain size (23 inches).
> €
>>> Although Xorg can be hacked it is much easier to investigate getting
> €
>>> the maximum digital video out you can -- 64MG VRAM is definitely not
> €
>>> it.
> €
>>>
> €
>>> You may be lucky if you are still under the Apple warranty; you may
> €
>>> still be unlucky in that Apple may choose to stick to your original
> €
>>> "build to order" choice.
> €
>>>
> €
>>> Best wishes...
> €
>>>
> €
>>> On Jan 14, 2006, at 4:37 AM, Benoit Chesneau wrote:
> €
>>>
> €
>>>> I mean with Xorg under linux .... I know where is the dvi out plug  
>>>> ;)
> €
>>>>
> €
>>>> On Jan 13, 2006, at 5:44 AM, Derick Centeno wrote:
> €
>>>>
> €
>>>>> Hi:
> €
>>>>> You may have overlooked the section of the manual which came with
> €
>>>>> your laptop entitled, "Connecting an Apple Flat-Panel Display"; it
> €
>>>>> may best describe your options.
> €
>>>>>
> €
>>>>> On Jan 11, 2006, at 7:47 PM, Benoit Chesneau wrote:
> €
>>>>>
> €
>>>>>> Hi all,
> €
>>>>>>
> €
>>>>>> Anyone know if it's now possible to use video/dvi out with this
> €
>>>>>> powerbook (details on bottom)? I man dual head with the apple
> €
>>>>>> ciindema display. Tell me :)
> €
>>>>>>
> €
>>>>>> - Benoît
> €
>>
> €
>>
> €
> =================
> €
> The scientist's religious feeling takes the form of a rapturous €
> amazement at the harmony of natural law, which reveals an intelligence  
> €
> of such superiority that, in comparison with it, the highest €
> intelligence of human beings is an utterly insignificant reflection.  €
> This feeling is the guiding principle of his life and work.
> €
> -- Albert Einstein, Scientist.
> €
>
> €
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