Mint on Pismo - Keyboard/Login Problems

[Cygni]

Hi,

I installed Debian Lenny using the alternative CD, then installed Mint using the commands in the directions from this site.
Of course, the Xorg file needed editing, which I completed using the sudo nano command from root and these Xorg details http://mac.linux.be/content/g3-powerboo ... -modelines

It worked, in that I now see the Linux Mint spalsh screen, however, the keyboard is not recognized. Meaning, I can use the mouse, but typing with the keyboard leaves no data entered. Can someone point me to a fix for this issue?

Thank you!

[linuxopjemac]

That is weird. I have never seen this problem myself. I have the same computer as you and I wrote the instructions. If you follow my guide to the letter, it should not happen. I would try again (use the netinstall, it's easier).
http://mac.linux.be/content/mint-lxde-debian-lenny-ppc

[Cygni]

Thank you for responding.
I would rather not reinstall, it was extremely time consuming and I think there has to be a work around.
Looking through the Xorg data, it looks as though the keyboard setup may include a second language or other issues:

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "CoreKeyboard"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc104"
Option "XkbLayout" "us,th"
# Option "XkbVariant" "nodeadkeys"
# Option "XkbOptions" "lv3:lwin_switch"
EndSection


And I would like to edit it. How can I access a terminal window before reaching the login screen? I ask because the keyboard does not work once Mint is loaded and pressing alt ctrl F1 at the login screen results in the dreaded white screen.

[Cygni]

I pressed ctrl alt f1 all through the booting phase until I received the shell prompt and tinkered with the xorg settings.
After two tries, I rebooted and was able to log in, however, the mouse actions are not quite right. Will update with the xorg file I used after more tinkering over the weekend.

[linuxopjemac]

Cool! As a trick I use CTRL-ALT-backspace to restart GDM. You don't need to reboot.

Post your xorg.conf file when you are happy.

[Cygni]

I am still not completely there, but thought I would update a few things before I forget

1. I installed using the two commands below, while logged in as root, after a minimal disk installation of Debian Lenny without desktop environment.

wget http://mac.linux.be/files/mint-installer
sudo ./mint-installer

The entire process took about two hours, but it was the only way that did not produce a "line 257" error.


2. When logging in for the first time, the resolution might be off to where you can't see the menus.

Right click on the desktop - mouse is best for this - move to applications and select 'Xterm'
A terminal window will open

type xrandr to see available resolutions
choose that which best fits your computer and at the '$' prompt type: xrandr -s and your screen resolution of choice.
For my Pismo it looks like: xrandr -s 1024x768

It will change the resolution immediately. You can also right-click to logout, restart, etc. (Exit), and access openbox config manager (ObConf)

3. The post installation tutorial states the icon and theme should be changed. You can also do this through terminal

touch .gtkrc-2.0
nano -w .gtkrc-2.0

gtk-theme-name = "Onyx-black"
gtk-icon-theme-name = "gnome-wise"

If and when I get my network card to work, I will post my Xorg.

[linuxopjemac]

Interesting, someone with knowledge here Keep on going...
PS You like it better than Ubuntu ?

[Cygni]

4. Wireless

I installed wicd using these directions: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=116

Entered Synaptic Package manager and located b43 fwcutter, which also updated the firmware

Popped in my Broadcom card (Linksys Wireless G, I think), added my wireless details, and I'm connected. Easiest Broadcom setup on a mac ever encountered with Linux.


5. Display
My previous fix was not permanent as a reboot reset to the maximum.
Go to Menu > Preferences > Monitor Settings and select your new default.

I have not tested with a reboot, so if anyone else reboots regularly (I am a once per month kind of girl), let me know.

6. Xorg
sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf (the best command ever)

Section "Device"
Identifier "ATI Technologies, Inc. Rage Mobility M3 (AGP)"
Driver "ati"
BusID "PCI:0:16:0"
Option "UseFBDev" "false"
Option "SWcursor" "true"
Option "ForcePCIMode" "true"
# Option "XAANoOffscreenPixmaps"
Option "NoInt10" "true"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Standardmonitor"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync 28-51
VertRefresh 43-60
# 1280x1024 74.90 Hz (CVT 1.31M4) hsync: 80.30 kHz; pclk: 138.75 MHz
Modeline "1280x1024_75.00" 138.75 1280 1368 1504 1728 1024 1027 1034 1072 -hsync +vsync
# 1280x1024 59.89 Hz (CVT 1.31M4) hsync: 63.67 kHz; pclk: 109.00 MHz
Modeline "1280x1024_60.00" 109.00 1280 1368 1496 1712 1024 1027 1034 1063 -hsync +vsync
# 1152x864 59.96 Hz (CVT 1.00M3) hsync: 53.78 kHz; pclk: 81.75 MHz
Modeline "1152x864_60.00" 81.75 1152 1216 1336 1520 864 867 871 897 -hsync +vsync
# 1024x864 74.75 Hz (CVT) hsync: 67.65 kHz; pclk: 92.00 MHz
Modeline "1024x864_75.00" 92.00 1024 1088 1192 1360 864 867 877 905 -hsync +vsync
# 1024x864 59.93 Hz (CVT) hsync: 53.76 kHz; pclk: 72.25 MHz
Modeline "1024x864_60.00" 72.25 1024 1080 1184 1344 864 867 877 897 -hsync +vsync
Option "PreferredMode" "1280x1024_75.00"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "ATI Technologies, Inc. Rage Mobility M3 (AGP)"
Monitor "Standardmonitor"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 1
Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x864"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4
Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x864"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x864"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x864"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x864"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x864"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "Default Screen"
EndSection

Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection


*** For some reason my Pismo likes this hybrid Xorg (there will be an Xorg loaded with the Mint installation, I just added a bit as it loaded to the dreaded white screen), but I may tinker with it a bit as I adjust settings using the GUI.

[Cygni]

Interesting, someone with knowledge here Keep on going...
PS You like it better than Ubuntu ?

Not knowledgable, just tenacious, hehe.
Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Lubuntu, et al., are great. Really easy products that make Linux easy, as does Mint, however, they are a bit bloated and I needed something lighter to run on the Pismo. I tried a few LXDE products, and your Mint offering is the snappiest of them all. Just really lightweight and easy to manage. So, yes, I think I may have found my Linux home for this machine and I thank you for all of the effort you have put into the project.

I will update with new finds and tips as I use it a bit more.

[linuxopjemac]

Do you get these high resolutions on a Pismo ? (1280x1024)

Well thanks. Good luck with your new Minty machine then.