next up previous contents
Next: Configuration of your network Up: Linux-Mandrake settings. Previous: Mouse installation   Contents

Installation of your video card

Under Linux, installing a video card has traditionally been a difficult task because you had to edit a configuration file manually and according to the parameters of your card! Now this has become much easier thanks to several programs which enable you to create this file automatically: xf86 config and Xconfigurator. In most cases, using Xconfigurator is enough but you may sometimes have to resort to xf86config, which is no as pleasant to use.

The following information is necessary before starting:

.
the type of card you're using (for example: S3, i740, Matrox, etc.)
.
if your card is compatible with Linux-Mandrake
.
what are the characteristics of your monitor.
Any computer-hardware retailer can help you with the first question. For the second question, just check on the Linux-Mandrake site7.1 to see whether your card is compatible or not (the list is constantly updated). The third question is not necessarily essential: a modern screen can easily support a 1024x768 /60 Hz resolution or more in non-interlaced mode. Thus you can enter the characteristics that are the closest to the description of your monitor.

Note: Neither MandrakeSoft, LinuxMandrake, your local publisher, nor your retailer are responsible for any damage caused to your hardware.

Now use Xconfigurator (type: Xconfigurator) and follow the instructions carefully. At worst, you will have to choose a VGA16 server as it works with almost any card but with which the resolution will be very poor.

Your card may require the installation of a specific X server that Linux-Mandrake provides you with. Refer to the "Xservers" directory that is on the installation CD. It has a certain number of X-Window servers you cannot install by default. Refer to the Mandrake site for more information regarding their installation.


next up previous contents
Next: Configuration of your network Up: Linux-Mandrake settings. Previous: Mouse installation   Contents

1999-01-27