FAILED: FC4T3 on Matrox G550 + Dell 2001FP

[Jon 780]

On 6/3/05, Daniel Roesen <dr at cluenet.de> wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> just tried installing FC4T3 on my Desktop system (using a seperate
> hard disk).
> 
> P4 2.6GHz, HT enabled, 1GB RAM, Asus P4C800-E Deluxe, Matrox G550
> Monitor is a Dell 2001FP 20" TFT able to do 1600x1200 in 60 Hz native
> 
> Using DVI cable, installation was fine until first boot and switching
> to X11. No real display, OSD saying resolution 4078x6 @ 75Hz :->
> Switching to text console via Alt-Ctrl-F1 didn't help, all just colorful
> garbage.
> 
> Rebooting using VGA cable, no chance either. After X11 coming up, I'm
> seeing firstboot running, but everything being distorted to unusability.
> Same effect on text console like with DVI.
> 
> Tried reinstalling via VGA, but there already Anaconda graphic mode
> is giving me distorted picture.
> 
> So overall, I've got a complete "no go" on this system. Ideas?
> 
> Couldn't get my FC1 installation working with DVI because XFree86
> rejects 1600x1200x60 as it claims that 162MHz is too much for
> single-link DVI (which it isn't... it's exactly the max freq.), but
> I've been able to get it running stable with analog VGA.
> 
> As a data point, X11 correctly detects Matrox G550 and Dell 2001FP
> (analog/digital).
> 

Had the exact same problem with FC3test4 and a Viewsonic P220fb
monitor.  No display during installation, or just colored veritcal
lines.

When you first boot, where you'd normally type "linux" and press
enter, add the "nofb" (no framebuffer) option.  Its fixed every
display related installation problem I've ever had.  As I understand
it, it falls back to some really awful old Vesa drivers or something. 
Maybe someone else can correct me and/or explain it better.

Good luck!
.jon