Ultra 10 and Creator 3D Configuration Help
Hi.
First post. Like so many others, I wanted to try Sun systems, so I got an Ultra 10 off eBay. I didn't have a 13W3 connector or monitor, so I pulled the Creator 3D card, and installed Solaris 9, using the built-in ATI video. Now that my 13W3 to HD15 adaptor has come in, I'm trying to get the 3D card back into the system, and I'm having trouble configuring it.
It took me a while to find out that FFBCONFIG is not in Solaris 9, (at least it doesn't show up in a "find file" search of local storage) and then a short time to learn about M64CONFIG. I ran the M64CONFIG from a terminal window in the CDE, and it seemed to take, but I still get the "Can't find driver for console framebuffer" error upon reboots after re-installing the 3D card. The system halts while trying to load X. Everything up to that point (with the exception of the above alert) seems correct, so I know it's just the card and the configuration. I know the card works, because on bootup, the Sun logo is different with the card in, as opposed to the ATI Sun logo, and, of course, I DO have video...
I used the M640 file with M64CONFIG and the -defaults option while configuring with the ATI card as my video source, because that's the only file in the directory, then re-installed the 3D. Did I miss a step somewhere?
Oh- I'm still a real Solaris newbie, so if you could answer in plain English, rather than a lot of UNIXSpeak it prevents my lips from moving while I'm reading and thus, not look like an idiot! :-)
If I didn't supply enough information here, just let me know and I'll add whatever's needed. Thanks.
Aside from this issue, so far it's been a blast!
..Joe
[1736 byte] By [
joegerardi] at [2007-11-25 23:07:32]
# 2
>>just re-install the OS
Where's the fun in that? :)
Actually, that's my last resort. The reason I'm trying to avoid it is because this way, I get to learn *how* to do it the hardware way.
Perhaps you would be kind enough to anser one question on re-installing the OS: Were I to do that, will it overwrite all the files I have changed, and do a completely clean, new install? I had a devil of a time getting the workstation configured for internet access. I would have the ability to see the web, but only by IP addressing. DNS wasn't working, and a friend who's a Sun engineer changed one NIS file and got it working fine. Would that get overwritten? Also, I have downloaded several programs (Open Office, FireFox, etc.): Would those remain after a new OS install?
Thanks for all the help.
..Joe
# 3
Hello Joe,
your installation is lacking the packages with the drivers and utilities for the Creator3D.
This is an excerpt from the <a href="http://docs.sun.com/app/docs/doc/817-5769/6ml71em 28?l=en&a=view#sparcpackagelist-tbl-1" target="_blank"><b>Solaris 9 9/04 SPARC package list</b></a>.
SUNWffb Device driver for the UPA Bus Creator graphics accelerator
SUNWffbcf Configuration utility for the UPA Bus Creator graphics accelerator
SUNWffbw X server loadable module for the UPA Bus Creator graphics accelerator
SUNWffbx Device driver for the UPA Bus Creator graphics accelerator (64-bit)
Please review the following thread for instructions
<a href="http://supportforum.sun.com/hardware/index.php?t= msg&goto=19094" target="_blank"><b>501-4788 Creator3d Video on Ultra 10?</b></a>.
Michael
maal at 2007-7-5 17:58:32 >
# 4
If I recall correctly, you can check whether they're installed with a
<b>pkginfo | grep SUNWifb*</b>
Then if you need to add them to your installation, you can find the "ifb" packages on the Solaris 9 disk #1 of 2.
<a href="http://sunsolve.sun.com/handbook_pub/Software/Solaris_Ref/Solaris_9/solsw 1of2.html" target="_blank"> http://sunsolve.sun.com/handbook_pub/Software/Solaris_Ref/So laris_9/solsw1of2.html</a>
It wouldn't hurt to try a reconfiguration reboot after doing any pkgadd necessary for a hardware device..
Bill at 2007-7-5 17:58:32 >
# 5
Thanks everyone. I think I have a handle on what to do to get it working. If I may impose on everyone for (hopefully) one last item...
I've been looking through the Complete Solaris Reference chapter on device management for this, but it didn't help: where would I copy those packages to? The programs would go in the /dev directory, but where would they go with the SUNWxxx prefix?
I looked through the links you were all kind enough to post and it doesn't offer any information.
I assume I just go to CD1 and copy them to the proper destination. Is that correct?
Thanks again.
..Joe
# 6
Hello Joe,
these packages must be <b>added</b> to the system not just "copied". Please review the manpage for pkgadd (<b>man pkgadd</b>). pkgadd takes care of the destination location.
<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>Quote:</b></td></tr><tr>& lt;td class="quote">
Then if you need to <b>add</b> them to your installation, you can find the "ifb" packages on the Solaris 9 disk #1 of 2.
... It wouldn't hurt to try a reconfiguration reboot after doing any <b>pkgadd</b> necessary for a hardware device..
</td></tr></table>
Michael
maal at 2007-7-5 17:58:32 >
