No Text Console on Ultra 80/XVR-1000...
This is in regards to my Ultra 80 Workstation with an XVR-1000 video card running OpenSolaris b55b.
I don't think the Subject line accurately describes it, but basically the problem is that my monitor is in powersaving throughout the boot process until GDM loads. Once GDM loads (i.e. X is running), everything displays fine. But I cannot see anything prior to X launching.
I suspect this *might* have something to do with my monitor not supporting whatever mode the workstation is trying to run (it's an LCD monitor for a PC). But, given that the XVR-1000 has several video outputs (and I am only connecting to the HD-15), might it also be possible that the video card is outputting to the wrong port by default until X launches? How do I fix this?
I plan on doing a new install of OpenSolaris soon, so it is important that I am able to interact with my machine outside of X.
Thanks!
# 1
Opinion: Yes, you've probably tripped over a difference in resolution, and it's one that your monitor just doesn't understand.
Sun's historic default output resolution has been 1152x900 at a vertical refresh of 66Hz.The system is probably producing that, until you've booted far enough to have your preferred X resolution kick in.OBP would be in control at such a low level and I'm not aware of any way to customize OBP's output resolution.It's a failsafe 1152x900.You get that whether there's an OS or not.
The "easy" fix is to temporarily substitute a monitor that can function at 1152x900 as well as your preferred output.That would answer the question as to multiple resolutions.A more awkward answer is to get adapter cabling for the various output ports ( DVI, DB13W3, S-video ) and test all your connections during POST.
--
Your XVR-1000, as shown at a non-Sun web site:
. http://www.sunshack.org/data/sh/2.1/infoserver.central/data/syshbk/Devices/Grap hics/GRAPH_XVR_1000.html
See the XVR-1000 manual ( 816-1330 ), at Docs.Sun.Com:
. http://docs.sun.com/app/docs?q=816-1330
See the OBP 3.x Command Reference Manual ( 806-1377 ), at Docs.Sun.Com:
. http://docs.sun.com/app/docs/coll/1140.3?q=openboot+command+reference
# 2
Thanks for your response. I think you're right--that 1152x900 resolution is probably not supported by my monitor.
However, I've recently hooked up a 21" Trinitron CRT monitor in place of the LCD and it's behaving in the same manner (i.e. no video until GDM). I know that monitor will support that resolution.
So I'm thinking it's an issue where the default output port is not the HD-15 port that I've been using. In that case, how would I go about changing the default output port to the HD-15 (I've got a feeling that the default is the 13W3).
# 3
The Ultra-80 does not have any onboard graphics.
That platform requires a UPA or a PCI card.
Your XVR-1000 UPA framebuffer has a DB13W3 for an output connection on the card itself,
plus a HD15 and a DVI-D connector on a daughterboard.
Get the framebuffer's manual, document # 816-1330, from Docs.Sun.Com
That document may give guidance whether the console port can be specified in a custom fashion.
Consider doing ...
Telnet to the system after it's booted, su to root,
and then use its configuration utility to change it's default output port.
That utility would likely be fbconfig or perhaps gfbconfig.
Any changes you make would take effect after a simple reboot.
