Alpine Linux with graphic desktop on non PAE & non CMOV system

[3350frv]

Hello

Short :

I discovered Alpine Linux on the www.linux.org forum, on the better-linux-distro-for-an-ebox-3350mx thread.

I have an EBOX-3350MX (i586, non CMOV, non PAE) and would like a distribution with graphics desktop

Alpine-extended-3.13.5-x86 installs correctly

But impossible to have a graphic desktop.

How to do ?

Thank you.


Full :

The PC:

EBOX-3350MX
512MB DDR2
SD-Card reader
On button
All-metal case which is also a heat sink.
Conventional, intelligently placed connections

AMIBIOS © 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.
BIOS Date: 12/21/2011 eBox-3350 A64
CPU: VORTEX86MX A9111
Speed 933MHz

(C) American Megatrends, Inc.
62-0100-000001-00101111-122111-VORTEX86-1ADSV000-Y2KC

System Configuration AMIBIOS Version 08.00.15

Architecture:
http://www.dmp.com.tw/tech/vortex86mx/
This is normally an i586 architecture.
Very important: the all-in-one chipset is NEITHER CMOV, NOR PAE
(This means that the huge amount of distributions available for non-pae machines, must be extremely reduced to only retain the few available for non-cmovs.)

Ignoring this at the time, I bought it a pittance in 2017, used but like new, 5V 2A power supply (the one recommended in the forums), in its original packaging ...
At the time, I had started to take an interest in Raspberries.
Even today, I find it nonsense that the sockets are literally all around these board, which quickly appear as fragile hacks.
In addition, at the cost of the card itself, it is necessary to add a box, a power supply, an HDMI-VGA adapter ...
All this to have a platform that was not even X86 ...
Even on occasion at the time, the Raspberry seemed like a bad deal next to the price I paid for my EBOX-3350MX.
That's why I opted for the EBOX-3350MX.

Debian 8 ok, but:
Since then, I have installed Ubuntu 10, out of the box, with desktop but without all the drivers and debian-8.11.1-i386-netinst, out of the box, with desktop and all drivers.
Debian 8 install itself, find all the drivers, install the graphical desktop etc…
Debian 8 and Ubuntu 10 are no longer supported.
Even distributions generally presented as designed for old and small PCs do not work on i586 without CMOV and PAE.
Most don't go beyond booting.

Alpine Ok, but:
So that's why I'm very happy that Apline Linux is installed.
But now, I can not have a graphic desktop.
I tried several days to make changes after installation.
I reinstalled all 20 times for each time to start from zero and not accumulate bad manipulations.

What works, what not works in what I've done :
OK - Installation out of box alpine-extended-3.13.5-x86 (setup-alpine -> reboot)

Forgoten - sed -i s/#unicode="NO"\n\n#/#unicode="NO"\n\nunicode="YES"\n\n#/ /etc/rc.conf
OK - apk add lang
OK - apk add man-pages
OK - apk add mandoc
OK - apk add mandoc-apropos
OK - apk add docs
OK - adduser <meuser>
OK - apk add nano.
OK - nano /etc/apk/repositories
OK - apk update
OK - apk upgrade
OK - setup-xorg-base
OK - apk add xfce4 xfce4-terminal xfce4-screensaver lightdm-gtk-greeter
OK - rc-service dbus start
OK - rc-update add dbus

EE - rc-service lightdm start : give a black screen with a fast blinking cursor

Ctrl+Alt+F1 can escape from the black screen and back to command line last lines :

# rc-service lightdm start
* /run/lightdm: creating directory
* /run/lightdm: correcting owner
* Starting Display Manager … [OK]

If I don't do anything for a minute, the black screen comes again.

OK – apk add pciutils

Lspci gives :

VGA compatible controller: RDC Semiconductor, Inc. RDC M2010 VGA-compatible graphics adapter

Nano /var/log/Xorg.0.log gives :

[ 1202.328] (WW) Failed to open protocol names file lib/xorg/protocol.txt

[ 1202.331]

X.Org X Server 1.20.11

X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0

[ 1202.341] Build Operating System: Linux Alpine Linux

[ 1202.341] Current Operating System: Linux square 5.10.38-0-lts #1-Alpine SMP Fri, 21 May 2021 11:41:13 UTC i586

[ 1202.342] Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=vmlinuz-lts root=UUID=f05000a0-e2ec-4bea-ba7e-c724b03393ca modules=sd-mod,usb-storage,ext4 quiet rootfstype=ext4 initrd=initramfs-lts

[ 1202.342] Build Date: 14 April 2021 07:56:21AM

[ 1202.342]

[ 1202.342] Current version of pixman: 0.40.0

[ 1202.343] Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.x.org

to make sure that you have the latest version.

[ 1202.343] Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,

(++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,

(WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.

[ 1202.348] (==) Log file: "/var/log/Xorg.0.log", Time: Sat May 22 21:22:04 2021

[ 1202.359] (==) Using system config directory "/usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d"

[ 1202.360] (==) No Layout section. Using the first Screen section.

[ 1202.360] (==) No screen section available. Using defaults.

[ 1202.360] (**) |-->Screen "Default Screen Section" (0)

[ 1202.360] (**) | |-->Monitor "<default monitor>"

[ 1202.387] (==) No monitor specified for screen "Default Screen Section".

Using a default monitor configuration.

[ 1202.388] (==) Automatically adding devices

[ 1202.388] (==) Automatically enabling devices

[ 1202.388] (==) Automatically adding GPU devices

[ 1202.388] (==) Max clients allowed: 256, resource mask: 0x1fffff

[ 1202.389] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/TTF" does not exist.

[ 1202.389] Entry deleted from font path.

[ 1202.390] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/Type1" does not exist.

[ 1202.390] Entry deleted from font path.

[ 1202.390] (==) FontPath set to:

/usr/share/fonts/misc,

/usr/share/fonts/100dpi:unscaled,

/usr/share/fonts/75dpi:unscaled

[ 1202.390] (==) ModulePath set to "/usr/lib/xorg/modules"

[ 1202.390] (II) The server relies on udev to provide the list of input devices.

If no devices become available, reconfigure udev or disable AutoAddDevices.

[ 1202.390] (II) Module ABI versions:

[ 1202.390] X.Org ANSI C Emulation: 0.4

[ 1202.391] X.Org Video Driver: 24.1

[ 1202.397] X.Org XInput driver : 24.1

[ 1202.397] X.Org Server Extension : 10.0

[ 1202.540] (--) PCI:*(0@0:13:0) 17f3:2010:17f3:2010 rev 0, Mem @ 0xf8000000/67108864, 0xfebe0000/131072, I/O @ 0x0000ef80/128, BIOS @ 0x????????/131072

[ 1202.545] (II) LoadModule: "glx"

[ 1202.558] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libglx.so

[ 1202.659] (II) Module glx: vendor="X.Org Foundation"

[ 1202.664] compiled for 1.20.11, module version = 1.0.0

[ 1202.664] ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 10.0

[ 1202.665] (==) Matched modesetting as autoconfigured driver 0

[ 1202.665] (==) Matched fbdev as autoconfigured driver 1

[ 1202.665] (==) Matched vesa as autoconfigured driver 2

[ 1202.665] (==) Assigned the driver to the xf86ConfigLayout

[ 1202.665] (II) LoadModule: "modesetting"

[ 1202.667] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/modesetting_drv.so

[ 1202.694] (II) Module modesetting: vendor="X.Org Foundation"

[ 1202.695] compiled for 1.20.11, module version = 1.20.11

[ 1202.695] Module class: X.Org Video Driver

[ 1202.695] ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 24.1

[ 1202.695] (II) LoadModule: "fbdev"

[ 1202.706] (WW) Warning, couldn't open module fbdev

[ 1202.707] (EE) Failed to load module "fbdev" (module does not exist, 0)

[ 1202.707] (II) LoadModule: "vesa"

[ 1202.725] (WW) Warning, couldn't open module vesa

[ 1202.725] (EE) Failed to load module "vesa" (module does not exist, 0)

[ 1202.725] (II) modesetting: Driver for Modesetting Kernel Drivers: kms

[ 1202.726] (++) using VT number 7



[ 1202.728] (EE) open /dev/dri/card0: No such file or directory

[ 1202.728] (WW) Falling back to old probe method for modesetting

[ 1202.729] (EE) open /dev/dri/card0: No such file or directory

[ 1202.729] (EE) Screen 0 deleted because of no matching config section.

[ 1202.729] (II) UnloadModule: "modesetting"

[ 1202.730] (EE) Device(s) detected, but none match those in the config file.

[ 1202.730] (EE)

Fatal server error:

[ 1202.730] (EE) no screens found(EE)

[ 1202.734] (EE)

Please consult the The X.Org Foundation support

at http://wiki.x.org

for help.

[ 1202.735] (EE) Please also check the log file at "/var/log/Xorg.0.log" for additional information.

[ 1202.735] (EE)

[ 1202.744] (EE) Server terminated with error (1). Closing log file.

Nano Lightdm.log gives :

[+0.00s] DEBUG: Logging to /var/log/lightdm/lightdm.log

[+0.00s] DEBUG: Starting Light Display Manager 1.30.0, UID=0 PID=2044

[+0.00s] DEBUG: Loading configuration dirs from /usr/share/lightdm/lightdm.conf.d

[+0.00s] DEBUG: Loading configuration dirs from /usr/local/share/lightdm/lightdm.conf.d

[+0.00s] DEBUG: Loading configuration dirs from /etc/xdg/lightdm/lightdm.conf.d

[+0.00s] DEBUG: Loading configuration from /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf

[+0.00s] DEBUG: Registered seat module local

[+0.00s] DEBUG: Registered seat module xremote

[+0.00s] DEBUG: Using D-Bus name org.freedesktop.DisplayManager

[+0.02s] DEBUG: _g_io_module_get_default: Found default implementation local (GLocalVfs) for ‘gio-vfs’

[+0.05s] WARNING: Failed to get list of logind seats: GDBus.Errorrg.freedesktop.DBus.Error.ServiceUnknown: The name org.freedesktop.login1 was not provided by any .service files

[+0.05s] DEBUG: Adding default seat

[+0.05s] DEBUG: Seat seat0: Loading properties from config section Seat:*

[+0.05s] DEBUG: Seat seat0: Starting

[+0.05s] DEBUG: Seat seat0: Creating greeter session

[+0.06s] DEBUG: Seat seat0: Creating display server of type x

[+0.06s] DEBUG: Could not run plymouth --ping: Failed to execute child process “plymouth” (No such file or directory)

[+0.06s] DEBUG: Using VT 7

[+0.07s] DEBUG: Seat seat0: Starting local X display on VT 7

[+0.07s] DEBUG: XServer 0: Logging to /var/log/lightdm/x-0.log

[+0.07s] DEBUG: XServer 0: Writing X server authority to /var/run/lightdm/root/:0

[+0.07s] DEBUG: XServer 0: Launching X Server

[+0.07s] DEBUG: Launching process 2050: /usr/bin/X :0 -seat seat0 -auth /var/run/lightdm/root/:0 -nolisten tcp vt7 -novtswitch

[+0.07s] DEBUG: XServer 0: Waiting for ready signal from X server :0

[+0.08s] DEBUG: Acquired bus name org.freedesktop.DisplayManager

[+0.09s] DEBUG: Registering seat with bus path /org/freedesktop/DisplayManager/Seat0

For all I know, it smell like a display driver problem.

But for things I've discovered, It may come from anithing else...


The solutions considered:

Mouse acceleration disabling :
Some peoples seems to act with Alpine Linux like with Arch Linux.
I've found this thread :
lightdm does not start - only black screen
https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=244663&p=2
It end and solve with a mouse acceleration disabling.
Haven't found where it can be tested in Alpine Linux, because the /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/ directory doesn't exist.

Digging into Debian 8 :
Debian 8 works out of the box, so it has to find the right drivers and installers on its own.
I still have Debian 8 on an SD card (which allows the ebox to be switched to Debian 8) and I can get some information from it, but I don't know how.

Lspci –k | grep –EA3 'VGA' gives :

VGA compatible controller: RDC Semiconductore, Inc. Device 2010
Subsystem: RDC Semiconductore, Inc. Device 2010
Enable to find the right command line to display the video driver actually used.

Digging deeper into something else but what :
On this forum, they depend
Installing Ubuntu Linux 10.04LTS on eBox 33xxMX &
https://robosavvy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=7482

VGA Drivers:
They indicate that it is optional and that ubuntu 10 can work with Vesa (so out of the box, again).
Debian 8 also works without modifying the drivers:

But for those who still want to install the VGA drivers :
https://robosavvy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=35471#35467
by Linx » Fri Sep 21, 2012 12:46 am

I have the file RDCXorgDriver0.0.9-Vortex86MX\RDC Xorg Driver R0.0.9\Driver R0.0.9\1.7.5\rdc_drv.so
But how to install it ?

Before installing the VGA drivers, you must install the kernel :
https://robosavvy.com/RoboSavvyPages/DMP/LinuxKernels/INSTALL.htm

I have the file linux-image-2.6.34.10-vortex86-sg_1.2_i386/linux-headers-2.6.34.10-vortex86-sg_1.2_i386.deb
I have the file linux-image-2.6.34.10-vortex86-sg_1.2_i386/linux-image-2.6.34.10-vortex86-sg_1.2_i386.deb

But these are files .deb (for debian or ubuntu…) :

OK - apk add dpkg

EE - dpkg -i /mnt/cleusb/linux-image-2.6.34.10-vortex86-sg_1.2_i386.deb

dpkg: error processing archive /mnt/cleusb/linux-image-2.6.34.10-vortex86-sg_1.2_i386.deb (--install):
package architecture (i386) does not match system (musl-linux-i386)
Errors where encountered while processing: /mnt/cleusb/linux-image-2.6.34.10-vortex86-sg_1.2_i386.deb

I also have that :
http://www.dmp.com.tw/tech/os-xlinux/

I'm not really easy with Linux and the best I'v done yet is to copy correctly lines of comandes from tutos. But If in the tuto, something is missing, I won't be able to see it...

So, any idea to start with ?
Thank

 

[darry1966]

Look about trying my update of 4.31 it had a total update but has an old kernel which should run why not download it and give it ago some of these new distros ain't going to run as you are finding and its why I made this.

Pup 4.31(glibc 2.19)iso : darry1966 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

2019 version of Pup 4.31 based with glibc2.19 to enable 4.31 to be a bit more up to date.Frisbee is default Network Manager. Iso rebuilt using Scottman's...

archive.org

https://archive.org/download/pup4.311glibc2.19palemoon2.794sserev1/Phoenix4.31%282019%29v3.iso

 

[3350frv]

Hello and thanks for this answers.
I'm downloading it and going to try it.
Do you know the date of the end of the support for these distro ?
Thank

 

[darry1966]

The support is the Puppy Linux Forum. https://forum.puppylinux.com/index.php
It has a Browser which is still useable on the internet. Please remember the age of your machine and what it can realistically can run so please give it a go, because the bigboy distros with the latest kernels as you are finding won't run on that machine.

I'll also try to help with any questions you may.

 

[KGIII]

Oh, hey... I completely forgot about this distro. I was just reminded of it the other day, on another site.

KolibriOS Downloads

KolibriOS Downloads

www.kolibrios.org

Check that out. It should work with i586 and is a pretty solid distro.

There was another thread that would benefit from having that link, but I forgot the name of said thread.

 

[3350frv]

Hello

The support is the Puppy Linux Forum. https://forum.puppylinux.com/index.php [...]

OK, The forum is where I can find some answers. But what I would like to know is, when I will need to change the OS again (Debian 8 work, has a forum has many tutos but is not maintened. Ubuntu 10 has the same things but with expired repositories...).

Trying to test Phoenix4.31(2019)v3.
Booting OK
Graphical welcome OK

Loading the 'pup-431.sfs' main file... copying to ram done
Setting up the layered filesystem... done
Performing a 'switch_root' to the layered filesystem...Kernel pnic - not syncing: Attempted to kill init!

[...]

KolibriOS Downloads

KolibriOS Downloads

www.kolibrios.org

[...]

I already know it and try it.
But to install some packages and use the PC as I want, even for small packages avaiable for every other distro, it's very difficult.
And if you go on their site, guess what kind of PC do they use for example ?

Something else :
In the french version of the kolibrios site, there is a link to DMP, the manufacturer of my PC.
And in the download section, there are some files for Linux. Files that are dated from after 2019. The longuest suport ever !

https://www.compactpc.com.tw/download/lists?search=&slave=8&children=30&product=40

But everything I can download, I don't know hoaw to use.

I realy need Alpine help.

Thank again.

 

[darry1966]

Hello

OK, The forum is where I can find some answers. But what I would like to know is, when I will need to change the OS again (Debian 8 work, has a forum has many tutos but is not maintened. Ubuntu 10 has the same things but with expired repositories...).

Trying to test Phoenix4.31(2019)v3.
Booting OK
Graphical welcome OK"

With Puppy support is pretty much ongoing so you won't need to replace it. As I said you won't be able to run the latest browsers but what comes with Phoenix is very useable for todays web more software here: https://archive.org/download/pup4.311glibc2.19palemoon2.794sserev1

 

[3350frv]

Hello.
Thank to follow.
You've miss a little something in your quote :

Loading the 'pup-431.sfs' main file... copying to ram done
Setting up the layered filesystem... done
Performing a 'switch_root' to the layered filesystem...Kernel panic - not syncing: Attempted to kill init!

I've not performed the complete installation, because it end with this message above, just after only the graphical welcome when you choose to install etc...

So till now, for me, and maybe because I'm not good enough to know how to use it, Phoenix4.31(2019)v3 is not the solution.

Thank.

 

[darry1966]

Sorry mate to hear that and your right with doing a kernel panic like that it is not going to work.

 

[asekijima]

Hey! I have the exact same little guy (EBOX-3350MX). What did you end up doing with yours? I mean, which was the best bistro you could install?
Thanks!

 

[3350frv]

Hello.
Sorry to be very late.
I'm not sure that my answer will help you, but, for me, and for what I was expected to do with this PC, the best disto is Alpine with no graphic desktop, becaus it is the only thing that I've reached to install and make it work.
Because I use it like a server and connect to a GUI via the lan, I cand only have to install everything in command line and that's all.
And there are a lot of Linux server apps that only need a small command line install first and then use a Lan GUI to parameter them.
With no graphical desktop, my Alpine is more then light.
I'm French and my english is not really good.
But, asekijima, when you write "the best bistro", in french, "bistro" = something like pub. So the best bistro is the one where you find the best beer !
Thank