Q: Do I need to be the privileged user to install the VIA Linux driver?
A: Yes. There are many things on the system that only root (or a similarly privileged user) can do, one of which is installing the VIA Linux Driver. You may log in as root as you would any other user, you may use the switch user command (su) at the command prompt, or, on some systems, use the sudo utility, which allows users to run programs as root while keeping a log of their actions.
Q: What do chrome9 and unichrome stand for?
A: Both chrome9 and unichrome are terms referring to the 3D engine design of VIA chipsets. Take the most commonly used VIA chipsets for example, CX700/CN700 applies unichrome while CN896/VX800/VX855 applies chrome9. The DRM module, OpenGL library and OpenGL DRI module differ according to the VIA chipset. However, you need not concern the differences if the binaries are install by the ./vinstall script, since the script will check the chipset and install the right ones.
Q: Where should I start when diagnosing display problems?
A: One of the most useful tools for diagnosing problems is the log file in /var/log (the file is named: "/var/log/Xorg.<#>.log", where "<#>" is the server number -- usually 0). Lines that begin with "(II)" are information, "(WW)" are warnings, and "(EE)" are errors. You should make sure that the correct config file (i.e. the config file you are editing) is being used; look for the line that begins with: "(==) Using config file:". Also check that the VIA driver is being used, you can look for: "(II) LoadModule: "via"", and lines from the driver should begin with: "(II) VIA(0)".
Q: Why external LCD could not be lighted while internal LCD is OK?
A: Confirm the configuration is right. If the issue still exists, check the BIOS settings, following the path like this: Advanced -> I/O Device Configuration -> DVP or VCP Pad, set it to VCP. That is because the DVP will occupy the DI port and conflict with external LCD.
Q: What's the benefit of using the RandR extension?
A: RandR represent for X Resize and Rotate Extension. It allows dynamic control of display resolution, refresh rate, position, and orientation by using the command line. Without this extension, you have to edit the xorg.conf file to change the configurations and restart X server to apply the changes.
Q: Will the settings in xrandr command line take effect after reboot?
A: No. X doesn't save the xrandr command settings to xorg.conf file which decides the default display behavior when X is started.
Q: Why setting the virtual screen size when using the RandR extension?
A: The virtual screen size determines the size of the frame buffer into which the displays must fit. Without it the maximum virtual size will be limited to the size of the largest display that was connected when X was started. In this case, the extend mode will not be supported.
Q: Why one LCD panel could not be lighted when using two LCD panels?
A: There are two CRTCs in the current VIA chipsets: IGA1, IGA2. LCD gets higher priority to use IGA2. So when using two LCD panels, both panels intend to use IGA2. When not using the RandR extension, this case is acceptable. Otherwise, there would be a conflict. Thus one of them will fail. There is an option to avoid this issue. That is to add Option "FixOnIGA1" "true" in one LCD panel's Monitor section.
Q: What is the benefit of the PanelMode setting?
A: The PanelMode is an special user-specified mode setting which aims to support the special panel timing not listed at the panel mode table. Comparing to the normal user-specified mode, this setting has a higher priority. It guarantees the timing for those non-standard panels will not be filtered out by X.