debian 8, can not installed non free software stop graphic to work?
Debian 8 is installed on an usb 3 memory stick. In software updates are main, contrib, non free and source code marked.
On an intel notebook debian 8 starts and no errors about graphics. Graphics works.
Same usb 3 memory stick on an amd desktop, both build in and pci graphic cards are radeon, this happens when desktop is started and display is connected to pci graphic card. Unlock encrypted hdd screen displays. After entering psswd, among more text this message displays: 'radeon probe *error* radeon kernel modesetting for r600 requires firmware linux non free.
Then instead of starting a graphical desktop debian gnu/linux login displays.
Is it the case that some computers cannot display the graphical desktop because some non free software is not installed?
Thank you.
Also if the display is connected to the build in graphic card graphics does not work.
Have you tried Trisquel, which has a different kernel than Debian? But if the video card really requires proprietary firmware, you are good to buy an old nVidia card (and choose an Intel processor with integrated graphics next time).
If you haven't noticed, these forums are for support with Trisquel. If you have questions or concerns with Debian please use their support channels. Thank you.
I am a translator!
contrib and non-free are, you guess it, repositories that contain non-free software. I think you know that as to have them enabled you had to manually edit the sources, but it is good to point out that once you install a non free package from these repos your freedom has gone out of the window. Usually freedom tends to go out when you open Windows (pun intended).
You GPU is an ATI and those require non-free firmware to work. Debian's kernel is de-blobbed, meaning there is no non-free proprietary firmware, hence your GPU does not work at all or at best, it will work but display the max screen resolution supported by your BIOS (usually 1024*768) and not the max one of your monitor (say 1600*900). You will also miss 3d acceleration, which means you will have bad time, bad time and frustration. Either change hardware (real solution) or fetch the non-free firmware for your GPU. That is up to you, it's you PC, your decision.
Thank you. The debian 8 usb memory stick is for testing. I enabled non free repositories. I do not remember if non free software was installed.
I installed debian 8 again on the usb stick. Libre main debian 8.
If the radeon graphic card is on I can get a desktop. In settings -> display it says unknown display and 1280 x 1024.
When I got to know about hardware which is libre software compatible, I got a nvidia geforce 8400 gs rev 3. That is a libre software graphic card? I have not used it or tested it.
I installed the nvidia graphic card. Starting the debian 8 usb stick, in settings -> display it says known display and 1920 x 1080 which is maximum for the display. Can you tell if the nvidia card has 3d acceleration in libre debian 8?
What is performance of the nvidia geforce 8400 compared to a radeon 4000 card?
Is there a better libre software graphic card than the nvidia geforce 8400?
I may test trisquel on the radeon 4000 card. If it works, can I then get the driver from the trisquel software?
Trisquel's kernel (and Debian's) should very well drive the GeForce 8400GS. 3D acceleration included. Avoid AMD/ATI cards. They are awful: no 3D acceleration, wrong resolution, etc.
I am a translator!
The Nvidia GPU should work great. STAY AWAY FROM ATI, think of their GPUs as something you should absolutely avoid.
This command should tell if there is 3d acceleration:
glxinfo | grep direct
radeon 4000
$ glxinfo | grep direct
direct rendering: Yes
$
nvidia 8400 gs
$ glxinfo | grep direct
direct rendering: Yes
$
both on debian 8 libre main.
Amd or ati are non free trash, all. If you want the best performance, buy some Nvidia kepler card, such as gt730 gddr5, gtx770 4gb, gtx760, be sure for get one with gddr5. Intel graphics (before skylake) are great but come with surprise, those integrated GPUs comes with Intel CPUs which have great rootkit, bavkd00r, remote access, spyware...
Is there a website where this information about graphics cards performance with free code only resides? Somewhere on H-Node perhaps?