Device 3dfx

The Device package serves two purposes that are interdependent:

1. Creates /dev/3dfx so that non-root users may access the hardware.
2. Compiles 3dfx.o kernel module that sets up Memory Type Range Registers (MTRR) on the cpu for write-combing, giving a ~35% speed increase (using Quake2 as a benchmark).
3. AMD (pre Athlon or maybe K7-III) have only 2 MTRR and 3 are needed (1 for regular memory and 2 for 3dfx).
4. Pentium (pre Pro or II) do not have MTRR.

1. The Device source rpm
   
   
2. Stuff that you should have installed:
   • The kernel source
   • Or The kernel headers
   
   
3. "su" to root
   
   
4. "rpm --rebuild Device3Dfx-2.2-3.src.rpm"
   This will:
   • Installs the source code to /usr/src/redhat/SOURCES and a spec file to /usr/src/redhat/SPECS
   • Compiles it
   • Builds an rpm
   • Puts the rpm in /usr/src/redhat/RPMS/i386
   • Then deletes the source and spec file.
   • If you want to see that stuff, do "rpm -U Device3Dfx-2.2-3.src.rpm"
   • If you have a dual processor machine and are getting an SMP error on Redhat 6.0, the problem is the kernel headers are not correct for SMP. Get an updated kernel.
   
   
5. "rpm -Uvh /usr/src/redhat/RPMS/i386/Device3Dfx-2.2-3.rpm
   This will:
   • Installs the module /lib/modules/"kernel version"/misc
   • Creates the /dev/3dfx device file
   • Adds a line to /lib/modules/"kernel version"/modules.dep
   • Problems can occur with the modules.dep file. You can backup the file and then delete the contents. Try installing the rpm, if it succeeds you can then merge the new modules.dep and the backup together.
   
   
6. The newer kernels/distributions (e.g. Redhat 6.0) will autoload the module when needed.
   Or you can:
   • "/sbin/lsmod"
     Lists the modules loaded
   • "/sbin/insmod 3dfx"
     (as root) Installs the module