Problem running SDL test samples without X

Hi,
I installed svgalib and SDL lib. I am able to run the SDL test samples
as root but when I try running as any other user (other then root) I get
following error
"Couldn’t initialize SDL: no available video device"
It sounds like permission problems, I tried few things but could not
make it work.
I have checked out the FAQ at the libsdl site, also checked the other
mails on similar error but all of them pertain to running the SDL
applications with X. I am running the samples from console and not using X.
I am using RH6.2, SDL 1.2.2, my graphic card is Cyrus Logic.

regards,
Paresh.

on 10/24/01 1:37 AM, paresh at paresh at w-o-i.com wrote:

I have checked out the FAQ at the libsdl site, also checked the other
mails on similar error but all of them pertain to running the SDL
applications with X. I am running the samples from console and not using X.

I was able to run SDL programs from a console (no X running) once I switched
my console over to being a framebuffer console. Have you tried that?

Matt_________________________________________________________
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Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com

Hi,
I installed svgalib and SDL lib. I am able to run the SDL test samples
as root but when I try running as any other user (other then root) I get
following error
"Couldn’t initialize SDL: no available video device"
It sounds like permission problems, I tried few things but could not
make it work.

As far as I know, SVGAlib requires root permissions to access the video card.

See ya,
-Sam Lantinga, Software Engineer, Blizzard Entertainment

If you are running debian I think you need to add yourself to the video
group.

Good luck-
nick

  • paresh [011024 01:48]:> Hi,
I installed svgalib and SDL lib. I am able to run the SDL test samples

as root but when I try running as any other user (other then root) I get
following error
"Couldn’t initialize SDL: no available video device"
It sounds like permission problems, I tried few things but could not
make it work.
I have checked out the FAQ at the libsdl site, also checked the other
mails on similar error but all of them pertain to running the SDL
applications with X. I am running the samples from console and not using X.
I am using RH6.2, SDL 1.2.2, my graphic card is Cyrus Logic.

regards,
Paresh.


SDL mailing list
SDL at libsdl.org
http://www.libsdl.org/mailman/listinfo/sdl

Like you said, sounds like a permissions prob.
I run Slackware, and I had the same problem (running a framebuffer device,
not using svgalib); what I did was add a group called fbusers and at startup
chgrp the ‘/dev/fb?’ and ‘/dev/psaux’ (for mouse) to that group, and after
that, everything worked fine…