Fixed it by grabbing the latest GIT of the driver then patching with this: https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=57023
The patched version on the git removes a reference to xaa. It loads but gives a black screen. This is one patch (required) has already been added to the git repository but is not in the ubuntu repository, yet. http://patchwork.freedesktop.org/patch/11987/ This second patch fixes it so it 'works'. There still must be some reference to xaa, because it shows up in the log file. $ cat /var/log/Xorg.0.log | grep xaa [ 60.751] (II) Loading sub module "xaa" [ 60.751] (II) LoadModule: "xaa" [ 60.754] (WW) Warning, couldn't open module xaa [ 60.754] (II) UnloadModule: "xaa" [ 60.754] (II) Unloading xaa [ 60.754] (EE) NEOMAGIC: Failed to load module "xaa" (module does not exist, 0) ** Bug watch added: freedesktop.org Bugzilla #57023 https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=57023 ** Attachment added: "driver with patch applied" https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-video-neomagic/+bug/1077741/+attachment/3555707/+files/neomagic_drv.so.gz -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Desktop Packages, which is subscribed to xserver-xorg-video-neomagic in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1077741 Title: driver does not load, undefined symbol NEO_Sync Status in “xserver-xorg-video-neomagic” package in Ubuntu: Confirmed Bug description: As a result the server starts with vesa driver that has a lot of graphical glitches Also my card has 2MB(!) of video memory that makes useful to force depth at 16bit in order to reach full screen 1024x768 otherwise it starts at 24 bit 800x600 This is feasible also with vesa driver but graphic output is very bad quality A full discussion about this problem has already been made in gentoo: https://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=434468 and a patch has been posted: http://lists.x.org/archives/xorg-devel/2012-September/033607.html Thanks ProblemType: Bug DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.10 Package: xserver-xorg-video-neomagic 1:1.2.7-0ubuntu1 ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.5.0-17.28-generic 3.5.5 Uname: Linux 3.5.0-17-generic i686 NonfreeKernelModules: 8192cu ApportVersion: 2.6.1-0ubuntu6 Architecture: i386 Date: Sun Nov 11 22:58:57 2012 InstallationDate: Installed on 2001-03-24 (4250 days ago) InstallationMedia: Lubuntu 12.10 "Quantal Quetzal" - Release i386 (20121017) MarkForUpload: True SourcePackage: xserver-xorg-video-neomagic UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install) To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-video-neomagic/+bug/1077741/+subscriptions -- Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~desktop-packages Post to : desktop-packages@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~desktop-packages More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp