S3 Chrome 500 Series Graphics Driver 14.02.26 for Linux 32-bit

This article provides information regarding the S3 Chrome 500 Series Graphics Driver 14.02.26 for Linux 32-bit operating systems. This driver update includes several bug fixes, expanded operating system support, and updated API support, aimed at enhancing the performance and stability of S3 Chrome 500 series graphics cards on Linux platforms. Specifically designed for 32-bit architectures, this driver also offers improvements for users running specific distributions like Ubuntu and Red Hat.

Overview of the S3 Chrome 500 Series

The S3 Chrome 500 Series was a line of graphics processing units (GPUs) developed by S3 Graphics, intended for use in desktop and mobile computers. These GPUs were designed to provide a balance of performance and power efficiency, targeting users who needed adequate graphics capabilities for everyday tasks, multimedia playback, and light gaming. While not positioned as high-end gaming cards, the S3 Chrome 500 Series aimed to offer a cost-effective solution for general-purpose computing.

Key Features and Improvements in Driver Version 14.02.26

The 14.02.26 release of the S3 Chrome 500 Series Graphics Driver for Linux 32-bit incorporates several noteworthy enhancements:

Bug Fixes: This is a primary focus of the update, addressing a range of issues that users may have encountered with previous driver versions. The specific fixes are detailed further in this article.
X64 Linux Support: While the main driver is for 32-bit systems, this release also brings improvements to the x64 (64-bit) Linux support. This includes improved compatibility and performance on 64-bit distributions.
API Support (X32 & X64): The driver provides enhanced support for various graphics APIs, including those used in both 32-bit (X32) and 64-bit (X64) environments. This ensures that applications and games utilizing these APIs can function correctly and efficiently.
Ubuntu 9.04/9.10 Support (X32 & X64): This release specifically targets and improves compatibility with older versions of Ubuntu Linux, namely 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope) and 9.10 (Karmic Koala), in both 32-bit and 64-bit flavors. This is significant for users who are still running these legacy operating systems.
OGL3.1 Support (X32 & X64): The driver offers support for OpenGL 3.1, a widely used graphics API. This allows applications and games that rely on OpenGL 3.1 to leverage the capabilities of the S3 Chrome 500 Series Graphics Driver.

Detailed Breakdown of Resolved Issues

This driver update addresses a multitude of specific bugs and compatibility issues. Here’s a breakdown of the resolved problems:

52470 Can not run Viewperf8: This fix resolves an issue preventing the Viewperf 8 benchmark from running on Mandriva operating systems.
48163 All ap hang after rotate by xrandr: Addresses a system hang issue experienced on Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) 64-bit systems when rotating the screen using the xrandr tool.
46044 Error message appears when make ALSA driver: Resolves an error message encountered while building the Advanced Linux Sound Architecture (ALSA) driver on Ubuntu 64-bit systems.
46087 There are some unavailable refresh rate in Screen Resolution window: Fixes an issue where certain refresh rates were not available in the Screen Resolution settings on Ubuntu 64-bit.
52503 Alsa audio can not be patched: Addresses a problem where ALSA audio could not be patched on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 (RHEL 5) 64-bit.
52480 No video on IGA2 when play clip by va/xv mode under Xinerama: Resolves an issue where no video was displayed on the second graphics adapter (IGA2) when playing video clips using VA-API or XVideo modes in a Xinerama configuration (multi-monitor setup).
52403 The video image total corruption on the CRT when play clip/DVD title with -vo xv under CRT+DVI DuoView: Fixes video corruption issues on a CRT monitor when playing video clips or DVD titles using the XVideo output mode (-vo xv) in a CRT+DVI DuoView setup (dual-monitor configuration).
50893 Clip full screen is not in the center of the screen under SAMM mode: Addresses an issue where full-screen video clips were not centered on the screen when using SAMM (Single Adapter Multi-Monitor) mode.
51678 Vsync has no effect: Resolves a problem where vertical synchronization (Vsync) had no effect on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 (RHEL 5) systems.
50813 App hang when disable desktop effect: Fixes an application hang that occurred when disabling desktop effects.
50784 Screen total corruption after switching between console and X window mode several times: Addresses a screen corruption issue on Ubuntu systems that occurred after repeatedly switching between the text console and the X window environment.
49939 StartX Failed: Resolves an issue where the X server failed to start on Fedora systems.
49361 Nexuiz_251: Crash when run bench1: Fixes a crash that occurred in the Nexuiz 2.5.1 game when running the "bench1" benchmark.
48472 The desktop shift and the cursor lost focus when rotate under DuoView/SAMM: Addresses an issue where the desktop shifted and the cursor lost focus when rotating the screen in DuoView or SAMM modes.
50283 No effect when running xrandr reflect X or Y: Resolves an issue where the xrandr command to reflect the screen horizontally or vertically had no effect.
46221 Can’t set HDMI mode to 1920×1080: Fixes a problem where the HDMI mode could not be set to 1920×1080 resolution.
44693 Video flicker when playing with ogl samples: Addresses video flickering issues when playing OpenGL samples.
50727 App hang when disable desktop effect: (Duplicate of 50813, confirming the issue) Fixes an application hang that occurred when disabling desktop effects.
49456 Can not enable SAMM mode by using xorg.conf.samm file: Resolves an issue where SAMM mode could not be enabled using the xorg.conf.samm configuration file.
49395 System hang when play clip by Totem Movie player after building HDMI audio: Fixes a system hang that occurred when playing video clips with the Totem Movie Player after building HDMI audio support.
48778 Screen saver will cause SAMM become to Duoview: Addresses an issue where the screen saver would cause SAMM mode to revert to DuoView mode on Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron).
47542 The video image total corruption on the HDMI screen when play clip/DVD title with HW under CRT+HDMI DuoView: Fixes video corruption on the HDMI screen when playing video clips or DVD titles with hardware acceleration in a CRT+HDMI DuoView setup.
51684 Video playback show mosic corruption when play some MPEG-4 clips with Mplayer: Resolves mosaic corruption during video playback of some MPEG-4 clips with Mplayer.
52711 Mouse not reflect when only reflect CRT under CRT+DVI Duoview: Addresses an issue where the mouse cursor was not reflected correctly when only the CRT monitor was reflected in a CRT+DVI DuoView setup.
49546 Cursor will disappear for a while if change screen resolution: Fixes an issue where the mouse cursor would disappear temporarily when changing screen resolution.
48823 Only IGA1 light when resume frome S3 under Duoview or SAMM mode: Resolves an issue where only the first graphics adapter (IGA1) would be active after resuming from S3 sleep mode in DuoView or SAMM modes.
48774 Text corruption when press Up key in Text mode: Addresses text corruption issues when pressing the "Up" key in text mode.
51643 Artifact when playing clip with mplayer va mode: Fixes artifact issues when playing video clips with Mplayer using VA-API mode.
50284 No effect on cursor when rotate by xrandr: Resolves an issue where rotating the screen with xrandr had no effect on the cursor.

Downloading the S3 Chrome 500 Series Graphics Driver 14.02.26

You can download the S3 Chrome 500 Series Graphics Driver 14.02.26 for Linux 32-bit from the following link:

https://www.techspot.com/drivers/driver/file/information/13499/

Alternative Download Links

Due to the age of this driver, finding reliable download sources can be challenging. Here are some alternative links where you might find the S3 Chrome 500 Series Graphics Driver 14.02.26, or a similar version:

DriverGuide: (Check for relevant S3 Chrome 500 Series Linux drivers) – Often hosts older drivers.
Softpedia: (Search for S3 Graphics Linux drivers) – Another potential source for archived drivers.
Linux Driver Project Repositories: While not a direct download, these repositories may contain information or links to drivers for older hardware.
Archive.org (Wayback Machine): Search for the official S3 Graphics website (if it existed) and see if older driver downloads were archived.
Third-Party Driver Archives: Use search engines to look for "S3 Chrome 500 Linux driver archive" and explore any results.

Please exercise caution when downloading drivers from unofficial sources, as they may contain malware or be incompatible with your system.

Installation Instructions

The installation process for the S3 Chrome 500 Series Graphics Driver on Linux typically involves the following steps:

Download the Driver Package: Obtain the driver package from the provided download link.
Extract the Archive: Extract the contents of the downloaded archive to a directory on your system.
Open a Terminal: Open a terminal window and navigate to the directory where you extracted the driver files.
Run the Installation Script: Look for an installation script (often named install.sh or similar) and execute it with root privileges (using sudo ./install.sh).
Follow On-Screen Instructions: The installation script will guide you through the remaining steps, which may involve accepting license agreements and configuring driver settings.
Reboot Your System: After the installation is complete, reboot your system to activate the new driver.

It is highly recommended to consult the driver’s documentation for detailed installation instructions specific to your Linux distribution.

Conclusion

The S3 Chrome 500 Series Graphics Driver 14.02.26 for Linux 32-bit represents a significant update for users of these graphics cards on Linux systems. The bug fixes, expanded operating system support, and updated API support contribute to a more stable and performant experience. While the driver is targeted towards older hardware and operating systems, it remains relevant for users who continue to rely on these platforms. Ensuring you have the correct drivers is crucial for optimal performance and stability.