For posterity: If you want to install Debian Woody on a machine using a Matrox G550 graphics card, then realize that the version of XFree86 that comes standard with Woody won't work. After the basic install you will be stuck at a command line and must do this:
1. brush off your vi editing skills and edit /etc/apt/sources.list to include only the unstable sources.
2.. apt-get update
3. apt-get install xserver-xfree86
4. edit /etc/apt/sources.list back to stable sources only.
5. apt-get update
6. edit /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 to delete the line setting UseFBDev to true.
Now it will work.
Posted by Brian at September 15, 2003 10:58 PM | TrackBackUpdate: The purpose of the above is to get you to xfree86 4.3.0 or higher, because prior versions do not support the G550. Since the above was written, 4.3.0 has become part of debian testing, so you don't need to go to unstable to get the package now. You should be able to use testing.
http://www.xfree86.org/4.3.0/Status18.html
Posted by: Brian at June 11, 2004 07:34 AM