since there are no exact instructions on how to get the vfd to work with LCDd/lirc i will write a quick HowTo.
if you know the thread on codeka.com about how to get it to work it might be helpful, but the instructions there are not all you need to know.
first you need lirc and LCDd.
use these vars in your make.conf:
LCD_DEVICES="imon"
LIRC_DEVICES="imon imon_knob imon_lcd imon_pad"
add this line to your /etc/portage/package.use file
app-misc/lcdproc lirc usb
now just emerge lirc and lcdproc.
let’s see if there is an usb device we can use:
#lsusb
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 15c2:ffdc SoundGraph Inc. iMON PAD Remote Controller
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002
if you got the ffdc model, than this instructions are for you, i read that some other models requiere patching, i don’t know what to do exactly because i got the ffdc model shipped with the newer fusion v2 cases.
now let’s see if the modules are already loaded:
#lsmod | grep lirc
lirc_imon 15372 0
lirc_dev 12904 1 lirc_imon
usbcore 148632 4 lirc_imon,ohci_hcd,ehci_hcd
remove the module:
rmmod lirc_imon
and modprobe it withe the important argument is_lcd=0
where 0 is the older vfd display (16×2 characters, negative blue backlight, appears to be off when no text is displayed)
1 is the newer lcd display.
if you do not supply is_lcd=0 it will simply not work.
#modprobe lirc_imon is_lcd=0
start LCDd and see if it succesfully created the device:
#/etc/init.d/LCDd start
#ls /dev/lcd*
/dev/lcd0
#ls /dev/lirc*
/dev/lirc /dev/lirc0 /dev/lircd
you are ready to go! (if there is no lircd device you may have to start lircd as well)
test the LCD:
#echo "TESTME" > /dev/lcd0
if the string appears on the display you got it right!
now what to do to make this permanent?
first add this to /etc/modprode.d/lirc
options lirc_imon is_lcd=0
add the lirc_imon module to /etc/modules.autoload.d/kernel-2.6
that’s it.
just for you to understand (i didn’t know this at first)
LCDd is the Server, it “wakes” the Display and takes connections from clients, these clients are telling LCDd what to do with the Display.
lcdproc is one of these clients for example, it will loop several info screens about the computer state.
