Warning: Outdated!
The link originally provided in 2007 does not seem to provide a Linux driver any longer.
Warning: Outdated!
Many linux users who have integrated VIA graphics suffer from lack of 3D acceleration when running certain programs like fast-paced games and windows emulator wine. Developers came up with at least 3 drivers: via-, unichrome- and openchrome-, none of them worked though, or at least did not stop their boxes from freezing or going to a hard lockup.
Read on to get 3D working on your via boxes.
Introduction
This guide will help you enable 3D if via-, unichrome- or openchrome- drivers do not work with your VIA graphics chipset.
Installation Instructions
Download the driver from http://www.viaarena.com/default.aspx?PageID=2&Type=3.
Choose your distro.
Then pick Integrated Graphics.
Pick the appropriate driver category. If you are not sure which one, check this site http://www.viaarena.com/default.aspx?PageID=5&ArticleID=68&P=5.
Click on "Click here to begin free download." Save it.
Unzip the file.
Make a backup of your xorg.conf.
CD to the directory where you unzipped the file to.
Execute the *.run file. example "sudo sh VIA_U710_UniChrome-GFX-v40072d.run"
Ctrl-Alt-Bckspce
Check for 3D
# glxinfo | grep render -> direct rendering: Yes