How could I make CRT to stand all time active

stf92 · 10-26-2014, 11:18 PM

Hi: the monitor in my computer is going to low power consumption after some 20 minutes without keyboard input. How could I make the monitor to stand all time active (by means of a linux command).

ferrari · 10-27-2014, 01:11 AM

Which desktop environment?

Maybe this will work for you: Create a file eg /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/10-disable-dpms.conf with

Code:

Section "ServerLayout"
    Identifier "ServerLayout0"
    Option "Blanktime" "0"
    Option "StandbyTime" "0"
    Option "SuspendTime" "0"
    Option "OffTime" "0"
EndSection

Restart the X-server, and observe whether your DPMS problems are over.

stf92 · 10-27-2014, 02:09 AM

My fault, I forgot to say I am not using X or any other graphical server. In fact, when I am using the GUI, I do need to protect the tube (this is a "real" CRT), the code is welcome.

ferrari · 10-27-2014, 02:21 AM

Quote:

My fault, I forgot to say I am not using X or any other graphical server

Ah, yes that is a significant detail

The try adding the following boot parameter to your grub/lilo configuration

Code:

consoleblank=0

By default, this is usually set to 600s

Code:

# cat /sys/module/kernel/parameters/consoleblank
600

stf92 · 10-27-2014, 02:40 AM

Thanks a lot.

stf92 · 10-27-2014, 08:36 PM

I was totally misled thinking it set itself in low power mode. What is does is cut off the beam and, hence, the boot parameter is ineffectual.

ferrari · 10-27-2014, 10:46 PM

Maybe there is a BIOS setting which can be used to disable screen blanking under ACPI settings (or similar)?

ferrari · 10-27-2014, 11:01 PM

Not so elegant, but another approach that might suit (=work for you)

http://idratherhack.blogspot.co.nz/2...linux-how.html

Quote:

The main cause of difficulty is that there are several different systems that can blank the screen. Firstly, there's the linux console, this is the 'text mode' system that's operational even when you're not running a graphical display (you probably knew that).

Once upon a time, this would have been sufficient to turn off screen blanking at the console:

setterm -blank 0

However, modern monitors can powerdown (which old-skool CRT's generally didn't, as in those days fossil fuel resources grew on trees. But then we cut all the trees down). Powering down is different to blanking the screen, it's actually turning the screen off, so you also need to do

setterm -powerdown 0

But there is also 'powersave'. I don't know how this differs from powerdown, but you should also do

setterm -powersave 0

So that's three commands needed for you to be sure that you've switched off screen blanking/turning off in the console alone, before we've even started X.

If manually invoking the above works, then you'll need to figure out a way to automate it at boot.

stf92 · 10-27-2014, 11:03 PM

That is, use ACPI to do the work, I see. But I'm now not so sure about the beam being cut off. Maybe it just blanks the screen. In either the GUI or the linux consoles, the first thing that happens is the screen going blank, without changing the power mode at all, things going by usual setup. And in this case, ACPI wouldn't be interfering at all.

Sorry, your post came when I was still writing mine.

stf92 · 10-28-2014, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferrari

Not so elegant, but another approach that might suit (=work for you)

http://idratherhack.blogspot.co.nz/2...linux-how.html

If manually invoking the above works, then you'll need to figure out a way to automate it at boot.

Fine page! I've been reading the setterm manual too. Think
I now have large enough material to work with. Thanks a lot.

ferrari · 10-28-2014, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Fine page! I've been reading the setterm manual too. Think
I now have large enough material to work with. Thanks a lot.

Let us know how you get on!

metaschima · 10-28-2014, 10:33 AM

People seem to be missing a huge point here, this is a CRT ! It will burn-in if you leave it on !
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screen_burn-in

ferrari · 10-28-2014, 12:42 PM

As a former computer technician with experience repairing CRT monitors, I'm well aware of burn-in, and I would suspect the OP is too. However, this takes a takes a long time with a static image, and I have encountered some use-cases (in business) where it was not desirable to have the screen turn off. Keeping the screen brightness low also helped with this. What is far more common these days, is users with modern flat-screen monitors that struggle to prevent blanking in various environments.

onebuck · 10-28-2014, 01:20 PM

Hi,

One thought that comes to mind is the monitor setup menu. Some smart CRT monitors have a hot key combination that will present a setup menu. With some Smart CRT you could setup monitor controls. Check your monitor manual.

Hope this helps.
Have fun & enjoy!