help.. how to apply new settings for XF86Config in debian?

g_srinivas · 01-29-2006, 04:36 AM

hello experts,
i recently installed debian linux v3.1 on my dell latitude cpx j750gt laptop. while installing i didn't cared much to see in detail about the xf86configuration and left all values with defaults. now, after installation, i am getting max resolution of 800x600, where as my lcd monitor supports 1024x768. To set this, i logged out of the graphical screen and from command line i started xf86config and made the configuration again which was successfully written under /etc/x11/XF86Config. now, the problem is debian linux doesnt use this new configuration file as for loading gui, but it always uses /etc/x11/XF86Config-4.

I hope you understood my problem and so can you please tell me, how exactly should i configure my video adapter and monitor settings in debian?

also, does anyone know if there is anyway to find out the horizontal and vertical refresh rates for video adapters? in my laptop i am having ati rage mobility 8mb video adapter and in case by any chance someone happen to have this particular video adapter then could you also please pass me the refresh rates.

apart from this debian linux i also have windows xp loaded on this same laptop and is there any way to know from windows xp the refresh rates?

thanks,
Vasu

Nylex · 01-29-2006, 04:46 AM

Can you not just copy XF86Config to XF86Config-4? Also, the refresh rates are for the monitor, not the graphics card.

g_srinivas · 01-29-2006, 04:52 AM

I already tried that, but i got some weird error messages.. I think that in debain the the XF86Config file is hash checked and then only processed for loading GUI. When i had searched for the XF86Config file i also found one file XF86Config-4.md5sum under /var/lib/xfree86 and i assume debian might be using the contents of this file to check the checksum of the configuration file.

I think that i have to run some debian XF86Config which directly modifies all the related files.

RanDrake10 · 01-30-2006, 09:29 PM

As root "cd /etc/X11" then "cp XF86Config-4 XF86Config-4.orig" This will back up the original to .orig then copy the new one over with "cp XF86Config XF86Config-4"
Also check permissions on the config file "ls -l". "chown root: XF86Config-4", "chmod 644 XF86Config-4".
Hit "Ctrl Alt F1" log in as root and type "/etc/init.d/kdm restart" change kdm to gdm or xdm depending which one you use.
Your new x config file should load up.