My First Question - Screen Size
 

Hey all, this is my first dive into Linux and my first question. I installed Mandrake 10.0 with GNOME on an older laptop. The laptop is a Toshiba Satellite 4090XDVD. My problem is that the display is not using the entire screen. There is probably a 3 inch boarder of unused screen on the monitor. I have tried changing the monitor size and tried changing the resolution, but so far nothing has changed the size.

Would someone please help me get the display to go across the entire screen. I have tried to get into the /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 file to change the Screen and Monitor settings, but can not for the life of me figure out how to use Vi, Emacs or gedit. I am a complete Noob so any help would be appreciated.

The monitor is controlled by a Trident Cyber9525 chip. Thanks in advance.

You can find plenty of tutorials on how to use emacs on google. Or if you just want a reference just do a "emacs reference card" search on Google and I'm sure you'll find plenty. I'm not to sure about Mandrake but on SuSE you can run 'sax' to reconfigure your display settings.

Welcome to LQ btw ... heh

Thanks, I have had some luck in Gedit and have created a new configuration file. Now how do I compile it into the kernel? Is that even the correct verbiage?

heh... no the XF86Config file is used when you startup x. So go ahead and log out of the X session and log back in and the changes should take effect

I have done that once before, I changed the Screen Size and resolution and the logged off and back on. and there was no change.

for a console-based editor, try pico for ease-of-use. also, you must restart X11 for changes to take place. try pressing CTRL+ALT+BackSpace to restart X so that it rereads the X11 config files. also, if that doesn't work, try pushing CTRL+ALT+PLUS-KEY to change the resolution size. if that screws up your screen, press CTRL+ALT+MINUS-KEY to return to the previous setting.


hope this helps!!!! :-)



:Pengy: