The display never appears centered after starting X

ivanoprimi · 10-13-2003, 07:55 AM

I have just installed the version 9.0 of Slackware on my old PC, a Pentium I
(200 Mhz) based machine with 32 MB of Ram.
I have configured all aspects of Slackware as far as i need and everything has come
well. With an exception: every time I start X (Xfree 4.3.0, Cirrus driver for Cirrus Logic GD5446)
I have to recenter the display and adjust some other parameters (the width and the height
of the root window for instance).
I'd like to know why. In fact, i could not find any suggestion in the xf86config or in the X11
documentation.
At the moment I have only used xf86config to set up the Monitor's type (a Nec multisync C500)
and properties, the correct graphic driver, the depth of the display (number of colors) and some other things like mouse, keyboard etc. But there must be something i have forgotten.
Thanks a lot for the help.

kevlong · 10-13-2003, 08:04 AM

If your monitor is anything like mine, (A Sony multisync), then it will only be centered if the resolution of your X is the same as a previous setting, i.e. with respect to horizontal and vertical settings. If you use KDE, etc to set the revolution to the same as previous, then it should center.

bstrik · 10-13-2003, 08:35 AM

With the utility "xvidtune" it is possible to adjust your settings.
Read the man-pages on how to use it.

ilikejam · 10-14-2003, 02:45 AM

Post the section 'Screen0' or similar from your XF86Config file so we can have a look.

There are settings which can result in the root window being started off center and in a higher resolution than normal.

Dave

DeadPuddle · 10-14-2003, 03:16 AM

During xf86config, after you pick your monitor's refresh rates, you get to the part where you pick your screen resolutions. Go through each of them, select what you want, and when it asks if you want the virtual screen to be larger than the physical screen, select no. Let's see if that helps.

fskmh · 10-14-2003, 04:16 AM

I have found that if you specify the correct ranges for horizontal and vertical refresh rates, the display is centered and there is no need to use xvidtune to tweak the modeline. Try and determine what these are for your monitor first. If the problem persists, use xvidtune to modify the display the way you would like it, then have it "show" the modeline parameters. Insert the modelines for each resolution you tweaked in the Monitor section.

ivanoprimi · 10-15-2003, 03:28 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions !

In fact, when i have used xf86config to set the parameters for the X session
i have not given to it the exact ranges of the horizontal and vertical refresh, but
i have only chosen a video mode (800x600, 24 bit of depth @ 31.5 kHz x 60 Hz)
which is compatible with my monitor and graphic card. I will try to specify
the exact range for the h. and v. refresh and if this should not work i will try
with xvidtune. At the moment i can not show you the XF86Config file of my
machine since i am not at home. But i will do it.

Ivano