Xorg config, X not allowing new resolution, works without Xorg config file?

bapigoo9 · 12-02-2008, 01:02 AM

This post is just to help me to get the X configuration correct. I have already read several of the posts with similar Xorg config issues, and they helped...but I have some additional questions to try to understand what is going on.

Slackware 12 KDE 3.5

I have edited the Xorg config file to add the new resolution and the wheel mouse. Then restarted X and X did not allow this new resolution. Then, I deleted the Xorg config file, changed a setting on the KDE Control Center for the monitor, and restarted X. The new higher resolution worked and the wheel mouse worked. There are two other files there that I did not edit: Xorg.conf-fbdev and Xorg.conf-vesa. Does someone know what is going on (does KDE not need Xorg config)?

astrogeek · 12-02-2008, 01:37 AM

I am no Xorg master, but have been always successful getting it configured by the RTFM method (I mean that as encouragement - not sarcasm!).

So look at man xorg.conf for starters, X looks for this information in numerous places and after you deleted the /etc/X11/xorg.conf, it probably just defaulted to another which has fortunate defaults. I doubt KDE has much to do with it at that point.

For example (from man page):

Code:

       Xorg uses a configuration file called xorg.conf for its initial setup.  This configuration file
       is searched for in the following places when the server is started as a normal user:

           /etc/X11/<cmdline>
           /usr/etc/X11/<cmdline>
           /etc/X11/$XORGCONFIG
           /usr/etc/X11/$XORGCONFIG
           /etc/X11/xorg.conf-4
           /etc/X11/xorg.conf
           /etc/xorg.conf
           /usr/etc/X11/xorg.conf.<hostname>
           /usr/etc/X11/xorg.conf-4
           /usr/etc/X11/xorg.conf
           /usr/lib/X11/xorg.conf.<hostname>
           /usr/lib/X11/xorg.conf-4
           /usr/lib/X11/xorg.conf

       where <cmdline> is a relative path (with no ".." components) specified with the -config command
       line option, $XORGCONFIG is the relative path (with no ".." components) specified by that envi-
       ronment variable, and <hostname> is the machine's hostname as reported by  gethostname(__oslib-
       mansuffix__).

       When  the  Xorg  server  is started by the "root" user, the config file search locations are as
       follows:

           <cmdline>
           /etc/X11/<cmdline>
           /usr/etc/X11/<cmdline>
           $XORGCONFIG
           /etc/X11/$XORGCONFIG
           /usr/etc/X11/$XORGCONFIG
           $HOME/xorg.conf
           /etc/X11/xorg.conf-4
           /etc/X11/xorg.conf
           /etc/xorg.conf
           /usr/etc/X11/xorg.conf.<hostname>
           /usr/etc/X11/xorg.conf-4
           /usr/etc/X11/xorg.conf
           /usr/lib/X11/xorg.conf.<hostname>
           /usr/lib/X11/xorg.conf-4
           /usr/lib/X11/xorg.conf

Good luck!

bapigoo9 · 12-02-2008, 02:44 AM

Perhaps I should have added that there is only one "xorg.conf" file in Slackware 12, and that after deleting it, there is no "xorg.conf" file, so even with the search path that you mentioned, X would not find an xorg.conf file. From other posts, a new xorg.conf file was supposed to be created and detected values filled in. But nothing happened, no new xorg.conf file was created ... but the mouse wheel worked, and the new resolution worked too.

Now, I am trying to understand why I do not need an xorg.conf file at all with Slackware 12 and KDE 3.5?

astrogeek · 12-02-2008, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bapigoo9

Perhaps I should have added that there is only one "xorg.conf" file in Slackware 12...
Now, I am trying to understand why I do not need an xorg.conf file at all with Slackware 12 and KDE 3.5?

I am using SW 12.1, Xorg should not be much different, try this...

Code:

 cat /var/log/Xorg.0.log |less

I get the following in the first page or so of text:

(==) Using config file: "/etc/X11/xorg.conf"

I am not sure what it might say if it has no config file, but it might give a clue as to what it is using for defaults.

Sorry I missed your point in the OP.

bapigoo9 · 12-04-2008, 08:05 PM

Quote:

/var/log/Xorg.0.log

The Xorg log was good to look at. Thank you for mentioning it. This is what I had when I did not use the Xorg config file:

(EE) Unable to locate config file
(II) loader magic 0x<hex number>
"built in default" screen automatically adding devices and enabling

It finds the Video Card chipset and loads drivers. It finds the Monitor and finds what settings are valid, including V and H sync rates.

It does not answer some new questions that come up, sort of puzzling at the moment. I'm sure there is an easy answer! Just can't think of it right now. If I pass a boot parameter: vga = 0x<new value>, Then it will not starx! It gives the error message: "Fatal server error can not run in framebuffer mode. Waiting for x server to begin accepting connections." And does not go into x.

I am able to get the New Resolution and the mouse wheel works (as originally mentioned), without the Xorg config file...and reading the Xorg log explains the auto detect. It works if I do not pass other vga options at boot time.

bathory · 12-05-2008, 12:52 AM

New X can start without a xorg.conf file. You can run (as root):

Code:

Xorg -configure

for X to create a xorg.conf.new file and then

Code:

Xorg -config /root/xorg.conf.new

to use that configuration file. If you're happy with the results you can copy it to /etc/X11/xorg.conf, or you can tweak it further.

Regards