can't see gui on new debian 5 install "frequency out of range"

senorsmile · 06-05-2010, 12:28 PM

I have installed Debian for the first time. I am having troubles with my old school monitor though.

Upon boot up I can press CTRL+ALT+F1 to see a text only screen, but CTRL+ALT+F7 causes my monitor to say "frequency out of range". I googled and found that I can press CTRL+ALT+"+" to change the X.org resolution. If I do this about five times I finally see a screen. However, the resolution must be too high because in order to see other parts of the screen I have to "scroll" with the mouse off the edges of the screen. Furthermore, if I go to System->Preferences->Screen Resolution, Resolution and Refresh rate are blank. So, I can't change the resolution.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

radiodee1 · 06-05-2010, 03:28 PM

You might create your own xorg.conf file. To do that you end up googling your exact monitor, to get the HorizSync and VertRefresh rates from the manufacturers site. Then you google on line for example xorg.conf files - who knows you might find someone who has your exact monitor. The xorg.conf file goes in "/etc/X11/". You can find some examples here:

http://www.google.com/search?q=xorg....ample&ie=utf-8
http://dev.gentoo.org/~fmccor/docs/x...xorg.conf.html
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=931280

You should post the monitor name and product number here with further questions if/when you need more help.

senorsmile · 06-05-2010, 04:19 PM

Ok, I found a thread with someone having the exact same monitor as I do.
Before I continue, I have to add that suddenly the X server fails upon bootup with the error:

Quote:

Failed to start the X server ( your graphical interace). It is likely that it is not set up correctly. Would you like to view the X server output to diagnose the problem?

http://www.uluga.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=516963&page=2

It's the KDS XF-7b
I edited /etc/xorg.conf as such:

Quote:

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc104"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "KDS XF-7b"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync 30-70
VertRefresh 50-120
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Monitor "KDS XF-7b"
EndSection

I am still getting the X server error upon bootup, and it won't go into graphical mode at all.

craigevil · 06-05-2010, 09:12 PM

What video card are you using?

senorsmile · 06-05-2010, 09:17 PM

according to lspci:

Quote:

VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc Device 9710

It's integrated on the motherboard; i.e. not a separate card.

radiodee1 · 06-06-2010, 05:33 AM

I haven't looked closely at the whole thing, but in your xorg.conf file, there's a section that starts like this:

Quote:

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Monitor "KDS XF-7b"
EndSection

...it needs more info. Here's the same section from my xorg.conf file. Note: you will have to change some things if you copy mine ( like the monitor and maybe the depth and modes )

Code:

Section "Screen"
	Identifier	"Default Screen"
	Device		"ATI Technologies Inc ATI Default Card"
	Monitor		"Generic Monitor"
	DefaultDepth	24
	SubSection "Display"
		Depth		1
		Modes		"1280x800" "1024x768"

	EndSubSection
	SubSection "Display"
		Depth		4
		Modes		"1280x800" "1024x768"
	EndSubSection
	SubSection "Display"
		Depth		8
		Modes		"1280x800" "1024x768"
	EndSubSection
	SubSection "Display"
		Depth		15
		Modes		"1280x800" "1024x768"
	EndSubSection
	SubSection "Display"
		Depth		16
		Modes		"1280x800" "1024x768"
	EndSubSection
	SubSection "Display"
		Depth		24
		Modes		"1280x800" "1024x768"
	EndSubSection
EndSection

finally you probably need to change the section labled "Device". This section should include your graphics card identifier and what driver you want to use (like craigevil was talking about.)

EDIT: you may need other changes or additions, like a "ServerLayout" section, etc.