Hello, i'm real, real, new to linux, and have been in the process of setting it up on a older computer of mine so i could learn how to use it.

While trying to solve a resolution problem(which seems to be pretty common)e.i. x only gives me the option for 800x600, by reading the forums, another problem occured, it suddenly started giving me an error message when trying to startx:


OS Kernel: Linux version 2.4.27-2-386 (horms@tabatha.lab.ultramonkey.org) (gcc v
ersion 3.3.5 (Debian 1:3.3.5-13)) #1 Wed Aug 17 09:33:35 UTC 2005
Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
(++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
(WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
(==) Log File: "/var/log/XFree86.0.log", Time: Thu Jul 27 06:13:25 2006
(==) Using config file: "/etc/X11/XF86Config-4"
Data incomplete in file /etc/X11/XConfig-4
Undefined Monitor " :fff" referenced by Screen "Default Screen".
(EE) Problem parsing the config file
(EE) Error from xf86HandleConfigFile()


Fatal server error:
no screens found


When reporting a problem related to a server crash, please send
the full server output, not just the last messages.
This can be found in the log file "/var/log/XFree86.0.log".
Please report problems to submit@bugs.debian.org.


XIO: fatal IO error 104 (Connection reset by peer) on X server ":0.0"
after 0 requests (0 known processed) with 0 events remaining


My computer hardware is:

AMD K6 166
S3 Virge Generic
Soundblaster 16
33.6 modem Sportster
30 GB harddrive


I have the sarge version installed with GRUB as the installer

I used the i386 iso image download to install the os
as a desktop

i tried using: dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86

to solve the problem but no luck, I'd appreciate any help or advice and thank u in advance.

Login as root on the commandline and post the contents of the /var/log/XFree86.0.log file. Use the code tags please

The /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 would be nice to see as well. Most problems with the resolution being too low are due to the refresh rates for the monitor being set too low by the defaults in Debian. You should get the proper rates from the monitor manual or a quick Google on the model/make of the monitor then use them when asked during the reconfigure.

While logged in as root:
i typed:# cd /var/log

then: ls

which showed me i had: XFree86.0.log
&
XFree86.0.log.old

so i typed:# less XFree86.0.log

which showed me:

XFree 86 Version 4.3.0.1 (Debian 4.3.0.dfsg.1-14sarge1 20050901212727 fjp@localhost.localdomain)
Release Date: 15 August 2003
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0, Release 6.6
Build Operating System: Linux 2.6.8-16.0508-2 i386 [ELF]
Build Date: 02 September 2005

Module Loader Present
OS Kernel: Linux version 2.4.27-2-386 (horms@tabatha.lab.ultramonkey.org) (gcc v
ersion 3.3.5 (Debian 1:3.3.5-13)) #1 Wed Aug 17 09:33:35 UTC 2005
Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
(++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
(WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
(==) Log File: "/var/log/XFree86.0.log", Time: Thu Jul 27 06:13:25 2006
(==) Using config file: "/etc/X11/XF86Config-4"
Data incomplete in file /etc/X11/XConfig-4
Undefined Monitor " :fff" referenced by Screen "Default Screen".
(EE) Problem parsing the config file
(EE) Error from xf86HandleConfigFile()


Fatal server error:
no screens found


When reporting a problem related to a server crash, please send
the full server output, not just the last messages.
This can be found in the log file "/var/log/XFree86.0.log".
Please report problems to submit@bugs.debian.org.


XIO: fatal IO error 104 (Connection reset by peer) on X server ":0.0"
after 0 requests (0 known processed) with 0 events remaining


the XFree86.0.log.old displayed the same thing

hope this helps

the # less /etc/X11/XF86Config-4
brought this up


Section "Device"
Identifier "Generic Video Card"
Driver "s3virge"
EndSection


Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Generic Monitor"
Horisync 30-68
VertRefresh 50-60
Option "DPMS"
Endsection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "Generic Video Card"
Monitor "---:ffff"
Default Depth 24
Subsection "Display"
Depth 1
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubsection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
Subsection "Display"
Depth 15
Mode "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "Default Screen"
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
InputDevice "Generic Mouse"
EndSection

Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection

there was another file in the X11 labled XF86Config-4~ it had the same thing in it

as you can see i was able to edit the file and add 1024x768 as choice in the desktop and it worked fine, i was trying to solve a weird static flickering that was happening on the monitor every time i moved the cursor, when the problem occured.

I'm using a Low Radiation 17 inch monitor, which i don't have the manual for and I've tried looking on the web for it to get some info but but I'm afraid it's to old to find info on.
I't works fine on my XP system and other computers running a 1024x768 and I believe even higher at times

what i got off of the back it is

AgaSys M1566L

Agama Systems Inc., 100-240V~,1.5A, 50-60Hz

Thanks

Change this.
to

Those refresh rates are way too low but a Google on the name/model you provide comes up with nothing.

Edit:Spoke too soon try the settings here.

thanks

i changed the res to hsync 30-66 and the vefresh 50-90 like the specs on the page had listed and listed my moniter as "Generic Monitor" on the XF86Config-4 file
and the startx command started to work.

Then changed the default depth to 16 from 24 to solve the flickering thing when the cursor moved.

works great now

Thanks again


now on to the sound card.