Monitor Frequecy Problems?
 

I've just installed Fedora core on a:

Dell Optiplex GX1 w/
ATI 3D Rage Pro AGP 2x (built-in to board)
NEC MultiSync LCD1920NX

The installation seemed to go well, but when I restart, X-Windows runs by default, and the screen starts... scrolling really fast? I think this may be a frequency problem, but don't know.

I loaded from the CD, and noticed that it thought my video card was an "ATI Mach64". Maybe they are the same, hard to find info about these old cards on ATI, but could that be the problem? Or maybe it has something to do with the fact that I'm using an LCD?

Questions:

1. How can I stop X-Windows from loading to troubleshoot from the UNIX prompt?

2. How can I change the video card setting, it seems to have grabbed it automatically?

Thanks for helping!!

Bill

"1. How can I stop X-Windows from loading to troubleshoot from the UNIX prompt?"

Use the three finger command:
<Ctrl> <Alt> <F3>
to get an alternative console and log in as root.

"2. How can I change the video card setting, it seems to have grabbed it automatically?"

Run redhat-config-xfree86

___________________________________
Be prepared. Create a LifeBoat CD.
http://users.rcn.com/srstites/LifeBo...home.page.html

Steve Stites

thanks jailbait
 

Thanks jailbait, I'll give that a try!

Seems to me this might be a weakpoint in the Linux (or at least Fedora) setup. If your monitor doesn't setup correctly, and you can't use X-Windows... what do you do? The only Redhat documentation about getting to the command line involved using X-Windows.

When you change your monitor settings in MS (essentially what you are doing when you set up Linux the first time), you are asked to accept the new settings in 20 seconds or it will set them back. A similar effect the first time you start Linux would sure make life easier!!

Well, thankfully good people hang out on this board!

" If your monitor doesn't setup correctly, and you can't use X-Windows... what do you do?"

You use the command line. The command line interface (CLI) is a full blown operating system, not a crippled version of the GUI. You can either go to the CLI as a one-shot fix by using <Ctrl> <Alt> <Fx> where x is between 1 and 6 or you can change to the CLI permanently by changing the run level. On Fedora if you set the run level to 3 then you boot to the CLI and run only at the command line unless you startx. Most servers use the CLI and never bother with a GUI.

"The only Redhat documentation about getting to the command line involved using X-Windows."

X Window runs on top of the CLI. It is also possible to run a shell (command line) on top of X Window which is running on top of the CLI. However you want to do it.

___________________________________
Be prepared. Create a LifeBoat CD.
http://users.rcn.com/srstites/LifeBo...home.page.html

Steve Stites