xf86config breaks my display

mrdensity · 06-28-2002, 01:52 AM

I am trying to get 800x600 resolution to work on my monitor. Currently I can only get 1024x768 to work. 800x600, 640x480 and 320x200 are a bust(wont sync) with the current /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 that gets generated by XFree86 -configure. If I "xf86config" I can only get a partial screen in 320x200, which my XF86Config.0.log file says is the default but it isnt listed in that config file that is being used. It also will not allow me to (ctr+alt+ +or- ) to change screen resolutions.
I have included the best config file that I can get working it is the default that "XFree86 -configure" placed in my /root directory. I have tried a few Options so far and can make it worse but not better. If someone is able to offer asssistance with this I would certainly appreciate it.

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "XFree86 Configured"
Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0
InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
# uncomment the next line to keep users from restarting X.
Option "DontZap" # no (ctr+alt+BS)
EndSection

Section "Files"
RgbPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/rgb"
ModulePath "/usr/X11R6/lib/modules"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/misc/"
# FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Speedo/"
# FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Type1/"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/CID/"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi/"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi/"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "GLcore"
Load "dbe"
Load "dri"
Load "extmod"
Load "glx"
Load "pex5"
Load "record"
Load "xie"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "keyboard"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Mouse0"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "MICROSOFT"
Option "Device" "/dev/ttyS0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
VendorName "Compudyne"
ModelName "14/1024"
EndSection

Section "Device"
### Available Driver options are:-
# Option "ShadowFB" # Tried this, no change
Identifier "Card0"
Driver "vesa"
VendorName "S3"
BoardName "Trio32/64"
BusID "PCI:0:8:0"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Card0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
SubSection "Display"
Depth 1 # Ive commented out these
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4 # Even left all but one
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8 # only works with this one
# Option "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480" "320x200
# only syncs with "1024x768"
# server error "cannot parse 'this line'
# Option not a valid Keyword
# same for "1024.......x480" "not a valid Keyword
# cant put Options here
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15 # Screen was unuseable
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16 # Screen was unuseable
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24 # Screen was unuseable
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "DRI"
EndSection

# ALL comments were added by root
# there are no settings for H and V sync rates listed
# cannot find the correct comination to try to get it to work
# cannot find correct secton or subsection to add them to
# has 4 resolutions , only syncs to 1 - 1024x768
# tried making changes in the Bios no affect.

Aussie · 06-28-2002, 04:08 AM

Hand edit it and add the monitor specs.

mrdensity · 06-28-2002, 06:33 PM

I guess I didnt ask the question correctly.
My intention was to hand edit it using "vim" from a terminal.
The file created by "XFree86 -configure" was completely void of any comments or options to use, add or delete.
I have made progress. But was hoping more for a recommendation as where to place it and possibly the correct syntax to use.

thanks.

jpweston · 06-28-2002, 06:51 PM

mrdensity,

Go to the bottom of the XF86Config file and look for a section called "Screen". This is where you put all of your edits for resolution and such. Here is an example from mine:

Code:

Section "Screen"
        Identifier "Screen0"
        Device     "Card0"  
        Monitor    "Monitor0"
        DefaultDepth    24

        SubSection "Display"
                Depth     16
                Modes     "1024x768" "800x600"
                Viewport  0 0
        EndSubSection
        SubSection "Display"
                Depth     24
                Modes     "1024x768" "800x600"
                Viewport  0 0                 
        EndSubSection
EndSection

j.

Aussie · 06-28-2002, 07:25 PM

And this is whay my monitor section looks like,

Code:

Section "Monitor"

    Identifier  "Acer v771"

# HorizSync is in kHz unless units are specified.
# HorizSync may be a comma separated list of discrete values, or a
# comma separated list of ranges of values.
# NOTE: THE VALUES HERE ARE EXAMPLES ONLY.  REFER TO YOUR MONITOR'S
# USER MANUAL FOR THE CORRECT NUMBERS.

    HorizSync   30 - 72

# VertRefresh is in Hz unless units are specified.
# VertRefresh may be a comma separated list of discrete values, or a
# comma separated list of ranges of values.
# NOTE: THE VALUES HERE ARE EXAMPLES ONLY.  REFER TO YOUR MONITOR'S
# USER MANUAL FOR THE CORRECT NUMBERS.

    VertRefresh 50 - 120

    Option "DPMS"

EndSection

And you can find examples for every section at www.xfree86.org/support.html

mrdensity · 06-30-2002, 05:02 PM

I guess my THANK YOU ! didnt make it to the board a couple of nights ago. Sorry. Thhanks for the posts guys.
I am still trying to get a lower resolution to work. But seeing your says that I'm not to far from the right track.
Aussie, Thanks for the link to XFree86.org I have been there a few times cut cannot seem to stay on track because there is Sooo much reading there, and quite a # ofr possibible places to end up.
I must admit I am getting much more proficient at using vim in command line mode

. In the future I will try to be a little more direct any questions that come to mind. Frustration seems to affect me badly and this new set of hurdles is gettting to me.
I do like Linux quite well and have tried several flavors. The best part (up front) is no more BSoD.
Oh well, Cheers and Thanks again ! Its probaly staring me in the face. Today is 11 happy years with my wife. If I want it to make it the next 11 I better give her a little attention today!!

mrdensity · 07-02-2002, 01:32 AM

I have added the lines "HorizSync 30 - 60"
and "VertRefresh 50 - 90" and nearly any possible combination I can muster. but none of the combinations yeild a different result than only 1024x768 being able to sync. I have looked for XF86Config and XF86Config-4 in all possible locations thinking it might be getting the file somewhere else but it is only in the /etc/X11/ folder.
Is anyone aware of any issues regarding XFree86 v.4.0.2 and the vesa driver ?
The vga driver only lets me get 640x480 , 320x200 in 4 Bpp and 320X200 IN 8BPP.

mrdensity · 07-02-2002, 11:16 AM

It is a Compudyne 14/1024 monitor . The specs for it are:
HorizRefresh 70 Hz
VertSync 30 -35.5 KHz
These are what I entered into the Monitor0 section and still a bust ! 640x480 shows the top left corner of 5 overlapping desktops and the cursor. But it is only diplaying 5/8 of the desktop. 800x600 is simular, but completly out of sync.The specs said it was a "fixed frequency" monitor. Does anyone know what is missing or wrong that I cannot get 800x600 to work with this combination ?

Aussie · 07-02-2002, 07:33 PM

Make sure you don't have it set to use a virtual desktop and check that you have the modes in the correct order in Subsection Display of the screen section in XF86Config-4.

mrdensity · 07-02-2002, 09:04 PM

I dont know how to keep it from using a virtual desktop. So chances are good that it is.

The modes are listed "1024..." "800..." "640..." .Reversing the order doesnt help , I have to change resolution with ctrlalt- to get a viewable screen or ctrlalt+ twice. In the current order the first entry syncs fine. The others look no different regardles of descending or assending order.

I did notice that one of the X files in the /etc/X11 directory did mention use of the VGA16 driver instead of the vesa but I cannot seem to find it now. It was not an XF86Config* file. I will keep trying to to find it again and post that info.

Thank You for the help. Honestly, it is appreciated !
Any thoughts about the monitor being "fixed frequency" ?

ac1980 · 10-15-2003, 05:26 PM

Hope you have resolved it by now, however "fixed freq" means you must specify a number of discrete possible freq, not a range. So
HorizSync 70 (KHz)
VertRefresh 30, 35.5 (Hz)

mrdensity · 11-16-2003, 02:57 AM

Yes It was cured long ago. I have since moved on to a better workstation and that computer is setup as a dsl gateway/firewall running headless, mouseless and without a keyboard. I cannot remember what I did finally get to work but it served me well for a year. After upgrading it became a thin client for the kids and then the gateway.
Part of the issue was the monitor , it was pretty well decrepid but did still produce a 'viewable' 800x600 display.

Thanks for the reply.
Later,
Aaron