I have just install Slackware 9.1 on a very old Compaq computer. I have:
A Compaq V50 monitor (specs)
A Cirrus Logic 5436 graphics card

XFree86 works currently, with the following settings:
Video Card Driver = cirrus
Default Depth = 24
Resolution = 640x480
HSync = 31-60 (as off the specs for my monitor)
VSync = 50-115 (ditto)

However, I used to use 800x600 with windows, and according to the specs I can use 1024x768, so I would like to use one of these. So, I changed the resolution in XF86Config to 800x600, but I got the error you get when XFree doesnt think it can display the resolution (forgot to write it down. if its that important, leave x, change resolution to 99999x999999 and restart x ). I can run 800x600 if I use Depth=8, but I don't want to do this.

How can I make it run as 800x600 or 1024x768 in (preferably) 24 bit colour?

Thanks.

Modelines.

You must set up the proper Modelines in the XF86Config file.

Then you will have useable resolutions.

Your best bet is to look for an application that will configure the modelines in the XF86Config file for you. Else, use one of the online modeline calculators to get a proper modeline and hand-edit your XF86Config file.

well, i first was using:
modes "800x600" "640x480"

but that could only use 640x480 - i cud ctrl alt plus and minus all i liked to no avail.

if i change it to only 800x600 it doesnt work.

ok i didnt really understand it when i posted that. ive been looking at modeline calculators, but they all seem to need things i dont know - sync, blanking, ratios - where can i find these out. i tried using read-edid to find out about my monitor, but it didnt work - i get the output block unchanged error. this is from the read-edid site:
im not really in a position to do it the dos way as in their fixes, so im not sure what to do...

There's no DOS way in Linux, by the way...

To find out about your monitor, research it on the web by putting in the model number and the word "specs" into any browser. You should get a failrly detailed description of what your monitor can do.

ive got specs, as you see in my first post, but that was all i could find out about it. its pretty detailed. ive put all the info i can into xfree, but it still wont let me use 800x600 properly. i think hes onto somehting with the modelines, but i cant work out how to do them.