XF86Config for DELL FP (sorry!!!)
 

I'm really sorry to have to resort to posting this question - there is so much information out there, but I just cannot get my SuSE 8.2 install to drive my Dell EP151 Analog Flat Panel monitor at more than 640x480. I have an Intel i845 card which the install recognised fine.

The monitor is not in the database for SaX. Although I got up and running at 640x480 by selecting a Dell 1501FP. I've tried loads of other monitor types including a generic VESA but when I test at greater than 640x480 I get an xserver error about lack of compatible modes.

I found a web site that calculated this modeline for me (I know my monitor will go 1024x768@75Hz) but had no joy.

Modeline "1024x768" 81.54 1024 1064 1168 1352 768 768 770 804

Have been happily hacking away, but I think the problem is that I just don't understand the structure of the XF86Config file, so it's a bit of a random game. How does X choose a modeline, and how does this relate to all the display subsections in the screen section?

I'd also love to know how to restart X when I change the config file, without having to reboot!

Below is a section of XF86Config that SaX managed to generate.

Any help appreciated - I know it's a boring one.

T.

#XF86Config extract

Section "Monitor"
Option "CalcAlgorithm" "CheckDesktopGeometry"
HorizSync 30-61
Identifier "Monitor[0]"
ModelName "1501FP(ANALOG)"
VendorName "DELL"
VertRefresh 56-75
UseModes "Modes[0]"
EndSection

Section "Modes"
Identifier "Modes[0]"
Modeline "640x480" 25.96 640 656 720 864 480 480 489 501
Modeline "640x480" 29.95 640 656 720 864 480 480 489 501
Modeline "1024x768" 66.29 1024 1040 1216 1400 768 768 777 802
Modeline "1024x768" 76.49 1024 1040 1216 1400 768 768 777 802
Modeline "800x600" 40.56 800 816 928 1072 600 600 609 626
Modeline "800x600" 46.80 800 816 928 1072 600 600 609 626
Modeline "1024x768" 78.80 1024 1040 1136 1312 768 769 772 800 +HSync +VSync
EndSection



Section "Screen"
DefaultDepth 16
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 32
Modes "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
Device "Device[0]"
Identifier "Screen[0]"
Monitor "Monitor[0]"
EndSection

Section "Device"
BoardName "i845"
BusID "0:2:0"
Driver "i810"
Identifier "Device[0]"
VendorName "Intel"
EndSection

Ok, a bit of progress....

In the "Modes" section I commented all lines bar...

Modeline "1024x768" 78.80 1024 1040 1136 1312 768 769 772 800 +HSync +VSync

.... and in the "Screen" section, commented out all bar....

SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1024x768"
EndSubSection


So I finally get a decent resolution but only in 8 bit colour. If I up the depth to 16 or more, then X will not start. I'm beginning to believe the problem therefore lies with my graphics card configuration which surprises me. Any help still welcome!!!

OK, sorted now.

Problem is to do with the Intel 82845G graphics card. The issue is to do with Linux not seeing enough onboard videoram to drive at 1024x768x16bit. See http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...003/07/1/69720

First I tried using setting the BIOS (F2 at boot time) to onboard video memory of 8MB. This had no effect.

I then followed the link to the intel page http://support.intel.com/support/gra...x/graphics.htm

where I took got the tip to use the "vesa" driver instead of the "i810" driver. Works a treat, although there are few spurious command line warnings when starting X. Not sure if the BIOS setting is

So for my machine : Dell 2400, Intel 82845G Graphics Card, E151 15" Flat Panel Analog Monitor, my /etc/X11/XF86Config now has the following entries:

Section "Monitor"
Option "CalcAlgorithm" "CheckDesktopGeometry"
HorizSync 30-61
Identifier "Monitor[0]"
ModelName "1501FP(ANALOG)"
VendorName "DELL"
VertRefresh 56-75
UseModes "Modes[0]"
EndSection

Section "Modes"
Identifier "Modes[0]"
Modeline "1024x768" 76.49 1024 1040 1216 1400 768 768 777 802
EndSection

Section "Screen"
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1024x768"
EndSubSection
Device "Device[0]"
Identifier "Screen[0]"
Monitor "Monitor[0]"
EndSection

Section "Device"
BoardName "i845"
BusID "0:2:0"
# Driver "i810"
Driver "vesa"
Identifier "Device[0]"
VendorName "Intel"
EndSection