basically, on my old CRT monitor, slackware doesn't work properly...what i mean by that is my CRT overloads from the high resolution and makes a high pitch noise and i can't see anything clearly....what can i do? do i need to edit xorg? also (unrelated) on my live distro of slax i can't use some modules (can't figure out how to boot 'em) can you help? Also!,is there a way to have slax save the session data on my flashdrive? thanks guys and gals in advance....

As for your monitor you will probably need to edit your xorg.conf You will need to know the horizontal and vertical refresh rates for your monitor and edit the xorg.conf file accordingly. Sorry I can't help with your other two questions-don't know much about slax.

Have you tried xorgsetup -- probes for the monitor and other useful things and writes xorg.conf for you (it makes a back up of your existing xorg.conf).

Shut down the X server, log in as root on the console and run it. Then just take a shot and startx and see what you get (you can always go back to the back up file).

i've tried xorgsetup...it fixes it at first and then freezes linux....then i have to reinstall linux cause it says it's corrupted

Seems to me I remember xorgsetup doing a goofy thing with the HorizSync value and I had to fiddle with it...

It should look like this (obviously, this is for my monitor):

Section "Monitor"
#DisplaySize 360 270 # mm
Identifier "Monitor0"
VendorName "SAM"
ModelName "SyncMaster"
HorizSync 30.0 - 85.0
VertRefresh 50.0 - 160.0
Option "DPMS"
EndSection

but it did something funky with either HorizSync or VertRefresh. Usually, xorgsetup does a nice job (particularly if you've got an older monitor that's fairly common). Might be worth another shot and look at the result before you startx again. Don't forget to check the manual for your monitor for the sync and refresh ranges.

You should not have to reinstall Linux to deal with this -- it's probably telling you that you've got a corrupt xorg.conf file -- just don't set it for a graphic login until you get this straightened out (that's the default runlevel in /etc/inittab).

problem is i don't have the manual for this monitor.....it's second hand. And being 15 years old and the company not making screens but CD-R's it's not like i can get one easily....

What's your exact monitor ? Did you search for your monitor's manual on the internet, I'm sure there is something out there...

Being 15 years old I'd be very cautious with your xorg settings. I run Slackware 10.2 on a very old CRT with no problems. But, I use xorgconfig and enter the values manually. Try setting your values a lot lower, say 56 Hz and 800x600, and a lower colour depth.
Good luck, man:-)

You could also try to run Ubuntu Live CD and see if your monitor works better. Ubuntu's livecd sets the xorg at a minimal configuration. Something like 60hz. If it runs well then look at /etc/X11/xorg.conf to see what the monitor values (refresh rates) are set at then edit yours accordingly. I did this with a very old NEC monitor and it worked out great.

xorgsetup is only going to be safe to use if a monitor is responding to EDID/DDC queries... which in this case wouldn't be necessary because if the monitor were responding to those queries, X would have removed the modes that are making the monitor freak out from the list of valid modes.

In cases like this (and in most cases anyway) the `xorgconfig` utility is much more reliable.

so.....why don't you guys give me a list of options please...It might just be me but you are talking about a bunch of stuff but you don't bring across your solution. except the ubuntu post... (i wouldn't know what to do)

What is your monitors make and model and screen size? Have you googled that information to see if you can get some specs? You are going to have to edit Xorg manually and you will need as much info as possible. If you cannot find any specs or you just absolutely do not know make and model then you will have to come up with a set of lower values like hitest mentioned. There should be some sort of tag or identifier on your monitor, usually on the back or the bottom. Once you get some more information then we can help you edit Xorg either manually or with xorgsetup.

thanks, let me see what i can find...

Goody! I found one thing that's helpful...... Here's what's on the back and the Hz rating

Company: Memorex Telex (Called EDS nowadays)http://www.memorex.ie/
Model #: CDS-4593
Hz : 50-60
A.1.0/0.5 ????
FCC ID#: GWG-CD5437X
F/N: 3076
C/N 7000040103076