Linux screen issues

Post by **obsidian** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 5:54 am

I'm a Linux noob and the last time I tried to install it was probably about 3-4 years ago.

Because I had nothing better to do on a Wednesday night, I decided to install Mandrake Linux on my old, old Dell Latitude LM laptop, Pentium MMX something (not even sure what the complete specs are) - I basically found it sitting around in a box and thought I'd use it as a portable web browser/typewriter.

Linux is working fine, but the problem is that the screen resolution is stuck at 640x480 resolution and I can't change the colour depth. I can only choose between 640x480 and 320x240 resolutions. Naturally, that's hardly acceptable - it's not giving me any other options. Default onboard graphics.

I need help but don't know where to begin.

Post by **obsidian** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 6:19 am

BTW, copied this out of my file:/etc/x11/xorg.conf:

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "monitor1"
VendorName "Generic"
ModelName "Flat Panel 640x480"
HorizSync 31.5
VertRefresh 40-70

# Sony Vaio C1(X,XS,VE,VN)?
# 1024x480 @ 85.6 Hz, 48 kHz hsync
ModeLine "1024x480" 65.00 1024 1032 1176 1344 480 488 494 563 -hsync -vsync

# Dell D800 and few Inspiron (16/10) 1280x800
ModeLine "1280x800" 147.89 1280 1376 1512 1744 800 801 804 848

# Dell D800 and few Inspiron (16/10) 1680x1050
ModeLine "1680x1050" 214.51 1680 1800 1984 2288 1050 1051 1054 1103

# Dell D800 and few Inspiron (16/10) 1920x1200
ModeLine "1920x1200" 230 1920 1936 2096 2528 1200 1201 1204 1250 +HSync +VSync

# TV fullscreen mode or DVD fullscreen output.
# 768x576 @ 79 Hz, 50 kHz hsync
ModeLine "768x576" 50.00 768 832 846 1000 576 590 595 630

# 768x576 @ 100 Hz, 61.6 kHz hsync
ModeLine "768x576" 63.07 768 800 960 1024 576 578 590 616
EndSection

Post by **^misantropia^** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 1:47 pm

Here's an excerpt from my /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 (it's interchangeable with what X11.org uses):

Code: Select all

Section "Monitor"
        Identifier      "Generic Monitor"
        HorizSync       30-96
        VertRefresh     50-85
        Option          "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
        Identifier      "Default Screen"
        Device          "Generic Video Card"
        Monitor         "Generic Monitor"
        DefaultDepth    24
        SubSection "Display"
                Depth           1
                Modes           "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        EndSubSection
        SubSection "Display"
                Depth           4
                Modes           "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        EndSubSection
        SubSection "Display"
                Depth           8
                Modes           "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        EndSubSection
        SubSection "Display"
                Depth           15
                Modes           "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        EndSubSection
        SubSection "Display"
                Depth           16
                Modes           "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        EndSubSection
        SubSection "Display"
                Depth           24
                Modes           "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        EndSubSection
EndSection

The HorizSync and VertRefresh settings are the key. Mine are fine for my 1024x768@85Hz monitor. If yours supports higher resolutions/refresh rates, take a look at the manual, the frequencies should be listed in there.

Post by **obsidian** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 7:23 pm

I'm guessing you're using a CRT? I'm installing this on a laptop, so I'm not sure if all that applies or not, especially with regards to the refresh rates.

Post by **^misantropia^** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 8:50 pm

Yep, CRT. Google your laptop brand/type and the screen specs will undoubtedly show up. You might want to change the Option "DPMS" to what the laptop actually uses.