X Window System

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The X Window System - a graphical environment or XFree86. Currently XFree86 version 4 ie XF86 or simply X. (notes, tips, hacks, trouble shooting)

When first written this covered mostly Redhat. That section has been moved to the back and called "Redhat Section."

>== The X Window System - Configuring Laptops with Intel graphic chipset ==

To get a higher desktop resolution mode for 855 / 865 / 915 Intel graphic chipset. Works on most laptops with Intel graphics. Tested on Dell Latitude D505 laptop, Kernel 2.6.12, Debian Linux.

To get the high resolution for X11 the 855resolution package is required. For Debian systems simply 'apt-get install 855resolution' 

 apt-get install 855resolution

Which will install the binary to '/usr/sbin/855resolution.' the debian package installer will also put the startup script in /etc/init.d for you.

Instructions for configuration are in '/usr/share/doc/855resolution/README.Debian'

You will need to run with the -l switch for the first time to detect available modes as per the instructions in the README.Debian file 

 855resolution -l

Then fill in the values for the configuration 

 vi /etc/default/855resolution

Then start the 855resolution service 

 /etc/init.d/855resolution start

The X Window configuration will need modified to allow for the new supported modes to get your high resolution display in X11. 

 vi /etc/X11/XF86Config-4

details for modification are as follows:

I've not been able to achieve the full 1600x1200 resolution of my LCD as of yet. It was necessary to modify the XF86Config-4 file in order to increase the resolution. Prior to modification the max was 16 bit at 800x600.

Most Important - must invoke the i810 driver! Modify the Section "Device" and change Driver "VESA" to Driver "i810" (or your Intel chip) Also, added 'Option "VBERestore" "true" to that section. Next, in the Section "Monitor" removed all Modelines. Added only the following: Modeline "1600x1200" 80.14 1280 1344 1480 1680 768 769 772 795 (this is still not correct. work in progress)

In the Section "Screen" must added the Modes for each depth. Modes "1600x1200" "1280x768" "800x600" "640x480"

 

The X Window System - Legacy Redhat Section

  • Configuration of Video

redhat-config-xfree86 should start X in a safe video mode and allow you to adjust your settings. You can also run "redhat-config-xfree86 --reconfig" to discard your existing video settings. 

 redhat-config-xfree86

 redhat-config-xfree86 --reconfig

If redhat-config-xfree86 fails (which it often does if you have anything more complex than a pristine system with the most basic single wimpy video card) you can use XFree86's auto configuration utility: 

 XFree86 -configure

If this works, it will create a config file XF86Config-new. However, on my dual video card system this also fails.

If you need to manually configure the X server, there are several possible methods:

Try to use the *XF86Setup program, which can help identify the correct X server and monitor timings for the video hardware. 

 XF86Setup

Make sure that the X server has the correct options. If you log in as the superuser, you should be able to use X --probeonly to get a listing of the video card chipset, memory, and any special graphics features.

  • Redhat users will quickly notice that XF86Setup is absent from their system.

So, if the automatic crap doesn't work, you are screwed in Redhat much like Micro$oft users have discovered over the years using their substandard OS.

Ctrl-Alt-Backspace will shut down the X server and return to the shell prompt in one of the virtual terminals. This is handy if there is a problem loading x-windows after making a configuration change (if it hangs).

Redhat users debunked by the absence of XF86Setup:

You can manually edit the XF86Config. Be careful doing this. The wrong clock setting for your monitor may damage it. 

 vi /etc/X11/XF86Config

If you configure X to load with a default SVGA driver, then you should be able to get into X and run Redhat's redhat-config-xfree86

I plan to include a sample of what to put in your XF86Config. (is it not frustrating when so many linux doc's simply say "refer to blah documentation?") 

  {Generic SVGA Monitor}

Section "Monitor"
        Identifier   "Monitor0"
        VendorName   "Monitor Vendor"
        ModelName    "Generic Monitor, 1280x1024 @ 74 Hz"
        HorizSync    31.5 - 79.0
        VertRefresh  50.0 - 90.0
        Option      "dpms"
EndSection

  {16 Color Safe VGA Sample}

Section "Device"
    Identifier "Generic VGA"
    VendorName "Unknown"
    BoardName  "Unknown"
    Chipset    "generic"
EndSection

  {VESA SVGA Sample}

Section "Device"
    Identifier "Generic SVGA"
    VendorName "Unknown"
    BoardName  "Unknown"
EndSection

  {NVIDIA GeForce4 Generic Sample}

Section "Device"
        Driver      "nv"
        Identifier  "Videocard0"
        VendorName  "Videocard vendor"
        BoardName   "NVIDIA GeForce 4 (generic)"
        VideoRam    131072
EndSection

  {Define Screen Modes Sample}

Section "Screen"
        Identifier "Screen0"
        Device     "Videocard0"
        Monitor    "Monitor0"
        DefaultDepth     24
        SubSection "Display"
                Depth     24
                Modes    "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        EndSubSection
EndSection

note: To change window managers from the console, use the 'switchdesk' command

last update:

  • Sun Jun 20 12:45:51 CDT 2004
  • Thu Apr 6 12:45:19 CDT 2006

 

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