Slackware Linux screen resolution problem?

I am using Slackware 10.1 GNU/Linux? OS and quite happy with that. Though I am an advance user, I am having a problem with that!

I want to set the screen resolution to 1152 X 864 with 75Hz Monitor VF that works well with dual boot Windows 2000 Pro. Currently Slackware shows, 800 x 600, 1024 x 768 and 1280 x 1024 (60 Hz). I tried with XorgConfig file but in vain.

So, what do you think?

Dave's Answer:

Two possibilities come to mind:

While I can't speak specifically to Slackware, I can suggest a tool to use: Sax2. This is an open source tool from Suse (now Novell) that is included in Suse/Novell Linux, plus a few others (Yoper comes to mind). Get the source from Suse, compile and try Sax2. Here's a link.

Just to be a bit more clear, Sax2 is an xfree86 configuration utility. It still has its quirks, but my colleagues have found that when it's unware of a supported resolution it's easy to add that to the configuration and test it out. One great advantage is that it tests the changes you wish to make before committing them. A very handy feature when tweaking refresh rates. It helps keep you from "breaking" the config!

Also, you can edit the /etc/X11/xorg.conf by hand at the Section "Screen". Take note of the DefaultDepth [8-32] and Subsection "Display" which will help you figure out your default startup color depth - and just change the Modes to "1152x864" and restart X and you're done. The assumption here is that your monitor will support that resolution else you may end up with a virtual screen (which can be nice sometimes).

You could also just try adding:

Modeline "1152x864" 107.48 1152 1208 1336 1584 864 864 867 904

last in your "Monitor" section.

Your BIOS might not list that resolution though.

Finally, as with any other configuration tweaking, please be sure to back up your xorg.conf before you mess around with it.

Thanks to research associates Phil, Kyle Isom and Ed Ellis for their help with this question.

More Useful Unix and Linux Help Articles:

✔ Copy and Paste from the Mac OS X Command Line?

I am constantly running commands in Terminal.app on my MacBook and then copying and pasting the results into email messages or documents. Yes,...

✔ Shell script to convert lowercase to title case?

As part of a project I'm working on, I find myself deep in a Linux shell script, needing to have a subroutine that...

✔ Can I script renaming files based on an XML data map?

I have a folder full of files which are named with four digits and a file extension e.g. 0312.file and an XML-file describing...

✔ Test for valid numbers in a Bash shell script?

In a different discussion on this site [see Redirecting input in a shell script] a visitor commented that "I was too busy trying...

✔ Review: iSSH for the iPad/iPhone

If you're running an online business like I am, there are times when you need to connect and log in to the server...

Let's stay in touch!

Sign up for my weekly AskDaveTaylor Newsletter and you'll receive even more tech and gadget help right to your inbox, along with exclusive news and industry updates. It's good stuff. I promise!

Categorized: Unix and Linux Help (Article 4033, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged:
Previous: What's Yahoo Mindset?
Next: Mac OS X Tiger's DVD Player won't play VIDEO_TS files?

Reader Comments To Date: 3

Terminator said, on June 17, 2005 5:16 AM:

You can try xautoconfig, which is pretty handy to configure X for Linux on powerbook. :-) The trick is actually to set option �UseFBDev� be true in xorg.conf.

Tim said, on October 18, 2005 7:22 AM:

If you're trying to get X to run correctly, pay careful attention to device names because they all have to agree with what's in the "Screen" and "ServerLayout" sections. This includes your monitor, video card, mouse, etc. Check to see what resolutions are listed under the "Screen" section, and feel free to add whatever you need. The server should get the apropriate information directly from your monitor, providing both it and your video card support DDC. Note, however, if your monitor and/or video card don't support DDC, or it just won't find some resolution that you know both pieces of hardware can do, then you'll have to either find a set of proper modelines, or create them yourself. For example, I have an nVidia Riva TNT2 video card and a Sony CPD-G500 monitor. The monitor will not report it's highest resolution, so I had to create a modeline myself. A little bit of work with a calculator, and some tweaking with xvidtune, and I had one that works. Patience is key.

Modeline "2048x1536" 332 2048 2168 2408 2744 1536 1561 1564 1612

If you're trying to get graphics working under the console, for such programs as links and seejpeg, you have to edit "/etc/vga/libvga.config". The format is almost entirely different from xorg.conf, but you should be able to grok the proper structure from the file itself.

Jason said, on March 7, 2007 1:28 PM:

I renstalled windows XP to get more screen resolution.. I got less 4 bit & cant slide it over to more pixles.. Whats your suggestion?

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

Slackware Linux screen resolution problem?

Reader Comments To Date: 3

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

Check This Out Too...