HOWTO: change resolution/refresh rate in Xorg

[heimo]

Howto: change resolution/refresh rate in Xorg
If you can't change your display resolution or refresh rate (no desired option available) these instructions may help.

Backup your configuration file
sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf_backup
How to reconfigure Xorg
Notice that auto detection of devices works best if Xorg is not running. Therefore it's recommended to stop X before reconfiguring this will put you to text only mode / command line:
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop (or kdm for KDE) You can do the whole X configuration process by entering:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorgTo start Gnome/KDE again:
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm start (or kdm for KDE)How to test configuration without restarting X?
See this excellent tip (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=679706&postcount=23) from henriquemaia (Thanks!)

How to edit xorg.conf file
Run in terminal or console:
sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf online help in nano: ctrl+g (ctrl+x exits)

Where is the log file, how to debug?
File:
/var/log/Xorg.0.logcontains lots of invaluable debugging information about what's going on as Xorg starts. Watch for lines with EE (errors) and WW (warnings).

How to edit or add HorizSync and VertRefresh lines
Find your monitors manual (manufacturers website and Google are useful).
Look for hozizontal sync and vertical refresh rates, also if bandwidth or maximum dot clock / pixel clock is mentioned, write it down.

Edit xorg.conf and put correct values to your xconf.org's Monitor section. Something like this:
Section "Monitor"
Identifier "CM752ET"
HorizSync 31-101
VertRefresh 60-160
EndSection
Be sure that Identifier is same as the Monitor line in Screen section.


Adding custom modeline
If you know what your monitor can do, for example 1024x768@75Hz, you can use this page to generate a custom Modeline for you xorg.conf:
online modeline generator (http://www.dkfz-heidelberg.de/spec/linux/modeline/)Copy paste the new Modeline to Monitor section (for example):

# 1024x768 @ 75.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 60.15 kHz; pclk: 81.80 MHzModeline "1024x768_75.00" 81.80 1024 1080 1192 1360 768 769 772 802 -HSync +VsyncWatch that the hsync is in range with the HorizSync on the same section (in this example the range is 31-101 and this modelines hsync is 60.15, so we're safe). Also the VertRefresh and the refresh rate you selected (75Hz in this example) should match - in this example VertRefresh is 60-160 and modeline is 75Hz, so that's all good.

Now you can select the default resolution and colordepth by tweaking the Screen section. It should look something like this:

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "NVIDIA Corporation NV34 [GeForce FX 5200]"
Monitor "CM752ET"
DefaultDepth 16
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1024x768_75.00"
EndSubSection
EndSection
Monitor name here (CM752ET) matches the Identifier on your Monitor Section. Device line here matches the identifier on your Device section - you get the idea? :) It ties together some settings for your screen - the graphics card and your monitor. You may have more Subsections here, but only one is needed.

Change the DefaultDepth to what you would want it to be, 16 (65536 colors) or 24 (16M colors). Change the Modes line to match the resolutions you want to use - Depth must match DefaultDepth (here it's 16).

Save the config. If you're in X, hit CTRL+ALT+BACKSPACE to restart X (if you're running logon manager like xdm, kdm or gdm). Change between virtual consoles with CTRL + F1 F2 F3 and so on - your X should be on F7.

Starting the X:
startx OR sudo /etc/init.d/gdm start (in KDE it's kdm)

If that doesn't work, try fixing the xorg.conf or get back to your original by copying the backup over your changed one with:
sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf_backup /etc/X11/xorg.confWhen you're back in X, you can cycle through different modes by pressing CTRL+ALT++ (plus sign on numpad), or go to System->Preferences->Screen Resolution.

How to adjust position of your screen?
open terminal(Applications->Accessories->Terminal), run xvidtune (type: "xvidtune"), adjust the screen and hit Show-button. You'll see a line with something like this on the terminal screen:
"1280x1024" 157.50 1280 1332 1492 1728 1024 1025 1028 1072 +hsync +vsyncNext you should:
sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf_backup
sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf
In Monitor section, add the above line with a prefix "Modeline", like this:
Modeline "1280x1024" 157.50 1280 1332 1492 1728 1024 1025 1028 1072 +hsync +vsyncThat should do it. There should be no need to restart X if you did make the change (hit Apply in xvidtune), but you should test that this new change works. Hit ctrl+alt+backspace to restart X. If it doesn't work, you can copy back the old configuration file using:
sudo /etc/X11/xorg.conf_backup /etc/X11/xorg.conf and restart X using:
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm start
:!: Problems? Things to try:
Check notes concerning your video card in Ubuntu wiki https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupportComponentsVideoCards
Check BIOS settings - eg. amount of shared memory
Add to your monitor section line Option "DDC" "False"
if you're using kvm (keyboard/video/mouse-switch), try reconfiguring without
try vesa driver instead of your graphics card specific driver
try nv instead of nvidia
try ati instead of fglrx
try intel instead of i810
try 16-bits colors instead of 24-colors
adding HorizSync and VertRefresh line in Monitor section with correct values from monitors specification
adding custom modeline for your monitor in Monitor section
online modeline generator (http://www.dkfz-heidelberg.de/spec/linux/modeline/)
gtf generator online: http://www.sh.nu/nvidia/gtf.php
reconfiguring Xorg
sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg
if you have Intel graphics chip, try installing 855resolution, (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/FixVideoResolutionHowto) or 915resolution
if having problems to get very high resolution working with nvidia drivers, try adding some or all of these at your own risk (some of these may be driver specific - check other documentation before using) Option "UseEDIDFreqs" "FALSE"
Option "NoBandWidthTest" "TRUE"
Option "ExactModeTimingsDVI" "TRUE"
Option "ModeValidation" "NoEdidModes, NoMaxPClkCheck, NoVertRefreshCheck, NoHorizSyncCheck, NoEdidMaxPClkCheck"
Which driver should I use? Is my card supported? See list of supported cards / chipsets. (http://xorg.freedesktop.org/wiki/Projects/Drivers?action=show)
Advanced X11 configuration in FreeBSD handbook (http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/handbook/x-config.html)
If you're using nvidia driver, try gksudo nvidia-settings
Try booting from Live-CD, if that works, copy /etc/X11/xorg.conf from there
Tips and tricks in this howto: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=269052
Check FixVideoResolutionHowto
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/FixVideoResolutionHowto (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/FixVideoResolutionHowto)
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DebuggingXAutoconfiguration
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/FixVideoResolutionHowto


Miscellaneous resources (may contain outdated information)

Integrated Intel graphics card?
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=24923 (855resolution, hoary)
http://www.x.org/X11R6.8.2/doc/i810.html

Laptop with Intel graphics and widescreen
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=351647

Widescreen
http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Feisty#How_to_enable_Large_Widescreen_Suppo rt

Useful command line tools

xresprobe [driver=vesa,ati,nv,nvidia,i810]
ddcprobeWhy must I set the correct screen resolution on every startup?
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=248755&postcount=5

Online modeline generators:
http://sh.nu/nvidia/gtf.php (http://sh.nu/nvidia/gtf.php)
http://www.dkfz-heidelberg.de/spec/linux/modeline/
http://xtiming.sourceforge.net/cgi-bin/xtiming.pl
http://koala.ilog.fr/cgi-bin/nph-colas-modelines
http://zaph.com/Modeline/

Complete xorg.conf files:
http://aleks.vigio.pl/

What all those options do?
http://xorg.freedesktop.org/archive/X11R7.0/doc/html/xorg.conf.5.html

Some random links I may need to sort later (mainly about setting widescreen resolution):
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...org/+bug/67369 (https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xorg/+bug/67369)
http://gentoo-wiki.com/HOWTO_Widescr...lutions_(WSXGA (http://gentoo-wiki.com/HOWTO_Widescreen_Resolutions_%28WSXGA))
http://thoughtworker.in/2007/04/24/k...ht-resolution/ (http://thoughtworker.in/2007/04/24/kubuntu-704-feisty-fawn-getting-right-resolution/)
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...69/comments/21 (https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xorg/+bug/67369/comments/21)

Installing proprietary drivers
Envy, Unofficial installer for ati and nvidia drivers:
http://www.albertomilone.com/nvidia_scripts1.html (https://launchpad.net/envy)



If anyone wants to copy this guide to Ubuntus wikipages, please feel free to do so.

[frodon]

Hi heimo, nice guide ... really complete

The first 2 links under Integrated Intel graphics card? and the link under Problems with login screen refresh rate? are broken.

[heimo]

Hi heimo, nice guide ... really complete
Thanks! :) There are lots of tips and tricks from all over Ubuntuforums and I've just collected some of those together in one post. I'm quite happy to see that there's not so much need for this guide anymore, Xorg configuration in Breezy is working better than it was in Hoary.


The first 2 links under Integrated Intel graphics card? and the link under Problems with login screen refresh rate? are broken.

Thanks for noticing! (removed/updated)

[ubuntuzilla]

OOPS, i cut and pasted
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop into the terminal.

My computer starts but nothing is displayed. I hear the hard drive spinning but my bios doesn't even display. The monitor says it's working properly and to check my cables and computer. I can't boot anything on cd either.

i did sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf_backup first though but still. With nothing displaying i can't really reset the backup. Any and all help would be great. I'm a newbie so i should have known better that to make changed in the terminal but i'm still stuck anyway. Any help or should i just throw it away. Sony Viao p2 400mgz, 128mb ram, 10gig hd:(

[tseliot]

OOPS, i cut and pasted
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop into the terminal.

My computer starts but nothing is displayed. I hear the hard drive spinning but my bios doesn't even display. The monitor says it's working properly and to check my cables and computer. I can't boot anything on cd either.

i did sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf_backup first though but still. With nothing displaying i can't really reset the backup. Any and all help would be great. I'm a newbie so i should have known better that to make changed in the terminal but i'm still stuck anyway. Any help or should i just throw it away. Sony Viao p2 400mgz, 128mb ram, 10gig hd:(

Ok, you shouldn't have put that command into the terminal but the problems you describe sound to me as a hardware problem, a coincidence perhaps. The same fact it doesn't display your bios can't be caused by your operative system.

Either the monitor or the graphic card might have stopped working. If you have another monitor (if your notebook has a VGA port) you can try to connect it to your notebook.

[ubuntuzilla]

thanks for the response. Someone suggested i unplug all pci cards then reboot and that worked. Now how do i change resolution without destroying my computer again... hmmmmm.

[pbb]

Heimo, thanks for a great howto. I haven't tried it out yet, but it reads easily and seems very complete.
One thing however. Since this guide seems mostly for beginners, I suggest updating the guide with the remark tseliot made ("Ok, you shouldn't have put that command into the terminal..."). Beginners do make beginnner's mistakes, and this saves them from having to read through the comments.

[saivert]

I have nVidia GeForce Go 6600 GPU on my Zepto Znote 6515WD notebook computer.

I want to be able to connect an external monitor and use it to extend my desktop. The monitor will be running at 1280x1024 @ 60Hz (what it supports) and my notebook screen runs natively at 1280x800 (15,4 inch panel) also @ 60 Hz.

Should I use nVidia's TwinView option, the xinerama option or two separate X screens?

I know I have to define two Devices (with same Bus ID) when using two screens, but is TwinView dependant on two Monitor sections or does it simply detect the other monitor and configure it internally using the Option stements in the Device section for my graphics card?

[briancurtin]

:!: Problems? [B]Things to try:
vesa driver instead of your graphics card specific driver


how would one go about removing the nvidia drivers and returning to the original, or VESA driver?

[heimo]

how would one go about removing the nvidia drivers and returning to the original, or VESA driver?

Choosing vesa / nv / nvidia during reconfiguration or setting Driver line by editin xorg.conf. As far as I know, nv supports 2D acceleration, but you need nvidia-glx (http://packages.ubuntu.com/breezy/x11/nvidia-glx) from repositories or directly from Nvidia (http://www.nvidia.com/) for 3D acceleration.

I'm not confident at all here, but I believe the nvidia driver in repository is binary only (not Free), just an older version of the one available directly from Nvidia. I don't know how to change between these too versions "properly", but I've never had any problems. I think you can uninstall nvidia-glx and then install the latest from Nvidia and to change back to older version run the setup program (from Nvidia) to uninstall and then reinstall from Ubuntu repository.

Other drivers, vesa, nv and so on, can coexist without problems and you can change between those just by editing Driver line in xorg.conf

Hopefully this cleared something, I welcome all the comments and corrections. :)

[artnay]

You could use "nano -w" instead of plain nano. If I remember correctly, default installation doesn't bring that as an alias. That way lines won't get messed up. If you want to tweak xorg.conf using a graphical text editor, remember to replace sudo with gksudo (GNOME) or kdesu (in KDE).

[mrhaffer]

Love you, Heimo

Great guide - Couldn't change resolution. did reconfigure and all the right numbers were there but then added horizSync and vsync to xorg.conf and Voila!! Boots in 1024X768 with other available modes shown in screen resolution menu. Been working on this and stumbling around in google until I found your guide. Have you one on network cards, wireless and ISA? When I did the expert install I got the ISA but the default seems to recognize the wireless but I can't make it happen.

Thanks again :p :KS :KS :KS :KS :KS

[heimo]

Love you, Heimo
Have you one on network cards, wireless and ISA?

Unfortunately this is my only howto, but there are many more on these forums. And you can always start a new thread and ask specific help to your problems. :)

Thanks again :p :KS :KS :KS :KS :KS
Glad it helped you! :) Thanks goes to many helpful fellows on these forums. My howto is based on advice from various sources.

Cheers!

[Gustav]

This is the most useful howto I've found for me. Now I'm blazing away in 1600x1200 (85 Hz) :-D.

I'm linking this post to people with resolution problems at least twice a week.

[phil.stone]

Technically this is dealing with changing screen Dimensions,
not screen Resolution. Bring up, say, KInfoCenter and
look at the details for the X-Server, the term Dimensions is
for the 640x480 values or 1600x1200 values. The Resolution is
different, typically 75 dpi, but can go much higher on modern
displays.

If you have, say, a laptop with a 1600x1200 screen that is only
15 inches across you need to edit the section dealing with the monitor
in order to set the "DisplaySize" to the millimeters of the width
and height of your screen.

The following is a typical result of the editing, in this case a
1600x1200 laptop display...

Section "Monitor"
DisplaySize 305 229
HorizSync 30-95
Identifier "Generic Monitor"
ModelName "1600X1200@75HZ"
Option "DPMS"
VendorName "--> LCD"
VertRefresh 58-78
EndSection

(Mostly copied from a working SuSE 10.0 system, which can
change these values graphically, without the need for an
editor.)

Note also this is exact for a Thinkpad A31p 1600x1200
display, some values, like HorizSync may be different for
different systems. The 305 and 229 are the mm's of the
screen. You can use a ruler if you don't know your values.

Good Luck changing the Resolution of your display.

Phil

[MetalMusicAddict]

So Im trying to get 100hz refresh on my Dell 2405 widescreen LCD. I do this in windows and it gets rid of the little bit of ghosting that there is.

What should the HorizSync and VertRefresh be?

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "DELL 2405FPW"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync ?-?
VertRefresh ?-?
EndSection

[heimo]

So Im trying to get 100hz refresh on my Dell 2405 widescreen LCD. I do this in windows and it gets rid of the little bit of ghosting that there is.

What should the HorizSync and VertRefresh be?

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "DELL 2405FPW"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync ?-?
VertRefresh ?-?
EndSection
According to this (http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/monitors/2405fpw/English/about.htm#Specifioications):


HorizSync 30-81
VertRefresh 56-76
But

HorizSync 30-81
VertRefresh 60
for highest resolutions. I don't think it's designed to run at 100Hz (TFTs rarely are, CRTs need higher refresh rates). Try values above first and see if you get rid of the ghosting. Are you using analog cable? If you're, you should probably try DVI / digital.

[MetalMusicAddict]

Naa. With this awesome monitor Im definitely using a DVI. On some gaming fourms is where I found the 100Hz info. A good amount of people mentioned using it so hopefully Ill have no problems. I did it on the win side no problems so far. Ill see how this goes. Thanx man.

[eprebys]

Hi!

I have a T42p, with the ATI card:

0000:01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc M10 NT [FireGL Mobility T2] (rev 80)

I have it working with the current ATI driver (I think):

eric@communitize:~$ fglrxinfo
display: :0.0 screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL renderer string: MOBILITY FIREGL T2 Pentium 4 (SSE2) (FireGL) (GNU_ICD)
OpenGL version string: 2.0.5582 (8.21.7)

display: :0.0 screen: 1
OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL renderer string: MOBILITY FIREGL T2 Pentium 4 (SSE2) (FireGL) (GNU_ICD)
OpenGL version string: 2.0.5582 (8.21.7)

I used this FAQ for installing this driver:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=78466

I have included my dmesg output below.

Now I want to get my Samsung SyncMaster 997DF to display at 1400x1050. I had this working with no problem when the laptop was running Windows, so I know the card/monitor can do it. It appears that the EDID from the monitor doesn't included 1400x1050, and I can't get the IgnoreEDID or NoDDC options to work with this driver. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Relevant sections from /etc/X11/xorg.conf:

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen 0 "aticonfig Screen 0" 0 0
Screen "aticonfig Screen 1" RightOf "aticonfig Screen 0"
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
InputDevice "Synaptics Touchpad"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "aticonfig Monitor 0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "aticonfig Monitor 1"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "ATI Graphics Adapter 0"
Option "NoDDC"
Driver "fglrx"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
Option "IgnoreEDID" "on"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "ATI Graphics Adapter 1"
Option "NoDDC"
Driver "fglrx"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
Screen 1
Option "IgnoreEDID" "on"
EndSection


Section "Screen"
Identifier "aticonfig Screen 0"
Device "ATI Graphics Adapter 0"
Monitor "aticonfig Monitor 0"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Modes "1400x1050"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "aticonfig Screen 1"
Device "ATI Graphics Adapter 1"
Monitor "aticonfig Monitor 1"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Modes "1400x1050"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection

eric@communitize:~$ cat /var/log/Xorg.0.log | grep WW
(WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
(WW) The directory "/usr/share/X11/fonts/cyrillic" does not exist.
(WW) The directory "/usr/share/X11/fonts/CID" does not exist.
(WW) `fonts.dir' not found (or not valid) in "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/CID".
(WW) Open APM failed (/dev/apm_bios) (No such file or directory)
(WW) Ignoring request to load module GLcore
(WW) fglrx(0): board is an unknown third party board, chipset is supported
(WW) fglrx(1): board is an unknown third party board, chipset is supported
(WW) fglrx(0): Option "NoDDC" is not used
(WW) fglrx(0): Option "IgnoreEDID" is not used
(WW) Open APM failed (/dev/apm_bios) (No such file or directory)
(WW) Open APM failed (/dev/apm_bios) (No such file or directory)


eric@communitize:~$ dmesg | grep fglrx
[4294718.578000] [fglrx] Internal AGP support requested, but kernel AGP support active.
[4294718.578000] [fglrx] Have to use kernel AGP support to avoid conflicts.
[4294718.578000] [fglrx] Kernel AGP support doesn't provide agplock functionalit y.
[4294718.578000] [fglrx] AGP detected, AgpState = 0x1f000217 (hardware caps of chipset)
[4294718.579000] [fglrx] AGP enabled, AgpCommand = 0x1f000314 (selected caps)
[4294718.785000] [fglrx] free AGP = 252440576
[4294718.785000] [fglrx] max AGP = 252440576
[4294718.785000] [fglrx] free LFB = 114274304
[4294718.785000] [fglrx] max LFB = 114274304
[4294718.785000] [fglrx] free Inv = 0
[4294718.785000] [fglrx] max Inv = 0
[4294718.785000] [fglrx] total Inv = 0
[4294718.785000] [fglrx] total TIM = 0
[4294718.785000] [fglrx] total FB = 0
[4294718.785000] [fglrx] total AGP = 65536
[4294718.896000] [fglrx] free AGP = 252440576
[4294718.896000] [fglrx] max AGP = 252440576
[4294718.896000] [fglrx] free LFB = 74424320
[4294718.896000] [fglrx] max LFB = 74424320
[4294718.896000] [fglrx] free Inv = 0
[4294718.896000] [fglrx] max Inv = 0
[4294718.896000] [fglrx] total Inv = 0
[4294718.896000] [fglrx] total TIM = 0
[4294718.896000] [fglrx] total FB = 0
[4294718.896000] [fglrx] total AGP = 65536

[heimo]

I have a T42p, with the ATI card:


Hi!

Have you tried adding custom modeline? (see first post on this thread)

[eprebys]

I did try a custom modeline. My xorg.conf included this:

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "aticonfig Monitor 0"
HorizSync 31-101
VertRefresh 60-160
# V-freq: 85.00 Hz // h-freq: 94.05 KHz
Modeline "1400x1050" 211.42 1400 1512 1768 2248 1050 1050 1054 1106
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "aticonfig Monitor 1"
HorizSync 31-101
VertRefresh 60-160
# V-freq: 85.00 Hz // h-freq: 94.05 KHz
Modeline "1400x1050" 211.42 1400 1512 1768 2248 1050 1050 1054 1106
EndSection

I saw no difference with this configuration.

The thing that looks wrong to me is that the NoDDC and IgnoreEDID options are being ignored by the ATI driver. Is the syntax different? Is there some other way to get the driver to ignore the EDID?

[heimo]

Just a guess, but you could try:
Option "UseEdidFreqs" "0"

[henriquemaia]

Hi,

Very nice guide. I just want to make a small suggestion. In the end, instead of restarting gdm, one should first test if the configuration is right. As most newbies wouldn't know what to do if their X is lost, it's better to do

sudo xinit -- :2

where one can see the result on a new X (ctrl+alt+F9) without losing the first. If something goes wrong, one can easily use the backup configuration under their surviving X (ctrl+alt+F7).

[eprebys]

I tried this, and got the same message in /var/log/Xorg.0.log indicating that the setting was not used/recognized:

(WW) fglrx(0): Option "UseEdidFreqs" is not used

Is this the right place to be asking this question or should I be trying to ask someone at ATI?

[Rellik]

Hi,

Very nice guide. I just want to make a small suggestion. In the end, instead of restarting gdm, one should first test if the configuration is right. As most newbies wouldn't know what to do if their X is lost, it's better to do

sudo xinit -- :2

where one can see the result on a new X (ctrl+alt+F9) without losing the first. If something goes wrong, one can easily use the backup configuration under their surviving X (ctrl+alt+F7).

Great tip :D thanks! Would anyone mind telling me, though, how to stop that secondary X once it's started? Very useful, not having to restart the computer and all :P could have saved me half an hour at least as I'm working with this xorg stuff

[eprebys]

No one out there has any ideas?

Thanks for anything!

[eprebys]

This is the crummy response I got from ATI:

"
ATI does not provide direct technical support for laptops/notebooks at this current time (telephone or email). If you require direct technical support please contact the system manufacturer of your laptop/notebook.
"

ugh... i'm out of leads on this. i am afraid that i'm going to have to give up on ubuntu. i have had *constant* problems with the wireless and video card drivers. Basic functionality doesn't work well: vpn, docking, hibernation. I can't easily install current versions of core software: firefox. And the desktop search is still mediocre and broken: beagle.

The tools that I'm using linux for (emacs, ethereal, apache, gimp and a good terminal) have major problems running on windows, but I can use cygwin and run them on a server.

I had high hopes for ubuntu but when current off the shelf hardware requires many hours of tinkering, and even then you don't end up with a robust system, what's the benefit? I've had ubuntu crash on me and demonstrate more instability than any windows installation i've ever used.

[Berdobenz]

Im very new to linux as well as ubuntu I was trying to edit the resolution so
I made a backup file for xorg.conf

then I typed sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop (or kdm for KDE)
my computer restarted and now I cant get on the internet

I tryed to sudo /etc/init.d/gdm start

help lol

[tseliot]

Im very new to linux as well as ubuntu I was trying to edit the resolution so
I made a backup file for xorg.conf

then I typed sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop (or kdm for KDE)
my computer restarted and now I cant get on the internet

I tryed to sudo /etc/init.d/gdm start

help lol
The command "sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop" should only get you to the command line (you won't see the Desktop Environment GNOME or KDE). Are you sure it restarted you computer?

[Berdobenz]

your right i restarted it... the gui comes back on but I cant get on the net the error message says i to recheck the web site name.


thanks for helping

[tseliot]

your right i restarted it... the gui comes back on but I cant get on the net the error message says i to recheck the web site name.


thanks for helping
Ok, click on System/Administration/Networking (in the GNOME panel)

If you use an ethernet connection you will see something like:
Ethernet Connection
The interface eth0 is active

Tell me what you see.

[geearf]

Hello,
I have a little problem now, the resolution / refresh rate is okay, but I have to set it back everytime I start KDE.
And I tick the little "set it up at next boot" thing, but it does not work :(

If you have any idea on this thanks.

[fangorious]

I'm having trouble getting refresh rates above 60 Hz, and some widescreen resolutions seem to be unavailable. I have an HP Compaw nw8240 laptop with an Ati Mobility FireGL V5000. I'm using the latest drivers (8.22.5 [1]) installed according to the HOWTO on this forum [2]. I have configured the refresh rate according to the only documentation I could find, a pdf file on HP's forums [3].

Under Windows, I have a very wide range of resolutions available, from 1920-1200 down to 640x480. I primarily use the widescreen resolution of 1680x1050. All resolutions seem to be supported up to 100 Hz refresh rate.

So now on to the Linux supported resolutions and refresh rates. After installing the Ati driver and rebooting into single user mode, I ran 'sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg' and specified the HorizSync and VertRefresh from the linked pdf, and selected these resolutions: 1920x1200; 1680x1050; 1600x1200; 1440x900; 1400x1050; 1280x1024; 1280x960; 1280x864; 1280x800; 1152x864; 1152x768; 1024x768; 800x600; 640x480. The xserver-xorg reconfigure generated this one Modeline Modeline "1280x800@60" 83.91 1280 1312 1624 1656 800 816 824 841

After booting all the way into gdm and logging in, I go to System->Preferences->Screen Resolution and am presented with the following resolutions (in this order): 1920x1200; 1600x1200; 1280x1024; 1280x800; 1152x864; 1024x768; 800x600; 1920x1080. I have no choice for refresh rate, only 60 Hz is available. So used one of the modeline generators [4] and create these modelines


Modeline "1920x1200@75i" 114.37 1920 1952 2384 2416 1200 1226 1234 1261 interlace
Modeline "1680x1050@75" 210.42 1680 1712 2504 2536 1050 1070 1083 1103
Modeline "1440x900@75" 146.10 1440 1472 2024 2056 900 917 928 946


and restart X (System->Logout, <ctrl>+<alt>+<del> at the login screen, then login) and find they had no effect. First off I would really like to get 75 Hz (or better) refresh rate, and secondary I would like to have the resolutions 1680x1050 and 1440x900 supported (at 75 Hz or better).

[1] https://support.ati.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=894&task=knowledge&folderID=300
[2] http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=423584
[3] http://h10018.www1.hp.com/wwsolutions/linux/products/clients/HP_whitepaper_Mobiles_Linux_062205.pdf
[4] http://xtiming.sourceforge.net/cgi-bin/xtiming.pl

Here's my xorg.conf

Section "Files"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/misc"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/cyrillic"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/CID"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi"
# paths to defoma fonts
FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType"
FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/CID"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "GLcore"
Load "bitmap"
Load "ddc"
Load "dri"
Load "extmod"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx"
Load "int10"
Load "type1"
Load "v4l"
Load "vbe"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "CoreKeyboard"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc104"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Protocol" "ImPS/2"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Synaptics Touchpad"
Driver "synaptics"
Option "SendCoreEvents" "true"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Protocol" "auto-dev"
Option "HorizScrollDelta" "0"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "ATI Technologies, Inc. FireGL v5000"
Driver "fglrx"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Samsung LCD"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync 31.5-91.1
VertRefresh 60-100
Modeline "1280x800@60" 83.91 1280 1312 1624 1656 800 816 824 841
Modeline "1920x1200@75i" 114.37 1920 1952 2384 2416 1200 1226 1234 1261 interlace
Modeline "1680x1050@75" 210.42 1680 1712 2504 2536 1050 1070 1083 1103
Modeline "1440x900@75" 146.10 1440 1472 2024 2056 900 917 928 946

EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "ATI Technologies, Inc. FireGL v5000"
Monitor "Samsung LCD"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 1
Modes "1920x1200" "1680x1050" "1600x1200" "1440x900" "1400x1050" "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x854" "1280x800" "1200x800" "1152x864" "1152x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4
Modes "1920x1200" "1680x1050" "1600x1200" "1440x900" "1400x1050" "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x854" "1280x800" "1200x800" "1152x864" "1152x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1920x1200" "1680x1050" "1600x1200" "1440x900" "1400x1050" "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x854" "1280x800" "1200x800" "1152x864" "1152x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "1920x1200" "1680x1050" "1600x1200" "1440x900" "1400x1050" "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x854" "1280x800" "1200x800" "1152x864" "1152x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1920x1200" "1680x1050" "1600x1200" "1440x900" "1400x1050" "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x854" "1280x800" "1200x800" "1152x864" "1152x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1920x1200" "1680x1050" "1600x1200" "1440x900" "1400x1050" "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x854" "1280x800" "1200x800" "1152x864" "1152x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "Default Screen"
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
InputDevice "Synaptics Touchpad"
EndSection

Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection

[heimo]

I'm having trouble getting refresh rates above 60 Hz, and some widescreen resolutions seem to be unavailable.
Excellent post. :KS I hope I can help, but am not sure. Let's try.

Do you have fglrxconfig available? I don't know if the ati drivers you've installed included this, but it seems to be also in package fglrx-control. Make a backup copy of your xorg.conf and run this tool. Also check your log file and if possible, attach it your post.

Good luck.

EDIT: I must add that I have zero experience using current ati graphics cards.

[Screaming Monkey]

Heimo, thanks for this very helpful how-to...I've been having a beach of a time with the resolution problem on my computer with an older video card (Cirrus Logic GD5446) and hadn't been able to get it past 640x480. Thanks to some little things in your how-to I got it up to 800x600, a manageable resolution. Thanks.\\:D/

[fangorious]

Excellent post. :KS I hope I can help, but am not sure. Let's try.

Do you have fglrxconfig available? I don't know if the ati drivers you've installed included this, but it seems to be also in package fglrx-control.


fglrxconfig has been superceded by aticonfig. I ran this


sudo aticonfig --effective=startup --resolution=1920x1200,1680x1050,1600x1200,1440x900, 1280x1024,1280x960,1152x864,1152x768,1024x768,800x 600,640x480 --hsync=31.5-91.1 --vrefresh=60-100 --lcd full --fsaa=on -fs 4 -fsg on


and it generated the xorg.conf pasted below. But it didn't have any effect. Still stuck at 60 Hz. The Modelines were, I believe just preserved from the old config, rather than generated by aticonfg. I've attached a bzip'ed copy of my /var/log/Xorg.0.log

xorg.conf:


Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "Default Screen" 0 0
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
InputDevice "Synaptics Touchpad"
EndSection

Section "Files"

# paths to defoma fonts
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/misc"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/cyrillic"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/CID"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi"
FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType"
FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/CID"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "GLcore"
Load "bitmap"
Load "ddc"
Load "dri"
Load "extmod"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx"
Load "int10"
Load "type1"
Load "v4l"
Load "vbe"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "CoreKeyboard"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc104"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Protocol" "ImPS/2"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Synaptics Touchpad"
Driver "synaptics"
Option "SendCoreEvents" "true"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Protocol" "auto-dev"
Option "HorizScrollDelta" "0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Samsung LCD"
HorizSync 31.5 - 91.1
VertRefresh 60.0 - 100.0
Option "DPMS"
ModeLine "1920x1200@75i" 114.4 1920 1952 2384 2416 1200 1226 1234 1261 interlace
ModeLine "1680x1050@75" 210.4 1680 1712 2504 2536 1050 1070 1083 1103
ModeLine "1440x900@75" 146.1 1440 1472 2024 2056 900 917 928 946
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "ATI Technologies, Inc. FireGL v5000"
Driver "fglrx"
Option "(null)"
Option "Centermode" "off"
Option "FSAAEnable" "on"
Option "FSAAScale" "4"
Option "FSAADisableGamma" "off"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "ATI Technologies, Inc. FireGL v5000"
Monitor "Samsung LCD"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1920x1200" "1680x1050" "1600x1200" "1440x900" "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1152x864" "1152x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1920x1200" "1680x1050" "1600x1200" "1440x900" "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1152x864" "1152x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1920x1200" "1680x1050" "1600x1200" "1440x900" "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1152x864" "1152x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection

[fangorious]

In an effort to force X to use one of the custom Modelines, I changed to only include those resolutions. My expectation was that it would either run at 75 Hz or not even load X. But I was wrong, xvidtune confirms that even with only the 75 Hz resolutions configured, I'm still only getting 60 Hz. This is really irritating.


Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Samsung LCD"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync 31.5-91.1
VertRefresh 60-100
Modeline "1920x1200@75i" 114.37 1920 1952 2384 2416 1200 1226 1234 1261 interlace
Modeline "1680x1050@75" 210.42 1680 1712 2504 2536 1050 1070 1083 1103
Modeline "1440x900@75" 146.10 1440 1472 2024 2056 900 917 928 946
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "ATI Technologies, Inc. RaMobility FireGL v5000"
Monitor "Samsung LCD"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1920x1200@75i" "1680x1050@75" "1440x900@75"
EndSubSection
EndSection

[smokinfish]

This is a bit too involved for me. I can only select 1024x768 -

I know I prefer things on my screen to be a bit smaller, (the resolution higher?) but have no idea of what the actual resolution I prefer is.

I've looked in the dvices list and can't even anything that resembles my laptop screen, but then I thought this was supposed to be a competitor for windows? I didn't need a minor degree in computer science to change the resolution in that!

Can't all this stuff be put into some sort of generic app that changes the screen resolution for you? It seems to be a common problem and would therefore warrant some development imho - I'd ofer to do it but I have no idea what I'm doing!

I just want to select the different screen resolutions, without having to spend an age learning programming code, it should come as standard, I mean, it's one of the basics surely!?

I hope someone can help cos this is the only real thing that's spoiling my Ubuntu experience so far..

:-?

[heimo]

This is a bit too involved for me. I can only select 1024x768 -

sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

When it asks your monitor specification, use expert/advanced option and enter the horizsync and vertrefresh values from your monitors manual. WIthout further information I can't help better and strongly recommend you to open a new thread so that it'll get more attention (please feel free to post a link to that thread in this thread). You can also try another Linux distribution (http://distrowatch.com/) if Ubuntu won't work for you. I've heart that Linspire (http://www.linspire.com/) is trying to be a Windows competitor.

[smokinfish]

But I don't know all that stuff about my monitor - it's just the screen attached to my laptop - which is a Sony Vaio PCG-R600HMPD - I'm sorry, I don't want to stop using Ubuntu, I'm just frustrated as I've been trying to fix this for some days now with no avail :(

The one thing that I LOVE about it is the fact that it's held together by people who can help make it work - my point was, if it was possible to put this entire thread into an app, that would make it a much easier experience for new peeps like me - and therefore would help spread the Ubuntu word a bit further!

:-#

[heimo]

But I don't know all that stuff about my monitor - it's just the screen attached to my laptop - which is a Sony Vaio PCG-R600HMPD
Find your laptops manual in Sonys support pages, check the specification sheet / page for details of display.
http://esupport.sony.com/perl/select-system.pl?DIRECTOR=DOCS

Alternatively you can try to run sudo ddcprobe and sudo xresprobe vesa to get more information. Also command lspci | grep -i vga may reveal some useful information.

If I'd have to guess, your problem with resolution is driver related, not about monitor setting (vertrefresh/horizsync). In my experience that's more common with CTR monitors.

It's not really that difficult to tweak xorg.conf file, lots of Linux newbies have succeeded. Yes, it's a shame that autodetection fails every now and then, but making a tool to guess some settings and correcting xorg.conf would be fixing the problem at the wrong end and it would never be ready.

A howto page and helpful community forum is a more flexible (even though burdensome) solution until the problem has been fixed by time (old monitors do not autodetect) and programmers. Some distributions make it easier. Buying a preinstalled computer with Linux on it, makes it a non-problem. If this discussion needs to be continued, let's move it to more appropriate forum and prevent cluttering this thread, which is more about getting the first aid, collecting all the tips&tricks to make Xorg.conf resolution/refresh-rate related settings in Ubuntu. Thank you very much. :)

[fangorious]

I added some Modelines for 1680x1050 and 1440x900 at 60 Hz, and I can at least get those resolutions now. Someone on the HP forums said Linux seems to require 60 Hz for LCD displays, seems silly. Anyhow At both those resolutions I have line of white pixels about 1 pixel high at the bottom of the screen. Is there a tool to adjust the geometry of the displayed image on the physical screen?

[ahh_dee]

I just made a new install great

[henriquemaia]

I added some Modelines for 1680x1050 and 1440x900 at 60 Hz, and I can at least get those resolutions now. Someone on the HP forums said Linux seems to require 60 Hz for LCD displays, seems silly.

I used to think that too, as I couldn't get my LG L1750S (LCD) to display its full 1280x1024@75 Hz. But I found that the only modeline configurators that worked for me were the http://sh.nu/nvidia/gtf.php and http://zaph.com/Modeline/ . this last one generates a XFree line, but it works as fine as the normal modeline.

Now my monitor is working right @75 Hz.

Try for yourself different modeline calculators and see if any of them works.

[henriquemaia]

Great tip :D thanks! Would anyone mind telling me, though, how to stop that secondary X once it's started? Very useful, not having to restart the computer and all :P could have saved me half an hour at least as I'm working with this xorg stuff

On that secondary X, press CTRL+ALT+Backspace. That will terminate the X server and return you to the remainder X. Tested.

[vincent orange]

excellent thread it helped me with my monitor problems, thank you

[biguns]

A great thread like this is like a gift that keeps on giving. I just got a 24 " Dell 2405FPW and I can at least get 1600x1200 instead of 800x600. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[Ancalagon]

Since this guide seems mostly for beginners, I suggest updating the guide with the remark tseliot made ("Ok, you shouldn't have put that command into the terminal..."). Beginners do make beginnner's mistakes, and this saves them from having to read through the comments.

As a super-noob, I have a really dumb question. Where (if not in a terminal window) should I enter the following command to close Xorg?

sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop

Thanks!

[Christopher]

Im NEW to Linux and i edited my xorg.conf & I was wondering if someone can take a look at it and tell me if i did it correctly. I got the Horizontal Freq & Vertical Freq from my monitor manual, Here's my xorg.conf:


# /etc/X11/xorg.conf (xorg X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the /etc/X11/xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man /etc/X11/xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section "Files"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/misc"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/cyrillic"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/CID"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi"
# paths to defoma fonts
FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType"
FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/CID"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "GLcore"
Load "bitmap"
Load "ddc"
Load "dri"
Load "extmod"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx"
Load "int10"
Load "type1"
Load "vbe"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "CoreKeyboard"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc104"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Protocol" "ImPS/2"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "NVIDIA Corporation NV40 [GeForce 6800 GT]"
Driver "nvidia"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
VideoRam 256
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "NEC MultiSync FE992"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync 30-98
VertRefresh 50-160
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "NVIDIA Corporation NV40 [GeForce 6800 GT]"
Monitor "NEC MultiSync FE992"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 1
Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4
Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "Default Screen"
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
EndSection

Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection


Thankyou in advance.

[Ancalagon]

Hey Christopher,

Before you edited your xorg.conf, did you close Xorg? If so, where did you type sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop?

Thanks

[Christopher]

Hey Christopher,

Before you edited your xorg.conf, did you close Xorg? If so, where did you type sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop?

Thanks

Well what happened was I edited my xorg.conf manually using this http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=75610&highlight=click+root+trick
then saved it and hit control-alt-backspace and I got a black screen with a login prompt. So I logged in with username and password and typed the command sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg and it manually took me through it and then i copied and pasted my xorg.conf here. Is there something wrong with it? Thank you in advance.

[Christopher]

Can someone tell me if my Xorg.conf looks ok, thank you in advance.

[henriquemaia]

Can someone tell me if my Xorg.conf looks ok, thank you in advance.

Hi, as stated here:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=75074

You have to comment out the options marked in red (adding a # before it, like I did).

Section "Module"
#Load "GLcore"
Load "bitmap"
Load "ddc"
#Load "dri"
Load "extmod"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx"
Load "int10"
Load "type1"
Load "vbe"
EndSection

Other thing, if you're using Nvidia proprietary driver, you'll have to follow that other HowTo to make it work. Your xorg.conf file looks ok, but it won't work unless you load the Nvidia driver onto the kernel.

[Christopher]

Hi, as stated here:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=75074

You have to comment out the options marked in red (adding a # before it, like I did).

Section "Module"
#Load "GLcore"
Load "bitmap"
Load "ddc"
#Load "dri"
Load "extmod"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx"
Load "int10"
Load "type1"
Load "vbe"
EndSection

Other thing, if you're using Nvidia proprietary driver, you'll have to follow that other HowTo to make it work. Your xorg.conf file looks ok, but it won't work unless you load the Nvidia driver onto the kernel.

Ok I commented out those lines you listed above & im using Nvidia's latest drivers as of 3 days ago. I used Method 2 to install my Nvidia divers and I get the nvidia splash screen on boot up. Here my xorg.conf now:

# /etc/X11/xorg.conf (xorg X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the /etc/X11/xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man /etc/X11/xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section "Files"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/misc"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/cyrillic"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/CID"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi"
# paths to defoma fonts
FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType"
FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/CID"
EndSection

Section "Module"
#Load "GLcore"
Load "bitmap"
Load "ddc"
#Load "dri"
Load "extmod"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx"
Load "int10"
Load "type1"
Load "vbe"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "CoreKeyboard"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc104"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Protocol" "ImPS/2"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "NVIDIA Corporation NV40 [GeForce 6800 GT]"
Driver "nvidia"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
VideoRam 256
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "NEC MultiSync FE992"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync 30-98
VertRefresh 50-160
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "NVIDIA Corporation NV40 [GeForce 6800 GT]"
Monitor "NEC MultiSync FE992"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 1
Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4
Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "Default Screen"
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
EndSection

Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection

Is there a command I can use in terminal to test them? Sorry im NEW to linux..hehe. How do I know the Nvidia driver is loaded onto the kernel? Thank you in advance. ;)

[henriquemaia]

Hi,

You have the Nvidia driver loaded, since you get the Nvidia logo at X startup.

To test your modifications to your xorg.conf file without loosing your present X, open a terminal and type:

sudo xinit -- :1

where :1 can be any number greater than 0 (by default, Xserver opens on :0, so to open another, use :1, :2, and so on).

If everything is ok, it will open a new X screen and jump automaticaly to it. To stop it, when you are already in it, press CONTROL+ALT+BACKSPACE.

If anything is wrong with your configuration, you'll get the error printed out on the terminal.

[Christopher]

Hi,

You have the Nvidia driver loaded, since you get the Nvidia logo at X startup.

To test your modifications to your xorg.conf file without loosing your present X, open a terminal and type:

sudo xinit -- :1

where :1 can be any number greater than 0 (by default, Xserver opens on :0, so to open another, use :1, :2, and so on).

If everything is ok, it will open a new X screen and jump automaticaly to it. To stop it, when you are already in it, press CONTROL+ALT+BACKSPACE.

If anything is wrong with your configuration, you'll get the error printed out on the terminal.

Nope no errors at all printed out in my terminal. :D

[henriquemaia]

http://sh.nu/nvidia/gtf.php (http://sh.nu/nvidia/gtf.php)
http://www.dkfz-heidelberg.de/spec/linux/modeline/
http://xtiming.sourceforge.net/cgi-bin/xtiming.pl
http://koala.ilog.fr/cgi-bin/nph-colas-modelines
http://zaph.com/Modeline/


If anyone wants to copy this guide to Ubuntus wikipages, please feel free to do so.

I was configuring a Samsung SyncMaster 204B and I was not getting its refresh rate properly configured. I've tested each one of that online modeline generators but I had no luck with any of them. Even though I selected 1600x1200@60hz, I was always getting 1600x1200@65hz. Then I googled a bit and found this one:

http://www.tkk.fi/Misc/Electronics/faq/vga2rgb/calc.html

It worked. As stated before, anyone with problems when trying to configure the proper refresh rate for your TFT/LCD display, do no just try a single modeline generator. Try each one until you get the result you expect. I have configured correctly a LG1750S and a Samsung, but for each one I had to use a different modeline generator.

Also, try to get as much information about your monitor as possible (horizontal and vertical maximum and minumum refresh rates, maximum pixel clock and so on as stated on the manual). This info might help you in getting the proper result.

Hope this helps someone.

[nemiroff]

Hi,

Very nice guide. I just want to make a small suggestion. In the end, instead of restarting gdm, one should first test if the configuration is right. As most newbies wouldn't know what to do if their X is lost, it's better to do

sudo xinit -- :2

where one can see the result on a new X (ctrl+alt+F9) without losing the first. If something goes wrong, one can easily use the backup configuration under their surviving X (ctrl+alt+F7).


yess!!, it is really a perfect idea for new users. But, if something goes wrong on new X server, how can we stop it and try again ?

I am receiving below error when I turn back to old-server and try to start the new-server,

Fatal server error:
Server is already active for display 2
If this server is no longer running, remove /tmp/.X2-lock
and start again.


Please consult the The X.Org Foundation support
at http://wiki.X.Org
for help.


Xlib: connection to ":2.0" refused by server
Xlib: No protocol specified

giving up.
xinit: unable to connect to X server
xinit: No such process (errno 3): unexpected signal 2.

I see there is something to stop but I don't know how to do!
Or each time, I need to wait some.. I couldn't figure out

Thanks, waiting another perfect tip](*,)

[henriquemaia]

yess!!, it is really a perfect idea for new users. But, if something goes wrong on new X server, how can we stop it and try again ?

I am receiving below error when I turn back to old-server and try to start the new-server,

Fatal server error:
Server is already active for display 2
If this server is no longer running, remove /tmp/.X2-lock
and start again.


Please consult the The X.Org Foundation support
at http://wiki.X.Org
for help.


Xlib: connection to ":2.0" refused by server
Xlib: No protocol specified

giving up.
xinit: unable to connect to X server
xinit: No such process (errno 3): unexpected signal 2.

I see there is something to stop but I don't know how to do!
Or each time, I need to wait some.. I couldn't figure out

Thanks, waiting another perfect tip](*,)

To stop the new X server, just press ctrl+alt+backspace when you're in it.

The error you are getting is due to the fact that X is already (or still, if you prefer) running on that display (:2).

[unfnknblvbl]

Hi all, first post here

I'm having some trouble with getting my resolution right under Ubuntu 6.06 - with the "nvidia" driver, it just wants to run in 800x600, no matter what I edit the xorg.conf file to say. Even if I delete all the resolutions other than 1280x1024, it still insists in booting in 800x600.

It *was* working at 1280x1024 with XGL/compiz and everything, but earlier this evening I booted into Windows to use one of those annoyingly Windows-only apps that forces you to lose all that space to Windows, and then when I tried starting up Ubuntu again, it just gave me a rude look, so to speak.

I don't get it? :confused:
This has happened before, too, and I don't know how I fixed it, because my guitar fell on the computer and reset it... when it booted up, it was working perfectly, so I didn't touch anything.

Also, if I boot up using the install disc, the LiveCD boots into 800x600 too! WTF? :confused:

anyway, what follows is my xorg.conf file as it is now, with bits commented out and changed to make it work:

# /etc/X11/xorg.conf (xorg X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the /etc/X11/xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man /etc/X11/xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section "Files"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/misc"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/cyrillic"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi"
# path to defoma fonts
FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "i2c"
Load "bitmap"
Load "ddc"
# Load "dri"
Load "extmod"
Load "freetype"
# Load "glx"
Load "int10"
Load "type1"
Load "vbe"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "CoreKeyboard"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc104"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Protocol" "ExplorerPS/2"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Driver "wacom"
Identifier "stylus"
Option "Device" "/dev/wacom" # Change to
# /dev/input/event
# for USB
Option "Type" "stylus"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Driver "wacom"
Identifier "eraser"
Option "Device" "/dev/wacom" # Change to
# /dev/input/event
# for USB
Option "Type" "eraser"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Driver "wacom"
Identifier "cursor"
Option "Device" "/dev/wacom" # Change to
# /dev/input/event
# for USB
Option "Type" "cursor"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "NVIDIA Corporation NV43 [GeForce 6600 GT]"
Driver "nv"
# Driver "nvidia"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
# Option "RenderAccel" "true"
# Option "AllowGLXWithComposite" "true"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Generic Monitor"
# V-freq: 60.00 Hz // h-freq: 63.73 KHz
Modeline "1280x1024" 109.62 1280 1336 1472 1720 1024 1024 1026 1062
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync 30-70
VertRefresh 60
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "NVIDIA Corporation NV43 [GeForce 6600 GT]"
Monitor "Generic Monitor"
DefaultDepth 24
# DefaultMode "1280x1024"
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "Default Screen"
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
InputDevice "stylus" "SendCoreEvents"
InputDevice "cursor" "SendCoreEvents"
InputDevice "eraser" "SendCoreEvents"
EndSection

Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection

#Section "Extensions"
# Option "Composite" "Enable"
#EndSection


...Xorg doesn't spit out any errors, either....

EDIT: I'm using this monitor: http://www.mitsubishielectric.com.au/PRODUCTS/COMPP/MONITORS/DV1772FD.htm

[jan]

This thread is a straight shot on Ubuntu - I've got these problems since my beginning with it. ](*,)

[PingunZ]

Is it usefull to follow this guide when the resolution and refresh rates are fine atm ?
I had my nvidia drivers installed by automatix

edit :: nice guide ;)

Grtz PingunZ

[unfnknblvbl]

Well, I fixed it by completely uninstalling XGL, Compiz, and the nVidia drivers, then reinstalling them all from scratch.

sigh

[kevanf1]

Strange one, possibly, here. Can anybody give a me a pointer on how I go about changing the resolution of the graphical log in page? Once I have logged in the resolution is fine but in the actual GUI log in screen it is something like 600x400.

Cheers.

[usp8riot]

Forget all the other examples and just go here: http://www.ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-186021.html

Do it just as tseliot says except use the underscore after every resolution number. No tinkering with the modeline generators. Apparently x does that automatically given the input from the hardware. I've been messing with it for hours and none worked and none are as simple as this.

Kevanf1: I believe the login uses the first specified resolution in your x config file from what I've read. I was wondering the same thing.

[kevanf1]

Kevanf1: I believe the login uses the first specified resolution in your x config file from what I've read. I was wondering the same thing.

Ah, I'll check in the file. I certainly don't want 600x400 as I am never likely to need it.

Cheers for that.

[vlastikw]

Hi,

Very nice guide. I just want to make a small suggestion. In the end, instead of restarting gdm, one should first test if the configuration is right. As most newbies wouldn't know what to do if their X is lost, it's better to do

sudo xinit -- :2

where one can see the result on a new X (ctrl+alt+F9) without losing the first. If something goes wrong, one can easily use the backup configuration under their surviving X (ctrl+alt+F7).


or try
$ startx -- :2

[keltong]

How to adjust position of your screen?

open terminal(Applications->Accessories->Terminal), run xvidtune (type: "xvidtune"), adjust the screen and hit Show-button. You'll see a line with something like this on the terminal screen:
"1280x1024" 157.50 1280 1332 1492 1728 1024 1025 1028 1072 +hsync +vsync
Next you should:
sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf_backup
sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf
In Monitor section, add the above line with a prefix "Modeline", like this:
Modeline "1280x1024" 157.50 1280 1332 1492 1728 1024 1025 1028 1072 +hsync +vsync
That should do it. There should be no need to restart X if you did make the change (hit Apply in xvidtune), but you should test that this new change works. Hit ctrl+alt+backspace to restart X. If it doesn't work, you can copy back the old configuration file using:
sudo /etc/X11/xorg.conf_backup /etc/X11/xorg.conf and restart X using:
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm start



Hi,

I am using Dapper and Omnibook 500 (ATI Mobility M1). As the default settings have the top part of the screen cut off and bottom part showing a bit more, I used xvidtune as suggested here to adjust. When I adjusted to the right settings, I added the Modeline to my xorg.conf file and restarted. But while it correctly shows the screen in when I use the xvidtune program (when I do a test or apply). Copying the details to my xorg.conf file with Modeline, then restarting it has no effect at all. Am I missing something? Now instead or having many different refresh rate (use to be 59, 61, 63, 65), I only have 62.

The 'show' from xvidtune shows "1024x768" 65.15 1024 1040 1130 1312 768 768 771 803 +hsync +vsync

Please help. Thanks.

[keltong]

Still hopin someone can help me with my problem as stated above. Thanks.

[keltong]

YES, I found the solution! Thanks to BitTorrentBuddha from this forum. Just a simple Fn+F5 amazingly does the trick. Hurray!

[XProgrammer]

Hi Friends,

I'm owning Dell Inspiron 6000 Laptop. After installing Dapper, default resolution is set to 1680x???? some.. I want to change it to 1024x768..I tried changing xorg.conf and 915resolution util, editing bootmisc.sh Nothing helped me out.. Then I tried configuring using below command.
'sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg'

It worked charmly and got to my resolution of 1024x768..

Regards,
Xprogrammer.

[dbw]

seems like the easiest way to get an appropriate modeline is:
gtf 1680 1050 60
Where I want a 1680x1050 resolution monitor at 60hz

[mrcdan]

lol sorry wrong thread

[DraeLee]

great guide got a question tho. ok i did eerything as you said to do. I do have multiple resolutions to choose from but I dont have multiple refresh rates. my monitor supports 75hz and lower. but everytime i goot into ubuntu it only shows 85hz and its stuck there.

I did use custom modlines and all but yet in still i only get one refresh rate and thts the 86hz which my monitor doesnt support any ideas?

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Rosewill R913j"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync 30-79
VertRefresh 50-75
# V-freq: 75.00 Hz // h-freq: 60.31 KHz
Modeline "1024x768" 75.00 1024 1064 1168 1352 768 768 770 804
# V-freq: 75.00 Hz // h-freq: 79.00 KHz
Modeline "1280x1024" 75.83 1280 1360 1544 1888 1024 1024 1027 1072
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "NVIDIA Corporation NV34 [GeForce FX 5200]"
Monitor "Rosewill R913j"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 1
Modes "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x800" "1280x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4
Modes "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x800" "1280x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x800" "1280x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x800" "1280x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x800" "1280x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x800" "1280x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection

[hype]

Big thanks for that guide.
Well done and well documented !

[porrelaar]

For DraeLee:

Solution: see the first post in this thread (from Heimo): "Be sure that Identifier is same as the Monitor line in Screen section." Reread his post please.

So you have to do this: in Section Screen replace (after Identifier) "Default Screen" through "Rosewill R913j"

That will do the trick.
I followed Heimo's Guide yesterday with excellent result. I had before only one refresh rate of 60 Hz on a 15 inch CRT monitor, which gave me an awfull headache because of the flimmering. Now I can choose between 60, 70 or 75 Hz, with a resolution of 1024 x 768. Or at a resolution of 800 x 600, I can even choose from 5 different refresh rates.

Good luck!

[QuacoreZX]

Hey, this has probably been answered before (forgive me, it's late), but I seem to be having a problem with getting xorg to recognize the higher frequencies my monitor is capable of. I have the proper horizontal and vertical frequencies in place, and I tried using the modeline function to add appropriate substitutes, but the option doesn't seem to add to my resolution options via System -> Preferences -> Resolution! Any help, much appreciated ~_~

[Nexxus6]

When I install Ubuntu edgy I boot the cd and hit f4 and change my resolution to 1280x1024 that seems to open up higher resolutions. Might help you next time you do a clean install.

[Nocturnal]

When I had problems setting the refresh rate of my viewsonic vp191b i just ran xvidtune and adjusted it so that i had 75 hz in refresh rate and applied.
somehow 75hz magicly appeared and I can now select 60 hz and 75 hz in settings :)

[dorcssa]

I have a strange problem. I have several options for resolution and refresh rate, but now that I installed the ati driver, I can't change them. If I chose another option than 1280x1024, nothing happens, it goes back to the original resolution. Same for the 75 Hz. I'm ok with these options, but it's a little annoying, that I can't change them. And yes, I can see the options, can click one, but it goes back.

[bmaehr]

Hello!

I was searching for a solution a long time, perhaps someone has an idea.

I have an CoreDuo MiniMac with debian on it. It is connected with a DVI to HDMI cable to a 37" Xoro screen with a resolution of 1920x1080. The screen supports 1080i and 1080p. The video-card is an intel i945gm.

I was able to select a setting of 1920x1080 with 12 Hz at MacOS and thaht works (the mouse pointer is slow but who cares). If I try higher frequencys the screen doesn't recognice the signal. Also 1080i with 60Hz seems to work.

Now i would like to setup linux with xorg to use these settings. I was able to enable 1920x1080 with 915resolution. But if I start xorg it ignores my modeline with 12Hz and chooses 70Hz which is not supported by my TV.
If I try to lower the HorizSync and VertRefresh settings xorg doesn't start with the message "no screens found".

Anybody an idea?

[Domie]

Nice guide, but it didn't work. I'm still stuck on 60Hz...

[Domie]

Well, I finally found it out myself.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/OpenChrome

Vesa is just not a good driver for me. So I used OpenChrome. How I found out? Thanks to deleting Ubuntu, installing Mandriva which uses the right driver... Now it was just googling...

So I wished I could say thanks to someone, but I can't...

[kaka0502]

I had this scrolling effect. I was successful troubleshooting it by changing driver from vesa to nv. Thanks for the HOWTO.

[vsandz]

thanks mate. worked perfectly and i'm up to 1280x1024 now.

I have one small doubt however. I know this might seem lame but my monitor's user reference states that i can run it @60kHz if in digital mode or @75kHz in Analog mode. I've got both connectors and was wondering if anyone could help me with this digital v/s analog thingy cos i've googled it and cant find enuff info out there. cheerio.

[RedSquirrel]

Adding custom modeline
If you know what your monitor can do, for example 1024x768@75Hz, you can use this page to generate a custom Modeline for you xorg.conf:
online modeline generator (http://www.dkfz-heidelberg.de/spec/linux/modeline/)Copy paste the new Modeline to Monitor section (for example):


# 1024x768 @ 75.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 60.15 kHz; pclk: 81.80 MHz
Modeline "1024x768_75.00" 81.80 1024 1080 1192 1360 768 769 772 802 -HSync +Vsync
Watch that the hsync is in range with the HorizSync on the same section (in this example the range is 31-101 and this modelines hsync is 60.15, so we're safe). Also the VertRefresh and the refresh rate you selected (75Hz in this example) should match - in this example VertRefresh is 60-160 and modeline is 75Hz, so that's all good.

Now you can select the default resolution and colordepth by tweaking the Screen section. It should look something like this:

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "NVIDIA Corporation NV34 [GeForce FX 5200]"
Monitor "CM752ET"
DefaultDepth 16
SubSection "Display":
Depth 16
Modes "1024x768_75.00" "1024x768"
EndSubSection
EndSection
Monitor name here (CM752ET) matches the Identifier on your Monitor Section. Device line here matches the identifier on your Device section - you get the idea? :) It ties together some settings for your screen - the graphics card and your monitor. You may have more Subsections here, but only one is needed.

Change the DefaultDepth to what you would want it to be, 16 (65536 colors) or 24 (16M colors). Change the Modes line to match the resolutions you want to use - Depth must match DefaultDepth (here it's 16).



Great guide. :)

I would suggest that you make sure the Modeline and the Modes line match (as I indicated above) in your example just to make it clear that that has to be the case in order for the Modeline to be used. If they don't match, then it won't work.

[heimo]

Thanks! Done. I've been quite active on these forums, trying to help with various resolution/refresh rate problems and this guide has helped myself a lot - no need to remember all the links, cryptic settings etc.

Back in... I think it was 1996, I was trying to get my X working and ESR's howto was really helpful. First it was really confusing, but I soon fell in love with the kind of minute control you actually get of your hardware with GNU/Linux+X.
http://tldp.org/HOWTO/XFree86-Video-Timings-HOWTO/index.html
(historic howto, not maintained, useful for learning, not for configuring Xorg)

I think it was ESR's, but it must have been older version by Chin Fang.
http://tldp.org/HOWTO/XFree86-Video-Timings-HOWTO/credits.html

[agnul]

Not sure if this is related at all but...

I have a DELL dimension 3100 (intel integrated graphics board, i910 i think) and a DELL 1905fp 19" LCD.

X believes the optimal resolution is 1280x1024@75Hz (both in my previous 6.06 and in the freshly installed 7.04), while the monitor reports the optimal resolution as 1280x1024@60Hz. The image is OK, but the most annoying thing is that each time i boot into linux i must fiddle with the monitor controls to re-center the image. I have the same problem (off-center image) when running in text mode.

Any suggestion for fixing this?
TIA.

[zedfrugnug]

I tried adding a modeline, to get the right refresh rate, as suggested, but now my screen looks even worse:(
System>settings>screen resolution still tells me I'm still at 55Hz, should be 60Hz..
Using nvidia FX5200 with nividia driver and 1680x1050 resolution.
I've set the horizontal and vertical frequency using "sudo dpkg-reconfigure xsever-xorg"

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Generieke beeldscherm"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync 30-83
VertRefresh 56-75
# V-freq: 56.00 Hz // h-freq: 60.85 KHz
Modeline "1680x1050" 135.32 1680 1752 1920 2224 1050 1050 1052 1086
EndSection

I've been playing with ubuntu since last year, reinstalling it over and over again, whenever I screwed something up and didn't know how else to get it right again:lolflag:
For some reason the screen did look perfectly sharp sometimes, but afther reinstalling again with the same settings it didn't:confused:

[zedfrugnug]

Bump

Does anyone know if this (impossebility to select correct refresh rate and unsharp screen) might be a problem with the nvidia-drivers or a bug in Ubuntu?

I'd like to know , because If it's a bug I'd like to file a bug-report.

[Dirk.R.Gently]

Nice tutorial. Just in case you update this still, modeline can also be discovered with:

gtf x y refresh

[kc2005]

GREAT guide!!! My eyes thank you for your time.

[en3rgy]

Thus far I am not having any luck. I have a Dell E1505 laptop with an nVidia Go7300. I am trying to get to 1680x1050 @ 60hz but cant seem to break the 1024x768 barrier. I've been searching these forums as well as Google for a couple of hours now and have found some excellent advice but sadly none of it seems to be working for me. Can someone assist me please? Thank you in advance:D

[zedfrugnug]

Were you able to select 1680*1050 resolution during configuring;
sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg?

What does "sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf" tell you, in section " screen"?
Once you've configured xorg it should list the resolutions you've selected.

[en3rgy]

Were you able to select 1680*1050 resolution during configuring;
sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg?

What does "sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf" tell you, in section " screen"?
Once you've configured xorg it should list the resolutions you've selected.

Hi Zed,
Yes, 1680x1050 was available in configuration and I hit the space bar to make sure it was selected.

This is my Xorg file...
# /etc/X11/xorg.conf (xorg X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the xorg.conf(5) manual page.
# (Type "man xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section "Files"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/misc"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/cyrillic"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi"
# path to defoma fonts
FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "bitmap"
Load "ddc"
Load "dri"
Load "extmod"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx"
Load "int10"
Load "vbe"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "CoreKeyboard"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "us "
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Protocol" "ImPS/2"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Synaptics Touchpad"
Driver "synaptics"
Option "SendCoreEvents" "true"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Protocol" "auto-dev"
Option "HorizScrollDelta" "0"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Driver "wacom"
Identifier "stylus"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
Option "Type" "stylus"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Driver "wacom"
Identifier "eraser"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
Option "Type" "eraser"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Driver "wacom"
Identifier "cursor"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
Option "Type" "cursor"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "go7300 "
Driver "nvidia"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
Option "UseFBDev" "true"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Generic Monitor"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync 30-90
VertRefresh 50-60
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "go7300 "
Monitor "Generic Monitor"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 1
Modes "1680x1050"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4
Modes "1680x1050"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1680x1050"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "1680x1050"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1680x1050"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1680x1050"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "Default Screen"
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
InputDevice "stylus" "SendCoreEvents"
InputDevice "cursor" "SendCoreEvents"
InputDevice "eraser" "SendCoreEvents"
InputDevice "Synaptics Touchpad"
EndSection

Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection

[en3rgy]

I also want to add that I am currently @ 1280x800 @? refresh rate according to Nvidia settings.

[en3rgy]

Anyone?

[zedfrugnug]

Very strange. Maybe it's a bug??
Laptopsupport is getting more attention, so maybe things will work better for widescreens when Gutsy arrives.

Where did you find " nvidia settings"?
And what about preferences > screenresolution?

[frodon]

en3rgy, try to add the modelline of the wanted resolution if nothing else works.

[en3rgy]

Very strange. Maybe it's a bug??
Laptopsupport is getting more attention, so maybe things will work better for widescreens when Gutsy arrives.

Where did you find " nvidia settings"?
And what about preferences > screenresolution?

Hi again Zed,

The Nvidia settings I found are located under APPLICATIONS>SYSTEM TOOLS>SYSINFO>NVIDIA.

As far as preferences goes, this is a joke. It says 1280x800 but then tells me I'm @ 50hz refresh rate.

I've posted this problem of mine in other threads too to see if I could get some help with this and thus far this problem seems to be stumping everyone.

The E1505 Dell laptop has the upgraded screen and came with XP (which I am duel booting with Ubuntu). In XP my max (and only) screen size is 1680x1050 @60hz and it really looks wonderful.

I have installed Ubuntu on two other PC's I have and so far all of them work really well except for the video. Then again, they're all Nvidia boxes so I am wondering if Nvidia actually is not very good to begin with and Ubuntu forces this imperfection to come out?

Either way, I am almost demoralized at this point and am not sure what to do with this video/Nvidia problem.

[en3rgy]

en3rgy, try to add the modelline of the wanted resolution if nothing else works.

Hi Frodon,

This is an excellent suggestion but I thought this sort of thing went out with 6.10... yes? Perhaps I should try it with Feisty anyway as this seems the only logical alternative.

Thanks,

en3rgy

[rapollon]

I've been using various distos of debian for the last five years, but this one has me stumped.
I have a 19" monitor, I want a 1280x1024 screen size. dpkg allowed me to get a giant screen area outside of view and that's with vesa. I get the size I'm little for it doesn't fit my screen. Monitor specs are: 1280x1024@75hz ; v:60.0 h:64.0 or v:75.03 h:80.0

I'm stuck in 1024x768

The microsoft users in my house are annoying me, one hiccup after five years worth of fixing their adawares and virus and windows boo boo's...
I want silence again... Thanks!!!

here's my conf:


Section "Device"
Identifier "S3 Inc. 86C270-294 Savage/IX-MV"
Driver "savage"
BusID "PCI:1:1:0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "synaps"
Option "DPMS"
Modeline "1280x1024@75" 156.43 1280 1312 1904 1936 1024 1043 1056 1076
HorizSync 80.8
VertRefresh 50-160
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "S3 Inc. 86C270-294 Savage/IX-MV"
Monitor "synaps"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 1
Modes "1280x1024"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4
Modes "1280x1024"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1280x1024"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "1280x1024_75"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1280x1024_75"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1280x1024_75"
EndSubSection
EndSection

[SkyScrap]

Hi,

as all I am having problems with my resolution. My hardware is an ASUS M2NPV-VM mainboard with NVIDIA GeForce 6150 onbaord and an LG Flatron L2000C Screen.

I would like to run the screen on 1600x1200, and am using the "nv" driver currently.

* In the xorg log, the driver reports a maximum panel size of 1280x1024, which is wrong, the panel supports 1600x1200. How can I change/override that? I already have the option "DCC" "False" in my drivers section, but it does not seem to have the wanted effect.

* When I try to use the restricted driver for nvidia, the dialog goes grey for some time, but nothing changes (as far as I can tell). Where does it tries to get the driver from? I'm not connected to the internet, you think that might be the problem?

Thanks for any help.
(Actually, it's really tiring that setting screen resolutions is THIS hard!!!)

[SkyScrap]

as all I am having problems with my resolution. My hardware is an ASUS M2NPV-VM mainboard with NVIDIA GeForce 6150 onbaord and an LG Flatron L2000C Screen.

I would like to run the screen on 1600x1200, and am using the "nv" driver currently.

There seem to be some bugs in the nv driver, which are preventing usage of 1600x1200. Best guess is to use the nvidia driver instead.

Some handy links

http://wiki.x.org/wiki/nv
Bug: Unable to obtain the right resolution for DVI panel (https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=3654)
Bug: nouveau can't use a Dell 2001FP in 1600x1200 mode (https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=10673)

[zedfrugnug]

Hi again Zed,

The Nvidia settings I found are located under APPLICATIONS>SYSTEM TOOLS>SYSINFO>NVIDIA.

As far as preferences goes, this is a joke. It says 1280x800 but then tells me I'm @ 50hz refresh rate.

I've posted this problem of mine in other threads too to see if I could get some help with this and thus far this problem seems to be stumping everyone.

The E1505 Dell laptop has the upgraded screen and came with XP (which I am duel booting with Ubuntu). In XP my max (and only) s