How to Monitor resolution
Major Edit October 29, 2006: Updated 915 resolution
Minor Edit December 20, 2006: Added information on xorg-edit
Thanks to everyone for your patience, feedback, and assistance with this thread.:
- ebutton
- guitara
- k94382
- Krisz
- lucis
- Pablasso
- pastashop
- UnknownVariable
Major Sections:
- Introduction.
- GUI tool to configure X
- Quick fix ?
- Collect information on your monitor and video card.
Google ?
- Edit /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Note: That is a capital "X" in "X11"
- Stuck with a small screen?
- On laptops
- Are you stuck with a small screen, that will not enlarge, centered on your screen?
- Videocard
[indent]Nvidia, ATI, Intel[indent] - Further troubleshooting.
- Tips & tricks
- Referances
Introduction:
This post is not intended to be a definitive guide to xorg.conf or monitor resolutions. It is intended to guide new users on a few "easy" fixes for their potential resolution problems and point to further information as needed.
See References section for more detailed guides and some information for Laptops
First, just in case, make a back up of you current file:
Code:
sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.org
.org for origional file. This may be of help in the future as a referance.
If you ever get a working copy, save a back up:
Code:
sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.bak
.bak for backup.
You can restore from back up at any time with:
Code:
sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf.org /etc/X11/xorg.conf
===================================
GUI Tool.
Thanks to guitara
Originally Posted by
guitara
you should add info about xorg-edit. a GUI for editing your xorg config. Maybe not newbie friendly, but it does have a modeline generator
There is a GUI tool called Xorg-Edit
Found here: Xorg-Edit v06.11.12
I have not used this but have heard good reviews. You may find it is easier to use this tool.
Features:
Because I found it very complex to edit the XServer config file (xorg.conf in Ubuntu) manually to add my monitor refresh rates and some users from the German forum Ubuntuusers.de had the same issues I want to build a GUI so that editing this file becomes much easier.
Apparently this tool will also calculate modlines as well.
===================================
1. First, try a quick fix. It may not work, but if is does you are done.
Code:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg
- The -phigh option selects the defaults for everything but the screen resolution.
- To select a resolution, use the arrow keys to move up and down, hit the "Space bar" to select/unselect a resolution.
- You will recieve a message indication your old file was backed up.
Note: This often shakes the confidence of "noobs", but it is normal.
===================================
2. If that fails you will need to know the specifications of your monitor and video card.
It is helpful, critical in fact, if you include this information if you post on the forums.
Monitor information- Google search your monitor by make and model. You are looking for the technical specifications for the horizontal and vertical refresh rates.
Videocard information- In a terminal run this command:===================================
Manual edit(s) to /etc/X11/xorg.conf
3a. Monitor section- You need to know the horizontal and vertical refresh rates.
Edit /etc/X11/xorg.conf
If you have Gnome running:
Code:
sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf
If you have no video and are stuck at the CLI:
Code:
sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf
With nano: Ctrl-X to exit, type Y to save your edit, N to close without changing.
You are looking for the following sections:
Monitor:
Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor1"
VendorName "DEL"
ModelName "DELL P1110"
HorizSync 29-121
VertRefresh 50-180
EndSection
Enter you monitors horizontal and vertical refresh rates:
If you do not know what they are, google search for your monitor.
I put an entry in my xorg.conf with my monitors web site for reference:
Code:
##############################################################################################
#
# DELL P110 = Monitor 1
#
# sepcs at http://www.dealtime.com/xPF-Dell_DELL_P1110_Tinitron_21_Monitor_walt_91MCW
#
##############################################################################################
Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor1"
VendorName "DEL"
ModelName "DELL P1110"
HorizSync 29-121
VertRefresh 50-180
EndSection
After editing your xorg.conf you need to re-start X:
Use the three finger salute: Ctrl-Alt-Backspace
This will bring you to the log-in screen (GDM).
-----------------------------------------
3b. Screen section. If this fails, next reduce the color depth:
Again open xorg.conf with an editor (vi, nano, gedit)
This time you are looking for the "Screen" section:
Section "Screen"
Identifier "twinviewscreen"
Device "twinview"
Monitor "Monitor1"
DefaultDepth 24
Subsection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubsection
Subsection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubsection
Subsection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubsection
Subsection "Display"
Depth 32
Modes "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubsection
EndSection
- Reduce the DefaultDepth (this is color depth, 16 is more then adequate for most people and 24 may be excessive).
Change it to 16:
Code:
DefaultDepth 16
Subsection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubsection
- Make sure the Subsection "Display" lists your desired resolution.
On occasion I have "fooled" X into giving me my desired resolution by setting the resolution 1 step higher.
If you are not sure, you can use "1600x1200" and reduce it later.
After editing your xorg.conf you need to re-start X:
Use the three finger salute: Ctrl-Alt-Backspace
This will bring you to the log-in screen (GDM).
===================================
4. Small screen.
I recently installed onto a laptop and the display was small, low resolution, and centered on the screen.
The fix was to edit xorg.conf and add a line:
Code:
Option "UseEdidFreqs" "1"
As well as HorizSync and VertRefresh rates. I obtained these rates from another live CD (in my case Zenwalk Live 3.0).
The final monitor section looks like this:
Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Generic Monitor"
HorizSync 31.5 - 50.0
VertRefresh 40-90
Option "UseEdidFreqs" "1"
# Option "DPMS"
EndSection
You may also need to update your BIOS.
===================================
5. Videocard.
UPDATE 2/12/07: You can install EITHER the ATI or Nvidia drivers with the Envy script.
- Use with the "generic kernel".
- The envy script will automate updating your drivers and kernel.
Envy
- Do you have an ATI card?
Try the ATI drivers
ATI How-to
- Do you have a Nvidia card?
Try the nVidia drivers
nVidia How-to
I prefer method 2 in both the nVidia and ATI how-to's.
If you get stuck, post on the forums.
To stop X (you may need to stop X to install the driver):
Code:
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop
To start X:
- Do you have an Intel card?
Intel: There have been numerous posts re: intel drivers. I have limited experience with these but here are some potential solutions I have come across.
- Update i810
- Personal experience: I have had success with this video card by reducing the Color depth, as above, to 16 and adding a resolution line of 1600x1200, again as above.
There is a new driver available for the i810 chip. I have not tried this, but this is how to update your driver: (Note: ~ is shorthand for /home/user_name)
Code:
mkdir ~/src
mkdir ~/src/i810
cd ~/src/i810
wget http://www.fairlite.demon.co.uk/i810_drv.so
cd /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers
sudo mv i810_drv.so i810_drv.so.old
sudo cp ~/src/i810/i810_drv.so .
Further information: i810_drv.o
After installing i810_drv.so you need to re-start X:
Use the three finger salute: Ctrl-Alt-Backspace
This will bring you to the log-in screen (GDM) or
Code:
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm restart
-----------------------------------------
- 915Resolution: Intel Video BIOS Hack
Note: 915resolution replaces 855resolution.
Use for the following chip sets: Intel 855 / 865 / 915 / 845G / 855G / 865G / 915G / 915GM / and 945G
There is apparently a problem selection resolutions on the display. This is apparently a problem with the BIOS.
915resolution is a tool to modify the video BIOS of the 800 and 900 series Intel graphics chipsets. This includes the 845G, 855G, and 865G chipsets, as well as 915G,
915GM, and 945G chipsets. This modification is necessary to allow the display of certain graphics resolutions for an Xorg or XFree86 graphics server.
915resolution's modifications of the BIOS are transient. There is no risk of permanent modification of the BIOS. This also means that 915resolution must be run every time the
computer boots in order for it's changes to take effect.
915resolution has been reported to work with the following systems. It should, however, work with any system with an Intel 800 or 900 series graphics chipset.
Further information: 915resolution.
915resolution is in the Ubuntu repositories.
Enable Repositories
Either install it with Synaptic or;
Code:
sudo aptitude install 915resolution
Configuration:
See also the Unofficial Ubuntu Guide: 915resolution
- To list available resolution "modes":Note: That is a small "L" and not the number 1.
- To use: If the resolution you desire is not listed you will need to edit one of the existing resolutions.
For example (using mode 5c (1920x1440):
Code:
sudo 915resolution 5c 1280 800 24
Mode to be changed
Desired resolution
Desired color depth
Thus the Mode "5c" will be changed from the default resolution of 1920x1440 to the desired resolution of 1280x800 and a color depth of 24 bits.
- Additional examples:
sudo 915resolution 3a 1440 900 24
sudo 915resolution 50 1280 768
- After configuring 915resolution and setting your new resolution mode, you need to re-start X:
Use the three finger salute: Ctrl-Alt-Backspace
This will bring you to the log-in screen (GDM) or
Code:
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm restart
- If gnome does not start at you new resolution, choose the resolution from the gnome menu.
From the gnome menu choose "System>Preferences>Screen Resolution" and change to your new resolution.
- Your new resolution should work when you reboot as well. If your resolution reverts to an undesired, lower resolution on reboot:
Code:
sudo gedit /etc/rc.local
Add the desired 915resolution {sudo 915resolution 5c 1280 800 24} above the "exit 0" line.
Save /etc/rc.local and exit gedit.
- The last potential tip I am aware of comes form Krisz:
In my bios for some reason i only had 1Mb set for my video adapter's memory. I changed it to 8Mb and now i can change my screen resolution to higher. Although i still can not go up to 1600x1200 but at least i can use 1280 x 1024 which is the one i wanted to use anyways.
More Detailed Example
915resolution README
===================================
Troubble shooting 101:
- Confirm your monitor section still has the correct horizontal and vertical refresh rate.
- If you installed the ATI or nVidia driver with method 1, try method 2
5. Is your video card supprted by Ubuntu?
Supported video cards
Hardware support
Laptop support
6. Is you video card supported by another version of Linux or Unix?
===================================
Tips
Once you are up and running.....
1. Change resolution on the fly
Ctrl-Alt-+ (Control and Alt and the + on the numeric pad) cycles through available resolutions for our monitor.
2. Change the font resolution in firefox
Put the mouse in Firefox (so the firefox window is active)
Ctrl-= (Control and the = key, which I remember because it has a "+" on it)
Increases font size
Ctrl-- (Control and the - key, it has a -) reduces fornt size.
Note: You can use the + and - keys on the numeric pad as well.
Note: You can also do this with the mouse. Hold down the Ctrl key, scroll the mouse wheel up and down to change font size.
===================================
References:
Where to go from here: This was intended a a brief how-to. Below are two more detailed explanations for all your resolution needs.
Change Resolution
How to fix video resolution
Change resolution/refresh rate in Xorg
Dual monitor:
- How to Twinview
- How to Xinerama
- Dual Monitor
- Dual Monitor 2
Laptop external monitor:
- How to Laptop external monitor
- Laptop external monitor; SAMPLE xorg.conf
- Laptop external monitor for presentations
bodhi.zazen
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