Sun Microsystem Monitor VS Ubuntu 11.10

**jedimind625** · February 14th, 2012

Hi everybody I'm new to the Linux scene and just got Ubuntu 11.10 up and running on my desktop. The only problem I am having is my regular monitor comes up with a message stating "Outside Scan Range, Please change settings" when the Ubuntu GUI comes up. I am currently using a dusty old backup I'm glad I kept.

So once again the PC is a Acer tower running Ubuntu 11.10
the monitor is a Sun Microsystems N218. not sure if that's the model number but it's the only one that appeared to be, there's also a serial number on the back if anybody knows how to analyze that.

**ajgreeny** · February 15th, 2012

What does the system > preferences >display (or possibly "monitors") show as the resolution and refresh rate? Not sure how you get to that in 11.10, I'm afraid, but search with the dash to see if you can find either.

Let's see the output from the command

Code:

cat /etc/X11/xorg.conf

which will show us if there is a setting in that which can be removed.

**jedimind625** · February 15th, 2012

ok well i must the super noob, i tried to use that a few different ways and i'm not sure how to use the command line...like i said i just installed linux for the first time, so is there anyway you can help me with a step by step or point me towards a crash course in the terminal?

the linux community has a rep for busting on noobs like me for asking questions like "how to use command line?" so please, take it easy, i know about RTFM and i'm not trying to get around that, just want to get my good monitor working so i can finally retire this tired <snip> i'm using and then finally RTFM.

**jedimind625** · February 15th, 2012

i attatched a screen shot of my terminal when i tired to use that command...thank god that part is the same as in windows lol.
thanks i appreciate the help man.

**nothingspecial** · February 15th, 2012

Hi, rather than attaching a screenshot of your terminal, copy the output, click the # in the formatting options at the top of the posting box and paste the output inside.

**Grenage** · February 15th, 2012

Originally Posted by jedimind625

i attatched a screen shot of my terminal when i tired to use that command...thank god that part is the same as in windows lol.
thanks i appreciate the help man.

You don't have an xorg.conf, which is why the file won't open; there's nothing unusual in that, not these days.

Could you reply with your desired resolution, the model/make of the monitor, and the output of:

Code:

lspci | grep VGA

**jedimind625** · February 15th, 2012

ok so here is the info on the monitor, obtained from this link:
http://www.computerdisplays.co.uk/21.../sun%20gdm.htm
Sun Microsystems 21" flat screen CRT, model GDM5410
1880 x 1400 @ 85Hz. Resolution

the code you asked me to input gave me the following

Code:

To run a command as administrator (user "root"), use "sudo <command>".
See "man sudo_root" for details.

tod@jeditower:~$ lspci | grep VGA
01:05.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc RS690 [Radeon X1200 Series]
tod@jeditower:~$

thanks again

**Grenage** · February 16th, 2012

Ok, this is a very basic xorg.conf which will probably work. First things first, make sure you've got a liveCD handy; you'll need that on the off-chance that the config stops the PC booting properly. If that happens, you can simply boot from the CD, and delete the config file.

First, open gedit as root:

Code:

gksu gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Paste in the following config:

Code:

Section "Monitor"
	Identifier "Monitor0"
	VendorName "Sun"
	ModelName "GDM-5410"
	HorizSync 30 - 121
	VertRefresh 48 - 160
EndSection

Section "Device"
	Identifier "Device0"
	Driver "radeon"
	VendorName "ATI"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
	Identifier "Screen0"
	Device "Device0"
	Monitor "Monitor0"
	DefaultDepth 24
	SubSection "Display"
		Depth 24
		Modes "1880x1400"
	EndSubSection
EndSection

That's using the open Radeon driver. Save the file and reboot the PC!

**jedimind625** · February 18th, 2012

Success!
So if I follow what we just did, I didn't have the file ajgreeny asked me about, but then I created it with the command line prompt Grenage told me, then saved the file with the rest of the info he posted for me, which is based on the information obtained on the monitor from computerdisplays.co.uk?
Whatever it was the monitor looks great, thanks again everybody.