setting CRT parameters

[Bob McClure Jr]

On Sat, Jun 04, 2005 at 11:01:11PM -0700, Edward Matuszak wrote:
> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: redhat-install-list-bounces at redhat.com
> > [mailto:redhat-install-list-bounces at redhat.com]On Behalf Of Bob McClure
> > Jr
> > Sent: Saturday, June 04, 2005 2:58 AM
> > To: Getting started with Red Hat Linux
> > Subject: Re: setting CRT parameters
> >
> >
> > On Fri, Jun 03, 2005 at 06:49:09PM -0700, Edward Matuszak wrote:
> > > > Subject: Re: setting CRT parameters
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > On Thu, Jun 02, 2005 at 09:46:41PM -0700, Edward Matuszak wrote:
> > > > > I recently changed monitors, and the original settings used by
> > > > Redhat linux
> > > > > no longer work.
> > > > > Where does the system get the values for resolution, scan rate,
> > > > etc.? The
> > > > > new monitor is unable to display anything as soon as the x
> > > > windows subsystem
> > > > > comes up. i.e. black screen
> > > > >
> > > > > I can remotely access the system, so I would like to reset to a
> > > > minimum vga
> > > > > configuration via config files, startup scripts, etc.???
> > > > >
> > > > > thanks.
> > > >
> > > > Try (as root)
> > > >
> > > >   system-config-display --reconfig
> > > >
> > > > Cheers,
> > > > --
> > > > Bob McClure, Jr.             Bobcat Open Systems, Inc.
> > > >
> > > > _______________________________________________
> > > Did not work ... command not found (from a terminal session).
> > >
> > > I looked in /etc/sysconfig, but didn't see anything obvious.
> > >
> > > I can only access via ssh/telnet, so I need to find the relevant config
> > > file, setup script, or whatever the system uses to set up the
> > CRT refresh
> > > rate, resolution, etc.
> >
> > See
> >
> > http://www.rhil.net/docs/faq.html#text_login
> >
> > to see how to at least get a text-mode login.
> >
> > I forgot to ask what version of RedHat or Fedora Core.  In earlier
> > versions, the command was
> >
> >   system-config-xfree86 --reconfig
> >
> > and before that
> >
> >   redhat-config-xfree86 --reconfig
> >
> > and before that
> >
> >   Xconfigurator --reconfig
> >
> > See also
> >
> > http://www.rhil.net/docs/faq.html#x_fails
> >
> > Cheers,
> > --
> > Bob McClure, Jr.
> > _______________________________________________
> > Redhat-install-list mailing list
> > Redhat-install-list at redhat.com
> > https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/redhat-install-list
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> > redhat-install-list-request at redhat.com
> > Subject: unsubscribe
> 
> It's Linux 2.4.20-8 and the command:
> 
>  redhat-config-xfree86 --reconfig
> 
> did the trick.  Thanks!
> 
> The frame rate, however, seems to be 60hz ( It looks like it is flickering),
> and there doesn't seem to be a way to directly specify it.  The vertical
> refresh rate is given as a range (e.g. 50.0-160.0) in the "advanced" option
> tab under display settings.  It seems to think it has an ATI Mach64 video
> card, and I don't have a clue if that is correct since this is an old
> e-machine with the video built in to the motherboard.

Try a lower screen resolution or color depth.  That should allow it to
use a higher refresh rate.

> Is there a way to verify what the actual chipset is and what X has set the
> parameters to?  xdpyinfo doesn't show scan freq, and the config file set up
> by the "redhat-config-xfree86 --reconfig" command doesn't seem to specify it
> either.  (It's not obvious, anyway.)  I vaguely recall that when I had the
> original monitor connected it did not flicker (i.e. not set to 60hz)

Look at /var/log/X*.0.log.  While you are there, see to it that it
found the right amount of memory for your video.  If it found less
memory than it really has, then you will get an unnecessarily low
resolution/depth/refresh rate.

> It would be nice to set the scan rate to 72hz.

Yes, flicker is the pits.

> Ed

Cheers,
-- 
Bob McClure, Jr.             Bobcat Open Systems, Inc.
robertmcclure at earthlink.net  http://www.bobcatos.com
God is more interested in our availability than our ability.