Re: [TCLUG:13783] Back again

[Mike Hicks <hick0088@tc.umn.edu>]

Katherine Harris wrote:
> 
> how do I find out what color depth and resolution I've got X running at?

That should be in the debug output of running 'startx 2> somefile'

> And how do I change it?

First off, I usually set bit depth to 16 on my machine by creating a
.xserverrc file in my home directory with the contents

exec X -bpp 16

When I change the resolution, I personally like to go into the
/etc/X11/XF86Config file (or wherever XF86Config is located on your
box..), and modify the order of the specified resolutions.  For example,
here is a snippet from my configuration:

# The svga server
Section "Screen"
    Driver      "svga"
    Device      "RIVA TNT2"
    Monitor     "SNY1104"
    
    Subsection "Display" 
        Depth       16  
        Modes       "1320x992" "1024x768" "640x480"
        ViewPort    0 0 
    EndSubsection

    [snip other bitdepths]

EndSection

The resolution on my display defaults to 1320x992, since it's the first
one there.  If the order is changed to "640x480" "1024x768" "1320x992",
the default resolution will be 640x480.  (BTW - in most cases, you can
cycle through the resolutions by doing [CTRL]-[ALT]-[+] or
[CTRL]-[ALT]-[-] using the plus and minus keys on the number pad.) 
Also, you can add in a resolution pretty easily by just putting it
wherever you want it in the order.

I should mention that there are usually a few different "Sreen" sections
at the bottom of the XF86Config file and each one usually has a few
subsections for different bit depths.  You need to make sure that you're
editing the section that refers to your video card.  If you're using
XF86_SVGA as your X server, edit the "svga" section (like what I have
above).  If you're using an accelerated server, edit the "accel"
section.

Another thing I should bring up is that if you, for example, set the
resolution order to "640x480" "1024x768" "1320x992", the size of the
desktop will be set to the maximum allowed by your hardware.  This means
that you will just see a 640x480 'window' of your entire desktop..

Hope that helps.

-- 
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 [ Mike Hicks | http://umn.edu/~hick0088/ | mailto:hick0088@umn.edu ]