xfree resolution issues

[rustskull]

Hi,
this is sort of related to another thread that was going on regarding rgarding screen resolution changes.

I tried all the stuf fin that thread and then I changed the XF*-4 config to lead all the lines with the 800x600 resolution (I didn't delete the 1024x768, but theoretically I shouldn't have to...it should run with whatever is first on the line...) on my kids box and it seems to ignore all of it. I can change it, but then it does this goofy non-resizing screen thing that acts like the ol virtual desktop...

I'm running gdm as my manager...there is probably something real obvious that I'm missing.
man XF*-4 mentions that there is a way to explicitly set the default res , but I couldn't quite puzzle out how to implement it...

Where are all the funky modelines, too? I used to see those in the old xconfig files, but never mucked with them because I didn't have to. When I run config tools, they only asks for the default bit depth, and not resolution....

clues anyone?

-rust

PS I apologize if this has already been covered, my wife is trying to get me out the door to dinner and I wanted to ask before I went. When I ge thome, I'll run a search on the archives.

Thanks!

[rustskull]

Okay,
I searched the archives and tried:
reordering my resolutions
copying modelines that vidtune coughed up to the xf-4 conffile
(I suspected that both of the above wouldn't work because I was already getting the res, just in that STUPID AND IRRITATING virtual desktop)
Setting the value in each bit depth subsection to
"Virtual 0 0"
read the man page a bunch of times

I'm going to yank every setting out except a single one at a single depth and see what it does...maybe I'll have time tomorrow or something.

oh yea, after every time I do this, I make sure that I'm logged out of gdm (and I'm never logged in as root, 1. it won't let me 2. it's dumb to run as root all the time...well maybe not dumb, just igzint) and I go out to console and send it to runlevel 1, watch it shut down gdm, and then ctrl-d back to level 2 (I think is where it lands).

I'm doin my homework. Anyone is encouraged to pipe up at any moment with the magic bullet.

I'm running the version of xfree from deb 3.0

-rust

[rustskull]

well...I found this
http://www.xfree86.org/current/XF86Config.5.html

and it states (reason I didn't see a line in my *-4 file, probably)....

XFree86 uses a configuration file called XF86Config for its initial setup. This configuration file is searched for in the following places when the server is started as a normal user:



/etc/X11/<cmdline>
/usr/X11R6/etc/X11/<cmdline>
/etc/X11/$XF86CONFIG
/usr/X11R6/etc/X11/$XF86CONFIG
/etc/X11/XF86Config-4
/etc/X11/XF86Config
/etc/XF86Config
/usr/X11R6/etc/X11/XF86Config.<hostname>
/usr/X11R6/etc/X11/XF86Config-4
/usr/X11R6/etc/X11/XF86Config
/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/XF86Config.<hostname>
/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/XF86Config-4
/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/XF86Config

where <cmdline> is a relative path (with no ".." components) specified with the -xf86config command line option, $XF86CONFIG is the relative path (with no ".." components) specified by that environment variable, and <hostname> is the machines hostname as reported by gethostname(3) .

When the X server is started by the "root" user, the config file search locations are as follows:




<cmdline>
/etc/X11/<cmdline>
/usr/X11R6/etc/X11/<cmdline>
$XF86CONFIG
/etc/X11/$XF86CONFIG
/usr/X11R6/etc/X11/$XF86CONFIG
$HOME/XF86Config
/etc/X11/XF86Config-4
/etc/X11/XF86Config
/etc/XF86Config
/usr/X11R6/etc/X11/XF86Config.<hostname>
/usr/X11R6/etc/X11/XF86Config-4
/usr/X11R6/etc/X11/XF86Config
/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/XF86Config.<hostname>
/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/XF86Config-4
/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/XF86Config

where <cmdline> is the path specified with the -xf86config command line option (which may be absolute or relative), $XF86CONFIG is the path specified by that environment variable (absolute or relative), $HOME is the path specified by that environment variable (usually the home directory), and <hostname> is the machines hostname as reported by gethostname(3) .

now, I don't remember checking my XF86Config file very thoroughly, I could have missed it...but if something was being seen there first, then it would get set....

and here is the virtual screen description...(If I find it in my basic config file I should REMOVE it, as opposed to set it to 0 0, by this description...ummm..I think...maybe it means that it will discard "virtual" modes that are too big? ehhh...this is one of those trial and error things, isn't it...maybe I need to specify 0 0 in my master Config file..?)

Virtual xdim ydim
This optional entry specifies the virtual screen resolution to be used. xdim must be a multiple of either 8 or 16 for most drivers, and a multiple of 32 when running in monochrome mode. The given value will be rounded down if this is not the case. Video modes which are too large for the specified virtual size will be rejected. If this entry is not present, the virtual screen resolution will be set to accommodate all the valid video modes given in the Modes entry. Some drivers/hardware combinations do not support virtual screens. Refer to the appropriate driver-specific documentation for details.

this is in the "display subsection" description on the same page.

If this doesn't solve my problem, I'll holler again, I guess...or just ask the Xfree86 people.

If someone does know the direct answer so I can try that one first, the assistance would be appreciated.

-rust