X and Fluxbox :: Passing vga=normal causes DSL X Setup to run

I always type dsl vga=795 noapm, because my graphic card supports it, and it's the native resolution of my LCD monitor. It works. However that sets the properties for the bootup resolution. You need to set the resolution for X with xsetup.sh.The undefined mode number does not show up after that if you backup. Once you have backed up your settings for X you will no longer be prompted for the settings. The remaster should include the configuration script (I think it's xauthority.sh or something like that, but it's automatically written into the backup.tar.gz file anyway), or you can give each student a pendrive to save their settings on, or with a copy of your preconfigured backup file on it.

OK, I think I've figured out what I need to do here.

Apparently xsetup.sh always gets called (by startx), but only displays the dialog if you've asked for something other than vga=791. (Or if, as doobit says, there's already a default saved to the disk or pendrive.) Vga=791 is actually hard-coded into xsetup.sh.

So I can run the thing with vga=normal (to avoid the "undefined mode number" error), and hack xsetup.sh a little bit to run with sensible defaults, without bothering my users with a dialog.

Thanks for your comments,

Ed

original here.