Resolution Issue

Forum: X and Fluxbox
Topic: Resolution Issue
started by: Techie

Posted by Techie on Aug. 10 2004,19:37

OK, here's the scoop:

I have DSL installed on my Toshiba Portege 300CT. The 300CT has a unique screen that calls for a resolution of 1024 x 600.
I have Googled around a bit, and have found the settings (within copies of other people's xf86config files) to make that resolution available under X. DSL uses xvesa, though, and not xfree86. Is there any way to make this resoultion work under xvesa, or would I need to install xfree86 in order to have this resolution available?

Currently, DSL is working fine, but I have the resolution set to 800 x 600 and have black "bars" at either side of my screen. It would sure be nice to be able to use the full screen...

ANY input would be appreciated.

Thanks!!

Posted by cbagger01 on Aug. 10 2004,22:14

Try using the framebuffer driver (xfbdev) instead of xvesa.

Then you need to find a way to get your laptop to boot up into a 1024x600 frame buffer and you are all set.

Try googling on 300CT and framebuffer

Maybe there is a boot command option that will do this.

Good Luck.

Posted by Techie on Aug. 13 2004,01:04

I Googled for framebuffer and 300CT, and the only thing I found was in Spanish!

I also read the Xfbdev man page, and that was "less than informative"...

I'll spare the details, but I have searched the 'web using various parameters as well as tinkering around with the setup on the machine, and have had no luck...

Any other ideas?

What would it take to put Xfree86 on the machine, or is that not a good idea?

Any further input would be appreciated.

Thanks!!! :-)

Posted by cbagger01 on Aug. 13 2004,01:20

Others here have tried to install XFree86 on their computers. Use the forum search button and search for XFree86 and search ALL FORUMS and search FROM THE BEGINNING or NEWER.

I have never done this so I cannot relate a personal success or failure story.

Good Luck.

Posted by MajorBlud on Oct. 21 2004,15:00

I have the same problem with the same machine. I've edited all of my XF86Config files and the xsetup file for a resolution of 1024x600, but these don't seem to take any effect. If any of you find a solution to this, please let me know.

Posted by skaos on Oct. 21 2004,15:09

Xvesa and Xfbdev doesn't use a XF86Config file. If you are using the full Xfree86 X-server take a look at:
< http://www.tux.org/~tbr....e-Linux >
< http://www.linux-on-laptops.com >

Posted by MajorBlud on Oct. 22 2004,00:53

Alas, Linux on Laptops no longer has an article pertaining to the Toshiba Portege 300CT.

I'm not using a full Xfree86 server....I'm using the default DSL X, of which I've tried both Xvesa and Xfb. Where are the config files for this?

Posted by MajorBlud on Oct. 22 2004,03:14

From what I've read, there are no config files for these two mini-Xservers. The config is stored in xsetup. And apparently, these both won't allow a resolution of 1024x600. I believe you'll need a full blown X in order to get it. Am I correct in this assumption?

Posted by cbagger01 on Oct. 22 2004,05:02

I think that you are correct when referring to the xvesa server.

However, if you can somehow create a 1024x600 framebuffer at bootup time my guess is that the Xfbdev server would work with this resolution.

Posted by MajorBlud on Oct. 22 2004,06:04

Sounds reasonable. Would I have to specify this in the
lilo.conf file? From what I've been researching, the command would be something like "fb1024x600". I also hear that you may have to specify this in a hex value. I've tried running
"XFbdev -screen 1024x600x16" at a prompt, but that doesn't do anything.

I'm a fair Linux user and I really like these mini-distros...I just haven't found one in the few that I've tried that will display that resolution.

Thanks

Posted by cbagger01 on Oct. 22 2004,21:37

The "frame buffer" is normally enabled at boot time, so an appropriate boot command is required to activate it.

Unfortunately, 1024x600 is a strange resolution so you may need some special framebuffer command line to use it.

Search the internet with google for you laptop model number and "framebuffer", or learn the name of your graphics chipset and then search its name and the word "framebuffer".

There are no screen options for the Xfbdev server. It just takes your currently active "text window" framebuffer resolution and uses it to display XWindows.

Good Luck.

Posted by MajorBlud on Oct. 24 2004,19:08

I figured out how the FrameBuffer works, and where in lilo.conf to specify what resolution to use at boot time (vga=XXX).
Unfortunately, I don't know what number to use. I've searched everywhere and have had no luck. How can I determine what vga number I should use to get a 1024x600 resolution?

Posted by cbagger01 on Oct. 25 2004,05:14

I don't think there is a 1024x600 code.

You probably need some kind of special frame buffer driver besides the "vga=" one. Try doing some research on your video chipset and see if such a framebuffer driver exists. Hopefully it is included in knoppix/dsl by default.

Posted by Multichill on Oct. 25 2004,11:50

Hi,

I also have a Toshiba laptop. In my bios (hold esc at boottime) there's an option "LCD Display Stretch". Maybe that can help with the black bar problem?
Stretch on and the boot using of the fb boots? (fb1280x1024 | fb1024x768 | fb800x600)?

Posted by MajorBlud on Oct. 27 2004,23:11

Multichill, I've tried the "LCD Stretch" option in my BIOS both enabled and disabled and it had no effect whatsoever. What's odd though is that I once had Red Hat 9.0 installed on the machine with a resolution of 800x600, and it stretched the screen to fill up almost the entire display. I wonder why that doesn't work with DSL.