refresh rate

Forum: Other Help Topics
Topic: refresh rate
started by: adssse

Posted by adssse on Mar. 14 2005,02:37

I was wondering how I would change my refresh rate in dsl 0.9.3?

Posted by RoGuE_StreaK on Mar. 14 2005,06:25

You need the XFree86 extension, and to follow the installation instructions thoroughly. The standard xserver in DSL only supports 60Hz.

Posted by adssse on Mar. 14 2005,15:25

Ok, I used mydsl to get the xfree86.dsl extension. But I am not sure how to change the refresh rate. I do not see an option for this anywhere now. What am I missing?

Posted by RoGuE_StreaK on Mar. 14 2005,22:13

Unfortunately it's all set in the xconfig (can't remember the file name exactly) file, which you have to edit yourself. There is no quick and easy "pick and set" option.

I found the config file too daunting, so I downloaded knoppix, booted up, and copied the config file that it automatically generated specifically for my system. But it seems like overkill just to get refresh rates etc right.

As DSL is based on knoppix, and they have an autoconfig for XFree86 running at boot, I'm thinking that somewhere, somehow, there should be some sort of tool that can analyse your system hardware, let you change the settings you want (eg. resolution), and auto-create an XConfig file specifically for your hardware.
Knoppix appears to generate one set to your optimal refresh rate, so unless it runs too fast (ie. say your monitor is dying and screams at the highest refresh rate it is supposed to handle), then you shouldn't need to worry about changing your refresh rate.

You could also try googling to see if anyone out there has the same sort of videocard and monitor as you, and has posted their XConfig somewhere.

Posted by adssse on Mar. 15 2005,15:06

Thanks, I will google it and see what I can find. I wouldnt mind trying to edit the config file if I am able to find some info on it, since it would provide something new that I could learn. If anyone has any experience with editing this and would post how I would appreciate it.

Posted by I went to bed very late on Mar. 15 2005,19:41

what about the gui XF86cfg?

Doesn't it wotk with Xfree86.dsl?

Would you be so kind and give me the instructions (for a newbie) how you installed xfree86.dsl? I am going to do the installation of Xfree86.dsl, too (to get higher resolution rate).

thanks

Posted by adssse on Mar. 15 2005,20:05

all i did to install it was to go to mydsl, find it and clicked "get it". i found the config file for it but i am new to all this so i am not sure what to do.

Posted by I went to bed very late on Mar. 15 2005,20:30

try typing "XF86cfg" which is a graphical config tool.

Posted by adssse on Mar. 15 2005,21:18

Quote (I went to bed very late @ Mar. 15 2005,15:30)

try typing "XF86cfg" which is a graphical config tool.

hmmm... cant seem to get this to work. It should be in the /etc/X11 folder right? I am having trouble finding it.

Posted by I went to bed very late on Mar. 16 2005,12:59

On my other machine (Agnula / also Debian based) there is a XF86Config and a XF86cfg in /etc/X11/.

While the XF86Config is text based (and is not very user friendly because it does not save the XF86Config-4 automatically) the XF86cfg works fine for that machine and enables me to set the main values for the graphics card, the screen , the keyboard and the mouse.

I am not sure whether the XF86free.dsl contains this file (I prefer it). I haven't installed XF86free.dsl it yet. But I am going to do it the next days because i need hardware accelerated scaling for my matrox millenium which the X86free.dsl HOPEFULLY supports.