Hello, OpenSUSE community, this is just another thread about Intel integrated graphics.
Why does somebody don’t post a simple “How to” in the relevant section? Noobs are don’t must to search an odd information in several threads, so easy things are becomes too complicated.
Maybe, someone can to post a step-by-step guide what to do intel graphics users after an installation to set a nonstandard resolution, 1680x1050 as example?
The last stable release detects G43 onboard chip, there is “intel” string in xorg.conf, but resolution is 800x600.
I think, it’ll be an universal guide for all intel graphics users with openSUSE 11.1 installed with default settings on a clean system. In my case, I have installed KDE 4.1 if this information is important.
I’ve just try to setup my monitor (1680x1050@60Hz native) with Sax2, if to change a horizontal frequency, sometimes test image appears, but in 1600x1200 mode or something else. What a frequencies range I must to set for a 1680x1050 20’’ monitor? Values from the manual don’t work.
I cant help you with your frequency only you can you’ll have to look it up in monitor manual.
When you have an idea what the the refresh rate is say 60(My manual says 1280x800@60hz
then you can run
gtf 1280 800 60
This will print a modeline similar to
Do not just copy and paste mine
1280x800 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 49.68 kHz; pclk: 83.46 MHz
Modeline “1280x800_60.00” 83.46 1280 1344 1480 1680 800 801 804 828 -HSync +Vsync
Now paste this into the monitor section now for other choices you’ll have to keep an eye on the hsync and make sure it is OK with your monitor.
I know my monitor’s stats. It’s 1680x1050@60Hz, hsync: 31.5 - 81.1 kHz.
So, for me the command is:
gtf 1680 1050 60
# 1680x1050 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 65.22 kHz; pclk: 147.14 MHz
Modeline "1680x1050_60.00" 147.14 1680 1784 1968 2256 1050 1051 1054 1087 -HSync +Vsync
Last question before I fall into the darkness: what of this I must to copy in the Monitor section of xorg.conf?
Copy it all, I’ve never had to do it but the first line is a comment but won’t hurt it’ll be a reminder of what the modeline was.
But I did notice my manual was quite specific about hsync and not a range as such. But tbh all this stuff is a bit beyond my pay grade.
Open konqueror and type
#xorg.conf
No, your method doesn’t work. I pasted this fragment in the Monitor section, restarted, open Yast, set the WSXGA+ resolution (1680x1050), clicked OK, Test and got an error. My keyboard became unusable.
I restarted, using the mouse, repeated this procedure and have got test screen with 1600x1200@75kHz 60Hz.
Little notice: I’ve changed HorizSync on 31-81 in the Monitor section.
You can’t have both either persist and keep using sax2 and find the magic incantation that works or manually edit.
Every time you save it, it rewrites xorg.
Edit
But going on a missing keyboard you’re going to have to do some working out as to what parts you need similar or from a sax2 generated xorg.conf into a manually edited one. There is several ways of creating an xorg.conf sax2 is one of a few.
Edit2
If you have a 2nd distro many times copying over will work.
I don’t save it, I just trying to test it. If I manually configure xorg.conf, I must not to use any GUI-tools, right?
I post my Monitor section here, maybe you can to advice what I have to edit.
Section "Monitor"
HorizSync 31-81
Identifier "Monitor[0]"
ModelName "800X600@60HZ"
Option "DPMS"
Option "PreferredMode" "800x600"
VendorName "--> VESA"
VertRefresh 50-60
UseModes "Modes[0]"
# 1680x1050 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 65.22 kHz; pclk: 147.14 MHz
Modeline "1680x1050_60.00" 147.14 1680 1784 1968 2256 1050 1051 1054 1087 -HSync +Vsync
EndSection
And this:
Section "Modes"
Identifier "Modes[0]"
Modeline "800x600" 40.0 800 840 968 1056 600 601 605 628 +hsync +vsync
Modeline "800x600" 38.22 800 832 912 1024 600 601 604 622
EndSection
Section "Screen"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "800x600"
Virtual 3840 1200
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "800x600"
Virtual 3840 1200
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "800x600"
Virtual 3840 1200
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "800x600"
Virtual 3840 1200
EndSubSection
Device "Device[0]"
Identifier "Screen[0]"
Monitor "Monitor[0]"
EndSection
Section "Device"
BoardName "G45/G43"
Driver "intel"
Identifier "Device[0]"
Option "monitor-VGA" "Monitor[0]"
VendorName "Intel"
EndSection
Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Layout[all]"
InputDevice "Keyboard[0]" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "Mouse[1]" "CorePointer"
Option "Clone" "off"
Option "Xinerama" "off"
Screen "Screen[0]"
EndSection
Section "DRI"
Group "video"
Mode 0660
EndSection
Section "Extensions"
Option "Composite" "on"
EndSection
Sax2 uses it’s own convention so if you use sax2 then it will write it differently. Now if you have a working xorg.conf copy it somewhere so you can copy it back.
Then try to find other means though if you understand a little bit about the structure of xorg.conf(Konqueror #xorg.conf or man xorg.conf) then you can see the conflicts and write your changes in.
Now if you dual boot with another distro many times I’ve copied a working xorg.conf to the next distro.
As for gui-less or not well I always argued with sax2 it never got it correct for me, but many use it and recommend it. I suspect if you can find a monitor setting in the hundreds that is close to yours it may work.(Though it always used to get my old monitor wrong on install).
Also are you sure that the chipset supports your resolution Graphics - Supported display modes and resolutions
Yes, G43 supports up to 2560x1600@75Hz via D-Sub.
How I can to replace an old working xorg.conf after I can’t enter KDE? There is a special command? I just want to experience with it right now.
iirc normally failsafe in grub will get you to a working desktop. But if it doesn’t then on the line at the bottom of grub there is a line append 3 right on the end so something like
vga=*** 3
This will boot gui-less then it is just a case of login as user then su or sudo cp workingxorg xorg.conf
You’ll have to either use the whole path i.e cp /etc/xorg.conf-backup /etc/xorg.conf or cd /etc/X11/
Tab is your friend.
Thanks, it’s the time to begin my experiences.
Finnaly, I get it working. I don’t understand yet, which of my editions of xorg.conf bring me the proper resolution, so I can’t to write a little guide “How to set up WSXGA+ resolution” for other newfags like me, but I’ll post my latest config’s relevant sections here:
Section "Module"
Load "dri"
Load "dbe"
Load "freetype"
Load "extmod"
Load "glx"
EndSection
Section "Monitor"
HorizSync 31-81
Identifier "Monitor[0]"
ModelName "1680X1050@60HZ"
Option "DPMS"
Option "PreferredMode" "1680x1050_60.00"
VendorName "--> LCD"
VertRefresh 50-60
UseModes "Modes[0]"
# 1680x1050 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 65.22 kHz; pclk: 147.14 MHz
Modeline "1680x1050_60.00" 147.14 1680 1784 1968 2256 1050 1051 1054 1087 -HSync +Vsync
EndSection
Section "Modes"
Identifier "Modes[0]"
Modeline "1680x1050_60.00" 147.14 1680 1784 1968 2256 1050 1051 1054 1087 -HSync +Vsync
EndSection
Section "Screen"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "800x600"
Virtual 3840 1200
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "800x600"
Virtual 3840 1200
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "800x600"
Virtual 3840 1200
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "800x600"
Virtual 3840 1200
EndSubSection
Device "Device[0]"
Identifier "Screen[0]"
Monitor "Monitor[0]"
EndSection
Section "Device"
BoardName "G45/G43"
Driver "intel"
Identifier "Device[0]"
Option "monitor-VGA" "Monitor[0]"
VendorName "Intel"
EndSection
Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Layout[all]"
InputDevice "Keyboard[0]" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "Mouse[1]" "CorePointer"
Option "Clone" "off"
Option "Xinerama" "off"
Screen "Screen[0]"
EndSection
Section "DRI"
Group "video"
Mode 0660
EndSection
Section "Extensions"
Option "Composite" "on"
EndSection
And my monitor’s stats:
NEC LCD205WXM
Diagonal: 51.1 cm, 20"
Optimal resolution: 1680x1050@60Hz
Display colors: 16777216
Horyzontal sync: 31.5 - 81.1 kHz
Vertical sync: 56 - 75 Hz
Active display area: horizontal - 433.4 mm, vertical - 270.9 mm
So, diag screen of my monitor says, that it working now in 65.3KHz / 60.1Hz 1680x1050 D-Sub mode
And the last: motherboard - Intel DG43NB, chipset - G43 Express, graphics - Graphics Media Accelerator X4500
Glad you solved it.
If I was to guess it is one or the other from the looks of things it is probably your modes section. iirc from reading the man page it could be either modes or modelines.
Just remember to keep a backup in case you over write it and want it back 
Yes, you’re right. I think, it could be [RESOLVED] tag appended to the topic.
If you want that you’ll have to ask a moderator nicely