Installation / Resolution / Old Monitors

[TentacleJoe]

Hello,

I am attempting to install pc-bsd on an extra computer which I have an old 14" CRT monitor connected to. Once the GUI for the installation comes up I can't see anything I just get a very distorted picture. This usually happens on this monitor when the resolution is set too high and when I say too high sometimes 800x600 is too high. I have installed various linux distributions in the past with similar problems but I was able to change the resolution to work with this old monitor - is it possible to do this with pc-bsd or am I sol until I can pickup another monitor? Can I install via the command line and then use something like x config to set the correct resolution?

Any help would be much appreciated!

Joey

[pcbsdusr]

You have to manually edit /etc/X11/XF86Config file:


Open up the console and type:
"kdesu kedit /etc/X11/XF86Config"
You are prompted to insert the root password. Insert it and the file will
opened as root.


Under the "Monitor" section of the file set your monitor's specific horizontal
and vertical refresh rates replacing the existing values with the correct values for your monitor.
If you dont know the values search in your monitor's manual, manefacturer's site or simply google.

#CAUTION# You must set these values correctly because incorrect values can damage your monitor!!!!


To add more resolution modes or increase/decrease your default resolution

Under the "Screen" after the word "modes" change the default value for the
one you think will work

Now save the file, exit and reboot.

Cheers!

Renato Flórido

[TentacleJoe]

I'm not sure if you understood my question or if I didn't understand your solution but this problem happens before I can even install the OS. When I say GUI in my post I mean the install GUI.

Is your solution something I do after installation or can I set this before installation. If so what would the root password be since I haven't set one yet because I haven't been able to install the OS?

[pcbsdusr]

i thought you had a post instal question.

Do it like this:

Try to install using another monitor capabe of higher resolutions and then apply my previous sugestion (also set the refresh rates for the small monitor)
shut down.
connect the small monitor
boot.

I hope it works.

If the monitor is the only probem you have, it would be solved by my sugestion on this post:

http://www.pcbsd.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=535

Please read it.

If the workaround i suggested on this post works and you reach the conclusion that the small monitor was indeed the cause of the installation problem please go to that thread and post there so it gains more visibility and this issue gets solved.

Cheers!

Renato

[TentacleJoe]

Thanks,

I'll try this out later tonight after work and let you know.

Joey

[pcbsdusr]

OK

Good Luck! I hope you can join us!

Cheers!

RF

[TentacleJoe]

OK

Good Luck! I hope you can join us!

Cheers!

RF

Well I have joined you guys :D

I couldn't find any information on my CRT so I figured ahh screw it and went down to the store and picked myself up a cheap LCD.

I've been running the OS for about an hour now and I really like it. Its super fast and not cluttered at all like the linux distros I have installed in the past.

Anyhow - I'll attempt your resolution fix sometime today since I am at 1024.


Joey

[TentacleJoe]

Wah - I'm back on my windows box :cry:

I just attempted the change to the config file you suggested and now when I load up my monitor goes dark and I get a message telling me that I am out of range.

I used the refresh values found in the monitors manaul so I am not sure why that is happening.

Can somebody post the default settings so I can go in text mode and reset the values? - I know, I should have made a copy of the file before editing :)

Thanks.

Joey