Monitor / Flat Panel Setup Help

[natebarlow]

Hi everybody,

I am new to Fedora, although I used to work with several flavors of Unix several years ago. I recently inherited (for lack of a better word) an HP x4000 workstation and a ViewSonic VG150 flat panel display. It's running Fedora Core 2 (nVidia graphics card, I believe the Quadro4 that was one of the standards for the system). Everything is fine until it launches into the GUI; I get a pictures but it's all broken up with horizontal lines that are offset from the main image. Seemed like a sync / frequency issue, but after many modifications of xorg.conf, couldn't fix it (not that I'm an expert with xorg.conf by any means).

So I was thinking of doing a clean install of a newer version of Fedora and downloaded the KDE Live 8 CD to test it out. Starts out booting fine, even see the Fedora screen with the countdown perfectly (this is the first graphics screen I've yet to see that looks right!). But when I hit the GUI, there come those lines again.

At least I know a newer version of Fedora should work on my system, but it doesn't seem like a clean install will fix my video problem. Any help with that issue would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Nate

[lazlow]

Post your xorg.conf. Maybe we can see what is wrong.

[natebarlow]

Easier said then done... the x4000 is not online (that's an element I haven't been able to test yet). Could you tell me what are the most relevant parts that I could retype here?

Thanks,

Nate

[lazlow]

I would copy it over onto a floppy. I really do not have anything in mind as to what is wrong but usually (not always) it is pretty obvious once one looks at it (and compares it to a couple working ones).

[natebarlow]

Okay, here it is (at least the last version that was working as described--I've tried tweaking modelines to no avail, actually worsening the issues). It's kind of long, and there are some elements I'll definitely be pulling once I can see the screen right (no wacom tablet, not a USB mouse, etc):

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "LAIR Auto Config"
Screen "Screen0"
InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
Option "AllowMouseOpenFail"
#TABLET InputDevice "cursor" "AlwaysCore"
#TABLET InputDevice "eraser" "AlwaysCore"
#TABLET InputDevice "stylus" "AlwaysCore"
#TABLET InputDevice "pad" #Intuos 3 and Cintiq
EndSection

Section "Files"

RgbPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/rgb"

EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "dbe"
Load "extmod"
Load "fbdevhw"
Load "glx"
Load "record"
Load "freetype"
Load "type1"
Load "speedo"
Load "v4l"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "keyboard"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Mouse0"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "IMPS/2"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "no"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "cursor"
Driver "wacom"
Option "Type" "cursor"
Option "Device" "/dev/ttyS1"
Option "Mode" "relative"
Option "Tilt" "on"
Option "Threshold" "20"
Option "Suppress" "6"
#USB Option "USB" "On"
#Rotate Option "Rotate" "None"
#ScreenNo Option "ScreenNo" "SCREEN"
#Twinview Option "Twinview" "horizontal"
# Option "Button2" "17" #Set button 2 to left-double-click
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "stylus"
Driver "wacom"
Option "Type" "stylus"
Option "Device" "/dev/ttyS1"
Option "Mode" "absolute"
Option "Tilt" "on"
Option "Threshold" "20"
Option "PressCurve" "5,0,100,95"
Option "Suppress" "6"
#USB Option "USB" "On"
#Rotate Option "Rotate" "None"
#ScreenNo Option "ScreenNo" "SCREEN"
#Twinview Option "Twinview" "horizontal"
# Option "Button2" "17" #Set button 2 to left-double-click
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "eraser"
Driver "wacom"
Option "Type" "eraser"
Option "Device" "/dev/ttyS1"
Option "Mode" "absolute"
Option "Tilt" "on"
Option "Threshold" "20"
Option "PressCurve" "5,0,100,95"
Option "Suppress" "6"
#USB Option "USB" "On"
#Rotate Option "Rotate" "None"
#ScreenNo Option "ScreenNo" "SCREEN"
#Twinview Option "Twinview" "horizontal"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "pad"
Driver "wacom"
Option "Type" "pad"
Option "Device" "/dev/ttyS1"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
VendorName "Monitor Vendor"
ModelName "Monitor Model"
HorizSync 30.00-62.0
VertRefresh 50.0-75.0
# HorizSync 30.0-140.0
# VertRefresh 50.0-72.0

# Supported Modelines

# Modeline "1024x768" 65 1024 1056 1088 1312 768 770 772 808
# Modeline "1024x768" 65 1024 1048 1184 1344 768 771 777 806
-hsync -vsync

# 1024x768 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 47.70 kHz; pclk: 64.11 MHz
Modeline "1024x768" 64.11 1024 1080 1184 1344 768 769 772 795
-HSync +Vsync

# 1024x768 @ 72.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 57.67 kHz; pclk: 78.43 MHz
Modeline "1024x768" 78.43 1024 1080 1192 1360 768 769 772 801
-HSync +Vsync

# 1024x768 @ 75.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 60.15 kHz; pclk: 81.80 MHz
Modeline "1024x768" 81.80 1024 1080 1192 1360 768 769 772 802
-HSync +Vsync

# 1024x768 @ 85.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 68.60 kHz; pclk: 94.39 MHz
Modeline "1024x768" 94.39 1024 1088 1200 1376 768 769 772 807
-HSync +Vsync

# 1024x768 @ 96.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 77.95 kHz; pclk: 108.51 MHz
Modeline "1024x768" 108.51 1024 1096 1208 1392 768 769 772
812 -HSync +Vsync

EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Single Display"
VendorName "nvidia"
BoardName "nvidia"
Driver "nvidia"
Option "NvAgp" "3"

# Option "Overlay" "On"
Option "CIOverlay" "On"
Option "CursorShadow" "Off"
Option "RenderAccel" "On"
# Option "SWCursor" "On"
#RandR Option "RandRRotation" "true" # Requires xorg 6.8.1+, no TwinView
# Option "IgnoreDisplayDevices" "CRT"
Option "DPI" "85x85"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Dual Display"
VendorName "nvidia"
Driver "nvidia"
#BusID "PCI:1:0:0"

Option "RenderAccel" "On"
Option "CIOverlay" "On"
# Option "Overlay" "On"
# Option "SWCursor" "On"
Option "CursorShadow" "Off"
Option "NvAgp" "3"

Option "TwinView"
# Option "SecondMonitorHorizSync" "30.0-140.0"
# Option "SecondMonitorVertRefresh" "50.0-72.0"
Option "SecondMonitorHorizSync" "30.0-62.0"
Option "SecondMonitorVertRefresh" "50.0-75.0"

Option "TwinViewOrientation" "RightOf"
Option "MetaModes" "1280x1024,1280x1024; 1024x768,1024x768"
Option "DPI" "85x85"
# Option "ConnectedMonitor" "Monitor0,Monitor0"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
# Device "Dual Display"
Device "Single Display"

Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 24

Subsection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1024x768"
EndSubsection

EndSection

[lazlow]

Yeah, a lot of problems here.

1st you have multiple modelines with the same name ("1024x768"). One thing can only have one name. So the last modeline writes over all the rest. rename them something like "1024x768_60". Whatever you call the modeline you have to use the exact same name down in the Modes section or Xorg will not know what to do.

2nd. The Maximum refresh rate for that monitor is 75 hz. So your last modeline (only active one) is at 96hz, which the monitor will freak out about.

3rd. It appears that there is a bunch of stuff here setup for 2 monitors.

For now rename the modelines independently, remove the modelines that are out of spec with your monitor, and add the new names to the Modes section. That should get you going.

[lazlow]

As an example here is mine:

# Xorg configuration created by pyxf86config

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
EndSection

Section "Files"
ModulePath "/usr/lib64/xorg/modules/extensions/nvidia"
ModulePath "/usr/lib64/xorg/modules"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "kbd"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "us+inet"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
ModelName "LCD Panel 1440x900"
HorizSync 31.5 - 56.0
VertRefresh 56.0 - 65.0
Option "dpms"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Videocard0"
Driver "nvidia"
Option "DPI" "96 x 96"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Videocard0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection

[natebarlow]

Thanks! I'll give it that a try. There's a lot of legacy stuff from the previous owner that I'm sure will need cleaning up, such as some of the dual display stuff if the modelines alone don't fix the issue. Will let you know!

Thanks again!

Nate

[natebarlow]

So I've changed the modelines, and now I'm getting "Id "x" respawning too fast." My current xorg.conf:

#
# LAIR XF86Config-4 for nvidia cards
#
# Please run the command "/rel/sysadm/bin/hostconfig" to modify
#

Section "ServerLayout"
# Identifier "LAIR Auto Config"
Screen "Screen0"
InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
Option "AllowMouseOpenFail"
EndSection

Section "Files"

RgbPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/rgb"

EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "dbe"
Load "extmod"
Load "fbdevhw"
Load "glx"
Load "record"
Load "freetype"
Load "type1"
Load "speedo"
Load "v4l"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "keyboard"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Mouse0"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "IMPS/2"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "no"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
VendorName "Monitor Vendor"
ModelName "Monitor Model"
HorizSync 30.00-62.0
VertRefresh 50.0-75.0

# Supported Modelines

# Modeline "1024x768_n1" 65.00 1024 1056 1088 1312 768 770 772 808 -Hsync +Vsync
# Modeline "1024x768_n2" 65.00 1024 1048 1184 1344 768 771 777 806 -Hsync +Vsync

# 1024x768 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 47.70 kHz; pclk: 64.11 MHz
Modeline "1024x768_60" 64.11 1024 1080 1184 1344 768 769 772 795 -HSync +Vsync

# 1024x768 @ 72.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 57.67 kHz; pclk: 78.43 MHz
Modeline "1024x768_72" 78.43 1024 1080 1192 1360 768 769 772 801 -HSync +Vsync

# 1024x768 @ 75.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 60.15 kHz; pclk: 81.80 MHz
Modeline "1024x768_75" 81.80 1024 1080 1192 1360 768 769 772 802 -HSync +Vsync

EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Single Display"
VendorName "nvidia"
BoardName "nvidia"
Driver "nvidia"
Option "NvAgp" "3"

# Option "Overlay" "On"
Option "CIOverlay" "On"
Option "CursorShadow" "Off"
Option "RenderAccel" "On"
# Option "SWCursor" "On"
#RandR Option "RandRRotation" "true" # Requires xorg 6.8.1+, no TwinView
# Option "IgnoreDisplayDevices" "CRT"
Option "DPI" "85x85"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Dual Display"
VendorName "nvidia"
Driver "nvidia"
#BusID "PCI:1:0:0"

Option "RenderAccel" "On"
Option "CIOverlay" "On"
# Option "Overlay" "On"
# Option "SWCursor" "On"
Option "CursorShadow" "Off"
Option "NvAgp" "3"

Option "TwinView"
# Option "SecondMonitorHorizSync" "30.0-140.0"
# Option "SecondMonitorVertRefresh" "50.0-72.0"
Option "SecondMonitorHorizSync" "30.0-62.0"
Option "SecondMonitorVertRefresh" "50.0-75.0"

Option "TwinViewOrientation" "RightOf"
Option "MetaModes" "1280x1024,1280x1024; 1024x768,1024x768"
Option "DPI" "85x85"
# Option "ConnectedMonitor" "Monitor0,Monitor0"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Dual Display"
# Device "Single Display"

Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 24

Subsection "Display"
Depth 24
# Modes "1024x768_n1"
# Modes "1024x768_n2"
Modes "1024x768_60"
Modes "1024x768_72"
Modes "1024x768_75"
EndSubsection

EndSection

In addition to adjust the modelines, I deleted the wacom device info, since there isn't one. I've tried several variants, using both Device "Single Display" and Device "Dual Display" in Section "Screens"; and modes n1 and n2 both on and off (these weren't some of the original modes that were in the file when I got the computer, they were ones I generated with some online modeline generators). Any ideas?

Thanks again,

Nate

[lazlow]

I THINK it may be that you have multiple Modes lines. It should be:

Modes "1024x768_60" "1024x768_72" "1024x768_75"

I THINK it only remembers whatever is after the last Modes command.

It MAY be having an issue with the 75 due to some rounding thing with GTF. It may be 75.x and that is just beyond what the monitor can handle.

[natebarlow]

I put all the modes on one line as you suggested, and removed the 75 line, but am still getting the respawning error. I did add one (slower refresh) modeline from another site, but that also didn't help. So the current xorg.conf is:

Section "ServerLayout"
# Identifier "LAIR Auto Config"
Screen "Screen0"
InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
Option "AllowMouseOpenFail"
EndSection

Section "Files"

RgbPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/rgb"

EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "dbe"
Load "extmod"
Load "fbdevhw"
Load "glx"
Load "record"
Load "freetype"
Load "type1"
Load "speedo"
Load "v4l"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "keyboard"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Mouse0"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "IMPS/2"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "no"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
VendorName "Monitor Vendor"
ModelName "Monitor Model"
HorizSync 30.00-62.0
VertRefresh 50.0-75.0

# Supported Modelines

Modeline "1024x768_n1" 65.00 1024 1056 1088 1312 768 770 772 808 -HSync +Vsync
Modeline "1024x768_n2" 65.00 1024 1048 1184 1344 768 771 777 806 -HSync +Vsync
Modeline "1024x768_n3" 60.80 1024 1056 1128 1272 768 768 770 796 -HSync +Vsync

# 1024x768 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 47.70 kHz; pclk: 64.11 MHz
Modeline "1024x768_60" 64.11 1024 1080 1184 1344 768 769 772 795 -HSync +Vsync

# 1024x768 @ 72.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 57.67 kHz; pclk: 78.43 MHz
Modeline "1024x768_72" 78.43 1024 1080 1192 1360 768 769 772 801 -HSync +Vsync

# 1024x768 @ 75.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 60.15 kHz; pclk: 81.80 MHz
# Modeline "1024x768_75" 81.80 1024 1080 1192 1360 768 769 772 802 -HSync +Vsync

EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Single Display"
VendorName "nvidia"
BoardName "nvidia"
Driver "nvidia"
Option "NvAgp" "3"

# Option "Overlay" "On"
Option "CIOverlay" "On"
Option "CursorShadow" "Off"
Option "RenderAccel" "On"
# Option "SWCursor" "On"
#RandR Option "RandRRotation" "true" # Requires xorg 6.8.1+, no TwinView
# Option "IgnoreDisplayDevices" "CRT"
Option "DPI" "85x85"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Dual Display"
VendorName "nvidia"
Driver "nvidia"
#BusID "PCI:1:0:0"

Option "RenderAccel" "On"
Option "CIOverlay" "On"
# Option "Overlay" "On"
# Option "SWCursor" "On"
Option "CursorShadow" "Off"
Option "NvAgp" "3"

Option "TwinView"
# Option "SecondMonitorHorizSync" "30.0-140.0"
# Option "SecondMonitorVertRefresh" "50.0-72.0"
Option "SecondMonitorHorizSync" "30.0-62.0"
Option "SecondMonitorVertRefresh" "50.0-75.0"

Option "TwinViewOrientation" "RightOf"
Option "MetaModes" "1280x1024,1280x1024; 1024x768,1024x768"
Option "DPI" "85x85"
# Option "ConnectedMonitor" "Monitor0,Monitor0"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
# Device "Dual Display"
Device "Single Display"

Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 24

Subsection "Display"
Depth 24
# Modes "1024x768_n1"
# Modes "1024x768_n2"
Modes "1024x768_n1" "1024x768_n2" "1024x768_n3" "1024x768_60" "1024x768_72"
# "1024x768_75"
EndSubsection

EndSection

Thanks again; I really appreciate your patience and help. Could it be something with the nvidia drivers?

Nate

[lazlow]

I am not seeing anything. Could be the drivers or it could be how much things have changed since FC2.

[natebarlow]

Would you suggest upgrading and just trying to configure from the new install?