[opensuse] VGA mode question
After a big update the VGA mode was automatically changed to 1289x1024, 16 bits. Nice mode (31a) but too small for my eyes. Changed it to my standard mode 1024x768 and because I had the choice, I choose the 16 bits resolution (317). This resulted in some strange effects in e.g. kmail. Instead of one color it showed three to four stripe in strong colors. Changed it on good luck to mode 316 , 1024x768 15 bits and the display is as it should. Started to google on VGA modes and bits but did not learn why the 16 bits at the high resolution was okay and why it gave problems at a lower resolution. Could somebody tell me in plain English what I did and why I had the strange effects. Should I have known the right VGA Mode? Why do I have choices for modes if they give problems? Is there a method to find out what the best bit setting is for my screen? What should have happened if I would choose the 24 bit Mode? (don't want to blow my computer ;) ) -- Linux User 183145 using KDE4 on a Pentium IV , powered by openSUSE 12.3 Milestone 0 (i586) Kernel: 3.6.0-rc7-1-desktop KDE Development Platform: 4.9.2 "release 511") 10:25am up 10:54, 4 users, load average: 0.65, 0.51, 0.42 -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org To contact the owner, e-mail: opensuse+owner@opensuse.org
On 2012-10-05 10:43 (GMT+0700) Constant Brouerius van Nidek composed:
After a big update the VGA mode was automatically changed to 1289x1024, 16 bits. Nice mode (31a) but too small for my eyes. Changed it to my standard mode 1024x768 and because I had the choice, I choose the 16 bits resolution (317). This resulted in some strange effects in e.g. kmail. Instead of one color it showed three to four stripe in strong colors. Changed it on good luck to mode 316 , 1024x768 15 bits and the display is as it should.
Started to google on VGA modes and bits but did not learn why the 16 bits at the high resolution was okay and why it gave problems at a lower resolution.
Could somebody tell me in plain English what I did and why I had the strange effects. Should I have known the right VGA Mode? Why do I have choices for modes if they give problems? Is there a method to find out what the best bit setting is for my screen? What should have happened if I would choose the 24 bit Mode? (don't want to blow my computer ;) )
I don't think I've heard of anyone "blowing" a computer by choosing to use 24 bit video, but you haven't provided enough information to enable much help. 1-Which OS version? 2-What's your display type? 3-What's your display's native resolution? 4-What video chip(s) (output from lscpi line that includes VGA)? 5-How are you determining how many bits are being used? 6-Does /etc/X11/xorg.conf exist? If so, what's in it? 7-Changed mode to 316/317/1024x768 exactly how? 8-Are you discussing KDE trouble exclusively, or also the ttys? 9-KDE3, or KDE4? 10-Have you tried changing font sizes by any method other than mode changing? 11-What does "big update" mean? 12-How long ago was your original install? -- "The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive." Proverbs 16:21 (New Living Translation) Team OS/2 ** Reg. Linux User #211409 ** a11y rocks! Felix Miata *** http://fm.no-ip.com/ -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org To contact the owner, e-mail: opensuse+owner@opensuse.org
On Friday, October 05, 2012 12:10:57 AM Felix Miata wrote:
On 2012-10-05 10:43 (GMT+0700) Constant Brouerius van Nidek composed:
After a big update the VGA mode was automatically changed to 1289x1024, 16 bits. Nice mode (31a) but too small for my eyes. Changed it to my standard mode 1024x768 and because I had the choice, I choose the 16 bits resolution (317). This resulted in some strange effects in e.g. kmail. Instead of one color it showed three to four stripe in strong colors. Changed it on good luck to mode 316 , 1024x768 15 bits and the display is as it should.
Started to google on VGA modes and bits but did not learn why the 16 bits at the high resolution was okay and why it gave problems at a lower resolution.
Could somebody tell me in plain English what I did and why I had the strange effects. Should I have known the right VGA Mode? Why do I have choices for modes if they give problems? Is there a method to find out what the best bit setting is for my screen? What should have happened if I would choose the 24 bit Mode? (don't want to blow my computer ;) ) I don't think I've heard of anyone "blowing" a computer by choosing to use 24 bit video, but you haven't provided enough information to enable much help.
Dear Felix, Thanks for the questions. Tried to repply them as good as I could. It was meant to learn about the optimization of a monitor and its video card. I had in the past no urge to play around with things that worked and were I had no idea of what should or could be optimized. What does 24 bit brings more than say 16, 15 or 8 bitor even 5 bit. After I have been bitten by the VGA mode by whatever reason, think it has something to do with my hang to play around with factory, I am trying to improve my knowledge :)
1-Which OS version?
openSUSE 12.3 Milestone 0 (i586) Kernel: 3.6.0-rc7-1-desktop KDE Development Platform: 4.9.2 "release 511") My question was general. Not directly connected with the OS version used ;)
2-What's your display type?
17" cathode monitor
3-What's your display's native resolution? Native, no idea but this is some info.
Display Height 768 Max hor. freq. 61 Max vert. freq. 90 Min hor. freq. 31 Min vert. freq. 50 Resolution Height 768 Vert, freq. 76 Width 1024
4-What video chip(s) (output from lscpi line that includes VGA)?
VGA compatible controller: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] 65x/M650 PCI/AGP VGA Display Adapter
5-How are you determining how many bits are being used?
Was always set auto-magically. No idea where it can be found.
6-Does /etc/X11/xorg.conf exist? If so, what's in it?
Does not exist. Only xorg.conf.install
7-Changed mode to 316/317/1024x768 exactly how?
Changed at the bootloader. Found no other places that let me change the modes. Missing sax (think it was called).
8-Are you discussing KDE trouble exclusively, or also the ttys?
Used LXDE and Icewm with the same color problem
9-KDE3, or KDE4?
KDE4
10-Have you tried changing font sizes by any method other than mode changing? 11-What does "big update" mean?
Have used 1024x768 for a very long time and never found a reason to change it. Unknown territory. It worked so why change a working system. After a update with 28 new xf86- input and video drivers my VGA mode was changed into 1289x1024.
12-How long ago was your original install?
12.1 original -- Linux User 183145 using KDE4 on a Pentium IV , powered by openSUSE 12.3 Milestone 0 (i586) Kernel: 3.6.0-rc7-1-desktop KDE Development Platform: 4.9.2 "release 511") 12:07pm up 12:36, 4 users, load average: 1.69, 3.81, 4.02 -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org To contact the owner, e-mail: opensuse+owner@opensuse.org
On 2012-10-05 13:11 (GMT+0700) Constant Brouerius van Nidek composed:
Felix Miata wrote:
1-Which OS version?
openSUSE 12.3 Milestone 0 (i586) Kernel: 3.6.0-rc7-1-desktop KDE Development Platform: 4.9.2 "release 511") My question was general. Not directly connected with the OS version used ;)
Problems encountered using 12.3 should be discussed either on the opensuse-factory list, or one of the other devel lists if the issue is more specific to one of them. Raising issues with a devel version on this list is destined for little or no attention.
2-What's your display type?
17" cathode monitor
3-What's your display's native resolution?
Native, no idea but this is some info.
Native resolution applies and is relevant mostly only to flat screen displays. Few CRTs have any such thing.
4-What video chip(s) (output from lscpi line that includes VGA)?
VGA compatible controller: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] 65x/M650 PCI/AGP VGA Display Adapter
This is an uncommon device, probably little used by developers on their most used systems, and much like old hardware, likely gets minimal attention as long as users fail to report problems in an appropriate location and manner.
5-How are you determining how many bits are being used?
Was always set auto-magically. No idea where it can be found.
For most, auto-magic works well enough.
6-Does /etc/X11/xorg.conf exist? If so, what's in it?
Does not exist. Only xorg.conf.install
7-Changed mode to 316/317/1024x768 exactly how?
Changed at the bootloader. Found no other places that let me change the modes. Missing sax (think it was called).
Changing at bootloader applies only outside of X. X relies on auto-magic, and config files if they exist.
8-Are you discussing KDE trouble exclusively, or also the ttys?
Used LXDE and Icewm with the same color problem
9-KDE3, or KDE4?
KDE4
10-Have you tried changing font sizes by any method other than mode changing? 11-What does "big update" mean?
Have used 1024x768 for a very long time and never found a reason to change it. Unknown territory. It worked so why change a working system. After a update with 28 new xf86- input and video drivers my VGA mode was changed into 1289x1024.
Upgrading from a release to a development version it's expected that problems result. If your observation is not an isolated incident it needs to be reported in a bug if no existing bug on the issue can be found in the bug tracker.
12-How long ago was your original install?
12.1 original
That answer is a what, not a when. Remember, this is not an appropriate place to continue 12.3 discussion. -- "The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive." Proverbs 16:21 (New Living Translation) Team OS/2 ** Reg. Linux User #211409 ** a11y rocks! Felix Miata *** http://fm.no-ip.com/ -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org To contact the owner, e-mail: opensuse+owner@opensuse.org
On Friday, October 05, 2012 08:50:11 PM Felix Miata wrote:
On 2012-10-05 13:11 (GMT+0700) Constant Brouerius van Nidek composed:
Felix Miata wrote:
openSUSE 12.3 Milestone 0 (i586) Kernel: 3.6.0-rc7-1-desktop
KDE Development Platform: 4.9.2 "release 511") My question was general. Not directly connected with the OS version used ;)
Problems encountered using 12.3 should be discussed either on the opensuse-factory list, or one of the other devel lists if the issue is more specific to one of them. Raising issues with a devel version on this list is destined for little or no attention.
Remember, this is not an appropriate place to continue 12.3 discussion.
My basic question remains unanswered. I know that I should not show up on this list with 12.3 questions. I would not dare :) But my question is and was, how to find out what the right bit rate for my machine is. How and what are these bit rates and how are they affecting my screen and computer fun. And are there any restrictions on the use of higher bit rates. (slowing down the machine, less brilliant pictures or whatever) How to find out the preferred screen size which is normally recognized by the setup program automatically. My problems with the openSUSE 12.3 are solved but I really miss the knowledge about the screen setup to proceed with the basic problem i encountered to rapport it to the factory list. -- Linux User 183145 using KDE4 on a Pentium IV , powered by openSUSE 12.3 Milestone 0 (i586) Kernel: 3.6.0-rc7-1-desktop KDE Development Platform: 4.9.2 "release 511") 10:14am up 9:38, 3 users, load average: 1.31, 1.76, 1.41 -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org To contact the owner, e-mail: opensuse+owner@opensuse.org
On 2012-10-06 01:45 (GMT-0400) Constant Brouerius van Nidek composed:
Felix Miata wrote:
My basic question remains unanswered. I know that I should not show up on this list with 12.3 questions. I would not dare :) But my question is and was, how to find out what the right bit rate for my machine is. How and what are these bit rates and how are they affecting my screen and computer fun. And are there any restrictions on the use of higher bit rates. (slowing down the machine, less brilliant pictures or whatever)
The "right" bit rate is usually the highest rate supported by the display for the selected resolution, assuming the gfxcard supports it with enough speed and RAM. The "right" bit rate for you depends on your visual acuity, the distance between your eyes and display surface, screen size, resolution, dot pitch, and the condition and other specifications of the display. People with old tired eyes are unlikely to tell any difference in bit rates between 15 and 32, same as younger people with poorer than average acuity. With older slower hardware, 15 or 16 bits instead of 24 or 32 may result in a perceptible speed difference, but this is far more a function of the gfxcard than the display.
How to find out the preferred screen size which is normally recognized by the setup program automatically.
# xrandr in an xterm should be all you need to find out what X thinks your monitor supports. EDID is where it's supposed to come from, but it isn't 100% reliable, particularly in old displays, CRTs especially. X deposits the EDID info it finds in /var/log/Xorg.0.log. See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_depth -- "The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive." Proverbs 16:21 (New Living Translation) Team OS/2 ** Reg. Linux User #211409 ** a11y rocks! Felix Miata *** http://fm.no-ip.com/ -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org To contact the owner, e-mail: opensuse+owner@opensuse.org
On Saturday, October 06, 2012 02:44:56 AM Felix Miata wrote:
The "right" bit rate is usually the highest rate supported by the display for the selected resolution, assuming the gfxcard supports it with enough speed and RAM. The "right" bit rate for you depends on your visual acuity, the distance between your eyes and display surface, screen size, resolution, dot pitch, and the condition and other specifications of the display. People with old tired eyes are unlikely to tell any difference in bit rates between 15 and 32, same as younger people with poorer than average acuity. With older slower hardware, 15 or 16 bits instead of 24 or 32 may result in a perceptible speed difference, but this is far more a function of the gfxcard than the display.
How to find out the preferred screen size which is normally recognized by the setup program automatically.
# xrandr in an xterm should be all you need to find out what X thinks your monitor supports. EDID is where it's supposed to come from, but it isn't 100% reliable, particularly in old displays, CRTs especially. X deposits the EDID info it finds in /var/log/Xorg.0.log.
See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_depth
Thanks Felix. That was just what I was looking for. Already had the idea that my old eyes would not see difference. Am grateful that I found the answers in your wide knowledge. Regards, Constant -- Linux User 183145 using KDE4 on a Pentium IV , powered by openSUSE 12.3 Milestone 0 (i586) Kernel: 3.6.0-rc7-1-desktop KDE Development Platform: 4.9.2 "release 511") 15:09pm up 14:33, 3 users, load average: 1.46, 1.06, 0.97 -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org To contact the owner, e-mail: opensuse+owner@opensuse.org
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Constant Brouerius van Nidek -
Felix Miata