by : Stephen Bucaro

Linux uses a free version of the X Window System called Xfree86 to control your display. Xfree86 supports VGA, Super VGA, and some accelerated video adapters. 

The configuration for Xfree86 is in a file named XF86Config located in /usr/X11R6/lib/X11. This file iscreated and edited by a program called Xconfigurator.

In Windows, the monitor is viewed as a 'dumb box' drivenby a video card which is controlled by a video driverprogram. Xconfigurator seems to think that video cardsdon't exist and it requires you enter all kinds of obtuse information about your monitor such as horizontal syncrange, vertical sync range, the amount of video memory,and which clock chip you have.

If you have a no-name monitor like I do, you may notknow all of these parameters. You may get stuck in thedisplay configuration step of Linux installation. This is one reason why I say 'Linux is not ready for prime time'.

This is how it should work: Linux detects your video cardand configures itself.

On rare occasion, Xconfigurator does detect your 'monitor',or you can select your monitor in Xconfigurator's list. In most cases you can get through the installation byselecting 'Generic VGA, 640 x 480 @ 60 Hz'. Then aftercompleting the installation, you can use Xconfigurator totry to set a higher resolution.

To open Xconfigurator, log in as root and click on the'Terminal emulation program' button on the task bar. Inthe terminal window that appears, type Xconfigurator. Xconfigurator will probe for your video card. If that fails, you will be presented with a list of monitors. If you can't find your monitor in the list, select one ofthe 'Generic' options.

You will then have to select a 'color depth' and 'videomode'. After making the required selections, Xconfiguratorwill display the message 'Can you see this message?' If you do not click on the 'Yes' button within ten seconds,you will be sent back to Xconfigurator's starting screen. Then you can select different settings and try again.

If none of the Generic options work, select 'Custom' andenter some horizontal sync and vertical sync numbers. Ultimately you should find a setting that works. You mayhave to make some adjustments to your monitor to resize, reposition, or remove pin cushion.