Monitor HowTo - Higher Refresh Rates, Resolutions & Preset Modes!
Posts: 55
I have a LG Studioworks 775N (17" CRT Monitor) and I wanted to set the proper preset modes for use with MEPIS. The monitor has 11 preset modes according to the manual and these modes seem to work best on my eyes 
I also wanted to be able to set more refresh rates and higher resolutions then MEPIS would allow as per default.
I searched this forum but didn't find much, so I seached the net for the modelines info for my monitor.. I didn't find anything. Well I figured out how to get the modelines info for my monitor using a tool from the Knoppix disto and now all is well.. Anyways I figured I would share this info with anyone who will find it useful!
I hope Warren and/or other MEPIS developers take a peek at the code in Knoppix and provide this support in a future version of MEPIS. The code is covered under the GPL-2 so it's ok Dont get me wrong I love MEPIS, but there's always room for improvement in any project. I'll figure out how to put it in MEPIS if needed (and if I have the free time).
First off please know that playing with monitor settings can "fry" your monitor if you do something wrong. The info below worked for me.. but that doesn't mean it will work for you so don't come blaming me if something goes wrong!!
Better Monitor Support under Mepis Linux
For newer monitors (1997 and newer)
1) As root type ddcprobe in the console and you will get lots of info about your monitor. If it fails then read the "for older monitors" section.
....
Monitor details 1:
Timing ranges: horizontal = 30 - 70, vertical = 50 - 160
Monitor details 2:
Name: StudioWorks
Monitor details 3:
Name: 75N
2) Using info from ddcprobe you can fill out various info in MEPIS System Center or if you want to be hardcore edit /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 yourself (as root). You could make a backup of XF86Config-4 just incase
Section "Monitor" Identifier "Monitor0" Option "DPMS" "true" VendorName "LG" ModelName "StudioWorks 775N" HorizSync 30 - 70 VertRefresh 50 - 160
3) Now you can remove the modelines lines from this section of the file and the ddc module will try to autodetect your monitor when you run x. You can fire up X and try this now if you want.. but if you want to use your preset modes then continue.
4) You can add your own modelines which will set the preset modes your monitor supports. Knoppix has great support for this so if you have a knoppix cd handy. Pop it in the drive and steal the modelines from that XF86Config-4 file! Don't have knoppix? Ok we can go grab the tool right off the knoppix devel site. Go to http://www.knopper.net/download/knoppix/ and grab up the latest ddcxinfo-knoppix package from the /i386 directory and install it. If you wish to build from source instead of the deb package you can find that in /sources directory.
5) Once installed, as root at the console type ddcxinfo -modelines > modelines.txt and now you have all the modelines detected for you monitor in the file modelines.txt. Copy those over to your /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 file under the Section "Monitor" heading.
Section "Monitor" Identifier "Monitor0" Option "DPMS" "true" VendorName "LG" ModelName "StudioWorks 775N" HorizSync 30 - 70 # DDC-probed by ddcxinfo VertRefresh 50 - 160 # DDC-probed by ddcxinfo # These are the DDC-probed by ddcxinfo # 1024x768, 60.0Hz; hfreq=48.362999, vfreq=60.004002 ModeLine "1024x768" 65.00 1024 1048 1184 1344 768 771 777 806 -hsync -vsync # 1024x768, 70.0Hz; hfreq=56.476002, vfreq=70.069000 ModeLine "1024x768" 75.00 1024 1048 1184 1328 768 771 777 806 -hsync -vsync # 1024x768, 75.0Hz; hfreq=60.022999, vfreq=75.028999 ModeLine "1024x768" 78.75 1024 1040 1136 1312 768 769 772 800 +hsync +vsync # 1024x768, 75.0Hz; hfreq=60.022999, vfreq=75.028999 ModeLine "1024x768" 78.75 1024 1040 1136 1312 768 769 772 800 +hsync +vsync # 1280x1024, 75.0Hz; hfreq=79.975998, vfreq=75.025002 ModeLine "1280x1024" 135.00 1280 1296 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +hsync +vsync EndSection
6) Now if you want to use higher resolutions and higher colour depths you can edit the lines under the Section "Screen" heading. Pick a default colour depth.. 16 is pretty good for most people, 24 is better, and 32 even better if it works for you I say give 24 a try.
Section "Screen" Identifier "Screen0" Device "Card0" Monitor "Monitor0" DefaultColorDepth 24
7) Based on what colour depth you choose above look for that depth below and add any resolutions supported by your monitor that you want to use like this..
SubSection "Display" Depth 24 Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
Changed to... (support for 1280x1024 added)
SubSection "Display" Depth 24 Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
8) Now restart X and you should be good. An easy way to restart X is just Logout --> End Session Only --> at the x login screen press ALT+E. If X doesn't load then you have a problem. Read the "Help my xwindows is broken" seciton below.
9) Open Control Center --> Peripherals --> Display and you can mess with your new Monitor settings there.. Enjoy
For older monitors (before 1997)
1) If ddcprobe didn't work for you then hopefully you have your monitor handy. You need to find out the the Horizontal & Vertical refresh ranges your monitor is capable of. Sometime you can find your manual online if you dont have a physical copy (I had to go to the LGE website to download my manual).
2) Once you know this info you can open Mepis System Center and enter the values yourself.
3) Start reading from step 6 in the "newer monitors"section.
Help my Xwindows is broken!
1) Don't panic you could just copy your XF86Config backup that you made over the one you just modified. If you don't know the command line stuff very well then you could try using Midnight Commander. Install by doing apt-get install mc from the command line as root. Then type mc, a nice shell for you to work in now
2) Another way is the pop your MEPIS cd in the drive then boot from it. Goto InstallME and create a new xconfig. This will replace the config file with the original from the install.
3) Try again if you want.. maybe you did something wrong
I hope this worked for you... Please add any comments/additions/edits/suggestions below..