Hi,

Usually I configure X by plain editing of /etc/X11/xorg.conf. One thing
annoys me. I often install Slackware on other people's PC, and more often
than not, monitor specs are unknown. Manual thrown away, exotic model,
anyway.

What I do most of the time is boot Knoppix and take a look
at /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 for monitor specs, which I add manually.

Q: how does Knoppix "guess" monitor specs? Is there some nifty little
command line app around to fetch these values somehow?

Suggestions?

Niki Kovacs
--
I'm not as think as you stoned I am.

Niki Kovacs wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Usually I configure X by plain editing of /etc/X11/xorg.conf. One thing
> annoys me. I often install Slackware on other people's PC, and more often
> than not, monitor specs are unknown. Manual thrown away, exotic model,
> anyway.

try to see if X can guess those. X -configure

> Is there some nifty little command line app around to fetch these values
> somehow?

Yes, there is. It is called read-edid and you can get it from
http://john.fremlin.de/programs/linux/read-edid/

I have written som custom installation scripts for Slackware which uses
that program to do the following:

(File SetMonitor which is located in initrd.img in usr/lib/setup)
-8<--------------------------------------------------------------
#!/bin/sh
TMP=/var/log/setup/tmp
if [ ! -d $TMP ]; then
mkdir -p $TMP
fi
REDIR=/dev/tty4
NDIR=/dev/null

dialog --title "XFree86 Configuration" \
--menu "Now we will attempt to configure XFree86. This will be your \
graphical environment. We will try to set good default values, if you later \
would like to change something you should edit /etc/X11/XF86Config. Which \
resolution do you want?" 15 60 5 \
1600x1200 "Good for 21 inch TFT monitors" \
1280x1024 "Good for 20 inch CRT monitors" \
1024x768 "Good for 17 inch monitors" \
800x600 "Good for 14 inch monitors" \
640x480 "Who would want to use this?" 2> $TMP/SeTresolution

(get-edid | parse-edid | grep -A1 HorizSync) 1> $TMP/SeTmonitor 2> $NDIR

if [ ! $? = 0 ]; then
while [ 0 ]; do
dialog --title "Monitor configuration, step 1" \
--inputbox "Unable to get automatic monitor info, you will have to find \
this information in your manual. The HorizSync is given in kHz and has a \
range like 24-80 for multisync monitors or a comma separated list for fixed \
frequency monitors. Please enter HorizSync" \
14 54 "24-80" 2> $TMP/horz
cat $TMP/horz | egrep [0-9,.-] |\
egrep -v [a-zA-Z] 1> $NDIR
if [ $? = 0 ]; then
break;
fi
done
while [ 0 ]; do
dialog --title "Monitor configuration, step 2" \
--inputbox "The VertRefresh is given in MHz. Please enter VertRefresh" \
10 54 "50-75" 2> $TMP/vert
cat $TMP/vert | egrep [0-9,.-] |\
egrep -v [a-zA-Z] 1> $NDIR
if [ $? = 0 ]; then
break;
fi
done
echo HorizSync `cat $TMP/horz` > $TMP/SeTmonitor
echo VertRefresh `cat $TMP/vert` >> $TMP/SeTmonitor
rm $TMP/horz $TMP/vert
fi
-8<-------------------------------------------------------

At first the script above attempts to use read-edid to get the values from
the monitor. If that fails ut uses a dialog to ask the user during
installation.

At a later stage during installation a script from a custom package is
called, that script looks like this:

(File setup.xconfig installed in /var/log/setup on target drive)
-8<-------------------------------------------------------------
#!/bin/sh

T_PX=$1
TMP=/var/log/setup/tmp
CONFIG_FILE=$T_PX/etc/X11/XF86Config
MONITOR_FILE=$TMP/SeTmonitor
RESOLUTION_FILE=$TMP/SeTresolution
X_CREATED=$T_PX/XF86Config.new

RESOLUTION=`cat $RESOLUTION_FILE`

# echo Creating $CONFIG_FILE

chroot $T_PX usr/X11R6/bin/X -configure

/bin/cat << ENDFILE > $CONFIG_FILE
# ************************************************** ********************
# Refer to the XF86Config(4/5) man page for details about the format of
# this file.
# ************************************************** ********************

# ************************************************** ********************
# Module section -- this section is used to specify
# which dynamically loadable modules to load.
# ************************************************** ********************
#
Section "Module"

# This loads the DBE extension module.

Load "dbe" # Double buffer extension

# This loads the miscellaneous extensions module, and disables
# initialisation of the XFree86-DGA extension within that module.
SubSection "extmod"
Option "omit xfree86-dga" # don't initialise the DGA extension
EndSubSection

# This loads the font modules
Load "type1"
Load "freetype"
Load "speedo"

# This loads the GLX module
Load "glx"
Load "dri"

EndSection

Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection

# ************************************************** ********************
# Files section. This allows default font and rgb paths to be set
# ************************************************** ********************

Section "Files"

# The location of the RGB database. Note, this is the name of the
# file minus the extension (like ".txt" or ".db"). There is normally
# no need to change the default.

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

# Multiple FontPath entries are allowed (which are concatenated together),
# as well as specifying multiple comma-separated entries in one FontPath
# command (or a combination of both methods)
#
# If you don't have a floating point coprocessor and emacs, Mosaic or other
# programs take long to start up, try moving the Type1 and Speedo directory
# to the end of this list (or comment them out).
#

FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/local/"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/misc/"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Type1/"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/CID/"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Speedo/"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi/"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi/"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/cyrillic/"

# ModulePath can be used to set a search path for the X server modules.
# The default path is shown here.

# ModulePath "/usr/X11R6/lib/modules"

EndSection

# ************************************************** ********************
# Server flags section.
# ************************************************** ********************

Section "ServerFlags"

# Uncomment this to cause a core dump at the spot where a signal is
# received. This may leave the console in an unusable state, but may
# provide a better stack trace in the core dump to aid in debugging

# Option "NoTrapSignals"

# Uncomment this to disable the <Crtl><Alt><Fn> VT switch sequence
# (where n is 1 through 12). This allows clients to receive these key
# events.

# Option "DontVTSwitch"

# Uncomment this to disable the <Crtl><Alt><BS> server abort sequence
# This allows clients to receive this key event.

# Option "DontZap"

# Uncomment this to disable the <Crtl><Alt><KP_+>/<KP_-> mode switching
# sequences. This allows clients to receive these key events.

# Option "DontZoom"

# Uncomment this to disable tuning with the xvidtune client. With
# it the client can still run and fetch card and monitor attributes,
# but it will not be allowed to change them. If it tries it will
# receive a protocol error.

# Option "DisableVidModeExtension"

# Uncomment this to enable the use of a non-local xvidtune client.

# Option "AllowNonLocalXvidtune"

# Uncomment this to disable dynamically modifying the input device
# (mouse and keyboard) settings.

# Option "DisableModInDev"

# Uncomment this to enable the use of a non-local client to
# change the keyboard or mouse settings (currently only xset).

# Option "AllowNonLocalModInDev"

# Set the basic blanking screen saver timeout.

# Option "blank time" "10" # 10 minutes

# Set the DPMS timeouts. These are set here because they are global
# rather than screen-specific. These settings alone don't enable DPMS.
# It is enabled per-screen (or per-monitor), and even then only when
# the driver supports it.

# Option "standby time" "20"
# Option "suspend time" "30"
# Option "off time" "60"

# On some platform the server needs to estimate the sizes of PCI
# memory and pio ranges. This is done by assuming that PCI ranges
# don't overlap. Some broken BIOSes tend to set ranges of inactive
# devices wrong. Here one can adjust how aggressive the assumptions
# should be. Default is 0.

# Option "EstimateSizesAggresively" "0"

EndSection

# ************************************************** ********************
# Input devices
# ************************************************** ********************

# ************************************************** ********************
# Core keyboard's InputDevice section
# ************************************************** ********************

Section "InputDevice"

Identifier "Keyboard1"
Driver "Keyboard"
# For most OSs the protocol can be omitted (it defaults to "Standard").
# When using XQUEUE (only for SVR3 and SVR4, but not Solaris),
# uncomment the following line.

# Option "Protocol" "Xqueue"

# Set the keyboard auto repeat parameters. Not all platforms implement
# this.

# Option "AutoRepeat" "500 5"

# Specifiy which keyboard LEDs can be user-controlled (eg, with xset(1)).

# Option "Xleds" "1 2 3"

# To disable the XKEYBOARD extension, uncomment XkbDisable.

# Option "XkbDisable"

# To customise the XKB settings to suit your keyboard, modify the
# lines below (which are the defaults). For example, for a European
# keyboard, you will probably want to use one of:
#
# Option "XkbModel" "pc102"
# Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
#
# If you have a Microsoft Natural keyboard, you can use:
#
# Option "XkbModel" "microsoft"
#
# If you have a US "windows" keyboard you will want:
#
# Option "XkbModel" "pc104"
#
# Then to change the language, change the Layout setting.
# For example, a german layout can be obtained with:
#
# Option "XkbLayout" "de"
#
# or:
#
Option "XkbLayout" "se"
Option "XkbVariant" "nodeadkeys"
#
# If you'd like to switch the positions of your capslock and
# control keys, use:
#
# Option "XkbOptions" "ctrl:swapcaps"


# These are the default XKB settings for XFree86
#
# Option "XkbRules" "xfree86"
# Option "XkbModel" "pc101"
# Option "XkbLayout" "us"
# Option "XkbVariant" ""
# Option "XkbOptions" ""

EndSection

# ************************************************** ********************
# Core Pointer's InputDevice section
# ************************************************** ********************

Section "InputDevice"

# Identifier and driver

Identifier "Mouse1"
Driver "mouse"

# On platforms where PnP mouse detection is supported the following
# protocol setting can be used when using a newer PnP mouse:

Option "Protocol" "Auto"

# The available mouse protocols types that you can set below are:
# Auto BusMouse GlidePoint GlidePointPS/2 IntelliMouse IMPS/2
# Logitech Microsoft MMHitTab MMSeries Mouseman MouseManPlusPS/2
# MouseSystems NetMousePS/2 NetScrollPS/2 OSMouse PS/2 SysMouse
# ThinkingMouse ThinkingMousePS/2 Xqueue
# Option "Protocol" "PS/2"

# The mouse device. The device is normally set to /dev/mouse,
# which is usually a symbolic link to the real device.

Option "Device" "/dev/mouse"
# Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
# Option "Device" "/dev/ttyS0"
# Option "Device" "/dev/ttyS1"

# To get scroll wheel working
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"

# When using XQUEUE, comment out the above two lines, and uncomment
# the following line.

# Option "Protocol" "Xqueue"

# Baudrate and SampleRate are only for some Logitech mice. In
# almost every case these lines should be omitted.

# Option "BaudRate" "9600"
# Option "SampleRate" "150"

# Emulate3Buttons is an option for 2-button Microsoft mice
# Emulate3Timeout is the timeout in milliseconds (default is 50ms)

# Option "Emulate3Buttons"
# Option "Emulate3Timeout" "50"

# ChordMiddle is an option for some 3-button Logitech mice

# Option "ChordMiddle"

EndSection

# Some examples of extended input devices

# Section "InputDevice"
# Identifier "spaceball"
# Driver "magellan"
# Option "Device" "/dev/cua0"
# EndSection
#
# Section "InputDevice"
# Identifier "spaceball2"
# Driver "spaceorb"
# Option "Device" "/dev/cua0"
# EndSection
#
# Section "InputDevice"
# Identifier "touchscreen0"
# Driver "microtouch"
# Option "Device" "/dev/ttyS0"
# Option "MinX" "1412"
# Option "MaxX" "15184"
# Option "MinY" "15372"
# Option "MaxY" "1230"
# Option "ScreenNumber" "0"
# Option "ReportingMode" "Scaled"
# Option "ButtonNumber" "1"
# Option "SendCoreEvents"
# EndSection
#
# Section "InputDevice"
# Identifier "touchscreen1"
# Driver "elo2300"
# Option "Device" "/dev/ttyS0"
# Option "MinX" "231"
# Option "MaxX" "3868"
# Option "MinY" "3858"
# Option "MaxY" "272"
# Option "ScreenNumber" "0"
# Option "ReportingMode" "Scaled"
# Option "ButtonThreshold" "17"
# Option "ButtonNumber" "1"
# Option "SendCoreEvents"
# EndSection

# ************************************************** ********************
# Monitor section
# ************************************************** ********************

# Any number of monitor sections may be present

Section "Monitor"

Identifier "My Monitor"

# HorizSync is in kHz unless units are specified.
# HorizSync may be a comma separated list of discrete values, or a
# comma separated list of ranges of values.
# NOTE: THE VALUES HERE ARE EXAMPLES ONLY. REFER TO YOUR MONITOR'S
# USER MANUAL FOR THE CORRECT NUMBERS.

# HorizSync 30-64 # multisync
# HorizSync 31.5, 35.2 # multiple fixed sync frequencies
# HorizSync 15-25, 30-50 # multiple ranges of sync frequencies

# VertRefresh is in Hz unless units are specified.
# VertRefresh may be a comma separated list of discrete values, or a
# comma separated list of ranges of values.
# NOTE: THE VALUES HERE ARE EXAMPLES ONLY. REFER TO YOUR MONITOR'S
# USER MANUAL FOR THE CORRECT NUMBERS.

ENDFILE

/bin/cat $MONITOR_FILE >> $CONFIG_FILE

/bin/cat << ENDFILE >> $CONFIG_FILE

EndSection


# ************************************************** ********************
# Graphics device section
# ************************************************** ********************

# Any number of graphics device sections may be present

ENDFILE

tail -n +`fgrep -n "Section \"Device\"" $X_CREATED | head -1 | cut -d: -f1` \
$X_CREATED > $TMP/VGA_DEVICE

head -`fgrep -n "EndSection" $TMP/VGA_DEVICE | head -1 | cut -d: -f1` \
$TMP/VGA_DEVICE >> $CONFIG_FILE

rm $TMP/VGA_DEVICE

/bin/cat << ENDFILE >> $CONFIG_FILE


# ************************************************** ********************
# Screen sections
# ************************************************** ********************

# Any number of screen sections may be present. Each describes
# the configuration of a single screen. A single specific screen section
# may be specified from the X server command line with the "-screen"
# option.
Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen 1"
Device "Card0"
Monitor "My Monitor"

# If your card can handle it, a higher default color depth (like 24 or 32)
# is highly recommended.

# DefaultDepth 8
DefaultDepth 16
# DefaultDepth 24
# DefaultDepth 32

# "1024x768" is also a conservative usable default resolution. If you
# have a better monitor, feel free to try resolutions such as
# "1152x864", "1280x1024", "1600x1200", and "1800x1400" (or whatever your
# card/monitor can produce)

ENDFILE

case $RESOLUTION in
"1600x1200")
RESOLUTIONS="\"1600x1200\" \"1280x1024\" \"1024x768\" \"800x600\" \"640x480\"" ;;
"1280x1024")
RESOLUTIONS="\"1280x1024\" \"1024x768\" \"800x600\" \"640x480\"" ;;
"1024x768")
RESOLUTIONS="\"1024x768\" \"800x600\" \"640x480\"" ;;
"800x600")
RESOLUTIONS="\"800x600\" \"640x480\"" ;;
*)
RESOLUTIONS="\"640x480\"" ;;
esac
for DEPTH in 8 16 24 32 ; do
echo " Subsection \"Display\"" >> $CONFIG_FILE
echo " Depth $DEPTH" >> $CONFIG_FILE
echo " Modes $RESOLUTIONS" >> $CONFIG_FILE
echo " EndSubsection" >> $CONFIG_FILE
done

/bin/cat << ENDFILE >> $CONFIG_FILE

EndSection

# ************************************************** ********************
# ServerLayout sections.
# ************************************************** ********************

# Any number of ServerLayout sections may be present. Each describes
# the way multiple screens are organised. A specific ServerLayout
# section may be specified from the X server command line with the
# "-layout" option. In the absence of this, the first section is used.
# When now ServerLayout section is present, the first Screen section
# is used alone.

Section "ServerLayout"

# The Identifier line must be present
Identifier "Simple Layout"

# Each Screen line specifies a Screen section name, and optionally
# the relative position of other screens. The four names after
# primary screen name are the screens to the top, bottom, left and right
# of the primary screen. In this example, screen 2 is located to the
# right of screen 1.

Screen "Screen 1"

# Each InputDevice line specifies an InputDevice section name and
# optionally some options to specify the way the device is to be
# used. Those options include "CorePointer", "CoreKeyboard" and
# "SendCoreEvents".

InputDevice "Mouse1" "CorePointer"
InputDevice "Keyboard1" "CoreKeyboard"

EndSection

ENDFILE

chmod 644 $CONFIG_FILE
rm $X_CREATED
-8<-----------------------------------------------------------

The above files were written for Slackware 9.1 with XFree86. Since then I
have updated this custom 9.1 installation to use X.org instead and I only
had to do some minor modification to the last script. By reading the
scripts above I thing you get the idea. You might not want to use them
unmodified as they will configure X with a swedish keyboard :-)

regards Henrik
--
The address in the header is only to prevent spam. My real address is:
hc2(at)uthyres.com Examples of addresses which go to spammers:
info@k-soft.se info@k-software.biz info@webrider.ru root@localhost

Dominik L. Borkowski wrote:

> try to see if X can guess those. X -configure

This works approx. 1 time out of 3.

N.
--
I'm not as think as you stoned I am.