Linux display help please

BigV · 06-13-2007, 04:19 PM

I have a problem. I recently improved my server room by swapping out three crt displays for three lcd displays. The room is MUCH cooler, and I have reclaimed a usable amount of real estate on the counters for keyboards and mice and notepads, etc.

Unfortunately, one group of servers that share a kvm switch (a couple of windows boxes and a linux box) does fine for the windows boxes but not for the linux box. The display (when that server is selected) reads "Cannot display this video mode". I swap out the lcd and swap in the crt, it comes up fine. To a text display, no gui.

I'm pretty sure the lcd display is functioning adequately, it works at at least 1024x768 as indicated by the windows boxes connected to it.

I don't think the resolution of the linux box is fixed at its current setting, whatever that may be. I'd be happy to change it to something more palatable to this display. But I don't know how.

So I'm asking:

1 -- How do I determine the current display settings?

2 -- How do I change the display settings?
2a -- for testing purposes.
2b -- for keepers.

Thanks in advance.

Undertoad · 06-13-2007, 05:45 PM

When you say in text mode, do you mean the LCD can't display it when it's in text mode?

BigV · 06-13-2007, 06:22 PM

Yes.

I think the console comes up in 132 column mode, which is giving my lcd fits. But I don't know how to check it or change it. Presume nothing about my fluency with this system.

Undertoad · 06-13-2007, 06:47 PM

Booting with Grub or Lilo?

BigV · 06-13-2007, 06:52 PM

um, Cleveland?

Seriously, how could I answer that question for you?

I have the ability to sit at this computer and make an ssh connection to the linux box. I can login and probe around for your answers. I'm available now.

BigV · 06-13-2007, 06:52 PM

logged in as root now.

BigV · 06-13-2007, 06:53 PM

would the gabbly chat be better?

Undertoad · 06-13-2007, 07:05 PM

Let's assume it's grub then. I'm not 100% sure but you could try this:

In the file /etc/grub.conf, find a line that starts with "kernel", and at the end of that line, add the setting: vga=773. Reboot. (If there already is a vga setting, this is the problem; change it to 773.)

http://www.mepis.org/node/2992

http://home.nyc.rr.com/computertaijutsu/grub.html

BigV · 06-13-2007, 07:13 PM

There is such a file.

There is no line with the word kernel in it.

BigV · 06-13-2007, 07:15 PM

I have:

root (hd0,1)
install --stage2=/boot/grub/stage2 /boot/grub/stage1 d (hd0) /boot/grub/stage2

**at this point the line wraps in my display, but I don't know if it is a hard return or not, but I'll pick up on the next line anyway**

0x8000 (hd0,1)/boot/grub/menu.lst
quit

****and that's all she wrote***

BigV · 06-13-2007, 07:43 PM

vga=0x31a

that's the line I found as I brailled my way along to boot\grub\menu.lst

Now I have to figure out what the decimal equiv is for that and I think I'll find something greater than 80 char/line. then I'll pick something nice and simple like 1024x768

Undertoad · 06-13-2007, 07:48 PM

Is there an /etc/lilo.conf?

BigV · 06-13-2007, 07:51 PM

chekcing

Undertoad · 06-13-2007, 07:51 PM

0x31a is hexadecimal for 794. Which is 16-bit 1280x1024.

You could just change it to 0x305, which is hex for 773.

BigV · 06-13-2007, 07:55 PM

having a little navigation problem.

the reply I get when I think I'm in the etc directory is:

/bin/ls: lilo.conf: No such file or directory

06-13-2007, 04:19 PM	#1
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	Linux display help please I have a problem. I recently improved my server room by swapping out three crt displays for three lcd displays. The room is MUCH cooler, and I have reclaimed a usable amount of real estate on the counters for keyboards and mice and notepads, etc. Unfortunately, one group of servers that share a kvm switch (a couple of windows boxes and a linux box) does fine for the windows boxes but not for the linux box. The display (when that server is selected) reads "Cannot display this video mode". I swap out the lcd and swap in the crt, it comes up fine. To a text display, no gui. I'm pretty sure the lcd display is functioning adequately, it works at at least 1024x768 as indicated by the windows boxes connected to it. I don't think the resolution of the linux box is fixed at its current setting, whatever that may be. I'd be happy to change it to something more palatable to this display. But I don't know how. So I'm asking: 1 -- How do I determine the current display settings? 2 -- How do I change the display settings? 2a -- for testing purposes. 2b -- for keepers. Thanks in advance. __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

06-13-2007, 06:22 PM	#3
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	Yes. I think the console comes up in 132 column mode, which is giving my lcd fits. But I don't know how to check it or change it. Presume nothing about my fluency with this system. __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

06-13-2007, 06:52 PM	#5
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	um, Cleveland? Seriously, how could I answer that question for you? I have the ability to sit at this computer and make an ssh connection to the linux box. I can login and probe around for your answers. I'm available now. __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

06-13-2007, 06:52 PM	#6
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	logged in as root now. __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

06-13-2007, 06:53 PM	#7
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	would the gabbly chat be better? __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

06-13-2007, 05:45 PM	#2
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	When you say in text mode, do you mean the LCD can't display it when it's in text mode?

06-13-2007, 06:47 PM	#4
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Booting with Grub or Lilo?

06-13-2007, 07:05 PM	#8
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Let's assume it's grub then. I'm not 100% sure but you could try this: In the file /etc/grub.conf, find a line that starts with "kernel", and at the end of that line, add the setting: vga=773. Reboot. (If there already is a vga setting, this is the problem; change it to 773.) http://www.mepis.org/node/2992 http://home.nyc.rr.com/computertaijutsu/grub.html

06-13-2007, 07:13 PM	#9
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	There is such a file. There is no line with the word kernel in it. __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

06-13-2007, 07:15 PM	#10
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	I have: root (hd0,1) install --stage2=/boot/grub/stage2 /boot/grub/stage1 d (hd0) /boot/grub/stage2 at this point the line wraps in my display, but I don't know if it is a hard return or not, but I'll pick up on the next line anyway 0x8000 (hd0,1)/boot/grub/menu.lst quit **and that's all she wrote* __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

06-13-2007, 07:43 PM	#11
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	vga=0x31a that's the line I found as I brailled my way along to boot\grub\menu.lst Now I have to figure out what the decimal equiv is for that and I think I'll find something greater than 80 char/line. then I'll pick something nice and simple like 1024x768 __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

06-13-2007, 07:48 PM	#12
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Is there an /etc/lilo.conf?

06-13-2007, 07:51 PM	#13
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	chekcing __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

06-13-2007, 07:55 PM	#15
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	having a little navigation problem. the reply I get when I think I'm in the etc directory is: /bin/ls: lilo.conf: No such file or directory __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

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