[mdlug] sax2 question

[Robert Meier]

R,

I'm sorry I was too concise before.

X encapsulates timing information, resolution, refresh frequency,
and other information in a data structure called a Modeline.
Each Modeline is addressed by a name, called a Mode,
which is usually the <width>x<height>@<frequency>.

xorg.conf specifications are grouped into named sections.
The Monitor section(s) contain information about the attached
video hardware, including the Modes it supports.
The Device section(s) contain information about the installed
graphics cards, including Modes it supports (timing limits).
The Screen sections(s) contain information about the
mapping of Devices to Monitors, run-time selectable Modes, ...

Online registries hold prewritten sections addressed by
ModelName and Driver respectively.
For generic monitors, the ModelName is usually the highest supported Mode.
For generic cards, the Driver is usually the chipset and key features.

SaX2 comes with a directory /usr/share/sax/api/data from
which it can unpack a large registry of Monitor and Device
sections for popular graphics cards and video display hardware.



To display properly, a Mode must be simultaneously compatible
with all your graphics cards and all your monitors is use.

There are usually several (typically ~20) Modes that will work.

Most people only want a "full-size", and "zoom" Mode.
Many laptop users want a few Modes compatible with VGA projectors
they use.

In xorg.conf, you specify a default "full-size" Mode and
your chosen alternate Modes.
At run-time, you can usually cycle through these alternate Modes
without restarting your session using \M-\C-\N+ (alt-ctl-numpad+).

See xorg.conf(5) for further details.



> ... why are there two sets of values [displayed by SaX2]
> the one at the top says 1024x763 at 60 and the pull down
> at the bottom says 1280x800.

The Card: Driver identifies the Device section that SaX2 will save.

The Monitor: ModelName identifies the Device section that SaX2 will save.

When you start SaX2, the Card: Driver and Monitor: ModelName are
discovered from your xorg.conf file, probing the monitor and
graphics card, from the registry, ...
These represent SaX2's recommended safe settings.
The Monitor: ModelName is usually generic, the current Mode.

See /usr/share/doc/packages/sax2/sax.pdf for further details.



> When I changed the [one] at the bottom,
> it changed the resolution of my display.

The Properties at the bottom are the Modes that SaX2 thinks
might be compatible with your monitor and graphics card.
They were discovered in your xorg.conf, SaX2's data, ...
and SaX2 found no reason to eliminate them.

Each time you select a Resolution and Colors, type [OK],
test, and [Save], SaX2 adds that Mode to the list of usable
Modes in the Screen section that SaX2 will save.
When SaX2 adds a Mode, it usually removes Modes with higher resolution.
Most people save Modes in increasing resolution order.

See /usr/share/doc/packages/sax2/sax.pdf for details.



> So what is the one at the top[?]

  o Monitor section selected that SaX2 will write

  and also
  o at startup, SaX2's recommendation
  o at startup, usually current default (full-size) resolution
  o menu for users with multiple monitors
  o usually the X startup Mode that SaX2 will write

Hopefully helpful,
-- 
Bob

  "What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well."
     -- Antoine de Saint-Exupery