[gentoo-user] About the change from /etc/X11/xorg.conf

[gentoo-user] About the change from /etc/X11/xorg.conf

[Harry Putnam]

I hadn't done a full reinstall for a good while, long enough that I
missed out on whateve was said about the change over from using
/etc/X11/xorg.conf to control the X display to whatever does it now.

So my first question is what does do it?.. I have a nice desktop but
no /etc/X11/xorg.conf.

However under the new setup, I'm missing one major thing.  It has to
do with resolution of the desktop.  Using Xfce4, I see no way to
adjust the res above 1024x798 using the applet provided for that
purpuse, when I'm used to a much more massive size. 2048x1536 that I
used to get by puting this in /etc/X11/xorg.conf

    Subsection "Display"
        Depth       24
        Modes       "1280x1024" #"1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        Virtual     2048 1536 
        ViewPort    0 0
    EndSubsection

I used something this size for years and really do miss it.  I like to
be able to flop around on the massive deskop.

It has a second unintended benefit too... it keeps most people off my
computer since slithering around on something that size can be very
disconcerting to the uninitiated.  I've learned that grand kids really
don't like it... hehe.

So, where would I make such a setting in the new arrangement?... I
suspect I could force a return to xorg.conf... but would sooner
understand how to utilize the new proceedure.

[gentoo-user] Re: About the change from /etc/X11/xorg.conf

[walt]

On 01/16/2010 01:32 PM, Harry Putnam wrote:
> I hadn't done a full reinstall for a good while, long enough that I
> missed out on whateve was said about the change over from using
> /etc/X11/xorg.conf to control the X display to whatever does it now.
>
> So my first question is what does do it?.. I have a nice desktop but
> no /etc/X11/xorg.conf.
>
> However under the new setup, I'm missing one major thing.  It has to
> do with resolution of the desktop.  Using Xfce4, I see no way to
> adjust the res above 1024x798 using the applet provided for that
> purpuse, when I'm used to a much more massive size. 2048x1536 that I
> used to get by puting this in /etc/X11/xorg.conf
>
>      Subsection "Display"
>          Depth       24
>          Modes       "1280x1024" #"1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
>          Virtual     2048 1536
>          ViewPort    0 0
>      EndSubsection
>
> I used something this size for years and really do miss it.  I like to
> be able to flop around on the massive deskop.
>
> It has a second unintended benefit too... it keeps most people off my
> computer since slithering around on something that size can be very
> disconcerting to the uninitiated.  I've learned that grand kids really
> don't like it... hehe.

When they hit their teens they will make sure you don't understand their
gadgets either.

> So, where would I make such a setting in the new arrangement?... I
> suspect I could force a return to xorg.conf... but would sooner
> understand how to utilize the new proceedure.

Well, xrandr can set the screensize, but I don't know how to make it
happen automatically.  A shellscript, perhaps.

Re: [gentoo-user] About the change from /etc/X11/xorg.conf

[pk]

Harry Putnam wrote:

> So, where would I make such a setting in the new arrangement?... I
> suspect I could force a return to xorg.conf... but would sooner
> understand how to utilize the new proceedure.

xorg.conf still works fine with the latest incarnations of Xorg. If you
are refering to HAL and such, I don't think it has anything to do with
this particular feature; I'm sure you can use a minimal xorg.conf with
your virtual screen size. Disclaimer: I don't use HAL or dbus and I use
latest stable Xorg (xorg-x11-7.4-r1 and xorg-server-1.6.5-r1).

In the future Xorg will move to a slightly different setup with files
under /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/ instead of just one file but I think that's
for xorg-server-1.8... (or even later). And HAL is replaced by libudev
(yay!).

Best regards

Peter K

[gentoo-user] Re: About the change from /etc/X11/xorg.conf

[Harry Putnam]

pk <peterk2@coolmail.se> writes:

> Harry Putnam wrote:
>
>> So, where would I make such a setting in the new arrangement?... I
>> suspect I could force a return to xorg.conf... but would sooner
>> understand how to utilize the new proceedure.
>
> xorg.conf still works fine with the latest incarnations of Xorg. If you
> are refering to HAL and such, I don't think it has anything to do with
> this particular feature; I'm sure you can use a minimal xorg.conf with
> your virtual screen size. Disclaimer: I don't use HAL or dbus and I use
> latest stable Xorg (xorg-x11-7.4-r1 and xorg-server-1.6.5-r1).

You are right... I just stuck my old xorg.conf in there and have my
massive desktop back.
>
> In the future Xorg will move to a slightly different setup with files
> under /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/ instead of just one file but I think that's
> for xorg-server-1.8... (or even later). And HAL is replaced by libudev
> (yay!).

For now, with hal, with dbus, assuming no xorg.conf... where are
custom settings regarding the X session done?

Re: [gentoo-user] Re: About the change from /etc/X11/xorg.conf

[pk]

Harry Putnam wrote:

> For now, with hal, with dbus, assuming no xorg.conf... where are
> custom settings regarding the X session done?

Under /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/... or you could continue to use the old
xorg.conf since that will override what's in ...xorg.conf.d/

Best regards

Peter K

[gentoo-user] Re: About the change from /etc/X11/xorg.conf

[Harry Putnam]

walt <w41ter@gmail.com> writes:

> On 01/16/2010 01:32 PM, Harry Putnam wrote:
>> I hadn't done a full reinstall for a good while, long enough that I
>> missed out on whateve was said about the change over from using
>> /etc/X11/xorg.conf to control the X display to whatever does it now.
>>
>> So my first question is what does do it?.. I have a nice desktop but
>> no /etc/X11/xorg.conf.
>>
>> However under the new setup, I'm missing one major thing.  It has to
>> do with resolution of the desktop.  Using Xfce4, I see no way to
>> adjust the res above 1024x798 using the applet provided for that
>> purpuse, when I'm used to a much more massive size. 2048x1536 that I
>> used to get by puting this in /etc/X11/xorg.conf
>>
>>      Subsection "Display"
>>          Depth       24
>>          Modes       "1280x1024" #"1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
>>          Virtual     2048 1536
>>          ViewPort    0 0
>>      EndSubsection
>>
>> I used something this size for years and really do miss it.  I like to
>> be able to flop around on the massive deskop.
>>
>> It has a second unintended benefit too... it keeps most people off my
>> computer since slithering around on something that size can be very
>> disconcerting to the uninitiated.  I've learned that grand kids really
>> don't like it... hehe.
>
> When they hit their teens they will make sure you don't understand their
> gadgets either.
>
The ones I need to foil are well past there teens... hehe.

[gentoo-user] Re: About the change from /etc/X11/xorg.conf

[Harry Putnam]

pk <peterk2@coolmail.se> writes:

> Harry Putnam wrote:
>
>> For now, with hal, with dbus, assuming no xorg.conf... where are
>> custom settings regarding the X session done?
>
> Under /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/... or you could continue to use the old
> xorg.conf since that will override what's in ...xorg.conf.d/

OK, let me try this once more:

Using only the current setup, that is, one with hal and dbus installed
and one that does not use xorg.conf... and apparently does not use
/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d either... since that directory is not present.

But yet an X display happens when I type `startx', apparently
generated somewhere automatically.

What I'm asking is where does one make customizations to that auto
generated process... something is doing it.. some file or something is
involved... but what and where?

Re: [gentoo-user] Re: About the change from /etc/X11/xorg.conf

[Dale]

Harry Putnam wrote:
> pk <peterk2@coolmail.se> writes:
>
>   
>> Harry Putnam wrote:
>>
>>     
>>> For now, with hal, with dbus, assuming no xorg.conf... where are
>>> custom settings regarding the X session done?
>>>       
>> Under /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/... or you could continue to use the old
>> xorg.conf since that will override what's in ...xorg.conf.d/
>>     
>
> OK, let me try this once more:
>
> Using only the current setup, that is, one with hal and dbus installed
> and one that does not use xorg.conf... and apparently does not use
> /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d either... since that directory is not present.
>
> But yet an X display happens when I type `startx', apparently
> generated somewhere automatically.
>
> What I'm asking is where does one make customizations to that auto
> generated process... something is doing it.. some file or something is
> involved... but what and where?
>
>   

I think it is hal that does this.  You can make up your own rules if you 
want, and can, to "force" it to do what you want.  Thing is, the config 
file is a mess.  It's xml and if you don't know xml, well, it ain't 
pretty.  The rules go into /etc/hal/ somewhere.  I don't use hal here so 
this is just info.

I'm not going to get started on hal folks.  Just trying to point a 
little.  Relax and breathe.

Dale

:-)  :-) 

Re: [gentoo-user] Re: About the change from /etc/X11/xorg.conf

[pk]

Harry Putnam wrote:

> Using only the current setup, that is, one with hal and dbus installed
> and one that does not use xorg.conf... and apparently does not use
> /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d either... since that directory is not present.
> 
> But yet an X display happens when I type `startx', apparently
> generated somewhere automatically.
> 
> What I'm asking is where does one make customizations to that auto
> generated process... something is doing it.. some file or something is
> involved... but what and where?

Ok, sorry, misinterpreted your last mail; I thought we discussed
_future_ xorg layout... Anyway, xorg.conf again; afaiu, X will auto
detect every setting not in xorg.conf, which means you can have a
minimal xorg.conf and let X auto detect all the other settings...
dependent on, of course, that your hardware plays nice (i.e. your screen
sends proper edid info etc.)

HTH

Best regards

Peter K

Re: [gentoo-user] Re: About the change from /etc/X11/xorg.conf

[Paul Hartman]

On Mon, Jan 18, 2010 at 9:43 AM, Harry Putnam <reader@newsguy.com> wrote:
> pk <peterk2@coolmail.se> writes:
>
>> Harry Putnam wrote:
>>
>>> For now, with hal, with dbus, assuming no xorg.conf... where are
>>> custom settings regarding the X session done?
>>
>> Under /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/... or you could continue to use the old
>> xorg.conf since that will override what's in ...xorg.conf.d/
>
> OK, let me try this once more:
>
> Using only the current setup, that is, one with hal and dbus installed
> and one that does not use xorg.conf... and apparently does not use
> /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d either... since that directory is not present.
>
> But yet an X display happens when I type `startx', apparently
> generated somewhere automatically.
>
> What I'm asking is where does one make customizations to that auto
> generated process... something is doing it.. some file or something is
> involved... but what and where?

Check the X log file to see what it's doing automatically. If you're
unhappy with its automatic choices you can then edit or create the
policy files in /etc/hal/fdi/policy/ to make it behave the way you
want. Figuring out exactly how and where to make those changes is the
hard part... Googling your specific needs will usually come up with an
example from somewhere out there.

Also see the Gentoo Xorg 1.5 upgrade guide for some more info:
http://www.gentoo.org/proj/en/desktop/x/x11/xorg-server-1.5-upgrade-guide.xml

Good luck :)

Re: [gentoo-user] Re: About the change from /etc/X11/xorg.conf

[Neil Bothwick]

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On Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:43:58 -0600, Harry Putnam wrote:

> Using only the current setup, that is, one with hal and dbus installed
> and one that does not use xorg.conf... and apparently does not use
> /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d either... since that directory is not present.
> 
> But yet an X display happens when I type `startx', apparently
> generated somewhere automatically.
> 
> What I'm asking is where does one make customizations to that auto
> generated process... something is doing it.. some file or something is
> involved... but what and where?

xorg.conf. X queries your hardware for any settings not given in
xorg.conf. This information is not stored anywhere, it is read from your
hardware each time you start X. If you want to override anything, put it
in xorg.conf. If you want to see what settings X comes up with, run X
-configure and look at the xorg.conf file it creates.


-- 
Neil Bothwick

SITCOM: Single Income, Two Children, Oppressive Mortgage

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Re: [gentoo-user] Re: About the change from /etc/X11/xorg.conf

[pk]

Dale wrote:

> I think it is hal that does this.  You can make up your own rules if you
> want, and can, to "force" it to do what you want.  Thing is, the config
> file is a mess.  It's xml and if you don't know xml, well, it ain't
> pretty.  The rules go into /etc/hal/ somewhere.  I don't use hal here so
> this is just info.

As I understand it, Harry wished to control X output (i.e. the virtual
screen size). As far as I know, all configuration for _output_ devices
is done in xorg.conf. HAL (if one is so inclined ;-) takes care of the
_input_ devices...

> I'm not going to get started on hal folks.  Just trying to point a
> little.  Relax and breathe.

Oh, please! I don't mind... ;-)

Best regards

Peter K

Re: [gentoo-user] Re: About the change from /etc/X11/xorg.conf

[Dale]

pk wrote:
> Dale wrote:
>
>   
>> I think it is hal that does this.  You can make up your own rules if you
>> want, and can, to "force" it to do what you want.  Thing is, the config
>> file is a mess.  It's xml and if you don't know xml, well, it ain't
>> pretty.  The rules go into /etc/hal/ somewhere.  I don't use hal here so
>> this is just info.
>>     
>
> As I understand it, Harry wished to control X output (i.e. the virtual
> screen size). As far as I know, all configuration for _output_ devices
> is done in xorg.conf. HAL (if one is so inclined ;-) takes care of the
> _input_ devices...
>
>   
>> I'm not going to get started on hal folks.  Just trying to point a
>> little.  Relax and breathe.
>>     
>
> Oh, please! I don't mind... ;-)
>
> Best regards
>
> Peter K
>
>   

You been around here long enough to know about me and hal?  Surely not 
or you wouldn't be asking for it.  I have to admit, I'm not nearly as 
pissed as I was tho.  lol  I'm just not going to try putting it on here 
again.  It didn't work.  I couldn't configure the thing so that it 
would.  I removed it.  I better stop now.  ;-)

Dale

:-)  :-) 

Re: [gentoo-user] Re: About the change from /etc/X11/xorg.conf

[Alan McKinnon]

On Tuesday 19 January 2010 22:37:14 Dale wrote:
> You been around here long enough to know about me and hal?  Surely not 
> or you wouldn't be asking for it.  I have to admit, I'm not nearly as 
> pissed as I was tho.
> 

nah, you just found a new target:

KDE-4


<hehehehehehe>



-- 
alan dot mckinnon at gmail dot com

Re: [gentoo-user] Re: About the change from /etc/X11/xorg.conf

[Dale]

Alan McKinnon wrote:
> On Tuesday 19 January 2010 22:37:14 Dale wrote:
>   
>> You been around here long enough to know about me and hal?  Surely not 
>> or you wouldn't be asking for it.  I have to admit, I'm not nearly as 
>> pissed as I was tho.
>>
>>     
>
> nah, you just found a new target:
>
> KDE-4
>
>
> <hehehehehehe>
>
>   

I like KDE 4.  It just doesn't do what I need it to do just yet.  I 
believe it will once the devs get around to fixing or adding some more 
code.  They just expect to much out of it yet and dropped what was 
working to soon.

Dale

:-)  :-) 

Re: [gentoo-user] Re: About the change from /etc/X11/xorg.conf

[Neil Bothwick]

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On Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:31:09 -0600, Dale wrote:

> I like KDE 4.  It just doesn't do what I need it to do just yet.  I 
> believe it will once the devs get around to fixing or adding some more 
> code.  They just expect to much out of it yet and dropped what was 
> working to soon.

If it was working, there was no development to stop :P


-- 
Neil Bothwick

A clean desk is a sign of a cluttered desk drawer.

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Re: [gentoo-user] Re: About the change from /etc/X11/xorg.conf

[Dale]

Neil Bothwick wrote:
> On Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:31:09 -0600, Dale wrote:
>
>   
>> I like KDE 4.  It just doesn't do what I need it to do just yet.  I 
>> believe it will once the devs get around to fixing or adding some more 
>> code.  They just expect to much out of it yet and dropped what was 
>> working to soon.
>>     
>
> If it was working, there was no development to stop :P
>
>   

Yea there was.  Even security issues need to be fixed.  What is secure 
today will have a hole tomorrow.  There is always something to fix.  I 
do agree that no new features should have been worked on tho.  Just 
maintain what was already there.

Dale

:-)  :-) 

Re: [gentoo-user] Re: About the change from /etc/X11/xorg.conf

[pk]

Dale wrote:

> You been around here long enough to know about me and hal?  Surely not
> or you wouldn't be asking for it.  I have to admit, I'm not nearly as
> pissed as I was tho.  lol  I'm just not going to try putting it on here
> again.  It didn't work.  I couldn't configure the thing so that it
> would.  I removed it.  I better stop now.  ;-)

:-)

I wasn't really serious... But I've been around for quite a while, just
haven't had much time to make an "impression". I've been using Gentoo
since 2003 (or maybe 2004, don't remember). Before that it was LFS
(Linux From Scratch), before that redhat, suse various binary distros
which I got tired of... before that it was Amiga (I even ran Linux on
it, some sort of floppy based "distro", with kernel 1.something, back in
the mid 90'ies, think 95' or 96'). So I've been around... :-)

Best regards

Peter K