xwindows problem,please help

[octavius]

hey i finally got debian installed and i installed gnome desktop,when i am at the log in screen the screen flickers and a message pops up saying that xwindows is not configured properly.i realise that this is most likely my fault and i would like to know how to fix it so that i can use gnome.please help me because i have been trying very hard over the past few weeks to get this done and nothing seems to go properly,this ,however seems, to be the last obstacle to a fully functioning linux machine ....i hope
thanks

[daark.child]

In a terminal run "dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg" or "xorgconfig" as root.

[antidrugue]

In a terminal run "dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg" or "xorgconfig" as root.

As Debian --the stable branch-- doesn't use xorg yet, the right command would be:

dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86

By running this command as root, it will modify the file /etc/X11/XF86Config-4.

The important part is to choose the right video driver from the list.

If there are any questions for which you don't know the answers in this "dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86" dialog, then just leave that field blank.

[octavius]

ok htanks for the replies guys i did get into the configuration and i have been setting up this way:
graphics card driver:ATI(i have an ati radeon x300 so im assuming it is an ati driver)
which bus slot:it is in pci slot 2 so i think,not sure, PCI:0:2:0
19 inch no lcd monitor

i enter these things along with the standard mouse and keyboard options but it will still not work.getting somewhat frustrated because i am completely stumped again.please help some more and thanks for the help thus far.

[antidrugue]

ok htanks for the replies guys i did get into the configuration and i have been setting up this way:
graphics card driver:ATI(i have an ati radeon x300 so im assuming it is an ati driver)
which bus slot:it is in pci slot 2 so i think,not sure, PCI:0:2:0
19 inch no lcd monitor

i enter these things along with the standard mouse and keyboard options but it will still not work.getting somewhat frustrated because i am completely stumped again.please help some more and thanks for the help thus far.

As I said, if you don't know the answer for something, leave it blank (if you put a wrong value, it will not work).

The "pci bus address" is not important, but if you want to know the answer:

lspci | grep -i vga

will tell you.

The problem here seems not to be your video driver, but rather your monitor. LCD support in xfree86 is not that good.

But still "dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86" should ask you for:
-is your monitor an LCD?
-vertical/horizontal refresh rates? (see your manufacturers specifications)
-video driver
-all the rest doesn't really mather

Can you post:

tail /var/log/XFree86.0.log

?

[octavius]

it is not an lcd monitor i should have phrased that differently it is not an lcd and it autodetects my monitor pretty well but i will go and get the results for u now

[octavius]

ok the results of that command are as folows:

(EE)no devices detected

fatal server error:
no screens found



and that is it,i assume we have located the problem,my monitor is unsupported?
also if it helps i have the setting for 1024X768 resolution and 16 bit color,on my windows i have 1024X768 and 32 bit color
thanks for all of the help and patience,i think we may be getting somewhere

[antidrugue]

What is your exact monitor model?
Can you post your /etc/X11/XF86Config-4?

Your video card is a PCIe? (PCI express)


Or you could just try Knoppix (Knoppix, even if it uses the legacy xfree86 xserver as well, is better at autoconfiguring the X server): it could give you a working /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 that you could then use in Debian.

[octavius]

i may have found my problem,my younger brother reminded me that im not on my other system and that i am in fact using an lcd monitor with the linux box.this may be the trouble.it si a dell e196fp lcd monitor.i iddnt think that it was lcd because my monitor is a gel screen but it does make sense that it would be lcd

anyway the feedback is:
tail /etc/X11/XF86Config-4

section "server layout"
identifier "default layout"
screen "default screen"
input device "generic keyboard"
input device "configured mouse
end section
section "DRI"
mode 0666
end section


ill go and try with the adjusted settings to lcd
i hope that is the problem

[octavius]

Fixed it!!!!! YAY

i booted up knoppix and checked the settings there
turns out that i had the wrong video card driver,i had ATI selected but knoppix had VESA.so i went and reconfigured with all of the knoppix settings and wala it works
im looking at a gnome desktop right now and, after what ive been through,it looks even nicer than it would have without the problems
thank you so much for your help,knoppix proves is usefulness to me very often as do helpful people