Some doubts about drivers and configuration regarding hardware (LCD monitor) lifespan

[the dsc]

A few days ago, vertical lines of stuck pixels started to appear on the right corner of my monitor.

Some weeks or maybe a bit more, I've finally adjusted correctly (I hope) xorg's config for this monitor, which would be 1800x1024, 75hz, according to some old knoppix-derivate generated xorg which I copied to my "non-live" install (Debian).

Before that, the resolution was 1152x864, I think, I don't remember the hz for sure.

Now with the vertical lines I was looking for some possible solution (apparently there is none ) and I've noticed two things:

- Nvidia Xserver Settings GUI says the monitor is CRT, when it's LCD (samsung syncmaster 940b)

- the just "nv" driver uses the same maximum resolution, but only 60hz.

Is this (nv's) setting preferable? Could the hz difference between the drivers have shortened the lifespan of the monitor? And what about Nvidia Xserver settings GUI saying it's a CRT? I can't find anything about CRT on xorg.conf, is this something that could have made a difference too, or it does not affect how the system treats the monitor in any way?

I've also noticed that there's a difference on how windowed videos play (mplayer). With the nvidia driver, there was some weird flickering of black horizontal lines on the edges or somewhere near the edge (this could be solved by resizing the window or watching fullscreen); some videos wouldn't even play properly, instead, they'd look more or less like slideshows, when rewinding or fast-forwarding it would jump a little then play for less than a second, and then stay still. Just replacing "nvidia" by "nv" on xorg.conf, everything else equal, solved these things.

[Rubberman]

Are you using a VGA connection, or HDMI/DVI connection to this display? If VGA, that might make xorg think you have a CRT instead of an LCD. In such a case, I STRONGLY recommend going the digital connection route. It made a big difference for me with my dual LCD displays.

[the dsc]

Thanks for the tip. Which sort of difference does it make?

If I don't have anything but a VGA connection, can't I specify somewhere in xorg.conf that it's a LCD?

[devils casper]

Post the contents of /etc/X11/xorg.conf file here.

Did you install Nvidia Proprietary Driver?

[Rubberman]

Have you installed the proprietary nVidia driver from the nVidia web site, from your package manager, or just the built-in one? A lot of the ones available via the package managers are beta versions (outdated), the built-in one (nv) doesn't work so well. The current drivers from nVidia work quite well, and can also update your xorg.conf for you, generally pretty effectively. Ie, which version of the nVidia driver are you using?

[the dsc]

I think that "current" drivers do not apply for me, it's legacy (riva tnt). I think I've installed it from the script they offer tough, since I don't have anything nvidia-related in my /usr/scr.

The "just nv" was installed from the debian repositories, though, and this seems to be working better with the full resolution.

Other weird thing that is going on, I just remembered it now, is that "open gl" stuff is not working (or at least it wasn't with the nvidia driver). Not only not working, but nvidia xserver settings has a tab called "opengl info" or something, and just by clicking there, the screen becomes a total mess, and the computer hangs almost completely. I think it can shut down cleanly if I just press the shutdown button, but it does not respond to control + alt +backspace.
Open gl screensaver were making X "crash" too, but then the computer didn't hang or anything, instead, I was led to some login screen, I don't remember if it was console or the graphical one.


The xorg.conf. I'll snip what I think that would be pointless:



# nvidia-xconfig: X configuration file generated by nvidia-xconfig
# nvidia-xconfig: version 1.0 (buildd@ninsei) Fri Sep 5 22:23:08 UTC 2008

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Layout0"
Screen 0 "Screen0"
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
InputDevice "stylus" "SendCoreEvents"
InputDevice "cursor" "SendCoreEvents"
InputDevice "eraser" "SendCoreEvents"
EndSection

Section "Files"
RgbPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/rgb"
EndSection

Section "Extensions"
Option "Composite" "Disable"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "dbe"
Load "extmod"
Load "type1"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
# generated from default
Identifier "Mouse0"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "auto"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "no"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
# generated from default
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "kbd"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "abnt2"
Option "XkbLayout" "br"
Option "XkbVariant" "abnt2"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
Option "DPMS" "true"
VendorName "SAM"
ModelName "SAM01ba"
HorizSync 30 - 81 # 81DDC-probed
VertRefresh 56 - 75 # 75 DDC-probed
# These are the DDC-probed settings reported by your monitor.
# 1280x1024, 75.0Hz; hfreq=79.98, vfreq=75.03
ModeLine "1280x1024" 135.00 1280 1296 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +hsync +vsync
# 1152x864, 75.0Hz; hfreq=67.50, vfreq=75.00
ModeLine "1152x864" 108.00 1152 1216 1344 1600 864 865 868 900 +hsync +vsync
# 1024x768, 75.0Hz; hfreq=60.02, vfreq=75.03
ModeLine "1024x768" 78.75 1024 1040 1136 1312 768 769 772 800 +hsync +vsync
# 1024x768, 70.0Hz; hfreq=56.48, vfreq=70.07
ModeLine "1024x768" 75.00 1024 1048 1184 1328 768 771 777 806 -hsync -vsync
# 800x600, 75.0Hz; hfreq=46.88, vfreq=75.00
ModeLine "800x600" 49.50 800 816 896 1056 600 601 604 625 +hsync +vsync
# 800x600, 72.0Hz; hfreq=48.08, vfreq=72.19
ModeLine "800x600" 50.00 800 856 976 1040 600 637 643 666 +hsync +vsync
# 800x600, 60.0Hz; hfreq=37.88, vfreq=60.32
ModeLine "800x600" 40.00 800 840 968 1056 600 601 605 628 +hsync +vsync
# 640x480, 75.0Hz; hfreq=37.50, vfreq=75.00
ModeLine "640x480" 31.50 640 656 720 840 480 481 484 500 -hsync -vsync
# 640x480, 72.0Hz; hfreq=37.86, vfreq=72.81
ModeLine "640x480" 31.50 640 656 696 816 480 481 484 504 -hsync -vsync
# 640x480, 60.0Hz; hfreq=31.47, vfreq=59.94
ModeLine "640x480" 25.17 640 648 744 784 480 482 484 509 -hsync -vsync
# Extended modelines with GTF timings
# 640x480 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 50.90 kHz; pclk: 43.16 MHz
ModeLine "640x480" 43.16 640 680 744 848 480 481 484 509 -HSync +Vsync
# 768x576 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 35.82 kHz; pclk: 34.96 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 34.96 768 792 872 976 576 577 580 597 -HSync +Vsync
# 768x576 @ 72.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 43.27 kHz; pclk: 42.93 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 42.93 768 800 880 992 576 577 580 601 -HSync +Vsync
# 768x576 @ 75.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 45.15 kHz; pclk: 45.51 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 45.51 768 808 888 1008 576 577 580 602 -HSync +Vsync
# 768x576 @ 85.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 51.42 kHz; pclk: 51.84 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 51.84 768 808 888 1008 576 577 580 605 -HSync +Vsync
# 768x576 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 61.10 kHz; pclk: 62.57 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 62.57 768 816 896 1024 576 577 580 611 -HSync +Vsync
# 800x600 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 63.60 kHz; pclk: 68.18 MHz
ModeLine "800x600" 68.18 800 848 936 1072 600 601 604 636 -HSync +Vsync
# 1024x768 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 81.40 kHz; pclk: 113.31 MHz
ModeLine "1024x768" 113.31 1024 1096 1208 1392 768 769 772 814 -HSync +Vsync
# 1152x864 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 53.70 kHz; pclk: 81.62 MHz
ModeLine "1152x864" 81.62 1152 1216 1336 1520 864 865 868 895 -HSync +Vsync
# 1152x864 @ 85.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 77.10 kHz; pclk: 119.65 MHz
ModeLine "1152x864" 119.65 1152 1224 1352 1552 864 865 868 907 -HSync +Vsync
# 1152x864 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 91.50 kHz; pclk: 143.47 MHz
ModeLine "1152x864" 143.47 1152 1232 1360 1568 864 865 868 915 -HSync +Vsync
# 1280x800 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 49.68 kHz; pclk: 83.46 MHz
ModeLine "1280x800" 83.46 1280 1344 1480 1680 800 801 804 828 -HSync +Vsync
# 1280x960 @ 72.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 72.07 kHz; pclk: 124.54 MHz
ModeLine "1280x960" 124.54 1280 1368 1504 1728 960 961 964 1001 -HSync +Vsync
# 1280x960 @ 75.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 75.15 kHz; pclk: 129.86 MHz
ModeLine "1280x960" 129.86 1280 1368 1504 1728 960 961 964 1002 -HSync +Vsync
# 1280x960 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 101.70 kHz; pclk: 178.99 MHz
ModeLine "1280x960" 178.99 1280 1376 1520 1760 960 961 964 1017 -HSync +Vsync
# 1280x1024 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 108.50 kHz; pclk: 190.96 MHz
ModeLine "1280x1024" 190.96 1280 1376 1520 1760 1024 1025 1028 1085 -HSync +Vsync
# 1368x768 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 47.70 kHz; pclk: 85.86 MHz
Modeline "1368x768" 85.86 1368 1440 1584 1800 768 769 772 795 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 65.22 kHz; pclk: 122.61 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 122.61 1400 1488 1640 1880 1050 1051 1054 1087 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 72.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 78.77 kHz; pclk: 149.34 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 149.34 1400 1496 1648 1896 1050 1051 1054 1094 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 75.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 82.20 kHz; pclk: 155.85 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 155.85 1400 1496 1648 1896 1050 1051 1054 1096 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 85.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 93.76 kHz; pclk: 179.26 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 179.26 1400 1504 1656 1912 1050 1051 1054 1103 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 111.20 kHz; pclk: 214.39 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 214.39 1400 1512 1664 1928 1050 1051 1054 1112 -HSync +Vsync
# 1440x900 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 55.92 kHz; pclk: 106.47 MHz
Modeline "1440x900" 106.47 1440 1520 1672 1904 900 901 904 932 -HSync +Vsync
# 1600x1200 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 127.10 kHz; pclk: 280.64 MHz
ModeLine "1600x1200" 280.64 1600 1728 1904 2208 1200 1201 1204 1271 -HSync +Vsync
# 1680x1050 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 65.22 kHz; pclk: 147.14 MHz
ModeLine "1680x1050" 147.14 1680 1784 1968 2256 1050 1051 1054 1087 -HSync +Vsync
# 1920x1200 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 74.52 kHz; pclk: 193.16 MHz
ModeLine "1920x1200" 193.16 1920 2048 2256 2592 1200 1201 1204 1242 -HSync +Vsync
EndSection


Section "Device"
Identifier "Device0"
Driver "nv"
VendorName "NV"
#Option "RandRRotation" "True"
#Option "Rotate" "RandR"

EndSection

#Section "Screen"
# Identifier "Screen0"
# Device "Device0"
# Monitor "Monitor0"
# DefaultDepth 24
# SubSection "Display"
# Depth 24
# EndSubSection
# Option "RandRRotation" "True"
#Option "Rotate" "RandR"


Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Device0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultColorDepth 24
#Option "RandRRotation" "True"

SubSection "Display"
Depth 1
Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4
Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 32
Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection



Section "InputDevice"
Driver "wacom"
Identifier "stylus"
Option "usb" "on"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/tablet-bamboo" # Change to
# /dev/input/tablet-bamboo
# for USB
Option "Type" "stylus"
#Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
Option "Mode" "Absolute"
Option "KeepShape" "on"
Option "GIMP" "on"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Driver "wacom"
Identifier "eraser"
Option "usb" "on"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/tablet-bamboo" # Change to
# /dev/input/tablet-bamboo
# for USB
Option "Type" "eraser"
#Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
Option "Mode" "Absolute"
Option "KeepShape" "on"
Option "GIMP" "on"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Driver "wacom"
Identifier "cursor"
Option "usb" "on"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/tablet-bamboo" # Change to
# /dev/input/tablet-bamboo
# for USB
Option "Type" "cursor"
#Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
Option "usb" "on"
Option "Mode" "Absolute"
Option "KeepShape" "on"
Option "GIMP" "on"
EndSection




Just added the underline and bold to stress that it isn't the original configuration, but my own edition, which solved some video problems and allows lower hz (60 instead of 75) for the same resolution (1800x1024). The first commentary lines about being generated by nvidia-xconfig aren't that trustworthy, I should mention too. I've certainly edited lots of things, and including video-related stuff, which I recently copied from a xorg generated by an old knoppix.