On Sat, 28 Nov 2004, Bob Squanto wrote: > Though I have used Linux since 1997 there is still tech jargon I do not grasp. This is causing some consternation on configuration of X. > > I see the terms pixel clock, dot clock and RAMDAC used. The first two appear to be the same. There rae not the same as RAMDAC according to my logs, but are they? > The pixel clock is the same as the dot clock. RAMDAC is a generic term for the digital to analog converter which converts the framebuffer data to an analog signal sent to the monitor. > I situation is a bit more complicated, I think, due to the hardware I use. My video adaptor is a Matrox g400MAX, while my monitor is a SGI 1600SW, but driven by a MultiLink Adaptor, which mandates a VertRefresh of 60Hz as far as I can see. > It's important to distinguish whether you are analog or digital. If you are hooked up to the card's VGA (analog) connector, the RAMDAC is used and the panel is driven much like a CRT although the panel is much more particular about the timings than a CRT. If you are going through a digital (DVI-D) interface, the RAMDAC is not used and things become very driver-specific. I don't have any experience with the modern Matrox drivers. When I used them last (a few years ago), they didn't support digital, but you could get them to do any analog mode you wanted. I believe the standard SGI 1600SW modeline is: Modeline "1600x1024" 106.9 1600 1632 1656 1672 1024 1027 1030 1067 -HSync -VSync Though the 1600x1024 mode builtin to XFree86, which is almost identical probably works as well. Just specifying a mode of "1600x1024" should get you the internal XFree86 mode. Mark. > I believe that X should support all modes, but it is a matter of some hand configuration. After long searches I am not satisfied at how to determine some of the specs, including sssuch numbers as Front porch or back porch. I am not sure about the correct polarity either. > > Manuals that came with my hardware - read "all" - were scant - read meant ofr Microsoft users - there is little info. I did manage to find a pdf on the SGI web site that actually addressed the MultiLink in a Matrox g400 manual so I do have more. > > It appears that SuSE 9.0 does not support 3D accel, but I'm suspicious of this. > > Does any one have a link to definitions of the variuos terms used in the config? Along with this I am a bit confused about my monitor combination. It appears to me that X sees the 1600SW and MUltiLink as a single monitor. If that is the case I'm guessing the VertRefresh will be 60Hz no matter which resolution I use. > > Again I'm a bit lost on definitions. > > Thanks > _______________________________________________ XFree86 mailing list XFree86@xxxxxxxxxxx http://XFree86.Org/mailman/listinfo/xfree86
