Notes for Monitor setup with XOrg

Poor configuration defaults in debian-derived systems

dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg no longer enables the reconfiguration of the the monitor. A number systems end up with a very low default resolution with a minimal xorg.conf

The core of the problem is that xorg.conf configuration has been replaced by hald which does not work with all hardware. However, xorg.conf can be used to over-ride hald.

After extensive Googling I discovered confusion and partial information which enabled me to solve the problem for myself and this solution should work for others. I hope that these people will find this posting on Google. My xorg.conf follows.

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# xorg.conf (X.Org X Window System server configuration file)
#
#This file was generated by dexconf,the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
#This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
#If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
#   sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section "InputDevice"
        Identifier      "Generic Keyboard"
        Driver          "kbd"
        Option          "XkbRules"      "xorg"
        Option          "XkbModel"      "pc104"
        Option          "XkbLayout"     "us"Section "InputDevice"
        Identifier      "Generic Keyboard"
        Driver          "kbd"
        Option          "XkbRules"      "xorg"
        Option          "XkbModel"      "pc104"
        Option          "XkbLayout"     "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
        Identifier      "Configured Mouse"
        Driver          "mouse"
EndSection

Section "Device"
        Identifier      "Configured Video Device"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
        Identifier      "Configured Monitor"
        HorizSync       30-85           (New - use the values for your monitor)
        VertRefresh     50-180          (New - use the values for your monitor)
EndSection

Section "Screen"
        Identifier      "Default Screen"
        Monitor         "Configured Monitor"
        SubSection "Display"            (New)
        Depth           24              (New - use the values for your monitor)
        Modes           "1600x1200"     (New - use the values for your monitor)
        EndSubsection                   (New)
EndSection

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This can also be used to knock back the screen resolution if the default is too high.

Good luck.

Phil