2. Controlling the Graphical Configuration

This set of tools allows you to configure your graphical display. With it, you can change your video card, your resolution and your monitor. It can be useful if you change one of your graphical components after the initial installation.

[Tip] If you don't see a graphical login at boot

If the graphical server cannot start because of a configuration error, a dialog offers to reconfigure the graphical server. You get a tool similar to the one described in Section 2.3, “Controlling All Video Parameters”, but in text mode.

The graphical configuration tools are accessible through different icons in the Hardware section of the Mandriva Linux Control Center.

2.1. Changing the Monitor

This tool allows you to change the monitor type currently in use. When you click on it, a window pops up, listing many monitor models (see Figure 6.2, “Choosing a New Monitor”). If your monitor was automatically detected, it is listed as Plug'n Play along with its model.

Figure 6.2. Choosing a New Monitor

Choosing a New Monitor

If your monitor wasn't automatically detected, you can choose it from the list. If you don't find your monitor or a compatible one, choose one with parameters corresponding to the monitor from the Generic entry, at the bottom.

2.2. Changing the Resolution

This tool enables you to change the current screen resolution (800x600, 1024x768, 1152x864, etc.) and the color depth. Simply choose the one you want to use.

Figure 6.3. Changing the Resolution of Your Screen

Changing the Resolution of Your Screen

The monitor in the window displays what the desktop will look like with the chosen configuration (see Figure 6.3, “Changing the Resolution of Your Screen”). If it looks good, click OK. The changes will be activated after you quit and restart your graphical environment.

Monitor and Resolution Ratio. By default, the available resolution list only shows resolutions supported by your video card and monitor combination. There is a special entry named Other that adds more possible resolutions along with their ratios. Bear in mind that most monitors are designed with a 4:3 horizontal vs. vertical ratio.

2.3. Controlling All Video Parameters

If you change your video card after installing your system, or want to have full control over the graphic configuration, run this tool.

Figure 6.4. XFdrake Main Window

XFdrake Main Window

The buttons allow you to change aspects of the graphical configuration:

Graphic Card

The button displays the name of the graphic card currently configured. Click on it if you want to change it. Depending on your card, different servers may be available, with or without 3D acceleration. You may need to try different ones until you get the best result.

[Note] Note

You may be asked if you want to use a proprietary driver for your card, answer Yes to use the driver provided by the card's manufacturer. This driver may give you access to more features and also make your card perform better on 3D applications, like games.

In case you cannot find the graphic card you have, but you know which driver supports it, select it from the Xorg entry at the bottom.

Monitor

Enables you to change the monitor with the tool described in Section 2.1, “Changing the Monitor”.

Resolution

Enables you to change the pixel resolution and the color depth with the tool described in Section 2.2, “Changing the Resolution”.

[Tip] Changing the resolution using the desktop applet

If you are using KDE, you can also change the screen resolution on the fly by using the screen resize applet, accessible by choosing System+Configuration+HardwareScreen Resize & Rotate from the main menu.

Other buttons are also available:

Test

Allows you to verify that your modifications actually work. It is highly recommended that you do test it, because if it does not work, it will be harder to recover a working graphical environment later. If the test fails, simply wait until it ends. If you are not satisfied with the suggested settings, choose No during the test, and you will return to XFdrake's main menu.

[Note] If the test is not available

Depending on your video card, video testing may not be available. You will be warned of such a situation. If it happens that the settings are incorrect and your display does not work, launch XFdrake as root in the console to use XFdrake's text version.

Options
Graphic card options

Depending on your hardware capabilities, you can choose to enable or disable specific features such as 3D acceleration or special visual effects (translucency).

Graphical interface at startup

Use this option to choose whether you want your machine to automatically switch to a graphical interface at boot. Obviously, you may want to select the No option if your machine is to act as a server, or if you were not successful in getting the display configured.

Quit

If you modify your graphical display in some way, the current configuration is displayed and XFdrake asks you whether you want to keep your changes or not. This is your last chance to go back to the old configuration. If all seems OK, click on Yes. If you want to restore the previous parameters, click on No.

The changes are activated after you confirm them and you restart your graphical environment.