Monitor

Each Monitor section configures one type of monitor used by the system. This is an optional entry as well, as most monitors are now automatically detected.

The easiest way to configure a monitor is to configure X during the installation process or by using the X Configuration Tool. For more information about using the X Configuration Tool, refer to X Window System Configuration.

This example illustrates a typical Monitor section for a monitor:

Article "Monitor"
 Identifier   "Monitor0"
 VendorName   "Monitor Vendor"
 ModelName    "DDC Probed Monitor - ViewSonic G773-2"
 DisplaySize  320 240
 HorizSync    30.0 - 70.0
 VertRefresh  50.0 - 180.0
EndArticle

Be careful when manually editing values in the Monitor section of /etc/X11/xorg.conf. Inappropriate values can damage or destroy a monitor. Consult the monitor's documentation for a listing of safe operating parameters.

The following are commonly entries used in the Monitor section:

• Identifier - Specifies a unique name for this Monitor section. This is a required entry.

• VendorName - An optional parameter which specifies the vendor of the monitor.
• ModelName - An optional parameter which specifies the monitor's model name.
• DisplaySize - An optional parameter which specifies, in millimeters, the physical size of the monitor's picture area.
• HorizSync - Specifies the range of horizontal sync frequencies compatible with the monitor in kHz. These values help the X server determine the validity of built-in or specified Modeline entries for the monitor.
• VertRefresh - Specifies the range of vertical refresh frequencies supported by the monitor, in kHz. These values help the X server determine the validity of built in or specified Modeline entries for the monitor.
• Modeline - An optional parameter which specifies additional video modes for the monitor at particular resolutions, with certain horizontal sync and vertical refresh resolutions. Refer to the xorg.conf man page for a more detailed explanation of Modeline entries.
• Option "<option-name>" - An optional entry which specifies extra parameters for the section. Replace <option-name> with a valid option listed for this section in the xorg.conf man page.