[ale] desktop size

[Mike Kachline]

On Sat, 19 Jun 1999, Tom wrote:

> I am trying to reduce the desktop size from the current 4x to my screen
> size. I tried running
> "xf86config" but it was not apparent where to change this setting. I know
> this is
> supposed to be a feature, but after a month of trying to get use to it, I
> still
> don't like.  Any help?
<snip>

	Tom,

	My first suggestion would be to use "XF86Setup" to configure your
box. This program has a section called "Modeselection" which, if you were
to only select one mode, then this would be quite simple.

	However, in "xf86setup", you specify your screen sizes on the
form that resembles...

<screenshot>
"640x480" "800x600" for 24bpp
"640x480" "800x600" for 32bpp

Note that 16, 24 and 32bpp are only supported on a few configurations.
Modes that cannot be supported due to monitor or clock constraints will
be automatically skipped by the server.

 1  Change the modes for 8pp (256 colors)
 2  Change the modes for 16bpp (32K/64K colors)
 3  Change the modes for 24bpp (24-bit color, packed pixel)
 4  Change the modes for 32bpp (24-bit color)
 5  The modes are OK, continue.

Enter your choice:
</screenshot>


	I usually start with 8pp (press 1) then when it asks for which
modes you want on the screen...

<screenshot>
b  "1800x1400"
 c  "512x384"

Please type the digits corresponding to the modes that you want to select.
For example, 432 selects "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480", with a
default mode of 1024x768.

Which modes? 
</screenshot>

	I'll specify 9432. "9432" meaning, default to
mode 9 (which is 1152x864), then, the next mode down is 1024x768, then
800x600, then 640x480. Finally, when it asks you whether you want a
virtual screen larger than your physical screen, say "no".
	Once you've finished configuring your 8bpp settings, you'll be
taken back to the "5 The modes are OK, continue ... Enter your choice:"
form. From here, you'll probably want to specify the same modes (ie 9432)
for 16bpp, 24bpp and 32bpp. The implicit thing to remember in this whole
ordeal is that the *first* mode you specify (ie 9) is what X will try to
bump into first when you startx.


						Hope this helps,
							- Mike
====================================================================
Michael Kachline CS, Georgia Institute of Technlology
kachline at brightstar.gt.ed.net
http://brightstar.gt.ed.net/kachline
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