Hi everyone,

I'm running at HP pavillion 764n with a Xcreen TF15 monitor and RedHat Linux 9. Everything starts up fine, but after the start up, the monitor says "signal frequency out of range, H 81.5 KHZ, V 74.7 Hz. Please change signal frequency" How do I get into safe mode and change the frequency to the appropriate range (or find out what the appropriate range is). I am not extremely familiar with linux, so if you can help, please be explicit about your directions!

Thanks!
Natasha

OK. I have been there and done that when I was a still a newbie, so I know how it feels. =)

Don't use quotes in any of the commands of course. =)

1. First, get to a command line. If your computer boots up to the command line and then you type "startx" to start the gui, that should be easy, since you're already at one. Go to step 3.. if you go straight to the gui continue at step 2.

2. OK, so you have to get to a command line. I am not 100% sure that this will work, but I am 99% sure... hit Ctrl+Alt+F2 to go to the second virtual terminal. It may take several seconds, but you should see something like (yourhostname) login:

3. You'll have to be root to fix this, so:

a. If you aren't logged in yet: just type "root"
b. if you're logged in as a regular user: type "su"

then hit enter, type your root password (the cursor will NOT move while you are typing it) then hit enter again.

4. "cd /etc/X11/" - to change directories to where the config file is

5. "pico XF86Config" - to edit the config file. If your XF86Config is named something else, type ls to try and find it.

6. Scroll down using the arrow keys till you see something like this:

Subsection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubsection
Subsection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubsection
Subsection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubsection
Subsection "Display"
Depth 32
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubsection

Delete the first resolution in all the sections, until the first one is one you know your monitor can display. I would say 1024x768 is fairly safe, unless of course that one is first already. =) (The first in the list is the one X will use).
Once you are done, type Ctrl+O to save, then Ctrl+X to quit when you're done saving.

7. Type "shutdown -r now" to reboot the computer.

8. All should be well once it reboots... if not, try using an even smaller resolution.

Sorry if that was a bit too detailed. =) Hope it wasn't too confusing either...

Mary

bump

Hi mary,

Sorry for such a delayed reply- that totally fixed it! Thanks SO much!!!

Cheers-
Natasha

I get:

bash: pico: command not found

what can I do?

-Justin

DO NOT POST A QUESTION LIKE "PICO NOT FOUND" IN SOMEONE ELSES THREAD.

IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR THOSE THAT READ IT AND THAT ARE HELPING.

DO NOT TELL ME TO SWITCH OFF MY CAPS LOCK.

PICO IS AN EDITOR.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE PICO, TRY 'VI' EDITOR.

IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT AN EDITOR IS, YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FIX ANYTHING ANYWAYS.

STOP POSTING CONSECUTIVE PROBLEMS IN OTHERS THREADS.

IF YOU FEEL AS THOUGH, YOU NEED TO POST A CONSECUTIVE PROBLEM,
strta a new thread.

Thanks for being so nice about it.

Saving? How do I save the edit I did?

-Justin

using 'vi'

you first press 'i' for insert.

then when you are done press 'ALT+w' <-------this takes it out of insert mode

then press ' : ' followed by ' wq' and < enter >

wq = write and quit
w! = write but stay in editor
q! = quit, do not save changes

vi is really easy to use.
mmkay.

also try 'man vi'

this will explain what I just did in greater detail.