Software to turn off monitor?

GoogleMe · 03-28-2005, 01:35 AM

I've recently installed FC3, used to have RH9. Many things changed, but one that bugs me the most is the monitor does not turn off now when the computer sits idle.

It turned off with RH9 right out of the box. But not with FC3. The screen just goes blank, but does not turn off. The hardware is fairly old, and only supports APM.

Where should I start to get the same behavior under FC3?

Thanks!

randyding · 03-28-2005, 01:54 AM

I had the same problem with RHEL 2,3,4, etc. Had to install the nvidia video driver then it would power down the monitor. Not familiar with APM? what is that again?
I don't know why their packaged "nv" driver does not do it anymore.

GoogleMe · 03-28-2005, 10:13 AM

APM = advanced power management, old. ACPI is the new.

I thought those were responsible for things like turning off the monitor, and I do have the right drivers, but no luck.

GoogleMe · 03-28-2005, 08:40 PM

No relevant advice guys?

randyding · 03-28-2005, 09:02 PM

Well give this a try, compile this little program by just sh'ing it and run the output called ssactive. It is using the dpms feature of X to power down the monitor. For me it only works once I install the drivers.
BTW, what is the make/model/chipset of your vid card?

Code:

//usr/bin/gcc -Wall -O2 -DNDEBUG -lGLU -o ssactive ssactive.c ; strip ssactive ; exit

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <string.h>
#include <unistd.h>
#include <X11/Xlib.h>
#include <X11/extensions/dpms.h>

int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
    Display *display;
    display=XOpenDisplay(NULL);
    if (display) {
        if (argc>1 && !strcmp("ss",argv[1])) {
            XActivateScreenSaver(display);
        } else {
            DPMSEnable(display);
            DPMSForceLevel(display,DPMSModeOff);
        }
        sleep(1);
        XCloseDisplay(display);
    }
    return 0;
}

GoogleMe · 03-28-2005, 09:22 PM

Hehe. No X on the Linux box.

I have Microsoft Windows for that.

randyding · 03-28-2005, 09:25 PM

Oops, I misunderstood the problem. Actually I've never seen the monitor power down without X going, when you just have the root console and a login prompt. If it ever did, I was unaware of it.

GoogleMe · 03-28-2005, 09:56 PM

It definitely did it under the RH9 console, with the bare minimum installed too.

I thought setterm could do it, but it doesn't seem to work.

[me@here ~]# apm -v
APM BIOS 1.2 (kernel driver 1.16ac)
AC on-line, battery status high: 100%

[me@here ~]# setterm -powersave on
cannot (un)set powersave mode

Snerkel · 12-27-2005, 07:43 PM

Hiya im the same as you, i run a few Gentoo serv's never with X. But i have never had the screen power down, only just go blank. Never really thought of it until i read your thread ive always just turned off the monitors.

My hardware isnt old at all though, P4, LCD etc etc. Did you ever get this working? If so how did you do it because i would be interested to know

Thanks,

Ben.