Graphics Administration Guide (October 2009)

also be specified. The virtual screen allows you to have a “root window” larger than what can
be displayed on the monitor. (for example, the monitor may be a 800x600 display, but have a
1280x1024 virtual size). The Virtual keyword is used to specify this size. Note that many of the
new accelerated graphics drivers use non-displayed memory for caching. It is not desirable to
use all available memory for the virtual display, as this leaves none for caching, and this can
decrease server performance. Display subsections have the following format:
SubSection "Display"
Depth <depth>
Visual <visual>
Modes "ModeName"
ViewPort <x0> <y0>
Option ...
...
EndSubSection
The Depth entry specifies what color depth the Display subsection is to be used for. Only depths
of 8 and 24 are supported.
The Modes entry specifies the list of video modes to use. Each ModeName specified must be in
double quotes. They must correspond to those specified or referenced in the appropriate Monitor
section. The server will delete modes from this list which don't satisfy various requirements. The
first valid mode in this list will be the default display mode for startup. The list of valid modes
is converted internally into a circular list. It is possible to switch to the next mode with
Ctrl+Alt+Keypad-Plus and to the previous mode with Ctrl+Alt+Keypad-Minus. When this entry
is omitted, the largest valid mode referenced by the appropriate Monitor section will be used.
For Integrated Remote Console, the Modes entry is restricted to 1024x768, the maximum allowed
by the IRC hardware.
The Visual entry is optional and sets the default root visual type.
The visual type available for the depth 8 is: PseudoColor
The visual type available for depth 24 is: TrueColor
The ViewPort optional entry sets the upper left corner of the initial display. This is only relevant
when the virtual screen resolution is different from the resolution of the initial video mode. If
this entry is not given, then the initial display will be centered in the virtual display area. Source:
XF86Config man page.
Option flags may be specified in the Display subsections. These may include driver-specific
options or driver-independent options. The former are described in the driver-specific
documentation. Some of the latter are described above in the section about the Screen section,
and they may also be included here. However, options set in the Display subsection may be
“overridden” in the Screen section.
Monitor section
The configuration file may have multiple Monitor sections. The Monitor section provides
information about the specifications of the monitor, monitor-specific Options, and information
about the video modes to use with the monitor. There must be at least one Monitor section, for
the monitor being used. A Monitor section is considered “active” if it is referenced by an active
Screen section. Monitor sections have the following format:
Section “Monitor”
Identifier “MonitorID”
VendorName “Vname”
ModelName “Mname”
HorizSync horizsync-range
VertRefresh vertrefresh-range
DisplaySize width height
Option …
EndSection
The Identifier entry specifies the unique name for this monitor.
18 configuring X Server on HP-UX (OEM graphics cards)