Determining monitor scan/synch rates

[Beanbag]

I've started taking a serious look at Linux/Unix as an OS replacement for Windows XP. I've grown weary of being a member of the Critical Update of the Week Club.

Exactly what flavor of Linux is immaterial at this point. What I've found in my research is that you need to know the scan and synch rates for whatever monitor you plan on using. The install program needs the information.

Normally, for most folks this would not be a problem -- you look in the manual that came with the monitor. In my case, however, I haven't bought a new monitor in DECADES -- I frequent used and surplus outlets and pick up useful hardware for a few cents on the dollar. None of my current monitors have manuals, and some of them don't even have a manufacturer's nameplate.

Obviously, the video card or system in my PC has to know what the rates are for the nmonitor attached to it. Is there some utility that can find out what they are? Or is there some menu buried in Windows XP that I can get to that would tell me?

Regards;
Beanbag

[evildave]

Most of the recent Linux installers have a big, fat list of monitor profiles by monitor brand/model. Usually, if your monitor isn't listed, the "generic" monitor settings work fine.

You only need to edit the configuration settings for realy odd hardware.

[NightG1]

Originally posted by Beanbag
I've started taking a serious look at Linux/Unix as an OS replacement for Windows XP. I've grown weary of being a member of the Critical Update of the Week Club.

Exactly what flavor of Linux is immaterial at this point. What I've found in my research is that you need to know the scan and synch rates for whatever monitor you plan on using. The install program needs the information.

Normally, for most folks this would not be a problem -- you look in the manual that came with the monitor. In my case, however, I haven't bought a new monitor in DECADES -- I frequent used and surplus outlets and pick up useful hardware for a few cents on the dollar. None of my current monitors have manuals, and some of them don't even have a manufacturer's nameplate.

Obviously, the video card or system in my PC has to know what the rates are for the nmonitor attached to it. Is there some utility that can find out what they are? Or is there some menu buried in Windows XP that I can get to that would tell me?

Regards;
Beanbag
Beanbag:

I got lucky a while back and found a copy of my monitor's spec sheet on the internet. The monitor was about 7 years old. I had to do this when I installed Mandrake since I had lost my owners manual in a move.

[scribble]

You can also usually guess. Experts will tell you guessing can screw up your monitor, but in practice, assuming 60hz is usually safe, any monitor I've seen can operate at just about any resolution at that frequency. The higher the resolution, the lower the 'safe' frequency... but 60hz is safe in almost all circumstances. If you have a very, very old monitor then you may want to stick to lower resolutions (1024x768 and below).

[Captain_Snort]

do you have the manual that came with the monitor?

does it have a backplate on the monitor that explains it?

if that fails try

http://www.monitorworld.com/monitors_home.html

hope this is of use

I got an old Hitachi 20 mvx plus and this website told me the specs for it when hitahi website had no info at all