From owner-freebsd-questions Fri Jun 5 16:46:41 1998 Return-Path: Received: (from majordom@localhost) by hub.freebsd.org (8.8.8/8.8.8) id QAA13890 for freebsd-questions-outgoing; Fri, 5 Jun 1998 16:46:41 -0700 (PDT) (envelope-from owner-freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG) Received: from dc1.mfn.org (dc1.mfn.org [204.238.179.1]) by hub.freebsd.org (8.8.8/8.8.8) with SMTP id QAA13873 for ; Fri, 5 Jun 1998 16:46:20 -0700 (PDT) (envelope-from sysadmin@mfn.org) Received: from w3svcs.mfn.org (unverified [204.238.179.11]) by mail.mfn.org (EMWAC SMTPRS 0.83) with SMTP id ; Fri, 05 Jun 1998 18:48:36 -0500 Received: by w3svcs.mfn.org with Microsoft Mail id <01BD90B2.44A71160@w3svcs.mfn.org>; Fri, 5 Jun 1998 18:46:36 -0500 Message-ID: <01BD90B2.44A71160@w3svcs.mfn.org> From: "J.A. Terranson" To: "'Kerby Smith'" , "freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG" Subject: RE: frying monitors Date: Fri, 5 Jun 1998 18:46:35 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Sender: owner-freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG Precedence: bulk X-Loop: FreeBSD.ORG Dear Kerby... That warning probably shouldn't exist anymore, if for no other reason than the reaction you are having now! The facts are these: (1) Yes, on *certain* monitors (none of recent manufacture AFAIK), it is poosible to actually torch (set fire) a monitor via software. This is done by subjecting it so severe overdriving, by playing with the sync and refresh rates. (2) AFAIK, it's not likely to happen (even to a susceptable monitor) unless you manage to [incorrectly] configure it in *just* the wrong way, *AND* you then let it just sit there without doing anything about it (for a period of minutes, *not* seconds). Of course, if you are so unconcerned about things that you just walk away from an install in progress, then you probably don't care what happens anyway :) (3) I may be mistaken, but I don't believe modern (read: SVGA) multi-synchronous monitors are subject to this. And since better that 95% of us are using these, (I'm probably the *only* one on this list who uses MDA and CGA almost exclusively!) it shouldn't be a big concern. (4) If you screw up your settings, you'll know *immediately*! Just redo it, and you should be fine! Enjoy! J.A. Terranson sysadmin@mfn.org -----Original Message----- From: Kerby Smith [SMTP:kerby@bengali.npl.com] Sent: Friday, June 05, 1998 5:44 PM To: freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: frying monitors hi, sorry if i did this whole thing wrong, this is my first time writing to a help thingy hehe... im VERY new to FreeBSD... so new i havent even installed it yet... but was reading some so i could learn some stuff new people have problems with before *i* start. i had a question about this: run xf86config as root (very carefully! a wrong answer can fry your monitor so run it again if you made a mistake) setting it up wrong can LITERALLY fry my monitor!? i mean like, to where it explodes, smokes, or stuff like that? things that i have to buy a new monitor for!? sorry to seem so shocked, i just, have never heard of software having the ability to kill someone's monitor (and im kinda worried now cause i have a expensive 17" heh) thanks alot kerby smith :) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Kerby Smith kerby@bengali.npl.com I am Guilty of Murder... Blame me for the death of Jesus Christ, because it was for my sins that he was tortured and crucified! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-questions" in the body of the message To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-questions" in the body of the message