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Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2012 08:40:37 -0700 (MST)
From: Warren Block <wblock@wonkity.com>
To: Matthew Seaman <matthew@freebsd.org>
Subject: Re: question about my new Dell 3010
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On Sun, 9 Dec 2012, Matthew Seaman wrote:

> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DVI_Connector_Types.svg
>
> Most DVI monitor cables have a DVI-D dual link plug on them, but
> anything matching those patterns is proof positive of DVI.
>
> VGA connectors looks like this:
>
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vga-cable.jpg
>
> Anyhow, the point is if you're using a DVI connector, X will be able to
> query the monitor and find out its preferred resolution etc.
> automatically.  Whereas with a VGA connector, it will default to using
> one of the standard VGA series of resolutions.

Actually, DDC works on VGA connectors also:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Display_Data_Channel

These limited resolutions are almost certainly due to the KMS Intel 
driver being needed but the system not being built to support it.  So 
the vesa driver is loaded instead, offering only a few legacy 
resolutions.