Color Calibrating Your Monitor

To display your preset configuration more accurately, your Silicon Graphics 1600SW flat panel comes with an integrated color calibration system. While this step is optional, it will configure your panel more closely to the settings you have chosen in your preset configuration.

To use this feature, please follow these steps:

  1. Determine your desired preset configuration (see “Creating Presets”) and click Apply.

  2. Click Calibrate.

    A new calibration window will appear in the center of your screen. Do not move it.

  3. Attach your Gamma Sensor to the flat panel following the instructions and diagrams provided in the O2 Workstations: Flat Panel Monitor Adapter Installation Guide. Please be certain that the rounded end of the Gamma Sensor sits over the calibration window.

  4. Click OK to begin the automated procedure. Diagnostic messages will appear as the cycle progresses.

  5. To stop the calibration cycle, click Cancel at any time.

  6. The calibration window will disappear once the cycle completes. You may remove the Gamma Sensor.

Your panel is now calibrated. Depending on the amount you use the panel, you may need to recalibrate to maintain color accuracy. For the average user, we recommend every 1 to 2 months.


Note: To ensure that preset configurations are loaded each time a user begins an Xsession, all color managed user accounts should have the following line added to the $HOME/.sgisession file:


/usr/sbin/flatpanel -nogui

Upon logging into an account configured in this manner, your last active preset configuration will automatically be loaded for your system.

Without such a change, you will need to run the Silicon Graphics 1600SW Settings control panel each time you begin a new Xsession. In a multiuser environment, such a change is mandatory if each user wishes to use the flat panel calibrated to his or her own liking. Additionally, each user should perform a calibration of the panel, particularly if the room lighting or other workarea conditions differ between users. Calibration data is stored in the file

$HOME/.desktop-[hostname]/fp1600sw


Tip: Keep in mind that you should always use the Screen Saver program with the Power Saver option selected to prolong the life of your backlights (and, in turn, reduce the need for frequent recalibration with the Gamma Sensor).



Note: The login screen saver is not affected by the Screen Saver settings of any user including root. We recommend that you edit the file


/var/X11/xdm/Xlogin

Look for the line which includes the command

if [ -x /usr/bin/X11/xset ] ; then
/usr/bin/X11/xset s [seconds] [seconds]
fi

We suggest altering both arguments in the second line to one-half the values shown. For example,

if [ -x /usr/bin/X11/xset ] ; then
/usr/bin/X11/xset s 600 1200
fi

becomes

if [ -x /usr/bin/X11/xset ] ; then
/usr/bin/X11/xset s 300 600
fi

See the xset reference page for more details.