Linux Format forums

bof · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 4:52 pm Post subject: ubuntu screen resolution

Hello again.
Trying out Suse and ubuntu and I have a job on at present which benefits from multiple screens. For this reason I am using ubuntu because I like the mutli screen option.
I am trying to get my 19" Gateway Moniter FPD1960 to work at its native 1280x 1024 resolution.
System/preferences/screen resolution gives me a maximum option of 1024 x 768.
My video card is ATI Radeon.
Can you tell me how to get the correct resolution?

If this is difficult I could revert to Suse 10.1 which works fine at 1280 x 1024 but as far as I can see doesn't have multiple window facilitiies Ideally I would have liked to operate the Gateway monitor as a second screen. I haven't been able to make that work yet in either distro (it's easy in Windows Evil or Very Mad

Suggestions please?
_________________
Local shop built Desktop AMD core duo 4700 dual booting Vista and Ubuntu 7.10

GMorgan · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 5:06 pm Post subject: RE: ubuntu screen resolution

You need to alter /etc/X11/xorg.conf to do this. There is a configuration program to do it for you but I can't remember it. I will have a look around and if I can't recall the command I will post a line to add to xorg.

//edit - first backup xorg.conf
#sudo cp -L /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.bak
then try
#sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

That should run the xorg configuration tool which will eventually allow you to set the available resolutions IIRC. Then reboot.
If it doesn't work I will look at editing xorg.conf manually.
you may want to write the following down somewhere
#sudo rm /etc/X11/xorg.conf
#sudo mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf.bak /etc/X11/xorg.conf
If you get a command line on reboot (worst case scenario) running those commands then entering
#reboot
should get you back to where you were before.//

bof · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 5:51 pm Post subject: RE: ubuntu screen resolution

Thanks for the swift reply, I did as you suggested - what a rigmarole - but the result is no change.
I accepted all the defaults as I went through the questions except I changed ny Video card from Radeon 9000 (as suggested) to Radeon 7500. I also expanded the range of refresh rates to include the figures in the monitor handbook and inserted the name of my Gateway monitor.
My etc/X11/xorg.config now looks like this.

Section "Device"
Identifier "ATI Technologies, Inc. Radeon Mobility M7 LW [Radeon Mobility 7500]"
Driver "ati"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Generic MonitorGateway FPD1960"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync 28-64
VertRefresh 43-61
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "ATI Technologies, Inc. Radeon Mobility M7 LW [Radeon Mobility 7500]"
Monitor "Generic MonitorGateway FPD1960"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 1
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Can I just wade in and change stuff? If so, what?
_________________
Local shop built Desktop AMD core duo 4700 dual booting Vista and Ubuntu 7.10

M0PHP · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 6:26 pm Post subject: RE: ubuntu screen resolution

This will probably help: Ubuntu Wiki: FixVideoResolutionHowto Smile

_________________

coolclassic · LXF regular Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2005 3:15 pm Posts: 108

Why don't you manually edit the xorg.conf file yourself by putting in your own resolution. i.e.

Depth 1
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"

Depth 1
Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"

Make sure you make a back up first.
_________________
The world is your playground why don't you play.

Steogede · LXF regular Joined: Thu May 04, 2006 6:39 pm Posts: 132

Your best bet would probably to use SaX2 (you can access it via YaST) to make the necessary changes to the config files. That or install the proprietary ATI drivers, available from ATI's website - if they support your graphics card. The ATI drivers have a very simple control panel which isn't dis-similar to what you get when you right click on the desktop in Windows.

Installing the ATI drivers can be a bit of a faff. You need to install gcc, make, and the kernel sources first - don't let that worry you though you don't need to install anything, the driver installer takes care of that, you just need to follow the simple instructions and reboot.

GMorgan · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 7:25 pm Post subject: RE: ubuntu screen resolution

As was mentioned simply adding the resolution should work. I thought dpkg -reconfigure would give you an option for resolutions. If you've made a backup theres no risk.

bof · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 8:41 pm Post subject:

GMorgan · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 8:48 pm Post subject:

Colour depths. Helpfully 24 means 32 which makes it as clear as mud in Linux though technically correct (I read an explaination which says why its 24 and 32 at the same time but more correctly 24).