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UBUNTU SCREEN RESOLUTION
romer - 19/10/07 at 12:17 PM

Hi there, just wondered if anyone can help me here please.

Just recently loaded Linux Ubuntu onto a spare HD as I really want to get into Linux and kick MS away.
It was a version that came with Computer Active magazine - v7.04 IIRC.

I have a 19" wide screen monitor that is capable of 1440 x 960 (as is my graphics card), but can't get that option to be available.
I've googled the problem and found a possible cure, but it doesn't work.

Has anyone dabled with this version of Linux that might be able to help - in Laymans terms?

Thanks in advance

James - 19/10/07 at 12:35 PM

I gave up with this problem in the end!

britishtrident - 19/10/07 at 01:15 PM

Save yourself a lot of grief and load Mint Linux, Ubuntu dosen't really come ready configured.
Mint is a pre-configured desktop version of Ubuntu with all the multimedia stuff installed.

The video drivers for the two most common brands are included in Mint and are easy to configure along with destop effects.

Also for best clarity from you monitor on any operating system use its "native" resolution not is maximum.

Mal - 19/10/07 at 01:19 PM

Ubuntu is now up to version 7.1 on their website. It was released a few days ago.

Mal

Humbug - 19/10/07 at 02:23 PM

I had the same problem with PC Linux OS - never managed to fix it... and as an aside I don't think you should have to use a less-than-full resolution of your screen- I have tried mine at different resolutions and I prefer it at max.


Might give Mint a try, though... anyone know for sure if it works with widescreens?

romer - 19/10/07 at 02:28 PM

Thanks for the responses folks.

Will try the Linuxmint download tonight - might take awhile at 690mb though

Will I be best to remove Ubuntu before I try and install Linuxmint in it's place ??


Cheers

Jerry

britishtrident - 19/10/07 at 03:06 PM

just let Mint Installer guide you through the installation.

romer - 19/10/07 at 04:00 PM

quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
just let Mint Installer guide you through the installation.


Ok will try that and report back when done . . . . . . . . . or pulling my hair out and looking for some assistance

Jerry

SixedUp - 19/10/07 at 04:20 PM

It sounds like Ubuntu didn't detect the capabilities of your hardware properly. If you're sure your card and monitor can do that resolution, and you want to take one last try with Ubuntu before downloading Mint, then do the following:

Open a terminal (Applications->Accessories->Terminal) and type "sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf". You'll need to enter your password.

An editor should open up. Scroll down using the cursor keys, looking for a section like this: 

code:
 

Section "Screen" 

        Identifier      "Default Screen" 

        Device          "Generic Video Card" 

        Monitor         "Generic Monitor" 

        DefaultDepth    24 

        SubSection "Display" 

                Depth           1 

                Modes           "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768" 

        EndSubSection 

        SubSection "Display" 

                Depth           4 

                Modes           "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768" 

        EndSubSection 

        SubSection "Display" 

                Depth           8 

                Modes           "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768" 

        EndSubSection 

        SubSection "Display" 

                Depth           15 

                Modes           "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768" 

        EndSubSection 

        SubSection "Display" 

                Depth           16 

                Modes           "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768" 

        EndSubSection 

        SubSection "Display" 

                Depth           24 

                Modes           "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768" 

        EndSubSection 

EndSection


Add into the "Modes" lines an extra resolution (in quotes) that matches what you want - in your case "1440x960". Press Control-o, and confirm you want to overwrite the file. Logout and log back in. You should now be able to select 1440x960 from the resolution changer (System->Preferences->Screen Resolution).

If that doesn't work (or your monitor complains of the signal being out of range) then by all means try Mint, but be aware that Mint is based on an older version of Ubuntu, so there is every chance that it won't recognise that your hardware can do that resolution either.

Good luck!
Richard

Peteff - 19/10/07 at 10:39 PM

Some here on the subject. Mine updated to the new gutsy gibbon release this morning, I can't see much difference though.

Humbug - 20/10/07 at 10:10 PM

Downloaded both Mint 3.1 and Kubuntu 7.1 (latest of both, as far as I am aware), burned CDs and tried both in CD mode only (i.e. without installing). result:

Mint - didn't recognise my 1400x900 screen. Also (IMHO, before anyone gets arsy ), I thought it looked a bit weedy, but maybe I'm too much of a fiddler ad tweaker (computers...)

Kubuntu - recognised my screen (1400x900 Hanns-G) out of the box. I also prefer the look and feel, layout, etc.

romer - 24/10/07 at 09:23 AM

Thanks for all the advise guys.
Managed to get a look at it last night and tried downloading linuxmint but stopped it after a while as it was going to take forever

Tried what you suggested Richard and that worked. I had checked my XP HD first and that runs at 1440x900 (not 960 as I orginally said), so I new the hardware was capable.

So, just my e-mail system to sort, printer, scanner, removable USB drives, camera, video camera and sound, then should be sorted

Thanks again,

Jerry