Columns x Rows: A monitor issue

Hello, all.

Ever since I have started with Linux, I have had an annoying problem. Every distro I try does not initially "see" my monitor. Anything that uses Knoppix-based hardware detection always asks me for cols x rows. For the life of me, I cannot find this spec anywhere. Is there some way to find out / convert from resolution specs?

Monitor:
17 inch HP "S70" (D7740 in Europe, D7480A in North America. I have the D7480A)

Avail. resolutions:(res@refresh)
640x480@60,75,85Hz
720x400@70Hz
800x600@60,75,85Hz
1024x768@60, 70, 85Hz

Horz. Sync:
50-120Hz

Vert. Y sync:
60-85Hz (analog)
60Hz (digital)

Active display area horizontal:
306mm (12.05in)

Vertical:
230mm (9.06in)

I have other specs, but they probably don't apply to the question.

Any help would be appreciated.

Anyone have any idea? Any idea where I can go to get this info? I can't believe with all these guru's here, I have posted a stumper.....:(

Knoppix/Morphix/Yoper seems to think I ought to know this "spec"......