Toshiba ubuntu install

Im a complete linux newbie so I'll need, the 'for dummies answers' I have Ubuntu on my Toshiba Satellite 4000cds, works ok apart from I cant get ubuntu display the native LCD resolution of 800x600 the desktops just sits in the middle with a black border.. I cant find a driver for linux on the toshiba website either... before I purchased the laptop I check the soundcard compatibilites in another forum where someone left some system edit needed to make the yamaha sound card work, is there a simpler way of getting the soundcard to work?

Anybody help?