Help with X

[daik]

Hello all,
On my computer (Mandriva 2007.0) my xorg.conf only lists one resolution for my screen (1280x800) I would like to add a few lower resolutions, but I am unsure of the syntax of the xorg.conf file. Can someone help me out? I read the man page for the conf file, as well as read the file but I am still not certain as to where and what to add, or what risks are involved with editing/adding to this file.

[oz]

Post your current /etc/X11/xorg.conf file and the additional resolutions that you want to add and someone can show you how the file should look with the changes in place.

[daik]

Here is my current xorg.conf
I would like to add
640x480 (in 8,16 and 24/32 bit colour)
800x600 (same as above)
1024x768 (same as above)

I am aware that these resolutions are not the same proportions as 1280x800.

[oz]

Just curious... do you have two monitors hooked up to this system, or do you use an alternate monitor? The xorg.conf file tends to indicate that you do.

If so, do you need the added resolutions for both monitors?

[oz]

Here is my current xorg.conf
I would like to add
640x480 (in 8,16 and 24/32 bit colour)
800x600 (same as above)
1024x768 (same as above)

I am aware that these resolutions are not the same proportions as 1280x800.

Be aware that flat screen LCD monitors usually have a native resolution and any other resolution can look not so good on the same screen. For my flat panel monitor, it's 1280x1024. Anything else looks pretty much useless in my opinion, although it could be used for emergency recovery.

Anyway, you can add the extra resolutions to your xorg.conf file by going to a konsole (or terminal), su to root, then enter:

nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf

You just need to add the following at the end of each modes line toward the bottom of the file:

"1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"

... so that it looks like this:

        Modes "1280x800" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"

Once edited, save the file, and restart X.

I can't say for sure that the new resolutions will work, or look good on your screen if it's native resolution is 1280x800.

Let us know how it goes.

[daik]

Thanks for your replies, I will give that a go.
I do not have two monitors right now. It is a laptop, and I did try to get it to work to "just plug" a second monitor in. I never managed to get that to work, and just left my xorg.conf alone (it was working for my single screen).

I want a few more resolutions so when I play dosbox games, and wine games they can use full screen without being cut off (which is the case right now).

Again thanks for your insights, I will try your advice very soon

[daik]

I updated my xorg.conf and I now have more resolutions available when I use "Screen resolution" from the Gnome menus. It did not sole my problem with dosbox and wine games, but that was just a slim hope I had anyway.
So thank you for your help, it was valuable to me!