16:9 desktop resize. How???

[rover8898]

Hello all,

I feel really dumb for asking this:

How do I resize my desktop area in order for my entire desktop to fit on my 16:9 LCD monitor?
What I mean is how to I make my desktop not have unseen areas above and below the LCD that can only be seen by moving the mouse. It is very bothersome to me. I am used to windows where the entire desktop is resized to fit the entire screen size.


None of the different available resolutions I can choose from are 16:9 ratios. When I tried 1600:1200 (I think it was that, I know it was 16XX:XXXX), my screen went all screwy and I needed to plug my old CRT monitor to see a clear image and consequently be able to reset my screen resolution. Obviously my LCD monitor could not handle the new appointed resolution. The resolution that I am currently using is 1680x1050.


Post-scriptum:
I downloaded the linux driver for my ATI RADEON 9500 PRO video card, thinking it should resolve the issue. It installed sucessfully but when I tried running the ATI catalyst software, the computer complained about a library (I think it was something like GLIBC 2.?. ). Anyway, I de-installed the new driver after some head-scratching. I came to the conclusion that there must be something I am not doing right because, after all, 16:9 monitors have been common for several years now and as a consequence RHEL 5.1 should be equipped for an 16:9 screen.


distro: RHEL 5.1 (client)


Any help will be appreciated
-Roger

[Roxoff]

Before you do anything back up the file /etc/X11/xorg.conf (copy it to xorg.conf.backup or summat like that - you'll need to be root of course to do that).

Use the tool 'system-config-display' to edit your video settings (it's available on the menu somewhere, but I forget where. This does the same thing).

In the past when I've had this problem I've resolved it in two ways - the first was to install the nVidia drivers ('cos I have nVidia graphics cards everywhere), but you've already tried your version of that. The second thing is to lie to the system about the monitor type I had. Tell it you have a generic monitor that supports the resolution you want to set.

If you break your config you can always fix it by copying your backup xorg.conf over the original, or by running 'system-config-display --reconfig'.