Ubuntu 9.04 Screen resolution too low

[Yorkie]

I have used "Sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-org" to get my monitor to a screen resolution of 1280 x 1024.

It goes through the motions and usually hangs in the process. However it works and changes the screen resolution on the next boot up.
After a while between uses it reverts back to 800 x 600 and the higher resolution in not available in the "System - Preferences - display" window.

How can I get this 1280 x 1024 option to be in the available selection and better still be the default choice?

Regard, Yorkie.

DELL OPTIPLEX GX240 SF}P4 1.6GHZ/256K, INTEG
256MB SDRAM MEMORY, (1X128MB)
80GB IDE HARD DRIVE
16MB ATI RAGE 128 ULTRA GRAPHICS CARD

[df6269]

You shall attempt to modify xorg.conf file.
Here is how to configure it for reference.
BSD/Linux Tutorial Zone: How to change X window configuration (Ubuntu, openSUSE, Fedora)

Regards,
Bryan Yu
lifestory.moqin.com

[mousomer]

I have the same problem on ubuntu (and debian and mandriva). You need to make mure that the screen is on at boot time. I wonder if it's a known bug.

[Yorkie]

I've tried the solution offered by df6269 but It won't let me change the xorg.conf file even as root or sudo.

There may be a further complication in that I am using a KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) switch to change between the Linux and windows computers.
I have tried ensuring that the screen is switched to the Linux box before booting up but it is no guarantee that it will come up with the correct resolution.

I'll keep trying to find a pattern. Sometimes I log in as root and sometimes as a regular user.
Sometimes I switch the Windows box on first and others the Linux.

Regards, Yorkie.

[Cida]

I have the same problem, I've tried editing xorg.conf, but most of the code is comments, and it doesn't have any screen resolutions in it, no 640x480 or 800x600 any where to add 1024x768, my screen resolution on ubuntu is 640x480, in terminal (with xrandr) it says the max is 800x600, and when I set it to that it does it in panning mode, Im new to Linux, I also have ubuntu 9.04, I like it, but I only go on it to have another go at sorting the screen res out, I would find it a much more enjoyable experience if I cold just sort the res out.

[devils casper]

Post the contents of /etc/X11/xorg.conf file here.
Post the output of this too :

sudo lspci | grep -i vga

[Cida]

01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation NV17 [GeForce4 MX 440] (rev a3)

And xorg.conf

# xorg.conf (X.Org X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# Note that some configuration settings that could be done previously
# in this file, now are automatically configured by the server and settings
# here are ignored.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
#   sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section "Monitor"
	Identifier	"Configured Monitor"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
	Identifier	"Default Screen"
	Monitor		"Configured Monitor"
	Device		"Configured Video Device"
	DefaultDepth	24
	Option	"AddARGBGLXVisuals"	"True"
EndSection

Section "Module"
	Load	"glx"
EndSection

Section "Device"
	Identifier	"Configured Video Device"
	Driver	"nvidia"
	Option	"NoLogo"	"True"
EndSection

[devils casper]

Edit xorg.conf file and reboot machine.

 Section "Module"
    Load    "glx"
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier    "Configured Video Device"
    Driver    "nvidia"
    Option    "NoLogo"    "True"
EndSection


Section "Monitor"
    Identifier    "Generic Monitor"
    Option        "DPMS"
    HorizSync    30-71
    VertRefresh    50-160
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier    "Default Screen"
    Device        "Configured Video Device"
    Monitor        "Generic Monitor"
    DefaultDepth    24
    SubSection "Display"
        Depth        24
        Modes        "1280x1024" "1024x768" 
    EndSubSection
EndSection

[Yorkie]

Hi devils casper,

I read your post for the modification of the xorg.conf file for the last user.

Would you be so kind as to look at the one for mine?

This is the contents of /etc/x11 xorg.conf

# xorg.conf (X.Org X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
#   sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

# commented out by update-manager, HAL is now used
#Section "InputDevice"
#	Identifier	"Generic Keyboard"
#	Driver		"kbd"
#	Option		"XkbRules"	"xorg"
#	Option		"XkbModel"	"pc105"
#	Option		"XkbLayout"	"gb"
#EndSection

# commented out by update-manager, HAL is now used
#Section "InputDevice"
#	Identifier	"Configured Mouse"
#	Driver		"mouse"
#	Option		"CorePointer"
#EndSection

Section "Device"
	Identifier	"Configured Video Device"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
	Identifier	"Configured Monitor"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
	Identifier	"Default Screen"
	Monitor		"Configured Monitor"
	Device		"Configured Video Device"
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
	Identifier	"Default Layout"
	Screen		"Default Screen"
EndSection

The output of sudo lspci | grep -i vga

01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc Rage 128 Pro Ultra TF
guest@linux-desktop:~$

Regards, Yorkie.

[Cida]

Edit xorg.conf file and reboot machine.

 Section "Module"
    Load    "glx"
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier    "Configured Video Device"
    Driver    "nvidia"
    Option    "NoLogo"    "True"
EndSection


Section "Monitor"
    Identifier    "Generic Monitor"
    Option        "DPMS"
    HorizSync    30-71
    VertRefresh    50-160
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier    "Default Screen"
    Device        "Configured Video Device"
    Monitor        "Generic Monitor"
    DefaultDepth    24
    SubSection "Display"
        Depth        24
        Modes        "1280x1024" "1024x768" 
    EndSubSection
EndSection

Haha, thanks for that man it worked, although another issue I have is every time I've edited the xorg.conf file (I've reinstalled 3 times) first and second time it was just changing the default depth to 16, every time after editing it, some things just come up blank, administrative things like the terminal, and when I install something it prompts up a blank box, which I assumed must be a pass prompt, so I put my pass in an press enter an it works, but its blank, along with system monitor and on every window there is no minimise, maximise or close, I only get them options if I right click on the tab on the bottom panel, an this all happens every time I edit the xorg.conf, no matter what's in it.


Edit: Ah, I see its only when I have Normal/Extra visual effects, it works if I have none, Im fine switching to none when I need to use these, but don't suppose you have another magical solution anyway?