Can't seem to change resolutions anymore

[newlinux]

I seem to be stuck at 1280x800. I used to be able to change to 1024x768 and 800x600. Now when I do that it changes for a split second, and then X crashes (I go to terminal) and restarts back at 1280x800. I tried dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg, but It didn't help and went back to the previous xorg.conf that worked before. Who knows what I've done now. help!

My current xorg.conf (what I restored it to)

# /etc/X11/xorg.conf (xorg 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 /etc/X11/xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man /etc/X11/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

Section "Files"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/misc"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/cyrillic"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi"
# path to defoma fonts
FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "i2c"
Load "bitmap"
Load "ddc"
Load "dri"
Load "extmod"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx"
Load "int10"
Load "type1"
Load "vbe"
Load "synaptics"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "CoreKeyboard"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc104"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Protocol" "ExplorerPS/2"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Synaptics Touchpad"
Driver "synaptics"
Option "SendCoreEvents" "true"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Protocol" "auto-dev"
Option "HorizScrollData" "0"
Option "SHMConfig" "1"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Driver "wacom"
Identifier "stylus"
Option "Device" "/dev/wacom" # Change to
# /dev/input/event
# for USB
Option "Type" "stylus"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Driver "wacom"
Identifier "eraser"
Option "Device" "/dev/wacom" # Change to
# /dev/input/event
# for USB
Option "Type" "eraser"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Driver "wacom"
Identifier "cursor"
Option "Device" "/dev/wacom" # Change to
# /dev/input/event
# for USB
Option "Type" "cursor"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Intel Corporation Mobile 915GM/GMS/910GML Express Graphics Controller"
Driver "i810"
BusID "PCI:0:2:0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Generic Monitor"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync 28-64
VertRefresh 43-60
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "Intel Corporation Mobile 915GM/GMS/910GML Express Graphics Controller"
Monitor "Generic Monitor"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 1
Modes "1280x800"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4
Modes "1280x800"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1280x800"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "1280x800"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1280x800"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1280x800"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "Default Screen"
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
InputDevice "Synaptics Touchpad"
InputDevice "stylus" "SendCoreEvents"
InputDevice "cursor" "SendCoreEvents"
InputDevice "eraser" "SendCoreEvents"
EndSection

Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection

[newlinux]

i should add this is the gazelle value 12.1"

[crichell]

Intel 915GM chip can do different resolutions but the LCD on that model is designed for 1280x800. Your xorg.conf looks perfect too. I'm curious though - why are you trying to get a lower resolution?

[newlinux]

been staring too long at the screen these last few days. thought a resolution change might help my tired eyes. I can just go back to my house and use my desktop or hook it up to my external monitor. Maybe I'll increase the font sizes on the applications that I can. Thanks again for the always quick responses.

[ubernerd356]

I have a very similar problem and my xorg.conf looks exactly the same as the one above. I'm running a Dell Inspiron 6000 and am trying to get lower resolutions working. I'd love to have 1280x800, 1024x768, 800x600, and 640x480 all working, but only 1280x800 and 1024x768 work currently. I have tried adding Modelines and modes under the display sections to no avail, it appears that the problem lies in a driver or a different X configuration file. Still unsure of where xorg.conf stand in the hierarchy of determining settings in X and no one on any forums seems to understand that "Just add the Modelines in..." doesn't always work.

My reson for this was spawned when I tired to run Fallout 2 under Cedega but X was not able to drop its resolution enough so the game screen was forced into a tiny square in the upper left-hand corner. 915resolution has been a total wash since the drivers work perfectly and I have no need nor desire to force X through unneeded VBIOS settings to single resolutions. The ability to switch between these 4 on a whim would be nice. Any help would be greatly appreciated, Kubuntu is the first linux distro that has given me hope for fixing this, I have yet to find any other distro that works as well as Ubuntu. :)

(A secondary goal though minor would be the ability to switch between 24bit and 16bit color as well, those Black Isle Infinity engine games freak out above 16bit, but every time I switch it borks my X-Server....)

[crichell]

newlinux - if your eyes are getting to you we can try to smooth out the fonts. I discovered this about a month ago and the difference is amazing.

sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
add the following repository then save and close the file
deb http://xgl.compiz.info/ dapper main

gpg --keyserver subkeys.pgp.net --recv-keys 0x31a5f97fed8a569e
gpg --export --armor 0x31a5f97fed8a569e | sudo apt-key add -

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

Reboot and your fonts should look great.

[crichell]

ubernerd356 - it's going to be tough to force a different resolution on the laptops LCD - the LCD determines the available resolution not the graphics chip. I've heard that you can play games inside of another window at the resolution you want - but I don't know how to.

You may want to give these guys a shot - they're very helpful:

http://gaming.gwos.org/index.php?option=com_joomlaboard&Itemid=30

[KingBahamut]

Thanks for the Props Carl.

We do our best over at the gaming arena.

[gejr]

I want to bump this for ubernerd. I'm having the exact same problem as him. Did anyone find a solution to this yet?

[crichell]

If your running on a laptop the LCD generally dictates the resolution (at least the max resolution). I've seen lower resolutions by removing 915resolution on laptops with Intel graphics chips. I'm not sure how you could get lower res on ati or nvidia chips - maybe use the vesa driver but then X crawls.

If it's gaming your after you may want to chat with the guys over here:

http://gaming.gwos.org/index.php?opt...oard&Itemid=30

they know more than I in that arena.