Thanks heaps for your help people! that last suggestion fixed my problem!
log-in screen went back to normal after typing:
however, when i logged into ubuntu settings were changed back to 800x600, doing a quick search of the forums i came accross someone with the same problem then ran:sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg
sudo nvidia-xconfig
and found my monitor wasnt selected, it was just using a generic monitor, selected my monitor and guess what!? back to 1600x1200.gksu displayconfig-gtk
once again you've all been a great help! thanks alot!!
adios!
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