problem with monitor resolution

[netipot]

I just upgraded from lubuntu 12.04 to 12.10. It was fast & easy & I like it very much so far. I have encountered one problem however with my external monitor. I have a T60 Thinkpad which I use with a docking station connected to a Samsung syncmaster 732n external monitor. When I first log in my screen looks like the blue desktop. If I change the wallpaper then it looks normal like the yellow desktop, but if I log out & log back in then I have the same problem again with the new wallpaper. Also if I am using the same wallpaper for my other desktops they all have the same problem with the resolution, but if I use different wallpapers on my other desktops those wallpapers are unaffected. If I change any of them to the same wallpaper as the 1st desktop then they have the same resolution problem.
I need resolution.

[netipot]

Well I tried the default resolution, 1024 x 768 and all is cleared up, accept the true resolution is 1280 x 1024.
I want resolution.
Pun intended.

[AgenT]

While I cannot be sure, it looks like you are using XFCE. XFCE has issues when it comes to external monitors. A few people have already complained in IRC about this (server freenode, channel #ubuntu).

Good news is: I think everyone fixed their problem. While I cannot tell you how to fix it since I do not use XFCE, I do suggest you try using xrandr.

First, check what xrandr shows as possible resolutions for your monitors by typing the following in a terminal:

xrandrI believe the the resolution with a * is what xrandr assumes to be the default.

Then try using xrandr to set the correct monitor settings, including resolution. It will be something like:

xrandr --output <NAME_OF_MONITOR> --mode <RESOLUTION_HERE>So for example:

xrandr --output DP1 --mode 1920x1200

[netipot]

While I cannot be sure, it looks like you are using XFCE. XFCE has issues when it comes to external monitors. A few people have already complained in IRC about this (server freenode, channel #ubuntu).

Good news is: I think everyone fixed their problem. While I cannot tell you how to fix it since I do not use XFCE, I do suggest you try using xrandr.

First, check what xrandr shows as possible resolutions for your monitors by typing the following in a terminal:

xrandrI believe the the resolution with a * is what xrandr assumes to be the default.

Then try using xrandr to set the correct monitor settings, including resolution. It will be something like:

xrandr --output <NAME_OF_MONITOR> --mode <RESOLUTION_HERE>So for example:

xrandr --output DP1 --mode 1920x1200

Actually I'm using LXDE "lubuntu".
Does this work in LXDE?
I ran this in terminal & got this

neti@fret:~$ xrandr
Screen 0: minimum 320 x 200, current 1024 x 768, maximum 8192 x 8192
VGA-0 connected 1024x768+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 338mm x 270mm
1024x768 60.0*+ 75.1 70.1
1280x1024 75.0 60.0
1280x960 60.0
1280x800 74.9 59.8
1152x864 75.0
1280x768 74.9 59.9
1024x576 60.0
832x624 74.6
800x600 72.2 75.0 60.3 56.2
848x480 60.0
640x480 72.8 75.0 66.7 60.0
720x400 70.1
LVDS connected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
1400x1050 60.0 + 50.0
1280x1024 59.9 60.0
1280x960 59.9
1280x854 59.9
1280x800 59.8
1280x720 59.9
1152x768 59.8
1024x768 60.0 59.9
800x600 60.3 59.9
848x480 59.7
720x480 59.7
640x480 60.0 59.4
DVI-0 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
neti@fret:~$ xrandr --VGA-0 --mode 1280x1024
usage: xrandr [options]
where options are:
-display <display> or -d <display>
-help
-o <normal,inverted,left,right,0,1,2,3>
or --orientation <normal,inverted,left,right,0,1,2,3>
-q or --query
-s <size>/<width>x<height> or --size <size>/<width>x<height>
-r <rate> or --rate <rate> or --refresh <rate>
-v or --version
-x (reflect in x)
-y (reflect in y)
--screen <screen>
--verbose
--current
--dryrun
--nograb
--prop or --properties
--fb <width>x<height>
--fbmm <width>x<height>
--dpi <dpi>/<output>
--output <output>
--auto
--mode <mode>
--preferred
--pos <x>x<y>
--rate <rate> or --refresh <rate>
--reflect normal,x,y,xy

Don't see a difference.
Ran "xrandr" again & got the same read.

[netipot]

I have an ATI Radeon X1300 graphics card on my T60 Thinkpad
I am using a docking station to hook up to the external Samsung monitor.
Ubuntu says the Radeon X1300 is fully supported.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RadeonDriver

[blabla12345]

Got the same problem, also with Lubuntu 12.10 on a Thinkpad T61 and an external Samsung monitor (I only use the external monitor, the monitor of the Thinkpad is switched off(see Screenshot). There seem to be two different Desktops, one on top of the other (see Screenshot) hiding parts of the other.
Please help!

[netipot]

It looks as if the desktop is affected but not the panel like mine. My desktop is divided into 4 & yours looks like 2. Does it affect your other desktops?
It might be a bug.

[netipot]

I just did an update & now I can't change my desktop, & all of them are the same as "desktop 1".

[netipot]

I spoke too soon. After doing a restart I can change my desktop & all my other desktops came back, but I still have that resolution problem.

[blabla12345]

It looks as if the desktop is affected but not the panel like mine. My desktop is divided into 4 & yours looks like 2. Does it affect your other desktops?
It might be a bug.
Yes, my panel isn't affected at all, only the desktop. I only use one desktop but if I choose to use more they all have the same problem. And yes, it gets divided in 2.