Ubuntu 8.04 Problem With Limited Screen Resolution

[Muhammad Nur Hanief]

I guess my SAMSUNG SyncMaster 793MG was not supported by Ubuntu 8.04. To my surprise, in Ubuntu 8.04 Beta, there is something built-in app called Screen & Graphics. But now, in Ubuntu 8.04 final, it's all done by auto detection. Which it should be able to detect my monitor SAMSUNG SyncMaster 793MG couple it up with my VGA card NVIDIA Geforce 6500

You see, Ubuntu is a great Linux. To be honest, I want to see Ubuntu doing well in recognizing wide selection of hardware and also providing an option for the users, to select the nearest hardware model, so that I won't have limited resolution at 640x480 like this:-

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/5526/screenshotna0.png

I love Ubuntu, seriously. You can go to my blog at http://hanief.blogspot.com

To all the Ubuntu 8.04 dev, I hope you guy can do something. Let's make it easier by mouse-clicking and not by typing and editing the .conf files. Thanks in advance.

[chewearn]

Unfortunately, my understanding of the matter is... hardy Xorg autodetect and screen configuration tool don't play nice with nvidia driver. If you install nvidia restricted driver, install nvidia-settings as well, and use that to configure xorg.conf.

[shinkaide]

I agree with AstalaVista. I had similar problems with my screen resolution, but installing the nvidia-settings package solved everything about that for me. Just do the following on terminal:


sudo apt-get install nvidia-settings

Once that's done, do:


sudo nvidia-settings

Go to "X Server Display Configuration", select your resolution of choice, click on "Apply", and then click on "Save to X Configuration File". You're all set! :)

So, you may ask "why edit nvidia-settings with root priviledges when you can do it as a regular user"? That's because you want to be able to save your settings to your xorg.conf file.

You can't do that as a regular user. What will happen is your resolution will just reset to Ubuntu's defaults (meaning before you installed and configured your screen res using nvidia-settings) whenever you log out and in or restart your computer.

Editing your settings with root priviledges (using the above code) allows you to permanently save your settings to the xorg.conf file and thus keep the resolution of your choice until you choose to change it again.

Hope that helps. :)

Edit:
BTW: After installing nvidia-settings and before adjusting anything, go to System > Hardware Drivers and make sure the Nvidia Accelerated Graphics Driver is enabled. Once you've done that, then go do the


sudo nvidia-settings

Thing. Otherwise you'll just get an error message when you try to adjust the settings.

[Muhammad Nur Hanief]

Thanks shinkaide & AstalaVista,
I managed to configure the xorg.conf file. The nvidia-setting app. ain't helping at all as it always stick at 640x480. Weird enough.

Anyway after I configured the xorg.conf file,



# xorg.conf (X.Org X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by failsafeDexconf, using
# values from the debconf database and some overrides to use vesa mode.
#
# You should use dexconf or another such tool for creating a "real" xorg.conf
# For example:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"
Boardname "NVIDIA GeForce 6 Series"
Busid "PCI:1:0:0"
Driver "nvidia"
Screen 0
Vendorname "NVIDIA"
Option "NoLogo" "True"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Configured Monitor"
Vendorname "Samsung"
Modelname "Samsung SyncMaster 793DF/793MB"
Horizsync 30-71
Vertrefresh 50-160
modeline "640x480@60" 25.2 640 656 752 800 480 490 492 525 -vsync -hsync
modeline "640x480@72" 31.5 640 664 704 832 480 489 491 520 -vsync -hsync
modeline "640x480@75" 31.5 640 656 720 840 480 481 484 500 -vsync -hsync
modeline "640x480@85" 36.0 640 696 752 832 480 481 484 509 -vsync -hsync
modeline "800x600@56" 36.0 800 824 896 1024 600 601 603 625 +hsync +vsync
modeline "800x600@72" 50.0 800 856 976 1040 600 637 643 666 +hsync +vsync
modeline "800x600@75" 49.5 800 816 896 1056 600 601 604 625 +hsync +vsync
modeline "800x600@85" 56.3 800 832 896 1048 600 601 604 631 +hsync +vsync
modeline "800x600@60" 40.0 800 840 968 1056 600 601 605 628 +hsync +vsync
modeline "832x624@75" 57.284 832 864 928 1152 624 625 628 667 -vsync -hsync
modeline "1024x768@85" 94.5 1024 1072 1168 1376 768 769 772 808 +hsync +vsync
modeline "1024x768@75" 78.8 1024 1040 1136 1312 768 769 772 800 +hsync +vsync
modeline "1024x768@70" 75.0 1024 1048 1184 1328 768 771 777 806 -vsync -hsync
modeline "1024x768@60" 65.0 1024 1048 1184 1344 768 771 777 806 -vsync -hsync
modeline "1024x768@43" 44.9 1024 1032 1208 1264 768 768 776 817 +hsync interlace +vsync
modeline "1152x864@75" 108.0 1152 1216 1344 1600 864 865 868 900 +hsync +vsync
modeline "1280x960@60" 102.1 1280 1360 1496 1712 960 961 964 994 -hsync +vsync
modeline "1280x1024@60" 108.0 1280 1328 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +hsync +vsync
modeline "1400x1050@60" 122.61 1400 1488 1640 1880 1050 1051 1054 1087 -hsync +vsync
Gamma 1.0
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "Configured Video Device"
Monitor "Configured Monitor"
Defaultdepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Virtual 1400 1050
Modes "1024x768@85" "1024x768@75" "832x624@75" "1024x768@70" "800x600@60" "1024x768@60" "800x600@85" "1024x768@43" "800x600@75" "1152x864@75" "800x600@72" "1280x960@60" "800x600@56" "1280x1024@60" "640x480@85" "1400x1050@60" "640x480@75" "640x480@72" "640x480@60"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
screen 0 "Default Screen" 0 0
EndSection
Section "Module"
Load "glx"
Load "v4l"
EndSection
Section "device" #
Identifier "device1"
Boardname "NVIDIA GeForce 6 Series"
Busid "PCI:1:0:0"
Driver "nv"
Screen 1
Vendorname "NVIDIA"
EndSection
Section "screen" #
Identifier "screen1"
Device "device1"
Defaultdepth 24
Monitor "monitor1"
EndSection
Section "monitor" #
Identifier "monitor1"
Gamma 1.0
EndSection
Section "ServerFlags"
EndSection

This is how my desktop looks like now:-

http://bp3.blogger.com/_PC-fOLkfAqM/SBXJcOqYryI/AAAAAAAABjI/xCLMoRhZmWY/s1600-h/Screenshot.png

[fawazomr]

I used to have similar issue with the resolution and now it is solved using the setting box. http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=766879

thanks,

[longhornxtreme]

This is a complete freaking nightmare...

Why... do they LOSE functionality when upgrading?

I feel like I could set up a damn Gentoo box in the time I've (unsuccessfully) spent trying to get my X + Nvidia + 1680 x1050 resolution to work.

It's borderline criminal how poor the autodetect works...

I can't get nvidia settings to work as I "don't appear to be using Nvidia X driver" even though it's enabled... before reboot, doesn't work, after reboot doesn't work....

I'm about to pull my hair out...

EDIT: And why the heck does dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg go to the framebuffer question as the first question?

[chewearn]

There are some troubleshooting hints here:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BinaryDriverHowto/Nvidia

[rupierto]

Don't know if this can resolve:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=4789536&postcount=110

[dingouz]

Don't know if this can resolve:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=4789536&postcount=110

this helped me a lot!!!

thx!!!

[jaezcurra]

this helped me a lot!!!

thx!!!

I really would like to know how to launch "Screen and Graphics" (which I cannot find in /usr/share/applications either) :confused:

[rupierto]

Strange.

Try this in Terminal (it will ask for the password):


gksu displayconfig-gtk

[dingouz]

I really would like to know how to launch "Screen and Graphics" (which I cannot find in /usr/share/applications either) :confused:

it depends on what language you use..

in my system, i went to:
/usr/share/applications

and found "Telas e Placas de Vídeo"

its the same program, but the name changes...

sorry for my rusty english :)

[gnuskool]

Well, I hear that it's not valid in Hardy, but it still works

Here is the code


gksudo displayconfig-gtk

[petex]

i have same issue with samsung syncmaster 173p+
the problem is that if i set it through s&R it only works for current session and than it will rebot to 800x600 again it's really anoying

hardware drtivers for nvidia also turn off after reboting is there any wa\y to turn of this autodetection - it's really anoying

[bvanaerde]

nvidia-settings

Thanks for pointing this out!
I was stuck at 50Hz refresh rate while it should normally be 60 (Samsung Syncmaster 226BW)

[trevelyan]

Don't know if this can resolve:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=4789536&postcount=110

OMG!! thats all i needed.. thank you so much. :D

[slowmotion]

Thanks all!

[lecter255]

I agree with AstalaVista. I had similar problems with my screen resolution, but installing the nvidia-settings package solved everything about that for me. Just do the following on terminal:


sudo apt-get install nvidia-settings

Once that's done, do:


sudo nvidia-settings

Go to "X Server Display Configuration", select your resolution of choice, click on "Apply", and then click on "Save to X Configuration File". You're all set! :)

So, you may ask "why edit nvidia-settings with root priviledges when you can do it as a regular user"? That's because you want to be able to save your settings to your xorg.conf file.

You can't do that as a regular user. What will happen is your resolution will just reset to Ubuntu's defaults (meaning before you installed and configured your screen res using nvidia-settings) whenever you log out and in or restart your computer.

Editing your settings with root priviledges (using the above code) allows you to permanently save your settings to the xorg.conf file and thus keep the resolution of your choice until you choose to change it again.

Hope that helps. :)

Edit:
BTW: After installing nvidia-settings and before adjusting anything, go to System > Hardware Drivers and make sure the Nvidia Accelerated Graphics Driver is enabled. Once you've done that, then go do the


sudo nvidia-settings

Thing. Otherwise you'll just get an error message when you try to adjust the settings.

OMG you are my savior! it works! i can't even begin to express the rapture that overcame me when my external monitor finally worked for my laptop! thank you thank you thank you
i have had this problem since 7.04 and it made me go back to vista but it's now solved!

[Leetbumble]

I had similar problems this is what I did... let me know if this helped..

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=797128

[slowmotion]

ok, I have a problem.
Even if I do the "sudo nvidia-settings" thing in terminal it still goes back to lower resolution when I turn off the computer.
Saving the X config file doesn't help.
What am I missing?

cheers
Jan

[chewearn]

ok, I have a problem.
Even if I do the "sudo nvidia-settings" thing in terminal it still goes back to lower resolution when I turn off the computer.
Saving the X config file doesn't help.
What am I missing?

Most such problems I have seen (low resolution with nvidia driver in Hardy) has to do with monitor frequency wrongly detected or not detected. To fix this, you need to manually add HorizSync and VertRefresh lines into Section "Monitor" of xorg.conf. Example from my PC:

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
VendorName "Unknown"
ModelName "Samsung SyncMaster"
HorizSync 30.0 - 81.0
VertRefresh 56.0 - 75.0
EndSection


You need to find the values from your monitor user's manual, or use trial and error. If you have doubt, post your xorg.conf.

.

[slowmotion]

Resulution is fine as long as the computer is running, at 1920x1200. Problem is when I turn it off and on again,
then resolution goes back to 1280x1024.
Had a look at the xorg.conf file, it looks just like yours.
I'm not sure what to do now...

cheers
Jan

[dRock1286]

Here's my situation... I rebooted my computer yesterday only to find that my resolution had gone from 1280x1024 to 640x480 with 640x480 being the highest resolution I could choose from the Screen Resolution option in Preferences. I used the
gksudo displayconfig-gtk
to be able to pick a better resolution and chose the Generic Monitor 1280x1024 (as mine is a Westinghouse and wasn't listed). I finally got a workable resolution (1024x768) but want my 1280x1024 back. In my options for my screen resolution, the highest it will go to is 1280x800...:confused:

Here is my xorg.conf file...


# 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

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"
Boardname "NVIDIA GeForce 8 Series"
Busid "PCI:1:0:0"
Driver "nv"
Screen 0
Vendorname "NVIDIA"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Configured Monitor"
Vendorname "Generic LCD Display"
Modelname "LCD Panel 1280x1024"
Horizsync 31.5-64.0
Vertrefresh 56.0 - 65.0
modeline "640x480@60" 25.2 640 656 752 800 480 490 492 525 -vsync -hsync
modeline "800x600@56" 36.0 800 824 896 1024 600 601 603 625 +hsync +vsync
modeline "800x600@60" 40.0 800 840 968 1056 600 601 605 628 +hsync +vsync
modeline "1024x768@60" 65.0 1024 1048 1184 1344 768 771 777 806 -vsync -hsync
modeline "1280x960@60" 102.1 1280 1360 1496 1712 960 961 964 994 -hsync +vsync
modeline "1280x1024@60" 108.0 1280 1328 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +hsync +vsync
Gamma 1.0
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Monitor "Configured Monitor"
Device "Configured Video Device"
Defaultdepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Virtual 1280 1024
Modes "1280x1024@60" "1280x960@60" "1024x768@60" "800x600@60" "800x600@56" "640x480@60"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
screen 0 "Default Screen" 0 0
EndSection
Section "Module"
Load "glx"
Load "GLcore"
Load "v4l"
EndSection
Section "ServerFlags"
EndSection

Any ideas?

I am using an Nvidia 8500 GT graphics card (capable of doing 1280x1024) and my monitor is a 17" Westinghouse...

[dRock1286]

What's funny is that half of my available resolutions aren't even listed in my xorg.conf file....

[sauravzone]

An interesting fact this thread reveals is how flawlessly Linux systems have been autodetecting hardware over the years and how much we've come to rely on it. Windows will never, ever, select the correct screen resolution without our having to install the correct graphics driver. When Linux has similar problems, however, it becomes frustrating. (In my case, the res was too high on first boot, did gksu displayconfig-gtk - I noticed that Display or Screens and Graphics is missing from System->Administration - and corrected, gone on next boot, installed Nvidia, fine on next boot, but could never get displayconfig or Screen Resolution or xorg.conf to show this fine, correct resolution!)

This also reveals the worst of Linux. It's high time Linux shrugged off the tendency to have users edit cryptic text files at the slightest of problems and also to impair functionality in new versions (Ubuntu 8.04, Kubuntu-KDE4 8.04, Fedora 9, Mandriva 2008.1, all have problems that weren't there in the previous versions).

PS: Since the res seems to be usable at first boot and displayconfig-gtk shows the proper list, it seems useful to back up xorg.conf right then before doing anything else, so as to have it later for restoration/reference.

[chewearn]

This also reveals the worst of Linux. It's high time Linux shrugged off the tendency to have users edit cryptic text files at the slightest of problems and also to impair functionality in new versions (Ubuntu 8.04, Kubuntu-KDE4 8.04, Fedora 9, Mandriva 2008.1, all have problems that weren't there in the previous versions).


Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

On one hand, new distros have leaped head-on into Xorg 7.3. The new version contains xrand 1.2, which provide dynamic hotplug for display devices. Eventually, when everything is ironed out, editing xorg.conf will be history.

On the other hand, with the million and one devices out there, it will take a while to iron out the auto-configuration. The auto-configuration has to take care of billions of possibilities. If you ask me, I would say you need an AI from year 2025 to make it flawless, but what do I know. The auto-configuration is already working pretty well for most people.

Meanwhile, some of us suffer regressions with our display devices. Notable are the breakages with nvidia proprietary driver. The ball is in nvidia court for this one. Nobody outside nvidia have access to their codes, to be able to debug and fix these problems.

Eventually, these problems with be ironed out one-by-one (we hoped).


.

[oshilig]

Arg...so the last two posts point to the fact that 8.04 isn't the open-source holy grail - but I certainly do appreciate you experts that are thinking about these things - so rock on:guitar:

In the meantime, I have similar issues with low screen resolution, only with an ATI graphics card.

Here's the history:
I've just upgraded from 7.10 to 8.04, and at first all was good.

After upgrade, went to the ATI Catalyst Control Center to try to set up dual monitors, and got an "Initialization error" message:

No ATI graphics driver is installed, or the ATI driver is not functioning properly. Please install the ATI driver appropriate for you ATI hardware, or configure using aticonfig.

Following another post, installed ENVY to ensure the ATI driver was installed.

ENVY crashing when trying to auto detect, but the manual seemed to work, but on reboot, I got a message that my graphic drivers isn't configured, and I can continue to boot in low-graphics mode, or manually configure. The manual configuration hasn't worked either.

like earlier posts, the Screens and Graphics" app doesn't offer the correct resolution for my screen - 1400x1050.

I'm still a bit of a noobie, but there seem to be good directions here for NVIDA cards, any advice for ATI?

edit- btw, here is my xorg.conf
# xorg.conf (X.Org X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by failsafeDexconf, using
# values from the debconf database and some overrides to use vesa mode.
#
# You should use dexconf or another such tool for creating a "real" xorg.conf
# For example:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "Configured Video Device"
Monitor "Configured Monitor"
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Virtual 1400 1050
Modes "800x600@60" "1024x768@60" "800x600@56" "1280x960@60" "640x480@60" "1280x1024@60" "1400x1050@60"
EndSubSection
Defaultdepth 24
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "screen1"
Device "device1"
Monitor "monitor1"
Defaultdepth 24
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"
Boardname "vesa"
Busid "PCI:1:0:0"
Driver "fglrx"
Screen 0
Option "VideoOverlay" "on"
Option "OpenGLOverlay" "off"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "device1"
Boardname "vesa"
Busid "PCI:1:0:0"
Driver "fglrx"
Screen 1
Option "VideoOverlay" "on"
Option "OpenGLOverlay" "off"
EndSection

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

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
EndSection

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

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
screen 0 "Default Screen" 0 0
Inputdevice "Synaptics Touchpad"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "glx"
Load "GLcore"
Load "v4l"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Configured Monitor"
Vendorname "Generic LCD Display"
Modelname "LCD Panel 1400x1050"
Horizsync 31.5-65.5
Vertrefresh 56.0 - 65.0
modeline "640x480@60" 25.2 640 656 752 800 480 490 492 525 -vsync -hsync
modeline "800x600@56" 36.0 800 824 896 1024 600 601 603 625 +hsync +vsync
modeline "800x600@60" 40.0 800 840 968 1056 600 601 605 628 +hsync +vsync
modeline "1024x768@60" 65.0 1024 1048 1184 1344 768 771 777 806 -vsync -hsync
modeline "1280x960@60" 102.1 1280 1360 1496 1712 960 961 964 994 -hsync +vsync
modeline "1280x1024@60" 108.0 1280 1328 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +hsync +vsync
modeline "1400x1050@60" 122.61 1400 1488 1640 1880 1050 1051 1054 1087 -hsync +vsync
Gamma 1.0
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "monitor1"
Gamma 1.0
EndSection

Section "Extensions"
Option "Composite" "Enable"
EndSection

[oshilig]

bump - I'm all over this forum looking for solutions - these are the things I've tried:

1. EnvyNG - uninstalled ATI driver, then manually installed new one, restart.
2. on boot up, configure the screen resolution to mine - Generic laptop, ATI Radeon cards driver, 1400x1050. continue boot.
3. after start-up (in low-graphics mode), run Screen and Graphics app, choose the correct settings as above, restart.

Before each of these steps, I've run

sudo aticonfig --initial -f

any guidance?

[trendal.toews]

Just briefly scanned the thread and now I will add my $0.02. I fought two different pc's with nvidia drivers for about a week and a half. Then I hooked them up to a different screen and presto it worked.

I had them hooked up through a kvm and I tried bypassing that and got better results (it worked sometimes) still with the old screen. Then I hooked up a different monitor through the kvm and, no problems.


The reason it took me so long to figure it out was because of all the hype out there about nvidia drivers not working with Hardy. I just assumed that was my problem. [-X Never assume anything with computers.

I do realize people are having problems with nvidia just don't rule out other things without trying them.:KS

[chewearn]

I do realize people are having problems with nvidia just don't rule out other things without trying them.:KS

The few nvidia problems I have worked on (with the people requesting assistance in this forum) mainly have to do with the new Xorg auto-magic monitor detection and how it don't cooperate with nvidia driver.

Usually, running nvidia own utility (nvidia-settings) to take over the detection will solve the problem. But sometimes, the monitor itself has defective EDID (I seen this mostly with flat panel TV, rather than computer monitor; TV makers are less clued about how to make proper EDID info). In such case, you have to add custom display configurations manually.

.

[sauravzone]

Correction: It seems that backing up a pre-installation or first-boot xorg.conf is also useless (see PS in my previous post) because they may not contain resolution info at all! Might be better to have a previously working xorg.conf from somewhere.
End of correction

The imagination that designers and developers have seems to be without par. Really, I mean REALLY, just what can enter someone's head to cause him/her to break perfectly fine functionality and that too in such "unimaginable" ways?:confused:

[archinephew]

Thank you thank you. I found that just doing System>Hardware Drivers>enable Nvidia Accel...Gr...Driver. worked all by itself. If it works on other set-ups, it could be the easiest answer. BTW, this is a new system and because I don't use the "other O.S.", I didn't/couldn't use the M'board utilities CD. Do the gurus think this might be the problem?

[resmonde]

Folks,

If your screen resolution issues are NVidia or ATI related, try Envy:

http://albertomilone.com/nvidia_scripts1.html

A python script which simply does it all for you.

R

[Ch3knraz3]

im having the same kinds of issues with a cirrus logic gd5446

i have followed all the steps suggested in this thread and others

i sudo into the screen and graphics application

i pick my card and my monitor and the resolution i want

i hit ok

it says all users have to log out for changes to take effect

i log back in and its back to the default settings

and my hardware drivers list is empty

very frustrating

i don't mind having little issues when installing a new operating system as long as there is a relatively simple resolution

that doesn't seem to be the case here

i don't have the time to waste chasing my tail on things like this i want to be able to use my computer not spend my free time configuring it ad nauseum

[joshuabc]

I had what I think is the same problem after installing a specific version of the fglrx driver manually and modifying my xorg.conf.

Ubuntu will use '/etc/X11/xorg.conf.failsafe' if it exists regardless of whether your own configuration is valid. This means your xorg.conf is ignored and the default vesa driver is used.

I solved this simply by removing /etc/X11/xorg.conf.* and by renaming the program 'dexconf' so that no new 'failsafe' file could be created.

-JBC

[Ch3knraz3]

ok that makes sense

i looked in /etc/X11/ and i have xorg.conf, xorg.conf.2, xorg.conf.3, xorg.conf.4, xorg.conf.failsafe, xorg.conf.failsafe.1, and xorg.conf.failsafe.bak

each time i tried to fix it a new file must have been created.


I solved this simply by removing /etc/X11/xorg.conf.* and by renaming the program 'dexconf' so that no new 'failsafe' file could be created.

so i should try deleting all of the extra files [xorg.conf.*]

and then im not quite sure which program i need to rename, is it:
/usr/bin/dexconf
or
/etc/gdm/failsafedexconf

then
when i rename it can i just add "*.dont.delete" to the end of the filename?

thanks
Ch3knraz3

[Ch3knraz3]

i renamed dexconf ok

but from the terminal when i

sudo rm /etc/x11/xorg.conf.*
or
sudo rm /etc/x11/xorg.conf.failsafe

i get an error message
"No such file or directory..."

i also get a permission denied message when i try to delete them directly from the File Browser

Ch3knraz3

[laotour]

I have cut/pasted/saved some of the xorg.conf files as given in this and other forum entries, modified it for my hardware after having had too many trials to get things working as I wanted.

Then I noticed that if I change the line containing the virtual screen size (in xorg.conf), that on restart of PC I get the value of max screen size in the System -> Preferences -> Monitor Resolution Settings box equal to the VIRTUAL value and also any the smaller screen size values (see the the drop down list for Monitor resolution for a particular Refresh rate (in my case 60 Hz)).

I use a CRT with best resolution of 800x600 connected to the PC. But I use UltaVNC (under WinXP) from a remote computer with a LG TFT display to remote access Ubuntu 8.04 LTS as my primary work station.
So I set my virtual size to the wished-for resolution for the LG TFT screen. On connection under UltraVNC on remote PC, I can then select max size (or any of the smaller screen sizes as required - usually only max is used for TFT monitor).

In file /etc/X11/xorg.conf under
.
.
Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "Configured Video Device"
Monitor "Configured Monitor"
Defaultdepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
# Virtual 1280 1024 // trial
# Virtual 1400 1050 // trial
Virtual 1280 960
Modes "1024x768@85" "1024x768@75" "832x624@75" "1024x768@70" "800x600@60" "1024x768@60" "800x600@85" "1024x768@43" "800x600@75" "1152x864@75" "800x600@72" "1280x960@60" "800x600@56" "1280x1024@60" "640x480@85" "1400x1050@60" "640x480@75" "640x480@72" "640x480@60"
EndSubSection
EndSection
.
.
My modelines contain various sizes and refresh rates as provided by other forum users.

This "work-around" (?) seems to work ok for me.
The primary CRT monitor also starts up with virtual size and this is a bit of a nuisance to move around the screen but as my main use is from remote PC , it does not bother me too much AND I can also reselect it to fit exactly to the best size for the CRT if I so wish.

Hope this info might be of use to you.

[rohan21]

Just something which got my resolution settings into place.

First you need to edit your xorg.conf and add all modlines depending upon what you want.
Then you can log into failsafe terminal mode --( when you login it can be selected from session)
there this command line option can be used :-
displayconfig -gtk

this will give you window where you can choose the monitor and the resolution -- choose the correct resolution and monitor and then log back in - it should give you the correct resolution if you added the correct modline in the xorg.conf.
Hope this was useful.

Rohan

[wallydallas]

Ubuntu takes 7 steps forward, 6 steps back. I get the same error as Mr. Longhorn. I would really just love to run the utility to set the brand of my monitor manually. That tool has been deleted in version 8. It was under the menu System on my desktop. I don't care about 3-d drivers. I just want my screen to be larger than 800x600. My only choice is to go out and buy another video card and roll the dice that Ubuntu will be better with that card.

Can someone please post step by step instructions. So much advice here is too generic. For example, how can I launch the tool "screen and graphics" under version 8.04 I have a Nvidia chip in my video card. I did run the tool under system - administration - hardward drivers. I did put the checkmark next to enable the nvidia driver. I did reboot. I did use synaptic package manager to get the utility called nvidia-settings. I did go to a terminal and run "sudo nvidia-settings" I did get the same error as Mr. Longhorn and it is below.


"don't appear to be using Nvidia X driver" even though it's enabled...

to close. I installed 8.04 from CD on a good PC with a blank 20 gig hard drive. After install is done, I'm stuck in 800x600 screen resolution and I need to hire a super nerd to hack linux just to get to a 1024x768 screen resolution.

[wallydallas]

There is so much bad advice mixed in with a small bit of good advice here. I consumed 3 hours trying the wild guesses of other people. Here is my advice.

If you are stuck in a small screen ( 640x480 or 800x600 ) with Ubuntu version 8.04 the problem may have nothing to do with your video card. The first step you should take is to verify that your Monitor ( CRT, FlatScreen ) has been automatically detected. Said another way: Does the model number on the back of your monitor match what Ubuntu shows on screen in the utility to setup your monitor.

It is easy to look on the back of your monitor for the model number. It is a bit harder to check the ubuntu software. Why? Because some engineer deleted the menu to run the tool. It used to be under your system menu in version 7. Now in version 8 you have to use the menus to run Applications-Accessories-Terminal. Then when you get the terminal screen you have to run this code below


sudo gksu displayconfig-gtk

Then you should see a dialog box called "Screen and graphics preferences". At this point go to the listbox next to the word "Monitor" Change the auto detect setting. Set it manually to your monitor . Example: Dell 780

You should then be able to click OK, and restart. From this point on your can run the menu System-Preferences-Screen resolution and be able to change the pixel resolution to anything supported by your Monitor and Video card.

Two problems remain:

When you turn your computer on and get to the login screen you will often not see the box where you type your username. Or the login screen will be cut off at the bottom. I hope someone will post a fix for this login screen mess.

Secondly, when you plan to change the monitor to your computer you must run the termina, then the command to open "Screen and Graphics Preferences" ( see above ) Set it to auto detect the monitor. This will help your computer adjust to the new CRT, Flatscreen or whatever you hook up next.

If you continue to be stuck in 640x480 or 800x600 you may then indeed have an issue with finding a better driver for your video card hardware. But it makes sense to check the monitor model listed in software first.

Peace! Joe

[marksch]

sudo apt-get install nvidia-settings


sudo nvidia-settings

Hi, I just want to say that shinkaide's solution did the trick for me. Thanks shinkaide!

Mark

[lapointj]

I have the following:
Video Card: Nvidia GeForce 7300 GS
Monitor : Westinghouse LCD Monitor Model: LCM-22w3 50-60Hz
Operating System: Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty

The video card was properly detected using nvida-settings; however, the monitor was being reported as a generic CRT. The max resolution I could really get was 1024x768; this was extremely frustrating on a 22" wide screen monitor. The X.ORG autodetection did not properly detect my monitor;

To fix this I performed the following:


backed up my existing /etc/X11/xorg.conf file
opened /etc/X11/xorg.conf in my favorite editor (gvim for me)
modifed the file to be the following to recognize my video card and allow for higher resolutions:



# nvidia-settings: X configuration file generated by nvidia-settings
# nvidia-settings: version 1.0 (buildd@palmer) Sun Feb 1 20:21:04 UTC 2009

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Layout0"
Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
EndSection

Section "Files"
FontPath "unix/:7100"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "dbe"
Load "extmod"
Load "type1"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
Option "Xinerama" "0"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
# generated from default
Identifier "Mouse0"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "auto"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "no"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
# generated from default
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "kbd"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
# HorizSync source: xconfig, VertRefresh source: xconfig
Identifier "Monitor0"
VendorName "Westinghouse"
ModelName "LCD Panel 1680x1050"
HorizSync 30.0 - 82.0
VertRefresh 60.0
DisplaySize 1680 1050
Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Device0"
Driver "nvidia"
VendorName "NVIDIA Corporation"
BoardName "GeForce 7300 GS"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Device0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 24
Option "TwinView" "0"
Option "TwinViewXineramaInfoOrder" "CRT-0"
Option "metamodes" "1680x1050 +0+0"
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1680x1050" "1440x900" "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x800" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection
Hope this helps anyone in a similar situation.