graphics driver resolution issue

[NoOp]

Eberhard Roloff wrote:

>>
>> when i run ubuntu,my res is stuck in 640x400 and will not
>> change,but on WinXP i can change my res from 640x400x16 up to
>> 1024x768x32 at 75 Hz,ive tried downloading the driver from my
>> manufacturuer site(i have an ATI Radeon Xpress 200 Series
>> chip),but gedit cannot open the archive and stuffit(run
>> as .exe through wine)cannot open it either,and the
>> windows .exe installer doesnt really help because wine either
>> cant or wont open the graphics display panel.Any ideas how i
>> can fix this or where i might find an answer if no one knows?
> 
> Hi Mike, I am slighly confused.
> 
> As I understand you want to have the screen resolution that
> windows provides on your Ubuntu. So how do you think a
> Windows working "something.exe"-install will work for Ubuntu?
> 
> You could install the ATI Drivers FOR LINUX.
> But on a sidenote, my experience is that they help with 3D
> acceleration, but not with resolution. 
> 
> AFAIK, your resolution is
> very basically set in X (and then written to /etc/X11/xorg.conf,)
> by specifying your monitors capabilities and your desired
> resolution/colours combination.
> 
> A simple 
> sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg
> 
> should do it for you. Follow the prompts and accept anything
> until it comes to your screen resolution/colours and to your
> type of monitor.
> 
> good luck
> Eberhard
> 

I had a similar problem following the xserver-xorg screw-up. After I 
"updated" to 10.4 I found that my monitor setting was also stuck at 
640x400. Tried the sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg tact multiple 
times & to make a long story short, screwed up my session startup (would 
only bring up the proper session using Ubuntu Failsafe or some such), 
and never did get the proper settings back. reconfigure xserver-xorg 
detected my proper video card, monitor, keyboard, etc., and the file 
actually listed all of the proper settings. However, for some reason I 
could never get it out of the 640x400 setting.

In the end I finally ended up just reinstalling Ubuntu -- something I've 
not ever done in the past. Resolution choices are now back to normal, 
and all seems to be working again. Luckily this is a test/learning 
machine so nothing important was lost... except of course the time 
setting everything back up. I've now learned to keep a copy of my Xll 
directory (amongst others) on backup...