Invalid resolution when using CTRL/ALT/F1 - how to fix (ubuntu 8.10)

[Leonard Chatagnier]

--- On Thu, 11/27/08, Chris G <cl at isbd.net> wrote:

> From: Chris G <cl at isbd.net>
> Subject: Invalid resolution when using CTRL/ALT/F1 - how to fix (ubuntu 8.10)
> To: ubuntu-users at lists.ubuntu.com
> Date: Thursday, November 27, 2008, 4:57 AM
> I'm running xubuntu 8.10 (though I suspect the problem
> is common to
> all 8.10 versions).
> 
> I can run X fairly reliably though I do have some issues
> when logging
> in and out presumably due to switching resolutions.
> 
> However switching to a console using CTRL/ALT/F1 (or any of
> the
> others) doesn't work.  I just get an error message from
> my monitor
> saying the resolution is invalid.  My monitor is a Dell
> 2001FP capable
> of up to 1600x1200 so I suspect that the CTRL/ALT/F1 is
> switching to a
> totally impossible resolution.
> 
> How can I fix this problem?  Is there any way to specify
> the mode and
> resolution to use for the text mode consoles?
> 
Chris, I think you can do what you want in /boot/grub/menu.lst in the ### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST section. The place to do this is a ways down the list and reads as follows:
## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
## alternatives
## e.g.  resume=/dev/hda5
# defoptions=

Be sure to read the instructions at the start about not uncommenting anything and just add your new default as follows:
"defoptions=vga=791"  less quotes
There is a section down the list to add this entry which looks like this:

## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
## alternatives
## e.g. defoptions=vga=791 resume=/dev/hda5
# defoptions=


Sorry, but I can't help on the number code you need for you system; you'll have to google for that or wait for other help. I'm sure there's another way to do this but it escapes me at the moment. Hope this helps.  Maybe a backup of menu.lst is warranted.
Leonard Chatagnier
lenc5570 at sbcglobal.net