Ubuntu
xorg package

Screen resolution unavailable

Asked by chris friel

This is probably a fairly typical question.

I have done a fresh install of Ubuntu 8.10 and the native screen resolution for the monitor is not on the list of options. When I try to set the highest available(1360x768) the top and bottom panels are pushed almost entirely off the screen. Native resolution is 1440x900 and it defaults to 1024x768. I can use 1152x858 from nvidia X Server Settings, but it defaults to 1024x768 on reboot. I use the machine for graphics and 3D rendering so I need a high res 16:10 ratio.

I have tried to add a modeline with xrandr but it failed - though I am kind of new to this, so it maybe wasn't done right. It seems that anything I try bumps it into Low Graphics Mode.

The xorg.0.log can be found here:-
http://pasteall.org/4363

lspci can be found here:-
http://pasteall.org/4365

I have an Asus VW 192s LCD monitor and an Nvidia 8800 GS running the nvidia-glx-177 driver. (Enabling the 173 results in Failsafe Graphics Mode)
The motherboard is a Gigabyte GA 945 GCM(X)-S2

I have tried the Xubuntu Live CD and it seems to be displaying at 1440x900 so I am hopeful that it can be fixed for Ubuntu.

I hope you can help,

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DERG (georgeaross) said : 		#1

Try;
System/Administration/Hardware Drivers
This will scan your VB (Nvidia) & offer a new driver. You might need your password to download. My Nvdia uses v177 & works great.
HTH

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DERG (georgeaross) said : 		#2

Oh, sorry. I read your post again & see you are using v177.
Have you tried; System/Administration/Nvidia X Server Settings? X Server Display Configuration has several settings under - Resolution.

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chris friel (artless-images) said : 		#3

DERG, you might want to read it a third time:-

QUOTE
"I can use 1152x858 from nvidia X Server Settings, but it defaults to 1024x768 on reboot."

1440x900 is not one of the options listed.

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Laurie Clark-Michalek (laurielegit) said : 		#4

Try just changing your xorg.conf to accommodate the 1440x900 resolution. Try adding under the monitor section;
Modes "1440x900"

Note: I learnt this while using archlinux, and while it may still work in ubuntu, there is a chance that it will not.

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chris friel (artless-images) said : 		#5

It does, I'm told still work in Ubuntu.

I tried adding a modeline both with xrandr and manually, unfortunately neither approach helps.

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chris friel (artless-images) said : 		#6

I found a solution with the help of some people at http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=148775
I used gtr to generate a modeline and Nvidia X Server Settings to generate an xorg.conf and edited the two together with information on the monitor's HorizSync and VertRefresh rate.

The resuling xorg.conf can be viewed here:-
http://pasteall.org/4382

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chris friel (artless-images) said : 		#7

Sorry, wrong url. It can be viewed here:-
http://pasteall.org/4394

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sible777 (sible777) said : 		#8

im having some resolution problems. my monitors highest resolution is 1280x1024 but i cant choose that under resolution settings. i updated my nvidia drivers and that fixed the login screen resolution but when i log in i get a black screen that says resolution not supported. i am using a dell 19 inch monitor by the way

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sible777 (sible777) said : 		#9

im really new to this

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chris friel (artless-images) said : 		#10

What I had to do was use xrandr to generate a modeline, then add this to etc/X11/xorg.conf along with information on the HorizSync and VertRefresh. I looked up the specification of the monitor on the internet to find the information I needed.

I found that even after getting it to recognise the resolution I then had to specify the Sync and Refresh rates to have it display that resolution correctly.

You can get some information on how to use xrandr by entering man xrandr in a terminal.

You could first try using nvidia xserver settings to write a new xorg.conf, but be sure to back up the present one first.

Another option is to post on ubuntuforums.org as you can get very good advice from the community there.