Screen resolution problems in Ubuntu
Background:
I am running Linux Ubuntu and
I changed my screen resolution 1 time from 1280x1024 to 1024x768 to troubleshoot a web page issue. Anyway, when I went to set it back to 1280x1024, the option was no longer available. I did this through system - preferences - screen resolution .. When I rebooted the computer, it came up with a display of 800 x 600 and only had resolutions lower than that available to change to.
Then I decided to activate the nvidia accelerated graphics version 177 .. That worked fine for a couple days at 2180x1024 until I rebooted. It came up at 1024x768 without the option to change to 1280x1024 ... So I rebooted again and it went to do 320 resolution with only 1 option available and it was lower than 320!! ...
I had to downgrade the driver and upgrade back to 177 to get the screen resolution to 1024x768 ... The 1280x1024 is still not available .. I have 1152 x 864 and 1320x768 but not the one I want 1280x1024
Help??
Thanks!!
I am running Linux Ubuntu and
I changed my screen resolution 1 time from 1280x1024 to 1024x768 to troubleshoot a web page issue. Anyway, when I went to set it back to 1280x1024, the option was no longer available. I did this through system - preferences - screen resolution .. When I rebooted the computer, it came up with a display of 800 x 600 and only had resolutions lower than that available to change to.
Then I decided to activate the nvidia accelerated graphics version 177 .. That worked fine for a couple days at 2180x1024 until I rebooted. It came up at 1024x768 without the option to change to 1280x1024 ... So I rebooted again and it went to do 320 resolution with only 1 option available and it was lower than 320!! ...
I had to downgrade the driver and upgrade back to 177 to get the screen resolution to 1024x768 ... The 1280x1024 is still not available .. I have 1152 x 864 and 1320x768 but not the one I want 1280x1024
Help??
Thanks!!
If you are using Ubuntu 8.10, the correct sintax to reset xorg server to default configuration is:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg
sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg
ASKER
After completing those steps, I can not choose a resolution above 800x600.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
Well now I have a serious problem.
I enabled the nvidia x server by running sudo nvidia-xserver and restarted the xserver using ctl alt backspace... Now all I have is a black screen that says "can not display this video mode" ..
Is there a keyboard command I can execute or some kind of safe mode I can boot into?
I have already reboot and I am unable to access the machine through vnc.
I enabled the nvidia x server by running sudo nvidia-xserver and restarted the xserver using ctl alt backspace... Now all I have is a black screen that says "can not display this video mode" ..
Is there a keyboard command I can execute or some kind of safe mode I can boot into?
I have already reboot and I am unable to access the machine through vnc.
sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg
What model of nvidia card do you have?
ASKER
How can I run that command if I can't see the screen?
You asked for a keuboard command... You need to enter into the terminal safe mode at boot.
ASKER
It's an onboard chipset , the motherboard book says nvidia mcp61p/mcp61s .. that is the closest thing it has to a model.
ASKER
Im a linux newb here ... How do I get to a terminal safe mode at boot?
lspci | grep VGA
should give you the right video card
should give you the right video card
You should have a "recovery mode" entry in your boot menu
ASKER
Ok, I am back, chose fix xserver from recovery mode.....Thanks
Here is the video card
VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 (rev a2)
I just activated version 177 of the driver again and I will reboot to see what happens.
Here is the video card
VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 (rev a2)
I just activated version 177 of the driver again and I will reboot to see what happens.
ASKER
I am back to 1024x768 but still no 1280x1024 option. This is strange considering 1280x1024 was the default resolution when I installed Ubuntu.
Try running:
sudo nvidia-settings
(if you don't have that pakage installed, first : sudo apt-get install nvidia-settings)
sudo nvidia-settings
(if you don't have that pakage installed, first : sudo apt-get install nvidia-settings)
ASKER
The nvidia settings show the same resolutions. Still no 1280x1024 ... Is there a command to manually set the resolutions?
SOLUTION
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ASKER
Thanks Glen .. What you say makes sense, except for the fact that I was using 1280x1024 with this driver for over a month. In addition, the default generic Ubuntu driver on a fresh install, defaulted to 1280x1024, and now even that driver does not show that resolution option. I hate to be difficult, but there is something being overlooked here.
Probably true, that something is getting overlooked:-)
In your xorg.conf, what frequencies do you have for your monitor? Colour depth (bits) used? That, and the amount of video RAM, would put a cap on how large a resolution you can get... Could be something funky with your video bios, of course:-)...
Cheers
-- Glenn
In your xorg.conf, what frequencies do you have for your monitor? Colour depth (bits) used? That, and the amount of video RAM, would put a cap on how large a resolution you can get... Could be something funky with your video bios, of course:-)...
Cheers
-- Glenn
ASKER
Well, I wen to the oldest nvidia driver available, version 96 and everything is working great now. Thanks !
sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup
sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg
Then restart your X server by hitting CTRL + ALT + BACKSPACE.
Hope this helps.