Upgraded to Ubuntu 7.10, now resolution stuck at 1600x1200

[Jon Pruente]

On 10/21/07, Leo Mauler <webgiant at yahoo.com> wrote:
> I just upgraded to Ubuntu 7.10.  Now the screen
> resolution is stuck at 1600x1200.  My monitor is
> straining to do this resolution and the screen is all
> bendy.  I can't adjust the monitor itself to work with
> the new resolution as this monitor is shared between
> three other computers and would need to be readjusted
> back to the prior settings every time I pressed the
> KVM switch.
>
> I have been to System > Preferences > Screen
> Resolution. I pull down the menu and select the
> resolution which has always worked well, which is
> 1024x768.  I press Apply.  The screen resolution *does
> not change*, but I get a dialog box saying "do you
> want to keep this resolution or revert to the old
> resolution?"  Selecting "keep this resolution" does
> not change the resolution to 1024x768.
>
> I've tried Ctrl-Alt-Shift + to change screen
> resolutions.  For some reason 1024x768 is not an
> option in the list.
>
> I'm presuming that editing a config file is in order.
> I have no problem doing this and understand the need
> to back things up.  However, I have only done XFree86
> config files and don't know what to do with xorg.
>
> Incidentally, 1600x1200 has always been the resolution
> used by the graphical login screen.  I've wanted to
> change the initial resolution to 1024x768 as well, but
> I don't know how to do that either.  Frankly I just
> hate graphical login screens, but I can't do without
> my GUI for normal computer use.


Instead of hand editing the file, try using the official dpkg method -
dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg (may need to use sudo if you are not in
a root shell)  you can also use the flag: -p high to let it do most of
the config automatically and see what happens.  If you only change the
resolution in Gnome it will only change for that user.  By using the
dpkg method it will change it for the entire system.  I know there is
a way to set the bootup/login res, but it's been so long since I've
needed to I've forgotten.

BTW: anyone know where to change the post-login numlock setting in
Gnome?  I've got a Model M that's a keypad-less model.  I've got the
BIOS set to numlock off and it stays off through the login screen, but
when it hits the desktop it's back on -- and I have no LEDs to let me
know this.  ARG!

Jon.