[Clug-tech] my screen resolution problem

[Shawn]

Dan Mueller wrote:
> root at dan-desktop:/# lspci
> 00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation 82845G/GL[Brookdale-G]/GE/PE DRAM 
> Controller/Host-Hub Interface (rev 01)
> 00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation 
> 82845G/GL[Brookdale-G]/GE Chipset Integrated Graphics Device (rev 01)

This line tells us that you have an Intel video card and the specific 
model.  So we need to make sure the appropriate drivers are installed 
and being referenced by X-Windows.

First I would take a look at the output of the "lsmod" command - this 
will show you what modules are installed.  I suspect the wrong module is 
in use, and we'll have to disable it and enable the Intel specific module.

I just did a quick Google search for "linux module intel brookdale-g", 
and it appears we are after the i845g.  I believe this module is in the 
xserver-xorg-video-intel package.  So, next step is to first remove any 
existing Intel drivers (such as the 915 stuff).  You can do

aptitude search intel

and look at packages with the "i" in the first column.  If you see the 
xserver-xorg-video-intel package, but uninstall the 915resolution 
package if it is installed.  If needed, install the 
xserver-xorg-video-intel package with

sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-video-intel

Now, hopefully the right drivers are available.  You can try your luck 
with a reboot, but lets be a little more proactive.  Run this command:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

(note, this command is pulled from a web page that is referencing an 
older version of Ubuntu - so it may not work as described here...  That 
web page is http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=434175, found )

On the resulting screen you should be able to pick your driver.  If you 
don't see an Intel driver listed, go with "vesa".  On the next screen 
you can select the desired resolutions you want available.  select the 
one you want.

Now, we can get the various modules loaded here, but it is probably 
easier to just reboot your computer and let the start up routine take 
over.  Once you are logged in, you can go into the system settings and 
select the new resolution if it wasn't automatically selected.  IF you 
boot up and don't get a graphical mode, hit CTRL-ALT-F1 a couple of 
times to get back to a console window - or use recovery mode on boot. 
Then run the reconfigure command (above) again, and select a lower 
resolution.

This sounds like a lot of work, but really it's just a minute or two of 
time.  IF at this point you are still having problems, let us know 
and/or bring the box by COSSFEST on Saturday afternoon - we'll have 
people there who can help you out (head towards the Audio Workshop...)

Hope to hear it all goes well for you.

Shawn