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Technical Help & Discussion => Apple, Linux & Open Source Software: Help, News & Discussion => Topic started by: jww41005 on February 12, 2010, 12:52

Title: Ubuntu resolution problem
Post by: jww41005 on February 12, 2010, 12:52: I've just unistalled Ubuntu 9.10 after not being able to change the resolution. It was stuck on 800x600.
I looked on the Ubuntu forum, which didn't seem to have a simple solution.

Pity!

John
Title: Re: Ubuntu resolution problem
Post by: Simon on February 12, 2010, 14:03: I'm sure Sam will have something to say about that! Check back later. He's in Canada at the moment, so 7 hours behind us. :)
Title: Re: Ubuntu resolution problem
Post by: sam on February 12, 2010, 14:50: so it was locked in system -> preferences -> display menu item?

hmmm. If that didn't work I could have told you how to do it the harder way I guess.

What type of graphics card do you have?
Title: Re: Ubuntu resolution problem
Post by: jww41005 on February 12, 2010, 18:01: Hi fellas!

It would have been better to say that 800x600 was the highest resolution available.
The graphics card is: SiS Mirage 3
My OS is Vista Home Basic, which doesn't have any resolution probs.
It would be nice to find a simple solution to this.

Sam, are you in Canada for the Winter Olympics?

Cheers

John
Title: Re: Ubuntu resolution problem
Post by: sam on February 13, 2010, 02:41: Quote from: jww41005 on February 12, 2010, 18:01
The graphics card is: SiS Mirage 3

having looked around a bit there appears to be quite a few threads having problems with this specific graphics card. Weird really given the hardware support that Ubuntu has now. You seem to have gotten further than others though.

A couple of suggestions though...

If you fancy opening up a terminal... (Applications ->Accessories -> Terminal)... type:

Code: [Select]
gksu displayconfig-gtk
It will ask you for your password as you are running an admin tool... then you should be able to change it.

If you want to know more / try a few other graphics things the Ubuntu howto on this can be found: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=83973

Oh and...

Quote
Sam, are you in Canada for the Winter Olympics?

No, but I will watch a few bits and pieces. I'm working in Calgary at the for University for 2 years (been here 6months) on software for the Square Kilometre Array (http://www.skatelescope.org/) (to be the worlds largest telescope.
Title: Re: Ubuntu resolution problem
Post by: jww41005 on February 13, 2010, 10:45: Thanks for that, Sam,

I will have a look at it when I'm in the mood for it. Maybe this weekend.
Btw, a student of mine is involved in developing and maintaining the Spanish version of Linux, which is called 'Guadalinex'. I had a look at it on my laptop, and I had the same resolution problem!!

Your job sounds interesting. I saw a great documentary the other week about the Hubble and the James Webb telescope.

Cheers

John
Title: Re: Ubuntu resolution problem
Post by: sam on February 13, 2010, 16:36: Quote from: jww41005 on February 13, 2010, 10:45
I will have a look at it when I'm in the mood for it. Maybe this weekend.
Btw, a student of mine is involved in developing and maintaining the Spanish version of Linux, which is called 'Guadalinex'. I had a look at it on my laptop, and I had the same resolution problem!!

probably a more fundamental driver issue then... you've been unlucky with that one.

Quote
Your job sounds interesting. I saw a great documentary the other week about the Hubble and the James Webb telescope.

The job is indeed interesting, if not a bit confusing... I'm mostly working on the statistics of source detection - its cool to be part of such a huge multi-billion pound project.
Title: Re: Ubuntu resolution problem
Post by: jww41005 on February 13, 2010, 17:29: Yep! It's a driver problem.
Never mind.
SiS Mirage 3 and Linux simply aren't compatible :brickwall: