Acer Resolution Troubles

#1 (**permalink**) 12-Mar-2008, 20:04

If this is the incorrect place for this, my deepest apologies...
After looking for a while for a Linux distro I would like, I decided to try openSUSE 10.3 on my computer. Please note that this is my first attempt to use Linux. I had no troubles installing it and can dual boot with no trouble with Vista, so I figured the installation forum wouldn't be the place to try.

As I stated in the topic, I am having resolution troubles on my Acer Aspire 5315. I do have an Intel chip and have tried repeatedly all the guidelines given in the Patch the Video Bios page. I have changed my videobios and a few other tricks I found on the forum while searching (short of changing the boot files).

My trouble is that my desktop wallpaper is in 1280x800, but everything else runs on 1024x768:
http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/6...eenshotij3.png

But that isn't the part that confuses me the most. Now if i unmaximize the window and move it over in the space to the right, it will now maximize to 1280x800:
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/829/screenshot1vd4.png

I would really appreciate some help with this issue, as I would like to run openSUSE (which I chose over ubuntu).

#2 (**permalink**) 12-Mar-2008, 20:41

I don't have this hardware, but maybe this will help:

http://www.linlap.com/wiki/Acer+TravelMate+6292

http://intellinuxgraphics.org/user.html

Good luck.

#3 (**permalink**) 13-Mar-2008, 00:55

Sorry for the late reply, had to finish work.

I appreciate the attempt to help, but the information provided didn't help me. I am still sitting in a 1024 window.
I'm probably just missing something here, so my best bet may be to take a break. Though, any other relevant information from anyone else would be greatly appreciated.
And before I switch over to Vista to play some games, I should probably provide some information:

videobios

Code:

## Path:********System/Hardware/Graphicscard
## Description: Additional options for graphics cards
## Type:********yesno
## Default:**** no
#
# Should the Intel(R) video BIOS be patched to let the X Server run with
# resolutions unknown to the BIOS? Warning, this is potentially dangerous,
# read the documentation in /usr/share/doc/packages/915resolution.
#
VIDEOBIOS_PATCH="yes"

## Type:********string
## Default:
#
# The options passed to 915resolution, usually 3 numbers:
# the video mode to patch, X and Y resolution.
#
VIDEOBIOS_PARAMETERS="54 1280 800"

xorg.conf (only information relevant to the monitor/resolution in order to reduce clutter)

Code:

# /.../
Section "Monitor"
**DisplaySize**331 207
**HorizSync****30-62
**Identifier** "Monitor[0]"
**ModelName****"LGPHILIPSLCD LCD MONITOR"
**Option****** "DPMS"
**VendorName** "LPL"
**VertRefresh**43-60
**UseModes**** "Modes[0]"
EndSection

Section "Modes"
**Identifier** "Modes[0]"
**Modeline ****"1280x800" 69.75 1280 1328 1360 1440 800 803 809 823
**Modeline ****"1024x768" 64.11 1024 1080 1184 1344 768 769 772 795
**Modeline ****"1024x768" 55.00 1024 1072 1104 1184 768 771 775 790 +HSync -VSync
**Modeline ****"800x600" 38.22 800 832 912 1024 600 601 604 622
**Modeline ****"800x600" 34.75 800 848 880 960 600 603 607 617 +HSync -VSync
**Modeline ****"1280x768" 82.91 1280 1344 1480 1680 768 769 772 796
**Modeline ****"1024x768" 66.33 1024 1080 1184 1344 768 769 772 796
**Modeline ****"1280x600" 63.55 1280 1336 1464 1648 600 601 604 622
**Modeline ****"1024x600" 50.60 1024 1064 1168 1312 600 601 604 622
**Modeline ****"800x600" 39.49 800 832 912 1024 600 601 604 622
**Modeline ****"768x576" 36.13 768 792 872 976 576 577 580 597
**Modeline ****"640x480" 24.70 640 656 720 800 480 481 484 498
EndSection

Section "Screen"
**DefaultDepth 24
**SubSection "Display"
****Depth******15
****Modes******"1280x800" "1024x768" "800x600" 
**EndSubSection
**SubSection "Display"
****Depth******16
****Modes******"1280x800" "1024x768" "800x600" 
**EndSubSection
**SubSection "Display"
****Depth******24
****Modes******"1280x800" "1024x768" "800x600" 
**EndSubSection
**SubSection "Display"
****Depth******8
****Modes******"1280x800" "1024x768" "800x600" 
**EndSubSection
**Device****** "Device[0]"
**Identifier** "Screen[0]"
**Monitor******"Monitor[0]"
EndSection

Section "Device"
**BoardName****"965 GM"
**BusID********"0:2:0"
**Driver****** "intel"
**Identifier** "Device[0]"
**Option****** "SaXDualHead"
**Option****** "monitor-LVDS" "Monitor[0]"
**Option****** "SaXDualMonitorVendor" "--> VESA"
**Option****** "SaXDualOrientation" "LeftOf"
**Option****** "SaXDualResolution" "1280x800"
**Option****** "SaXDualMode" "Clone"
**Option****** "SaXDualHSync" "31-50"
**Option****** "SaXDualMonitorModel" "1024X768@60HZ"
**Option****** "SaXDualVSync" "50-60"
**Option****** "SaXExternal" "Identifier&EXT+DisplaySize&+VendorName&--> VESA+PreferredMode&1280x800+HorizSync&31-50+ModelName&1024X768@60HZ+VertRefresh&50-60"
**Option****** "usevnc" "no"
**Screen****** 0
**VendorName** "Intel"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
**HorizSync****31-50
**Identifier** "EXT"
**ModelName****"1024X768@60HZ"
**Option****** "PreferredMode" "1280x800"
**VendorName** "--> VESA"
**VertRefresh**50-60
EndSection

#4 (**permalink**) 13-Mar-2008, 03:19

Some ideas... (maybe this will help others to respond with help too)

Quote:

VIDEOBIOS_PARAMETERS="54 1280 800"[/b]

Where did you get this parameter from? Maybe you could try another video mode. For example, I have seen the following mode listed for 1280x800 with recent Intel chipsets:

VIDEOBIOS_PARAMETERS="5c 1280 800" (worth a shot)

915resolution -l (as root) will give a list of supported modes.

One of the links I provided suggested Xorg version is important. Do X -version to get this info.

#5 (**permalink**) 13-Mar-2008, 16:49

Thanks for another reply.

I probably should have mentioned that the then current videobios was maybe the fifth or sixth attempt at changing it. When I would run the 915resolution -l, the list didn't have any instances of my resolution. I found and read something (sorry, don't remember where) that said to change an unused one in the list to one that would be compliant with my resolution.
I would also like to note that SaX2 recognizes my card as the Intel 965GM and has the proper resolution dimension selected. Though, when I open up the Screen Resolution application, it only lists 1024x768.

now when I run 915resolution -l, I get this:

Code:

Intel 800/900 Series VBIOS Hack : version 0.5.3

Chipset: 965GM
BIOS: TYPE 1
Mode Table Offset: $C0000 + $268
Mode Table Entries: 36

Mode 30 : 640x480, 8 bits/pixel
Mode 32 : 800x600, 8 bits/pixel
Mode 34 : 1280x800, 8 bits/pixel
Mode 38 : 1280x1024, 8 bits/pixel
Mode 3a : 1600x1200, 8 bits/pixel
Mode 3c : 1920x1440, 8 bits/pixel
Mode 41 : 640x480, 16 bits/pixel
Mode 43 : 800x600, 16 bits/pixel
Mode 45 : 1280x800, 16 bits/pixel
Mode 49 : 1280x1024, 16 bits/pixel
Mode 4b : 1600x1200, 16 bits/pixel
Mode 4d : 1920x1440, 16 bits/pixel
Mode 50 : 640x480, 32 bits/pixel
Mode 52 : 800x600, 32 bits/pixel
Mode 54 : 1280x800, 32 bits/pixel
Mode 58 : 1280x1024, 32 bits/pixel
Mode 5a : 1600x1200, 32 bits/pixel
Mode 5c : 1920x1440, 32 bits/pixel

And yes, I saw where it said the version was important. Though, it also said that SUSE 10.3 shouldn't have a problem with the xorg. Though, they may be wrong and maybe something isn't right (not really sure). When I ran that line, this is what I got:

Code:

X Window System Version 7.2.0
Release Date: Tue Jan 22 17:08:26 UTC 2008
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0, Release 7.2
Build Operating System: openSUSE SUSE LINUX
Current Operating System: Linux linux 2.6.22.17-0.1-default #1 SMP 2008/02/10 20:01:04 UTC i686
Build Date: 22 January 2008
********Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.x.org
********to make sure that you have the latest version.
Module Loader present

I also tried that change you suggested to make to the videobios and nothing changed. I also really appreciate all the help you have given me.
Am I just missing something simple here?

#6 (**permalink**) 13-Mar-2008, 18:44

By 'Screen Resolution application', do you mean sax2? I'm not sure that it plays nice with configuring some Intel graphics systems. Are you running KDE? I know you can do [Ctrl] [Shift] [+] and [Ctrl] [Shift] [-] to change the resolution. Do xquery -r to see what your current reported resolution is.

Edit: Might be worth a shot to post your problem on the Intel site.

#7 (**permalink**) 13-Mar-2008, 20:02

No, sax2 says I have a 1280x800 resolution. By "screen resolution application", I meant that when I click on "More Applications", there is one choice that states "Screen Resolution" that has an image of a monitor and right triangle shaped ruler.
http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/4...eenshotsy8.png
That is a screenshot that shows my sax2 and the "screen resolution application" that I mentioned. As you can see, neither have the same resolution. Not to mention that the screen resolution preferences only lists 1024x768.

I am running GNOME, and it appears that little trick doesn't apply to it.
And when I ran xquery -r, it states:

Code:

0 1024x768

I will try that tonight. I appreciate the help so far.

#8 (**permalink**) 16-Mar-2008, 19:25

Looks like you are in good company with this Intel GM965 chipset issue. Refer to the last post in this thread.

#9 (**permalink**) 18-Mar-2008, 17:39

I guess my forum searches must have missed that one. It seems that did the trick, as SUSE is running in full 1280x800.

I greatly appreciate the help you have given me.

#10 (**permalink**) 18-Mar-2008, 20:53

My pleasure. I think it would be a good idea for you to help with documenting this solution on the opensuse wiki. It seems to be specific to Gnome.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode