How do you get a better resolution on ubuntu?

With Ubuntu 8.04 (or later) as your operating system, what is the best screen resolution you can get for a 16:9 widescreen monitor - and please tell me how (the @#$%$#) you do it?

  • Answer:

    Screen resolution is dependent on the amount of RAM available to the display hardware, and also on the available frequencies of the monitor. The way to change the screen resolution is detailed in JaneG's answer. The dialog depends on the EDID output from your monitor in order to determine the available frequency ranges. On some older monitors (like my ViewSonic 17PS) this does not always work properly, so sometimes if I need to change my screen resolution (I typically run at 1600x1200) the dialog will "forget" some of the higher ranges. I have to pick the highest range and resolution shown (usually 60Hz and 1280x1024), then restart the X server (ctrl-alt-backspace), and when the desktop comes back up (after logging back in) the Screen Resolution dialog will have the higher resolutions available. This is probably a lot more information than you or anyone else needs, but hopefully it will help someone.

palmagma at Answerbag.com Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

A friend from Norway sorted this out for me: * First make sure your current Ubuntu is totally up-to-date. * Install update-manager or verify that you already have it. * Press <ALT><F2>and enter update-manager -d<ENTER> * The program should now inform you that there is a new version of Ubuntu available and ask if you want to upgrade. * Go for it. Unlike alternative OSs a new version of Ubuntu does not need larger hardware resources. And you'll get new options, better functionality and higher security, so there really should not be any reason not to do this. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - After getting updated to Ubuntu 8.10, Go to System -> Administration -> Hardware Drivers Enter your password. If the NVidia screen driver is shown, check it and it will be downloaded and installed. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - After following these instructions my monitor is now able to display a screen resolution of 1680 x 1050 (16:10) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - A nice easy solution, and a fantastic result!

palmagma

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.