Ubuntu + MX 420 = 640x480 res (with the restricted drivers enabled!)

Error 404 · Nov 7, 2008, 04:59 AM

Well, my friend wanted his PCI FX 5200 back, so I had to put the MX 420 back into my Dell.
It booted into 640x480, so I installed the restricted drivers.
It installed fine, but no luck, its still stuck at 640x480.
Does anyone know a way to force ubuntu to recognize that I have a 1440x900 display plugged in?

DIBL · Nov 7, 2008, 03:45 PM

No guarantees for that old card, but I would get out of X (i.e. Ctrl-Alt-F1 to a tty console and log in there), shut down the X server with

Code:

sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop

and then use the Nvidia X configuration utility to write a new xorg.conf file

Code:

sudo nvidia-xconfig

Then try a startx and see what you get. If you get a decent screen but the wrong resolution, you can run

Code:

gksudo nvidia-settings

and change the resolution. Sometimes running "detect displays" helps too -- then click the "Save to X Configuration File" button and save it.

Error 404 · Nov 8, 2008, 01:23 AM

I've created the second file, but "gksudo nvidia-settings" does not allow me to edit it. I've tried it in the terminal with X-window operating, and then in the Ctrl+Alt+F1 terminal. I got this response:

Code:

(gksodu:7520): Gtk-WARNING **: cannot open display:

Would I be able to edit the file with the text editor?

UPDATE:

Never mind, I accidentally stumbled on the solution!
Using the "sudo shutdown" command, I shut down the computer from terminal mode. It shut down to some sort of menu, and one of the options was "Fix xwindow" or something similar. I chose that, and it re-detected my hardware and monitor.
Its working fine!

DIBL · Nov 8, 2008, 09:21 PM

Cool. It's using the "nv" driver, which is fine for that card. Just don't waste your time trying to run 3D stuff like Compiz, and it will do just fine.

Nov 7, 2008, 04:59 AM	#1
Error 404 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Australia Posts: 1,330 (0.71/day) Thanks: 166 Thanked 178 Times in 157 Posts System Specs	Ubuntu + MX 420 = 640x480 res (with the restricted drivers enabled!) Well, my friend wanted his PCI FX 5200 back, so I had to put the MX 420 back into my Dell. It booted into 640x480, so I installed the restricted drivers. It installed fine, but no luck, its still stuck at 640x480. Does anyone know a way to force ubuntu to recognize that I have a 1440x900 display plugged in? __________________ Third rig: PC Express Invader. C2D E6400 2.13GHz, 4GB DDR2-800, 320GB HDD, Intel 945, Asus 9600GT 512MB, 550W PSU, W7 HP 64-bit. Fourth Rig: Dell Optiplex 170L, P4 Prescott 2.8GHz, 512MB DDR266RAM, 80GB HDD, FX5200PCI 128MB, 250W PSU,XP Pro Fifth rig (Laptop): Dell Inspiron 4000, 14.1", PIII 850MHz, 384MB RAM, 9.3GB, XP Pro. Now with passive cooling! “I could make a better looking computer case with a bucket of Lincoln Logs.” -lemode

System Name:	B!tch \ Inspiron 15
Processor:	Intel i7 2600K (3.4 GHz, 8 threads) \ Pentium DC M T4300 2.1 GHz
Motherboard:	Asus P67P8-V3 \ Intel GM45
Cooling:	Xigmatek Balder 120mm (4x120,1x140mm case)\ Dell stuff
Memory:	Patriot 2 Viper Sector 5, 8GB DDR3 1600 MHz\ 4 GB DDR2-800 6-6-6-18 SoDIMM
Video Card:	VTX3D 6970 2GB \ Intel 4500MHD
Hard Disk:	1TB Samsung SATA, WD 500GB SATA (16MB cache), 1TB Seagate \ 320 GB Samsung 5200 RPM
Optical Drive:	LG SuperMulti w/ever \ DVD-RW Multi
CRT/LCD Model:	Dell Ultrasharp U2311h 23" (so sexy) \ 15.6" Dell LCD 1366x768
Case:	CoolerMaster Gladiator RC-600 \ Inspiron 15 chassis
Sound Card:	Onboard 5.1 \ Onboard Stereo
PSU:	Antec 850w with yellow racing stripes \ Dell power brick
Software:	Windows 7 HP 64 bit \ Windows 7 HP 64 bit (Dell OEM)

Nov 7, 2008, 03:45 PM	#2
DIBL Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dayton, Ohio area Posts: 128 (0.05/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 13 Times in 10 Posts System Specs	No guarantees for that old card, but I would get out of X (i.e. Ctrl-Alt-F1 to a tty console and log in there), shut down the X server with Code: sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop and then use the Nvidia X configuration utility to write a new xorg.conf file Code: sudo nvidia-xconfig Then try a startx and see what you get. If you get a decent screen but the wrong resolution, you can run Code: gksudo nvidia-settings and change the resolution. Sometimes running "detect displays" helps too -- then click the "Save to X Configuration File" button and save it.

Processor:	Core i7-950 Bloomfield
Motherboard:	Asus P6X58D-E
Cooling:	Venomous X
Memory:	6GB G-Skill Ripjaws
Video Card:	EVGA nVidia GTX480
Hard Disk:	OCZ RevoDrive PCI SSD, 2 WD-1002FAEX in BTRFS RAID
Optical Drive:	Asus DRW-24B1ST
CRT/LCD Model:	NEC Multisync 2490WUXi
Case:	Corsair Graphite 600T
Sound Card:	Realtek ALC889 8-channel HDA
PSU:	Corsair HX-850
Software:	aptosid Linux, Win 7 on VMWare Player 4

Nov 8, 2008, 01:23 AM	#3
Error 404 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Australia Posts: 1,330 (0.71/day) Thanks: 166 Thanked 178 Times in 157 Posts System Specs	I've created the second file, but "gksudo nvidia-settings" does not allow me to edit it. I've tried it in the terminal with X-window operating, and then in the Ctrl+Alt+F1 terminal. I got this response: Code: (gksodu:7520): Gtk-WARNING **: cannot open display: Would I be able to edit the file with the text editor? UPDATE: Never mind, I accidentally stumbled on the solution! Using the "sudo shutdown" command, I shut down the computer from terminal mode. It shut down to some sort of menu, and one of the options was "Fix xwindow" or something similar. I chose that, and it re-detected my hardware and monitor. Its working fine! __________________ Third rig: PC Express Invader. C2D E6400 2.13GHz, 4GB DDR2-800, 320GB HDD, Intel 945, Asus 9600GT 512MB, 550W PSU, W7 HP 64-bit. Fourth Rig: Dell Optiplex 170L, P4 Prescott 2.8GHz, 512MB DDR266RAM, 80GB HDD, FX5200PCI 128MB, 250W PSU,XP Pro Fifth rig (Laptop): Dell Inspiron 4000, 14.1", PIII 850MHz, 384MB RAM, 9.3GB, XP Pro. Now with passive cooling! “I could make a better looking computer case with a bucket of Lincoln Logs.” -lemode

Nov 8, 2008, 09:21 PM	#4
DIBL Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dayton, Ohio area Posts: 128 (0.05/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 13 Times in 10 Posts System Specs	Cool. It's using the "nv" driver, which is fine for that card. Just don't waste your time trying to run 3D stuff like Compiz, and it will do just fine.

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