I realize this maybe a fundamental issue, but being Windows user(I know, please forgive me) I can't get 1024x768 to appear in the drop down in the GNome environment for the resolution even though the xconf file has it in there. Am I missing something?

Thanks in advance for any help,
Marty

Read the logfile to see why that resolution isn't used (it should be mentioned there, if the resolution is in xorg.conf but you can't use it):
scroll the file down to where it talks about that resolution. You may need to alter your /etc/X11/xorg.conf somehow to make it work; make sure that the correct driver is used for your graphics card, for example, and maybe pass some options in the monitor/device section(s). Difficult to say with this information, but maybe the logfile reveals something. You could post the relevant lines (lines about the resolution, error (EE) lines and possibly important-looking warning (WW) lines), if it helped.

What Linux distribution are you using? It helps if you list it in your LQ profile as it helps others give you distro specific answers.

I will check the log file when I get back to my office.

Actually, here are some lines from the log file:

(--) MGA(0): 64 DWORD fifo
(==) MGA(0): Default visual is TrueColor
(EE) MGA(0): Static buffer allocation failed, not initializing the DRI
(EE) MGA(0): Need at least 5625 kB video memory at this resolution, bit depth

I am going to try do set the depth in xorg.conf file to 16.

I was able to change the depth level from 24 to 16 in xorg.conf file and now the various resolution options are available. Thanks for pointing out the log file.

That indicates either you have a video card with less than 6Mb of ram or you're operating that video card with a driver that doesn't understand the card very well.

Assuming the problem is the driver, you may have kludged around it changing bit depth, but you would be better off changing drivers.

The PC that I am using is pretty old. I'm pretty sure the card only has 4MB of memory.

(Debian Lenny on all sorts of boxes)
There is plenty of narrative about resolution and the effect of changes to xorg.conf, "kludging" is an excellent name for what we often do to fix screen res issues.

Get xresprobe then man xresprobe to get the options, you can then make sure your xorg.conf has the correct horizsync/vertrefresh.

After that it will be about the hardware. Eg I've just replaced a friend's graphics card (fan falling off) with one from my recycled hardware bin, due to rubbish spec it had only 800/600 option, by mucking about & changing depth to 16 I got 1024 but it looks bad, so the Debian iso probably gave me the xorg.conf I needed in the first place.

I'd suggest if hardware is low spec don't spend too long on it... but beware, the installer can make dramatic errors on new, cheaper, high spec stuff- I had to use xresprobe to make sense of a brand new compaq monitor recently.