cannot adjust resolution on ubuntu and mint
 

i have read some similar threads and know about the /ect/x11/conf..... SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
command. my problem is, when i do this and try to save, i get an error box that states this is a read only file and modifications cannot be saved. i have not been able to find a way around this. can anyone tell me how to get around the read only or authorizations? i cannot use most window boxes dues to my resolution being so low, it shows everything super magnified.

you MUST be root to save the file .Or for that matter you need to be root to save anything in /
your "normal user" can only save to there OWN home folder.

type these commands in order
sudo bash
chmod +w <configureation filename>
<your editor> <configuration filename>
exit
of cource change the names in the <>'s

john, that makes some sense to me, exept, i am the only user and do not know how to change to root.

smeezey, that makes no sense to me. i'm sorry if i sound a little difficult, but i am 2 days into linux and know nothing of it yet, especially commands and where i would type such prompts.
thank you both. any further elaboration is greatly appreciated!

you type it at the terminal
sudo bash changes to root
chmod +w conf would make it so you can write to the file name conf
then you type the name of your editor to run it as root to edit the file

~ # chmod +w conf
chmod: cannot access `conf': No such file or directory

again, i am sorry if i'm not getting it...

Have you tried Menu->Preferences->Display and used the gui to change resolution?

Cheers
l1dge

ok, i think i get what you were saying, exept now my txt editor keeps crashing when i save the modification....
the editor i am using is kate i think...

i have tried the standard display settings. problem here is it gives me 2 very low choices a 320x and a 640x i need somewhere more around 1280x.

cd /etc/X11
ls
post back waht you came up with

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Configured Monitor"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Monitor "Configured Monitor"
Device "Configured Video Device"
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection

now, if you have a better video script for me to try, by all means, post it and i will try to runs yours

if you are the ONLY user then you set up a root account when you installed Ubuntu or Mint.
to edit and save /etc/X11/xorg.conf try this
in the terminal type this
nano is a text based text editor
to save use the commands at the bottom of the screen
PS. the " ^ " character is is the Ctrl button
--- or start kate as root ---
PS. DO NOT USE "chmod" and set it to you - FOR ANY CONFIG FOLER IN A SYSTEM FOLDER . THIS CAN AND WILL GIVE YOU A SYSTEM THAT MIGHT NOT BOOT