Im running Ubuntu on my current workstation.

Its a Dell C600 Laptop. I removed the screen and am using an external display. I'm using an old yet amazing external CRT monitor. The laptop Vid card is a mobility Rage 128.

So the problem is that the external display will only put out an image if I have X configured to use Vesa and Vesa only. I have been re-pasting the "ubuntu failsafe Xvesa config" into my xorg.conf for weeks now as I have tried to edit the config file many times without success.

Does anyone have an answer for this?
Maybe an Xorg config that worked with a crt VGA monitor?

I googled it to an extent that you wouldnt beleive and someone said that it was my xorg.conf.

you would probably have to go to ATI and download the linux drivers for your video card

Maybe not an answer, but some questions:

Why don't you just use vesa?

Is the Xorg server starting, but the screen is staying black? Or do you get an error in /var/log/Xorg.0.log? (You can find the previous log in /var/log/Xorg.0.log.old.)

What resolution are you aiming at?

When you say VGA, you really mean 640x480, 60 Hz? In that case you should set 'HorizSync 31-32' (and perhaps 'VertRefresh 59-61') in the "Monitor" Section.

But if your monitor in multisync (as they have been for 20 years), the problem is probably in the "ati" Driver.

The Driver "ati" should work with your graphics chip.

Risto

[QUOTE=risu;3480398]Maybe not an answer, but some questions:

Why don't you just use vesa?

I thought it was worse?
I am going to give the drivers another shot.