Hoping this is a stupid video question
 

Okay quick background...

I did a dual boot with a fresh xp install first, then installed Fedora Core 4 from DVD everything good at this point.

I have managed to get everything set up ala home.gagme.com/greg/linux/fc4-tips.php and am happy except my system runs at 1280x1024, I tried to change it but when I did it set my the refresh rates outside of what my monitor could handle. I played around for a bit googling and trying to figure out how to get into a command line before the GUI started out, and could not.

So I reinstalled, realized that I had enabled the firewall and hosed up my ability to see fat32 and ntfs shares from the other systems on my network, and after reading everything, decided a reinstall was the quickest fix, especially as I am running cable/linksys/proxy w/firewall/dual boot machine so I did not need the bloody thing anyways.

Hardware is identified by machine ( Monitor is Gateway and proper model identified, video card is Geforce4 4600ti)

So third install of FC4, everything setup back to the 1280x1024 problem. I can change the settings rather easily using the GUI (KDE) stuff but I fear changing it and losing everything again.

Now my question:

Can I experiment with different video settings and add a timeout if they are not successful ala XP2KME98SE or failing that, how do I get to a command line pre start of the GUI so that I can figure out which config file to hand edit?

If your video settings aren't working well, try hitting Ctrl+Alt+F1.

Heh bloody M$ forcing me to relearn, I had to learn their stuff when OS2 died, and OS2 when Amiga died, and Amiga when my C64 and C128D became doorstops. I hope Linux is my last jump.

I appreciate your answer Matir, especially as it allowed me to google it and now I can think of several angles of attack. This forum is excellent. Now if I can just ween my wife off the crackrock called PhotoshopCS ( I know about Gimp but she is a pro and sweats things like CMYK support and Font controls)