X Problems
 

Initially I tired red hat 7.1. I had some problems configuring X. ie: it never worked. Using Red Hat 7.1 I installed it graphically, and when the monitor settings came up, the proper settings (from manual) were already entered. The install completes successfully and after rebooting, as soon as X starts (either from graphical login boot up, or 'startx' from console) my monitor goes outta range, and the signal is turned off. So, I tired some things, but could not get it to work with red hat7.1. So I downloaded Mandrake 8.1 and installed it. When the X configuration appears I can see the background, and its shifted to the left. It asks me if this option is ok, and whether I say yes or no, the monitor then again goes outta range. So...I am kinda stuck here, as the mandrake install guide says that this is very rare to fail, and usually its common cause is old hardware. If an ATI Radeon 64 DDR VIVO, 1.2 GHz athalon, and Daytek 905DF (203Mhz bandwidth 30-95KHz H. Frequency 50-160Hz V. Frequency 1600 x 1200 @ 75Hz Max Resolution) is old, then I guess I cant afford to run linux :p. So what I am wondering is...what do you think the problem is? Do I need a new version of X (4.x) or...can I use the default X config?

well
 

RH runs on 4.0.3 Have you went through xf86config to play with the monitor settings? You can set them manually very easily. The wrong settings can easily ruin your monitor.

When I had RH installed I didnt try to do this. but what monitor settings would I change. The install probes the correct horizontal and vertical rates, and with mandrake, i cant finish install as the test makes the screen go crazy.