This is an odd problem I encountered today.

My wife would like to wipe her computer and "start over." She's had XP on it for years, but to my delight she asked if I could try Ubuntu and see if it would work. I tried out the Lucid Live CD and everything worked well, except for this one problem.

The entire GNOME desktop environment was shifted "downward." I could not see the bottom panel, and the top panel was unusually "tall." I had to click above the "Applications" menu to actually display the drop-down menu.

I changed the screen resolution, which fixed the issue. I changed it back to the original setting and everything was normal.

When the screen goes blank or to a screensaver, however, the problem returns.

I'm not sure I can provide a screenshot as this is all from the Live CD.

This has occurred on two separate monitors.

I wouldn't think the problem will still exist after installing. The settings would then be saved after being changed.

Hm, may have to go with a leap of faith then.

Unplug the ac to the monitor and see if that corrects it.

There is usually a button on the monitor that may auto adjust it too.

I can't tell if the video card or monitor is causing it.

Could try another live cd. Might also be some bios setting to correct for apm or acpi. Might be a driver issue.