LinuxQuestions.org - Graphics card resolution evolution

PC is i686 clone with Asus A7V8X-X mobo, AMD K7 Athlon, 1 GB DDR memory, 60GB HDD, Monitor ViewSonic A91f+. The video card is an ATI Rage II Mach 64. This eqpt. has functioned well with numerous Liunx distros over the past 8-10 years, but with the introduction of 2009 versions it is exhibiting some curious video card difficulties. Experienced same problem when substituting a slightly better Matrox card of same vintage.

For example, no display problems currently running PCLOS 2007 at 1024 x 768 resolution, but 2009 live CD PCLOS won't even boot up a GUI. Linux Mint will boot up GUI, but at resolution no finer than 832 x 624. Ditto Sidux 2009-02 KDE Lite. However Sidux 2009-02 KDE full version gives the 1024 x 768 resolution I want, plus several steps even finer than that, as in all earlier Linux distros I've tried through the years. But I don't want an OS so overstuffed with wonderful software I'll never use.

I match md5 sums on all burned ISO live CDs, or DVD in case of the Sidux full version.
Seems to me there must be some bleeding edge video development introduced in several of the latest Linux kernels, but I'll never be able to figure that out. I do have a more up to date video card on order, said to work well with Linux, but would welcome GURU insight as to what might be going on in Linux to suddenly introduce such insurmountable hardware difficulties where there have been absolutely none before. This very unwelcome hassle is about to force me back to Window$.