I have a laptop with dual boot configuration of Windows XP and Fedora Core 4. I updated all of the fedora, and wanted to improve the monitor. With WIndows, it was picking a nice resolution, with the Fedora, it was 800x and I wanted better.

I did something with the settings on the video card. When I tried to boot again, I can't get into a linux with a usable screen. Windows still boots up nicely.

I placed the boot disc (Disc 1) in the DVD drive, but I don't get to a usable screen.

This may be covered in some other place on this site, but I couldn't find it when I looked. What do I do next?

Thanks for helping a newbie!

Steve

Boot your system (without the DVD in place) into runlevel 3, this is done by;

When the Grub menu screen is displayed press any key

Select the Linux boot choice and press the 'e' key

Select the line that begins with something like 'kernel /vmlinuz' and press the 'e' key again

At the end of the line add a space followed by the number 3

When done press the 'Enter' key followed by the 'b' key

Log on as root and do;

# cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup
(this line makes a backup of your current config file for you)

# system-config-display --reconfig

Select you video card and select the Generic LCD Panel that matches or comes close to your display. When done test by typing 'startx' minus the singlequote marks. If you have a working GUI interface then your done or almost done. Since you have not provided any information about your laptop then I cannot be 100% sure if you are done or not. You may want to look here for additional help and information about your laptop;

http://www.linux-laptop.net/

This all went well for a while, but when I entered the "# system-config-display --reconfig" and pressed return, I had about 1/2 second where a couple of legible lines appeared, then disappeared, and the screen because unreadable.

Any other suggestions--

This is a "Linux certified" branded laptop.

I do appreciate your assistance.

Post your /etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup file and which laptop you have exactly.

File--

End Section

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Videocard0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 24
Subsection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 16
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
Subsection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 24
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "DRI"
Group 0
Mode 0666
EndSection


Computer has LC2430 on the identifying plate on the bottom. Linux Certified.

I looked at the original xorg.conf file and it has a lot more information than the backup copy I made. It has the following regarding the video monitor and display--

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
VendorName "Monitor Vendor"
ModelName "Unknown monitor"
HorizSync 31.5-37.9
VertRefresh 50.0-70.0
Option "dpms"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Videocard0"
Driver "radeon"
VendorName "Videocard vendor"
BoardName "ATI Radeon Mobility M9"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Videocard0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 16
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 16
Modes "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection

The second xorg.conf file is the better of the two you provided. Try adding the following to this file;

SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 24
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection

What is really interesting is that the default depth is set a 24 and you don't have a subsection for it.

You might want to also review this; http://www.fedorafaq.org/#radeon

I tried this, repeated your earlier instructions. Read a lot. I have not been able to get this corrected.

Is there a way to use the rescue mode with the initial load discs?

I have learned a lot about bash commands, and how to work without the GUI. Of course, I haven't accomplished much!

I finally reloaded FC 4. In the loading sequence, there is a place to pick the LCD monitor. I probably picked the incorrect item originally.

Thanks for your help!