Hiya my screen resolution is 1280x768 I have a sony vaio T150 but I can only get a 1024x678 on literally all live CD's. Is there a command/download/conf file to change that will get me my fullscreen. Currently its one of the major reasons why I wont use anything besides live CD's on my laptop. I'd prefer a solution rather than "this linux distro does it".


Thanks for any help at all I posted a similar thread earlier but nobody relied Perhaps this ones a little easier

Ok let me see if I understand this. You can't get the correct screen resolution when using LiveCDs so you only use LiveCDs. What's wrong with this picture?

Isn't that like saying I always get burned when I put my hand on the stove, so I always put my hand on the stove?

does it use the complete screen or are there black bars on both sides?

It would be pointless having a full distro on my hard drive if it doesnt fill the whole screen. Id never install any operating system if it didnt forefill one of my main needs so I use live CD's on my laptop and if one day I get the res working then I'll install the same distro.

Regular monitors are 4:3 mines 16:9. 16:9 = 1280 pixels by 768pixels. the bars make the screen square and in the middle instead of rectangular. I havent actually seen any distros supporting this AR.

Sure, I understand. Problem is, there is only so much reconfiguring one can do on a LiveCD version of a distro. You could try stopping the Xserver and then edit the x config file.

Also, are you sure you're loading the correct driver for your video? Typically these problems can be overcome in a HDD installed version because you can eassily download and install drivers, edit and save your config files, etc...

It sounds as if you have the wrong video driver being loaded. It would be far easier for you to correct this problem with an installed system. I know of people running Linux on the Viao with the larger screens, so I know it can be done.

OK I'm just worried I wont be able to configure it and then end up with the same screen resolution for the rest of my life! I'll try configuring X though and see if that works, I've been reading about how to do it just not done it yet. I mean if I manage to configure it and I get a full screen resolution then it will be on my laptop straight away I'm just wary that all and worried that if I cant sort a live distro then I ain't got chance on a hard drive one, I do understand that the reality is that I can make actual configurations with a full install but my subconscious is dumb :P

In another post I was asking some people about sticking it on my hard drive and then configuring it all and then re-mastering the live CD's for my pals

Ciao anyway and thanks for your help everyone I appreciate it

Dear Genderbender

I recently bought a Vaio with a 1280*800 resolution and I have the same problem. Black stripes appear on all sides of my screen.
If you have any ideas plz let me now (el01124@mail.ntua.gr).
I'm a desperate newbie!!!

OK; here comes your solution:

What you need to do is to patch the VBIOS to allow it to do 1280x768. This is done easily with the use of this patch. For info on how to compile and use the patch check out this site.

Now if someone who knows more about this patch and the whole 1280x768-issue gets a glance of this, I have a question as well. Using liveCDs, as mentioned above, is extremely annoying. Are there any plans to add this patch to Knoppix or Kanotix or any other liveDistros? Or perhaps someone knows whether this patch will make it to xorg?

Thanks for the solution I gave up a few months ago though and now i stick with windows and live cd's I might give it a try when i have time. Theres tools to remaster your live CD's, I tried that but it went really wrong so gave up but thats sorta what you wonna be doing if you want this patch NOW. I do agree though they should add it to distros because I bet theres hundreds of people with the same problem and no obvious solution.

Thats sound advice though and I really appreciate the help