Annoying resolution issue on Debian
 

Hello everyone,

I've installed Debian on my Dell Optiplex SX270 and I'm having some resolution issues. If I choose a default depth of 24, it fails to start the GUI. If I choose 16, I get a resolution of 640x480 with no other options. If I choose 8, I get my prefered resolution of 1024x768 but the colors are terrible and if I try to use a vmware virtual machine I get a psychedelic nightmare. How can I fix this? I've looked into 855resolution but I can't get it to work. Is that the answer or is there something else?

Thanks for your help

Did you get out the manual for the monitor look up the refresh rate ranges then use them when configuring? Debian always sets these too low if you take the defaults during configuration.

If you installed Sarge, as many unknowledgeable newbies do, I think you're in trouble. Install Etch Beta3 instead.

Then, assuming you have the video card advertised as stock for that PC, use this wiki page for fine tuning.

Thanks rickh,

After trying a bunch of other stuff that didn't work, I finally decided to install Etch and now everything finally looks good. My only worry was that sarge is being used at my workplace. Can there be an issues with that? I mean with compatibility.

Anyway, thanks again.
Horatio