Hi Everyone,
I have just installed Linux for the first time and I canot seem to figure out the simplest thing in the world. I need to know how to change the resolution in Gnome. When I installed I selected the wrong resolution and the screen was to wide and tall for my monitor, I ended up stubling upon a utility called "Text Mode Tool Menu" I ran that and was able to change the resolution, but unfortunately I selected the wrong one again. Now that utility seems to pull up a completely different window? I dont get it! Anyhelp would be great, I cant seem to find documentation on this anywhere!

Thanks!

what distro are you using.. there are many ways to change the resolution in linux..

you can do a ctrl + alt + ( + or - on the number pad ) if you have set up multiple resolutions.

you can use Xconfigurator to setup your X resolution if your using redhat.

you can use xf86config also to setup your resolutions in most other distro's if your not using redhat.

or you can hand edit your XF86Config ( -4) file to make the changes...

let us know..

-trickykid

I am using Red Hat 6.2, with Gnome.

Thanks for your help!

best thing to do is run Xconfigurator and you can change your resolution running that.

-trickykid

First I would try pressing <ctrl><alt>+ (or -)
*note use your number pad's + and - keys.

If that doesn't work try and find your XF86Config file. Mine is located at:

/etc/X11/XF86Config-4

open it up in a text editor and look for line similar to:

Make a copy of the file first (You can always delete it and revert back to the old one albeit "broken"):

Then place what resolutions your setup permits as shown above.

Also make sure the Horizontal Sync and Vertical Refresh are correct. You'll probably have to check the manual that came with your monitor.

Mine are:

...but definitely don't use *mine*. You risk frying your monitor with the wrong settings.

Hope that helps.

Good Luck!!!

ps. When I first started I used this then moved on to this

Thanks alot for you help guys, I have found the file you mentioned I will try to update it tonight, hopefully without wrecking my monitor. I have a question about 'Xconfigurator' how do I run this program, I dont see it in the menu's, do I run it at the prompt. Sorry if thats a dumb question, but I have used Windows my whole life and have Just started using Linux yesterday, and I only have a little bit of UNIX experience.

Thanks,
Ryan

Usually a good way to find the right refresh rates for both Vertical and Horizontal is to go into windows at the resolution you want to run linux and then push the monitors main menu button and see if there is "info"..most newER monitors have this and it will give the exact V & H rates. One thing windows is good for is this

i.e. (for my monitor @ 1600x1200)

H: 60.3Hz
V: 75Khz


Note the only values that make a difference is the MAX so you could put in the XF86Config file:


50-60.3 if your Horizontal has a max of 60.3

And same goes for the vertical. If you are positive that your monitor can take a higher refresh rate at lower resolutions then you could change the max but i just play it safe since i cant really much difference between higher and lower refresh rates.

Yeah, from within the console, just become root, and type Xconfigurator or (XConfigurator, I forgot is it c or C, try both), and it's best done without X running.