I think I've killed my computer!

I foolishly changed the resolution settings in systems tools in RH9/Gnome and set it to a resolution my monitor won't accept (NEC flat panel). Consequently, when I boot up to gnome the monitor goes blank. I have been able to get back to command prompt in the rescue mode of the distribution CDs, but once there I'm not sure what to do. Does RH make a back up file with configurations once you change settings, or is there a file that I can edit back to the proper settings?

I appreciate any help,

thanks

Boot up, then press CTRL+ALT+F1 and you are at a console.
Then, just log in as root, and edit your /etc/XF86Config file (may be different then what I put there)

no it will be in here

/etc/X11/XF86Config

edit the file like this

vi /etc/X11/XF86Config


vi is a console based text editor. To a google search for inscrutions of how to use it.

When you boot in via rescue mode from the CD make sure you change the root of the file system to your system. Inscructions on how to do this are shown when you boot rescue mode.

then issue the above command and find the screen section.

change the resolution to the desired settings, save and reboot.

that will fix it.

Also there may be a backup of your old XF86Conf file in that directory.

Issue the command

cd /etc/X11

then

ls | more

check for a file called

XF86Conf.bak

or something

then rename that file to the current one with

cp XF86Config XF86Cofig.bak2

this will preserve your existing config file then

mv XF86Cofig.bak XF86Config

this will overwrite the config file