Cannot change resolution above 1024x768 on any distro, with Intel 965 Express (X3100)

DustyLv · 04-07-2013, 08:21 AM

Hello!

I have a quite old laptop, with an Intel integrated gfx card, 965 Express Chipset Family, X3100.

Currently I have a USB key and a few linux distros (Crunchbang 11, Fuduntu 2013.1, Mint 14, Manjaro, Snowlinux 4 and Fedora 18) to try, but whenever I boot in Live mode (with any of them), it doesnt allow me to set it to my full resolution, 1280x800, only 1024x768 or lower.

After searching, linux should be ready out-of-the-box for this old thing. Shouldn't it?
As far as I've read and searched myself, it doesnt create a xorg.conf where I could change something..or maybe I just cant find it.

Also, I have another laptop (about the same age) and it has a VIA or something integrated graphics, and it works perfectly in Live-mode.

I have used UNetBootin and LinuxLive USB creator (LiLi), both have the same result.

And what I noticed when trying Snowlinux - the part when loading (blue and white bar at the bottom) is in the full resolution, but at the end of loading it sets it to a lower resolution.

How can this be fixed?

DavidMcCann · 04-07-2013, 11:26 AM

You need to tell Grub what to use, I think. With Grub legacy I'd add vga=865 to the boot command.
If I understand it, and I've never used it, Grub 2 needs the configuration file to contain
GRUB_GFXPAYLOAD_LINUX 1280x800x24

DustyLv · 04-07-2013, 11:41 AM

Ok, but where to add it and/or how? This is pretty much the first time I try to use Linux, so I don't really know how or where everything is.
Also, will it work without installing the OS, when I try it live. Because I don't think I see GRUB when booting in.

EDIT:
And, how changing Grub settings will change what resolution can I set for the OS? As far as I know, Grub is just for booting, not change OS display settings. But who knows, I may be wrong.

DavidMcCann · 04-08-2013, 11:59 AM

1200x800 is not a standard resolution, so it's not often recognised automatically. And you can definitely set video mode from Grub.

For Grub 2, see this
http://linuxers.org/howto/how-config...ub2-ubuntu-910
http://www.fuduntu.org/wiki/index.php?title=Grub2

In Legacy Grub, there's a configuration file (grub.config or menu.lst) in /boot/grub. Add the vga command to the end of the kernel line. Alternatively, test by interrupting the boot (press a key quickly when it starts to get the menu) and edit it there.

TobiSGD · 04-08-2013, 12:45 PM

The vga= option is deprecated for drivers that use KMS (which nowadays are almost all), use the video= option instead, like

Code:

video=1280x800@60

for 1280x800 resolution at 60 Hz.

DustyLv · 04-08-2013, 02:42 PM

Ok, but I don't have the OS installed. I tried to install it from a USB to 16GB USB stick, but it took so long, it was greying out (on Fuduntu), and I just gave up on installing. I don't really know how I could go about installing it or anything.

So I need a fix for a Live Image, not installed. (Correct me if I'm wrong, but you guys are talking about an installed Linux, am I right?

rokytnji · 04-08-2013, 02:54 PM

Try while running live after booting up in 1024x768 in terminal

Code:

xrandr -s 1280x800

It won't hurt to try. It won't stick though as live iso is a read only file system and changes
won't stick.

TobiSGD · 04-08-2013, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DustyLv

So I need a fix for a Live Image, not installed. (Correct me if I'm wrong, but you guys are talking about an installed Linux, am I right?

As long as you have access to the bootloader's commandline and you use the Intel driver (which should be the case) it shouldn't matter if you use a Live-CD or an installed system.

Emerson · 04-08-2013, 05:33 PM

I experienced similar problem with my wife's nettop. I found despite the chipset had three outputs there were only two actually present on the motherboard. So I had to add video=LVDS-1:d to the kernel command line to specify the output I wanted to use (and which actually had a monitor connected to it).

DustyLv · 04-13-2013, 05:13 PM

Ok, so I managed to install Fedora on my USB stick. Still not recognizing 1280x800.

I installed the drivers, didn't help. I tried to add a new mode to xrandr through Terminal, does not work. Also, I generated a new xorg.conf file, but I don't know what is what in there, what would I need to change to get my resolution.

Any other suggestions that I might try?

Oh, and the resolution on Grub is as needed - 1280x800, so it's a problem in Fedora (and other Linux distros).

Emerson · 04-13-2013, 06:32 PM

Install wgetpaste and post the link.

Code:

wgetpaste /var/log/Xorg.0.log

DustyLv · 04-14-2013, 04:52 AM

Here's the link for wgetpaste: https://gist.github.com/5382142

Emerson · 04-14-2013, 07:25 AM

https://www.osadl.org/Single-View.11...a6c939a.0.html

Methinks you should experiment with KMS settings, just add them to kernel command line, video=VGA-1:d is worth a try, you seem to be using DVI output.

DustyLv · 04-14-2013, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emerson

...is worth a try, you seem to be using DVI output.

From xrandr in the Terminal, it says LVDS1, does it differ alot from DVI settings-wise?

Also, as I read through that page, I need to find some files or something that is in /root, but I can't access it, even with an admin account.
And I don't really understand how and where to find and use the KMS. Yeah, I'm really nooby when it comes to Linux