I have installed Red Hat 7.1 several times, each time trying a different approach (changing the video resolution) but I still have not been able to reduce the size of the windows in both KDE and GNOME. I am very new to Linux and so far have not been able to work with it has I am often left to pull windows in various directions in order to see what exactly is on it, which is very frustrated, at other times moving it is not even an option. Awaiting your responses, hope this wasn't too dumb a question.

NatureG

Run xf86config (might be different for RH 7.1--someone who uses RH please correct me here). When it asks if you want to enable virtual screens (screen size larger than actual screen size) select No. Additionally, try pressing CTRL+ALT++or- (use the +/- on the number pad on the keyboard, not the ones next to the zero and backspace key). This will toggle between the resolutions your monitor and video card can support. If it gets to the right screen resolution you're set. Additionally, you can open up a terminal in Gnome or KDE and do the following:

su -
password: <enter root password>

cd /etc/X11
ls

You should see a file called XF86Config. Open it up using your favorite text editor and then go down to the section regarding your default resolution rate. You can edit it to what ever you want (32, 24, 16, 8, etc.) Below that, you'll see what resolutions you have set for each of the rates. If you want to set it so the default is 16 bit with resolution of 1024x768, then change the order of the resolution rates where 1024x768 is first in the list:

"1024x768 800x600 640x480"

This will make it so that everytime you "startx" you'll get the default of 1024x768 at 16bit color resolution. I would recommend first running the xf86config program (remember it could be called something else like xconfigure or xconfigurator or something like that). Hope this helps.

Thank You, will try now.

natureG

if you're monitor does not have the right settings (ie. HorizSync and VertRefresh) there may be problems as you're experiencing...no matter what resolution you set it to. It would be worth checking, if only to eliminate it as a possible problem.

Good point. I completely forgot about that. Thanks!

Thank You both again. The resolution didn't work so now I will check the other thingie.

Nature G

Eureka! I've got it... the problem was the video card, I have a SIS the exact one was not listed and I kept using the default, but my monitor wasn't VGA compatible. I did some more experiments and then I finally found one that was able to work. Thanks guys.

Using all that you suggested made me more familiar with Linux and that made this adventure worth it. Thank You.

Nature Girl

You're welcome! Glad to know everything is working properly. What experiments did you try? Posting what you did to solve your problem will help others who do a search for screen sizes, resolutions, video, etc.

Remember I said I couldn't find my exact video card, well by experiments I meant that I tried the other SIS sub-listings until one of them actually work, so I guess it was close to mine. Hope I answered your questions.

NatureG