Member Avatar for faisal.qureshi.7121614_1

Hello all! i installed Ubuntu OS alongside Windows XP, but i got screen resolution problem, i mean everything was out of the monitor screen, was may be 800x600, i tried to adjust it through ubuntu's GUI Appearence feature but not succeeded, i guessed that i probably need separate VGA drivers for ubuntu, am i right? if so then how to fix this problem? Thanks !

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Most likely causes: the X server is using a generic VESA/Framebuffer driver (which commonly limits the desktop to 800×600) or the proper GPU driver was never enabled after install. Start by identifying the card and which kernel driver X is using, then try the recommended driver manager for the release (Ubuntu 12.04 used jockey / “Additional Drivers”; newer releases use ubuntu‑drivers / Software & Updates). As and suggested, enabling the correct driver usually fixes available resolutions; note that Ubuntu 12.04 reached end‑of‑life in 2017 so newer hardware/driver support may be limited. (askubuntu.com)

Quick diagnostic + driver steps (suitable for 12.04): run these from a terminal to gather basic info and then check “Additional Drivers” (jockey-gtk) or use jockey-text on Precise to enable a listed proprietary driver.

lspci -nnk | grep -i vga -A3
sudo lshw -c video
# On 12.04: sudo jockey-text --list
# Then enable a listed driver: sudo jockey-text --enable=DRIVER_NAME

If no proprietary driver is available or the proprietary driver causes a problem, switch back via the same tool. Keep a tty (Ctrl+Alt+F1) handy to revert changes if X fails to start. (askubuntu.com)

If the GPU/driver is fine but a desired resolution is missing, use xrandr to add a mode (temporary) and then make it persistent via ~/.xprofile or an X config snippet. Example workflow:

xrandr -q
cvt 1366 768 60         # copy the Modeline output
# xrandr --newmode "1366x768_60.00"  ...numbers...
# xrandr --addmode VGA1 "1366x768_60.00"
# xrandr --output VGA1 --mode "1366x768_60.00"

For persistent changes see the X configuration / xrandr session options. If investigations show missing/invalid EDID or very old hardware, adding a modeline or creating an xorg.conf.d file can help. For full troubleshooting guidance and reference commands, consult the Ubuntu graphics troubleshooting and xrandr documentation. (linuxcommandlibrary.com)

Notes: proprietary drivers can improve resolution and acceleration but sometimes break the session—keep recovery steps handy. The commands above are safe for gathering info and testing modes; when unsure, prefer enabling drivers from “Additional Drivers” (GUI) or the distro’s documented driver tool.

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Member Avatar for rubberman

I assume you are using a dual-boot capability from your post. What video hardware does your system have? You need the appropriate drivers. By default, Ubuntu will not install proprietary video drivers, but there is a System (possibly in Preferences) entry that will provide the ability to install the appropriate drivers for your video, giving you full resolution capabilities. If your Linux distribution cannot handle your specific hardware, then it will revert to the VESA api's that most all hardware supports, but that has limited resolution as you have seen. VGA drivers? Those would be limited to 800x600 which you already have. VESA would provide higher resolution, but not suitable for video streams.

Member Avatar for faisal.qureshi.7121614_1

hi rubberman, thanks for the help!yes i installed it in dual boot mode, and all drivers are working fine in windows XP, i did not get any message to choose or adjust resolution while installing ubuntu 12.04, i am on another system right now, and don't know whats VGA drivers or hardware are on that system where is installed it.But i remember in Ubuntu's Appearence>display, there was only one resolution option ie 800x600.So what you recommend what to do now?

Member Avatar for Gribouillis

Did you try to query and change the screen resolution with the xrandr command ? See for example. If a command line with xrandr works, you could perhaps add a script at startup to execute this command line.

Member Avatar for hbutt875

For driver Issue: Go to dash and search for "additional drivers" and open additional drivers.Wait for a minute (you need an active internet connection).If any VGA or display driver available install it and reboot your PC.
For setting issue: go to system settings and open "Displays".Now change the resolution. Good luck.

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