Add new screen resolution in Linux Mint12

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Thinker

Add new screen resolution in Linux Mint12

Post by Thinker »

Linux does not have as much options for display resolutions as in windows. A 22" Monitor in linux will have 1920x1080, 1440x900, 1280x960, 1024x768 resolutions. Some users may need resolution like 1600x900, 1366x768 for some purposes. These resolutions can be added manually in Linux.

1. First step is to create modeline. This is done to get appropriate values of hsync, vsync etc. To add resolution of 1600x900, open terminal and type:

cvt 1600 900

This will create modeline for resolution of 1600x900 which will look something like this:

1600x900 59.95 Hz (CVT 1.44M9) hsync: 55.99 kHz; pclk: 118.25 MHz

Modeline "1600x900_60.00" 118.25 1600 1696 1856 2112 900 903 908 934 -hsync +vsync




2. To add this resolution to monitor settings, type the following commands one by one:

xrandr --newmode "1600x900_60.00" 118.25 1600 1696 1856 2112 900 903 908 934 -hsync +vsync

xrandr --addmode VGA1 "1600x900_60.00"


After these steps, resolution of 1600x900 will appear under the list of various resolutions available in display settings. This will remain listed for one session only. When computer is restarted, this will disappear. To make it appear permanently, we need to configure xorg.conf file and make this entry manually.



3. In Mint 12, xorg.conf is not present by default and has to be created. This can be created only when x server is not working ie. in console mode otherwise system will give error.Type these highlited commands one by one:

Alt+Ctrl+F1 (switch to console mode)
Login by typing user name and password

sudo service lightdm stop (kill x server)

sudo X -configure (generates new xorg.conf file)

File with name xorg.conf.new will be created in Home folder. Although some error message will appear but file will be created. Just ignore that message.Restart the computer.



4. To switch back to graphical mode, type:

sudo start lightdm



5. Open Home folder. Rename this file from xorg.conf.new to xorg.conf Open xorg.conf with text editor and make the following changes. Underline shows newly added lines

Add Modeline in Monitor Section under each Identifier option. Example:

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
Modeline "1600x900_60.00" 118.25 1600 1696 1856 2112 900 903 908 934 -hsync +vsync
VendorName "Monitor Vendor"
ModelName "Monitor Model"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor1"
Modeline "1600x900_60.00" 118.25 1600 1696 1856 2112 900 903 908 934 -hsync +vsync
VendorName "Monitor Vendor"
ModelName "Monitor Model"
EndSection

Add modes in screen section in similar way as described above in each subsection (screen1, screen2) under the element Depth (Also for each depth). Example:

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Card0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 1
Modes "1600x900"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 4
Modes "1600x900"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 8
Modes "1600x900"
EndSubSection

(Upto Depth 24)

EndSection

Section "Screen"

Identifier "Screen1"
Device "Card1"
Monitor "Monitor1"
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 1
Modes "1600x900"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 4
Modes "1600x900"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 8
Modes "1600x900"
EndSubSection

(Upto Depth 24)

EndSection




6. Save this file and copy this file to /etc/X11/ by typing following command:

sudo cp xorg.conf /etc/X11
(assuming that xorg.conf is located at Home folder) or by graphically if you know.

Note: New resolution must be less than Maximum resolution that monitor can support. And care fully add those lines to each subsection Monitor0, Monitor1, Monitor2, Monitor3, Screen1, Screen2, Screen3, Screen4 . For Screen section, add entries for every Depth from 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24.
sumseq
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Posts: 5
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2012 2:59 pm

Re: Add new screen resolution in Linux Mint12

Post by sumseq »

Hi,

I have followed the instructions to the letter and when I restart my machine the 1600x900 option is still unavailable. I am running off of intel on-board graphics and runnign mint 13 maya 64-bit.

Is there any other thing to try?

Also, the resolution of my login screen is extreamly low. I changed the entry in grub to be 1600x900 but no luck.

Thanks
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