Fiesty Fawn screen resolution bug at install

[minty-morky-mindy]

Problem:

Screen resolution locked at 800x600 or 640x480 and either 60Hz or 56Hz. GPU = Nvidia 6600GT, Monitor = Viewsonic CRT 19" G90f+

Details/Rant:

Upon running the live CD of Fiesty Fawn, I was locked into a maximum screen resolution of 800x600 at 60Hz. I tried to change this upon boot with F4 and also edit the Xorg and neither worked. Alt + F7 worked but I refuse to install Ubuntu with a work around. If it can't even present a proper screen resolution then it isn't worth bothering with so I will wait for Gutsy Gibbon.

Ubuntu MUST provide screen resolutions of greater than 800x600 by default. Even the 60Hz setting is too low for a CRT.

The install window was TOO large, and it could not be resized. Alt + F7 moved the window but that is unacceptable as Ubuntu should simply work.

If Ubuntu cannot even get the install process correct, then it isn't worth bothering with further.

As far as I am concerned, Fiesty Fawn is a FAILURE.

I do like the concept of Ubuntu, but it simply cannot be taken seriously with such blatant problems. Screen resolutions MUST work 100% correctly! The first impression is visual, and if Ubuntu can't even do that right then it doesn't deserve to be installed!

I deleted my ISO image and binned my burned Ubuntu CD.

I hope Ubuntu sort this nonsense about screen resolutions once and for all.

I am really disappointed with Fiesty Fawn. I read so many reviews and the thing can't even get screen resolutions right!!!

Anyway thanks for reading this and I look forward to the day when Ubuntu works as it ought to.

Discussed below:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=2520531#post2520531

[Bryce Harrington (bryce)]

This is probably a dupe of 3731.
Upload your /var/log/Xorg.0.log file and I can check to be sure.

[minty-morky-mindy (minty-morky-mindy)]

Hi,

I don't have it. I burned an ISO and installed ran the live CD from there.
After about an hour of mucking around I deleted the ISO and binned my Ubuntu
CD.

I am of the view that Ubuntu should work properly and it didn't. So now I
wait for Gutsy Gibbon and hope that this is sorted by then.

My system is:

AMD AthonXP 2500+
Nvidia GeForce 6600GT
Mainboard Asus A7N8X-E
Monitor Viewsonic 19" G90f+

As reported I was stuck with a maximum resolution of 800x600 and 60Hz. I
edited the Xorg to fix this, alt-ctrl-backspace but the changes didn't take
effect. The F4 at the begining didn't work either. I set the resolution to
1024x768.

This isn't the first time I have had this problem with Ubuntu. It was
present in Dapper too from memory.

Others are reporting similar problems.

I have ordered the Fiesty CD so I will try again then. I will hopefully
remember to save a copy of Xorg to submit.

All I know is that I was really annoyed at not being able to change screen
resolutions. Neither with the default Nvidia drivers nor with the installed
Nvidia drivers when trying to test the Beryl Cube. As I was running a live
CD I alt-ctrl-backspace but that didn't affect the resolution.

I tried to install Ubuntu but the install window was TOO large. So the
"ok/next" button was off screen. I later learned about Alt F7 and thought I
am not going to waste my time any further with this version of Ubuntu.

I frankly don't understand how such a bug can have made it undetected during
testing. The 6600GT is a popular card. Viewsonic are a popular monitor.
Nothing unique about the hardware. No reason for this not to work.

I hope you can fix this as it completely ruined my Ubuntu Fiesty Fawn
experience completely. My first impression of Fiesty Fawn is that it Failed
- the screen resolution doesn't work and the install window with the locked
in 800x600 max is too big.

Cheers.

On 4/24/07, Bryce Harrington <email address hidden> wrote:
>
> This is probably a dupe of 3731.
> Upload your /var/log/Xorg.0.log file and I can check to be sure.
>
> ** Changed in: xorg (Ubuntu)
> Status: Unconfirmed => Needs Info
>
> --
> Fiesty Fawn screen resolution bug at install
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/109483
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>

[minty-morky-mindy (minty-morky-mindy)]

Added Xorg.0.log

[minty-morky-mindy (minty-morky-mindy)]

Added xorg.conf

[minty-morky-mindy (minty-morky-mindy)]

I downloaded ubuntu-7.04-desktop-i386.iso again, burned it, and booted to the live CD. I then went and copied Xorg.0.log and xorg.conf to a usb pen, rebooted to XP and am posting now.

I hope this helps. I do want Ubuntu to work and I am prepared to assist such as in beta testing. All the best.

[minty-morky-mindy (minty-morky-mindy)]

Hi,

Please find Xorg.0.log and xorg.conf attached.

Ref:

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xorg/+bug/109483

"I downloaded ubuntu-7.04-desktop-i386.iso again, burned it, and booted to
the live CD. I then went and copied Xorg.0.log and xorg.conf to a usb pen,
rebooted to XP and am posting now.

I hope this helps. I do want Ubuntu to work and I am prepared to assist such
as in beta testing. All the best."

Cheers

[minty-morky-mindy (minty-morky-mindy)]

Please delete the above post:

"Hi,

Please find..."

It was added by mistake and I can't edit or delete it. Thanks.

[Bryce Harrington (bryce)]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for gathering this additional info; I know it's a pain.

Yep, this does indeed look like another example of the infamous bug 3731. Looking at your xorg.conf file, Ubuntu seems to have detected your monitor, but failed to determine the h/v rates:

Section "Monitor"
 Identifier "G90f+"
 Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Then in the Xorg.0.log file, you see where it takes a wild guess:

(II) NV(0): G90f+: Using default hsync range of 31.50-37.90 kHz
(II) NV(0): G90f+: Using default vrefresh range of 50.00-70.00 Hz

Yet actually, looking up your monitor's documentation, the actual rates are very different:

www.viewsoniceurope.com/data/60/G90f+_b.pdf
Frequency: Fh: 30-97kHz; Fy: 50-180

Then in the Xorg.0.log file you can see a sadly long list of rejected resolutions because they're beyond what it thinks the allowed ranges are.

Unfortunately, a LOT of people run into this particular bug. It's because the installer relies on a tool called xresprobe, which has proven to be quite inadequate.

The good news is that if you can get through the installation process, then you can just manually edit your xorg.conf file to insert the correct values in. Namely:

Section "Monitor"
 Identifier "G90f+"
 Option "DPMS"
        HorizSync 30-97
        VertRefresh 50-180
EndSection

Of course, that won't help for getting it to boot off the LiveCD, and you're definitely right that this problem really must be fixed for Gutsy.

Canonical recognizes this is a problem and has taken several steps. First, they've hired a dedicated Xorg maintainer (me; I officially start day after tomorrow). Second, they've slated time to talk about how we're going to solve these issues at the upcoming developer summit in May. Third, they've made this and a couple other major X features be critical items for the Gutsy release. I'm a little apprehensive about if all these things can be achieved by then, but hopefully with help from community members like you, it can be done.

I'll drop a few more thoughts and ideas onto bug 3731, of ideas, things needing to be tested, etc. If you'd like to help make Ubuntu's X work robustly, I'd love it if you could join in the discussions and work on that bug.

[minty-morky-mindy (minty-morky-mindy)]

25 April 2007

Hi Bryce,

I will definitely assist you. I have 2 other monitors too, Viewsonic 17"
E70F CRT, and HP 17" HP71 CRT (1999 model) that I can test on after the
G90f+ is resolved.

Let me know what I need to do regarding download and burning to a CD to
test this.

When I run 7.04 in VirtualBox on XP I do get 1024x768.

It seems that "xresprobe" needs to be modified or a new tool designed
altogether. I guess it is as simple and as complex as querying the monitor
for resolutions and then presenting them as options. In theory simple enough
as an objective but a substantial challenge for you and a good Ubuntu
achievement if you can find a solution.

Just let me know what I need to do to assist.

Cheers,

Chris

On 4/25/07, Bryce Harrington <email address hidden> wrote:
>
> Hi Chris,
>
> Thanks for gathering this additional info; I know it's a pain.
>
> Yep, this does indeed look like another example of the infamous bug
> 3731. Looking at your xorg.conf file, Ubuntu seems to have detected
> your monitor, but failed to determine the h/v rates:
>
> Section "Monitor"
> Identifier "G90f+"
> Option "DPMS"
> EndSection
>
> Then in the Xorg.0.log file, you see where it takes a wild guess:
>
> (II) NV(0): G90f+: Using default hsync range of 31.50-37.90 kHz
> (II) NV(0): G90f+: Using default vrefresh range of 50.00-70.00 Hz
>
> Yet actually, looking up your monitor's documentation, the actual rates
> are very different:
>
> www.viewsoniceurope.com/data/60/G90f+_b.pdf
> Frequency: Fh: 30-97kHz; Fy: 50-180
>
> Then in the Xorg.0.log file you can see a sadly long list of rejected
> resolutions because they're beyond what it thinks the allowed ranges
> are.
>
> Unfortunately, a LOT of people run into this particular bug. It's
> because the installer relies on a tool called xresprobe, which has
> proven to be quite inadequate.
>
> The good news is that if you can get through the installation process,
> then you can just manually edit your xorg.conf file to insert the
> correct values in. Namely:
>
> Section "Monitor"
> Identifier "G90f+"
> Option "DPMS"
> HorizSync 30-97
> VertRefresh 50-180
> EndSection
>
> Of course, that won't help for getting it to boot off the LiveCD, and
> you're definitely right that this problem really must be fixed for
> Gutsy.
>
> Canonical recognizes this is a problem and has taken several steps.
> First, they've hired a dedicated Xorg maintainer (me; I officially start
> day after tomorrow). Second, they've slated time to talk about how
> we're going to solve these issues at the upcoming developer summit in
> May. Third, they've made this and a couple other major X features be
> critical items for the Gutsy release. I'm a little apprehensive about
> if all these things can be achieved by then, but hopefully with help
> from community members like you, it can be done.
>
> I'll drop a few more thoughts and ideas onto bug 3731, of ideas, things
> needing to be tested, etc. If you'd like to help make Ubuntu's X work
> robustly, I'd love it if you could join in the discussions and work on
> that bug.
>
> --
> Fiesty Fawn scre...

[minty-morky-mindy (minty-morky-mindy)]

25 April 2007

Hi Bryce,

I just did a quick read up on xresprobe, and it seems the latest version
0.4.23 Debian, was in testing as at 20 April 2006.

I remember having to manually editing the Xorg in Ubuntu 6.06, in June 2006.
It seems that xresprobe hasn't been worked on since April 2006. No wonder I
still have a problem with the resolution in April 2007.

It seems that the actual method of querying needs to be tweaked. Also the
guess xrespobe makes, as with the Viewsonic G90f+, needs to be totally
reworked to make it more accurate.

xresprobe guess for Viewsonic G90f+:
Fh - hsync range of 31.50-37.90 kHz
Fv - vrefresh range of 50.00-70.00 Hz

actual Viewsonic G90f+:
Fh - hsync range of 30.00-97.00 kHz
Fv - vrefresh range of 50.00-180.00 Hz

Let me know when you want me to test something.

Cheers,

Chris

[Bryce Harrington (bryce)]

One thought would be for purposes of installation to temporarily swap
with one of those other monitors, if the resolution issue is too
problematic. Then after installation is done just re-swap the
monitors, and fix the /etc/X11/xorg.conf file with the Monitor section I
indicated.

I don't think xresprobe is installed by default so after installation
you might need to add it via:

  sudo apt-get install xresprobe

xresprobe does indeed need to get replaced ultimately. Our tentative
plan is to use Xorg's builtin 'xrandr' system for automatic monitor
detection. However, we've not done much testing of it, but it's easy to
test by just moving aside your xorg.conf. I.e.:

  sudo mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.orig

Then restart X and see what happens. If X fails to work properly, then
log into a console window (Ctrl-Alt-F1) and then do:

  sudo mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf.orig /etc/X11/xorg.conf

The times I've experimented with this, it has worked very well, however
I would like to hear from other users if it also works okay for them or
not.

Thanks,
Bryce

[minty-morky-mindy (minty-morky-mindy)]

I installed 7.04 used alt F7 to move the install window so that it is viewable.

I then went to find xorg.conf to edit. I couldn't find it anywhere. Not in the X11 folder, not by searching and not when showing hidden files.

So I thought I would copy the xorg.conf over from XP, the one I have posted above, but I was stopped:"You are not the owner, so you can't change these permissions". How do I become the owner? There is no obvious way.

I used synaptic to install nvidia.glx and that fixed nothing.

I started Firefox to get to the Ubuntu Forums but that was an ordeal in itself. Why isn't there a simple link to that forum? It is such an obvious need. I had to follow link after link to finally get there.

The ctrl alt F1 left me in a "consul window" and I had no idea how to exit it. So I had to turn off the power to my computer.How does one exit a consul window?

I thought Ubuntu used xresprobe? You said above "Unfortunately, a LOT of people run into this particular bug. It's because the installer relies on a tool called xresprobe, which has proven to be quite inadequate." Well whatever is being used, I hope you can fix it.

Let me know when you have a working fix for Ubuntu screen resolution to test and I will test it.

[minty-morky-mindy (minty-morky-mindy)]

Running the live 7.04 CD with the same hardware but 3 different monitor.

These are the maximum resoulutions and refresh rates.

Viewsonic G90f+ 19" CRT
800x600 60Hz

Viewsonic E70f 17" CRT
1280x1024 60Hz

HP D8901 17" CRT
1024x768 85Hz

It is obvious that Ubuntu is totally unable to correctly identify screen resolutions and refresh rates.

I tried to edit the xorg.conf and that eventually managed to work after being forbidden permission to use my own computer.

The changes to the xorg.conf file worked and then they didn't work. I got the resolutions but not the refresh rates working. I reinstalled 7.04 and made changes to xorg.conf and it screwed up again.

I am going to have to edit xorg.conf in a command line.

After 3 years, how can Ubuntu release such crap?

[minty-morky-mindy (minty-morky-mindy)]

After spending several more hours on trying to get Ubuntu too work I have run of ideas and patience. Ubuntu Fiesty Fawn is obviously a broken and deeply flawed release.

I managed to get a resolution of 1152x864 at 85Hz after a great deal of effort. Many times editing xorg.conf within the nano editor, only to have it all ruined when I went to test out beryl. I installed the Nvidia drivers, rebooted and was locked into 800x600 at 50Hz again! No idea where Ubuntu pulled that from. It totally ignored the xorg.conf.

If that wasn't bad enough, I had to remove my wifi card as Ubuntu kept pestering me with [bcm43xx: Error: Microcode "bcm43xx.microcode5.fw"] midway typing in the terminal.

Fiesty Fawn is far far worse than Dapper Drake. At least I managed to have that running about a month before the flaws became too much.

I wish you well Bryce. You certainly have one heck of a job ahead of you trying to fix this sorry excuse of an operating system.

Useless Ubuntu - that is what it is and I am no fan of M$. At least XP works.

Ubuntu is broken, and wasting hours on trying to get the resolution and refresh rate to work is simply a joke. Mark Shuttleworth and Canonical need to get their act together and get the basics right - screen resolution, bit color and refresh rates are basics. Basics Ubuntu still haven't sorted.

How Ubuntu can release Fiesty Fawn when it is so Flawed is remarkable. It just does NOT work.

I wish it did work, I really do. Wasting hours messing around with xorg.conf is not my idea of an operating system that works!

[minty-morky-mindy (minty-morky-mindy)]

I saw several emails regarding this theme. It seems I have subscribed to this topic which is fine. I only saw some questions and am not sure if they are addressed to me or not.

Anyway, there is no adapter for the monitor. It came out of the box and plugged straight in. It uses a VGA plug, like this image:

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:eW_VcU2wxvgkVM:http://services.spd.dcu.ie/support/images/AV%2520Website/VGA%2520plug.jpg

[minty-morky-mindy (minty-morky-mindy)]

Added idea for Gutsy Gibbon regarding xorg.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=2538513#post2538513

[jamings (jamings)]

Chris

Thanks for the reply. My basic problem was that I could not install the system because of the resolution. I therefore could not do any tweaks on an uninstalled system. My solution was to upgrade my video card. This worked for me as I now get 1024 x 768. I installed the system and all is well. Love this new version, best Linux experience so far.

Regards

Ed
---- Chris <email address hidden> wrote:
> *** This bug is a duplicate of bug 3731 ***
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/3731
>
> After spending several more hours on trying to get Ubuntu too work I
> have run of ideas and patience. Ubuntu Fiesty Fawn is obviously a broken
> and deeply flawed release.
>
> I managed to get a resolution of 1152x864 at 85Hz after a great deal of
> effort. Many times editing xorg.conf within the nano editor, only to
> have it all ruined when I went to test out beryl. I installed the Nvidia
> drivers, rebooted and was locked into 800x600 at 50Hz again! No idea
> where Ubuntu pulled that from. It totally ignored the xorg.conf.
>
> If that wasn't bad enough, I had to remove my wifi card as Ubuntu kept
> pestering me with [bcm43xx: Error: Microcode "bcm43xx.microcode5.fw"]
> midway typing in the terminal.
>
> Fiesty Fawn is far far worse than Dapper Drake. At least I managed to
> have that running about a month before the flaws became too much.
>
> I wish you well Bryce. You certainly have one heck of a job ahead of you
> trying to fix this sorry excuse of an operating system.
>
> Useless Ubuntu - that is what it is and I am no fan of M$. At least XP
> works.
>
> Ubuntu is broken, and wasting hours on trying to get the resolution and
> refresh rate to work is simply a joke. Mark Shuttleworth and Canonical
> need to get their act together and get the basics right - screen
> resolution, bit color and refresh rates are basics. Basics Ubuntu still
> haven't sorted.
>
> How Ubuntu can release Fiesty Fawn when it is so Flawed is remarkable.
> It just does NOT work.
>
> I wish it did work, I really do. Wasting hours messing around with
> xorg.conf is not my idea of an operating system that works!
>
> --
> Fiesty Fawn screen resolution bug at install
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/109483
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of a duplicate bug (via bug 3731).

[minty-morky-mindy (minty-morky-mindy)]

Hi Ed,

I am glad you have it sorted. I will use my computer to assist with troubleshooting possible solutions. I need Ubuntu to provide me with the same flexibility in terms of screen resolutions, color depth and refresh rates as XP does. To do less is to move to an inferior operating system. I am hopeful that Ubuntu will improve and I am ready to assist the Ubuntu X SWAT team as requested.

Cheers,

Chris

[jamings (jamings)]

Thanks for your reply Chrs.

I have been using this system for a couple of days now and I am really impressed. The screen resolution is now the same as XP. The system is stable and have had no crashes. I was able to mount the windows drives and work with the files on those drives while using Ubuntu, which gives great flexability. Easily copy MP3's and pictures onto the Ubuntu drive. The system found the missing codecs for video and installed them with ease. This seems a bit faster than XP. Functionallity without fluff.

I am not a real technical person, but have learned to live comfortably with Microsoft systems. I help with IT at work and enjoy my job. Linux is a whole new venture and challange for me. I have also tried Red Hat, Suse, but find this system much more user friendly. I liked earlier versions of Ubuntu, but find this to be a vast improvement. On XP I have an Excel spread sheegt that I keep my monthly expenses. I was able tol access this with Open Office automatically and it looked exactly like the Excel sheet. I have the latest Solaris CD but need to find a machine to run it on. It is a huge system.

I will be glad to be of help if I can with this system. So many responed to my problem and I am greatful.

Later

Ed
---- Chris <email address hidden> wrote:
> *** This bug is a duplicate of bug 3731 ***
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/3731
>
> Hi Ed,
>
> I am glad you have it sorted. I will use my computer to assist with
> troubleshooting possible solutions. I need Ubuntu to provide me with the
> same flexibility in terms of screen resolutions, color depth and refresh
> rates as XP does. To do less is to move to an inferior operating system.
> I am hopeful that Ubuntu will improve and I am ready to assist the
> Ubuntu X SWAT team as requested.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Chris
>
> --
> Fiesty Fawn screen resolution bug at install
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/109483
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of a duplicate bug (via bug 3731).

[minty-morky-mindy (minty-morky-mindy)]

Great to hear Ed.

I have had the opposite experience with 7.04 - nothing but frustration and annoyance unfortunately. I will however assist with testing Gutsy Gibbon as my hardware is ideal - seeing that there are so many problems.

Even with the best case scenario I would need XP as my system is a games machine. I also do work with it but it is primarily decked out for games.

I hope Gutsy Gibbon is kinder to my hardware though I may well have build a new computer by then.

All the best Ed,

Cheers,

Chris

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

[Expired for xorg (Ubuntu) because there has been no activity for 60 days.]