[ale] How do you force a fixed resolution on Ubuntu 16.04

[Alex Carver]

For the autodeleting Xorg.conf file, check the system init scripts and
the Xorg startup script.  I recall seeing a couple versions that did
flush it at every start and then attempting autodetects.

For Windows, download Device Console (devcon.exe):
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/ff544707(v=vs.85).aspx

Then run in a batch file:
devcon.exe disable =display
devcon.exe enable =display

That will initiate the detection process.  I do it on my Windows machine
which, at boot, forgets it has two monitors.  Once the actual video
driver loads it's able to find the second monitor if I disable and
enable it.  I set the batch file to run using the Task Scheduler with
about a five minute delay after Windows starts (gives time for all of
the initial autodetection routines to finish).

DevCon can be much more specific in specifying the device.  I had this
in before:
devcon disable PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0162&SUBSYS_84CA1043&REV_09\3&11583659&0&10
devcon enable PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0162&SUBSYS_84CA1043&REV_09\3&11583659&0&10

And that would hit just the video card but specifying a subsystem
(=display) turned out to be easier.

On 2016-09-24 03:42, DJ-Pfulio wrote:
> I vaguely recall these things (don't quote me):
> 
> Grub - use grub to set the initial screen resolution.
> 
> xorg.conf still exists, it just gets deleted all the time. ;( I don't
> know what causes this or why.
> 
> lxrandr is the best, easiest, simple, interface for controlling monitor
> resolutions.  xrandr cmds can be used whenever you need it.  Too bad
> Windows doesn't have something similar. I'm tired of it deciding that
> 800x600 is the resolution for my 1920x1200 monitor until I use the GUI
> to "detect" it (5 mouse clicks). Need a way to automate that - so
> frustrating.
> 
> On 09/24/2016 05:42 AM, Jim Lynch wrote:
>> Back in the bad old days, I could eventually put a xorg.conf file
>> together that would make my monitor play.  Xorg.conf appears to be
>> gone.  I have a situation where a box running 16.04 is connected to a
>> monitor and a projector via a splitter.  Even when turned off, the
>> projector somehow becomes the primary monitor.  Since the projector has
>> better resolution the system at boot sets the resolution to a geometry
>> that the monitor can't display.  Now the system looks like it's hung. 
>> We can disconnect the monitor cable temporarily to boot, but we'll
>> eventually destroy the connectors that way.
>>
>> I can't spend any money on the solution so the next best thing is to
>> tell the computer to used a fixed resolution that the monitor can
>> display.  The projector is happy with that setting too.
>>
>> I can't seem to come up with the answer by searching, so I'd like some
>> help. Xrandr might be the solution but I haven't figured out how to get
>> it to effect the display before login.
>>
> _______________________________________________
> Ale mailing list
> Ale at ale.org
> http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
> See JOBS, ANNOUNCE and SCHOOLS lists at
> http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo
>