Ubuntu on Gateway 3550gz Help please

Ok, I just installed Ubuntu 7.04 in a dual boot configuration with Windows XP Pro on my laptop, an older Gateway 3550gz. Everything works fine in Ubuntu except for the screen resolution and the sound.

The screen is currently in 1024x768, but my native resolution on my 14" widescreen is 1280x768. There is no choice in the drop down box in the screen resolution program (only choices are 1024x768, 800x600, and 640x480) to change it to the native resolution. I'm thinking I need a new driver or something, but I have no clue since I am completely new to Linux (but am loving it SO much more than Windows already!) The graphics chip I have is the Intel 82852/855GM Integrated Graphics if that helps out.

Also, I don't have any sound. The volume control button works, but when I test a sound, nothing comes out. I'm not exactly sure what kind of sound card this laptop has.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

To correct your screen resolution you need to update drivers, kozzney, especially if you're using an ATI card.


Edit: IIRC, these are the instructions I used to correct the resolution on my machine - which had been, I think, 600x400 while using a Dell 2405. Ugh.

 

This is a question that you should post on ubuntuforums.org. You should find some great help there. Also, for any questions related to graphics drivers, you will need to provide the information in the /etc/X11/xorg.conf file. That file provides information including what X.org driver you are using. Post that file here if you want help, but the above mentioned forums should be a better place to go.

 

To fix your video resolution you can try the following steps;

Code:

sudo apt-get install 915resolution

Code:

sudo gedit /etc/default/915resolution

Your file should be edited to look like the following

Code:

#
# 915resolution default
#
# find free modes by  /usr/sbin/915resolution -l
# and set it to MODE  or set to 'MODE=auto'
#
MODE=4d
#
# and set resolutions for the mode.
XRESO=1280
YRESO=768

Then you can reboot and see if you have an option to change your desktop to the higher resolution. You can read more about this at;

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/FixVideoResolutionHowto
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/i915Driver
http://www.geocities.com/stomljen/

If that doesn't help then you are going to need to edit your xorg.conf file. First back it up;

Code:

sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup

Then edit it;

Code:

sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

A Gentoo Linux user has posted a successful xorg.conf for your laptop at;

http://gentoo-wiki.com/HARDWARE_Gateway_3550GZ

that you can compare to. The important section to you would be the monitor one. Lastly to fix your sound problems you can try the following;

Open Volume Control
Under Switches uncheck Headphone Jack Sense, Line Jack Sense, and External Amplifier

And I would agree. Posting these questions on the Ubuntu forums would probably get you quick answers too.

 

How do I access this file? I am completely new to Linux and haven't the least idea of where to find this, or edit it or anything.

Like I said above, I wouldn't know where to start with all this code stuff. I like to think I'm pretty good at figuring stuff out, so if you could point me in the right direction (like a program to open or command prompt or something similiar) I'd appreciate it.

Thanks again.

 

You type those commands into a terminal. It's in Applications > Accessories.

 

ah thank you, now let me see if i can edit this stuff successfully...

 

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RootSudo

It also may help if you read through some of the installation documentation at Ubuntu's website. It's really a great Linux distribution and there's lots of help on the web for it. Lastly if you're up for it, feel free to get a friend to help. Maybe you know someone who's installed Linux before, or just likes to tinker with computers. Having two brains work out the problem can be better than you just having to sort it all out yourself. (Especially if there's a local Linux User Group handy..)

Anyway. Try fixing the sound problem first. Then try doing the i915resolution program installation and configuration steps. If you get the sound fixed, and the resolution needs more configuration tweaks , you'll at least be 95% there.

Good Luck..

 

Wow, everything is working perfectly now. Thanks for all the help!