Ubuntu
xserver-xorg-video-intel package

  1. Bug #121443
  2. Comment #33

Comment 33 for bug 121443

Revision history for this message
jstroh85 (icantpayformynewwashingmachine) wrote : Problem solved, solution below

I have had the same too-high resolution problem for a very long time.
I stumbled upon a way to fix the problem:

1. Edit 'xorg.conf' (most probably '/etc/X11/xorg.conf').
2. Check Section "Monitor".
(If the fields 'HorizSync' and 'VertRefresh' are not present - which, by default, they are not - you can add them manually.)
Try:
- DECREASING the MAXIMUM value of HorizSync.
- INCREASING the MINIMUM value of VertRefresh.

Explanation:
- By dropping the maximum value of HorizSync, we will restrict the maximum supported resolution. Xorg will drop down to a lower resolution.
- By raising the minimum value of VertRefresh, Xorg will find that the default too-high resolution is impossible at our specified minimum refresh rate. Xorg will drop down to a lower resolution.

By tweaking both HorizSync and VertRefresh independently of each other, you should be able to get your preferred resolution and refresh rate with a little trial-and-error.

p.s.
Regarding this section:
Section "Screen"
       SubSection "Display"

Any modes (resolutions) specified here do not seem to have any effect.
Only the DefaultDepth option works - this might be useful in case you wish to use a non-default color depth (e.g. 16-bit).

p.p.s.
Hope this helps!
Any questions are most welcome.