Question

Ubuntu doesn't offer 1280x1024 but that's what my monitor has
--> I want to set that resolution but need help doing so.

Ubuntu offers 1360x768, 1152x864, 1024x768 when using the Nvidia driver version 180. This is Ubuntu 9.04 installed as "Wubi" through Windows, I believe it's the amd64 version.

Google gave me this precise explanation which is complete latin to me; I'm a Windows guy and not familiar with Terminal. These SU questions also don't provide answers, hence this new question. I hope you can help, and I will provide additional info if required.

Answer 1

Here is why detecting monitor matters: In Ubuntu, the default set in /etc/X11/xorg.conf for the supported refresh rates of the monitor are extremely conservative. This is because some CRT monitors could stop working if you set refresh rates too high.

The solution with an undetected monitor is usually this:
1- Find somewhere the actual supported refresh rates for your monitor
(for example you can find from that page: http://www0.shopping.com/xPF-BenQ-BenQ-19-LCD-T905-TCO99-Monitor-Silver-Black-12ms that the vertical range is 56-76 and the horizontal range is 31-81).
2- Edit the /etc/X11/xorg.conf file in section "Monitor" to use those ranges:
 Section "Monitor"
   Identifier "Monitor0"
   VendorName "Unknown"
   ModelName "CRT-0"
   HorizSync 31.0 - 81.0
   VertRefresh 56.0 - 76.0
  EndSection
3- Restart X or your computer
4- Run nvidia-settings and the resolution you're looking for should be there.

Answer 2

Run nvidia-settings and check the tab that's labeled "X Server Display Configuration". Is the driver correctly detecting your monitor? If not, are you able to select the correct resolution on that screen?

Answer 3

No solution was found for Ubuntu, not even by modifying the X11 config file to add the wanted resolution.

A linux guru helped me install another Linux variant (PClinuxOS) which could specify the monitor (BenQ T904 is close enough to match my T905) and then 1280x1024 worked.