I'm using a new svga cable and now, I can't select my original resolution of 1280x1024

Also this message is in /var/log/messages

i2c-adapter i2c-0: unable to read EDID block.
: [ 1373.592426] i915 0000:00:02.0: VGA-1: no EDID data

The monitor is not "talking back" to your system when it is probed. This would provide the EDID data, you will need to form /etc/X11/xorg.conf and provide the refest rates the device is capable of. Something like this will be fine:

Section "ServerLayout"
    Identifier "Layout0"
    Screen 0 "Screen0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier "Monitor0"
    VendorName "Unknown"
    ModelName "Unknown"
    HorizSync 28.0 - 33.0
    VertRefresh 43.0 - 72.0
    Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier "Device0"
    Driver "intel"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier "Screen0"
    Device "Device0"
    Monitor "Monitor0"
    DefaultDepth 24
    SubSection "Display"
        Depth 24
        Modes "1024x768@60"
    EndSubSection
EndSection

You will need to run:

gksudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

to get write access to the file, reboot after editting and saving the file. If it doesnt work (no x server) then boot to recover root console and simply rename the file and reboot, yuo will be back where you started with an x server.

Thanks AP,

I had a feeling you'd be the one to answer my question. Your solution sounds right, unfortunately I decided to upgrade to the 10.04 beta before fixing the resolution problem. It won't be finished for another 30 minutes or so, I'll check to see if the problem still persists, if it does I'm going to use your solution, if it doesn't, well then 10.04 is more than promising.

Thanks AP

Neither 9.10 nor 10.04 beta have the /etc/X11/xorg.conf file, but they both contain a xorg.conf.failsafe file.. I'm going to try and edit this.

You are right the releases do not ship with a file and the OS will rely on UDEV and HAL to detect settings which is pretty cool. If anxorg.conf file exists then it will be obeyed.

My monitor also does not get refresh rates so I have to use the xorg.conf file, one can be generated if you use an nvidia gfx card (which is the only video card brand I will use due to great support in Linux).

I tried using the xorg.conf file with what ActionParsnip suggested but I'm still not getting any resolution higher than 800x600.

What is the output of "xrandr" in the terminal? https://wiki.ubuntu.com/X/Config/Resolution & http://www.ubuntugeek.com/how-change-display-resolution-settings-using-xrandr.html offer instructions on how to add undetected resolutions.

Book 'em Dano,

I have since rm /etc/X11/xorg.conf , because the 640x480 resolution it was leaving me with was unbearable, I'm just bearing it at 800x600 now.

xrandr:
Screen 0: minimum 320 x 200, current 800 x 600, maximum 4096 x 4096
VGA1 connected 800x600+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 0mm x 0mm
   800x600 60.3*
   640x480 59.9

No luck..
I tried:

1) cvt 1280 1024

2) xrandr --newmode "1280x1024_60.00" 109.00 1280 1368 1496 1712 1024 1027 1034 1063 -hsync +vsync

3)xrandr --addmode VGA1 1200x1024_60.00

but it is still not working...

I just tried the same command again and now at the
--newmode line I'm getting:

X Error of failed request: BadName (named color or font does not exist)
  Major opcode of failed request: 149 (RANDR)
  Minor opcode of failed request: 16 (RRCreateMode)
  Serial number of failed request: 21
  Current serial number in output stream: 21

Thanks Book 'em Dano,

I missed typed a line the fix (for my computer and desired resolution of 1280x1024) ended up being this:

Open Terminal:

1) cvt 1280 1024
2) xrandr --newmode "1280x1024_60.00" 109.00 1280 1368 1496 1712 1024 1027 1034 1063 -hsync +vsync
3) 3)xrandr --addmode VGA1 1280x1024_60.00 (I previously had 1200x1024-my mistake)

4) Then edit /etc/gdm/Init/Default
     Find
PATH=/usr/bin:$PATH
OLD_IFS=$IFS

and add these next two lines underneath and save.

xrandr --newmode "1280x1024_60.00" 109.00 1280 1368 1496 1712 1024 1027 1034 1063 -hsync +vsync

xrandr --addmode VGA1 1280x1024_60.00