External Monitor + i855crt + Resolution Change

[hbien]

The Problem:
I have an Inspiron 700m that runs at WXGA 1280x800. I'm using i855crt which works with the i855 driver to clone your X server to vga-out. So, I'm getting 1280x800 on my SXGA monitor. There's wasted space on the botton, ie all I get is 1280x800 on the top and black wasted space on the bottom.

What I'm Thinking:
When I switched my resolution on my laptop to 1024x768, or anything lower, i855crt also clones the same resolution. So, 1024x768 doesn't waste any space. BUT, I'm greedy, and I want to use the full SXGA.

The Solution -- Is it even possible?:
What I'm wondering, is it possible to get my 700m to run at 1280x1024 resolution? I've seen this on wind0ws, where running at a higher resolution makes your desktop have a strange scrolling effect. If I can get it to run at 1280x1024, i855crt will work correctly on my external monitor.

I tried editing xorg.conf already, adding in new Modeline for "1280x1024" and Modes, still no good. When I go to Desktop -> Preferences -> Screen Resolution the highest resolution is still 1280x800. I'm wondering if anyone has ever been able to get a higher resolution than what their laptop screen was meant for.

The Specs:
This is a 1280x800 WXGA screen with Intel Extreme Graphics 2 graphics card. I'm using i855 driver.

THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP. I've been googling around mostly finding people talking about their wxga and not being able to get anything higher with i855crt.

[hbien]

Here's a webpage of a guy who was able to do it:
http://www.jumboprawn.net/jesse/projs/inspiron_700_fedora.html

problem is, he didn't tell anyone how....
I've also found another website with someone who was able to do it, or at least he said he could. BUT he decided not to tell how he did it either o_O except he had to xorg.conf files

xorg.conf.internal xorg.conf.external

Had a quick script that basically did

if using internal
cp xorg.conf.internal xorg.conf
else
cp xorg.conf.external xorg.conf

where each xorg.conf files had the specific resolutions for either external or internal lcds. I'm thinking I'll try that, but I still can't get 1280x1024 resolution on my inspiron 700m. Triyng to edit xorg.conf but still no option for Desktop>Preferences>Screen Resolution for 1280x1024.

gr..

[abf]

forget the option.

just remove all other resolutions from xorg.conf. then restart x, and since its the only resolution listed it will be forced into it. or at least it should.

[seablade]

Heh check you console output when you startx and make sure you are in fact editing the correct file;)

It screws things up more times than I can count on some machines I have worked on. Chances are you probably are, but it is better safe than sorry. Plus it may give some insight as to why that resolution isnt working.

Seablade