[ubuntu-uk] using laptop (11.10) thru tv (VGA)

[pete smout]

Hi all,

I'm using ubuntu 11.10 (12.04 won't install on it!) when I plug it into 
my tv via VGA out on laptop to the VGA input on my tv the resolution is 
all wrong and no matter what I try I can't put it right!

with the laptop screen turned off (fn F6 on my laptop) the desktop 
appears on the tv, with a 2 inch (ish) gap down the left hand side of 
the screen and the bottom of the desktop missing off the screen. I open 
the system settings / displays to change resolution and the correct 
resolution is not listed.

On Lucid I had to boot the laptop whilst plugged into the TV the first 
time to get it to 'register' the tv's settings so I tried the same on 
11.10 with no joy!

I have copied the xorg.conf file from lucid into 11.10 (there was not 
one there already) this has made no difference has xorg been replaced?

the only resolution that shows the whole desktop on the tv is 800*600 
not ideal on a HD tv (wide screen) this is not wide screen, old 4.3 format

Any one got any ideas?