i855/6.8.2/1280x768/swsusp1 - can't restore mode after hibernate

[Jay R. Ashworth]

I'm setting up one of these spiffy new Sony VGN-T350P subnotes for a
client with SuSE9.3 dualbooting with WinXP.  Everything has worked out
better than expected... except X.

It's running Xorg 6.8.2, and I have to use 855resolution to set one of
the unused VBIOS modes to 1280x768, so that the Xserver can find that
mode to use it -- even though there's a modeline in the config file for
that resolution, X pukes on it, saying

(II) I810(0): Not using mode "1280x768" (no mode of this name)

unless I run 855resolution 5c 1024 768 at boot.

Now, that's ok, and I get widescreen... right up until I hibernate the
machine.  Hibernation works *wonderfully*... but when X comes back up,
it can't find the video mode anymore, and the suspended X server falls
over, for KDM to restart it.

Note that this is *not* swsusp*2*; it's the kernel based version in
SuSE's 2.6.11.4 kernel... which I would *much* rather run; this laptop
is for a businessman, not a geek.

I can't tell you whether X pukes into it's log... because that log
gets overwritten on the restart (should it rename the found log file to
Xorg.#.log- on start, maybe?).

I realize that the *fundamental* problem here is Sony failing to pay
Intel to put the proper resolution in the ROM VBIOS.  But that doesn't
help me much.

Is there a way to convince Xorg to run that res without having the
VBIOS say it's ok?  Or, alternatively, is there a way to re-run 855res
on de-hibernate that I'm missing?  I've tried setting it up as a
service, and having /etc/sysconfig/powersave/sleep restart it, but that
isn't working.  I'm beginning to think that maybe 855res needs to be
translated into a module, so it can be reloaded... but maybe even
*that* wouldn't be early enough in the unhibernate sequence.

Those linux laptop people who name everything after breeds of Penguins
*sell this laptop with Linux*; I'm reasonably certain that a) they
wouldn't tolerate this and therefore that b) it acn be solved.

I just don't know how.

Pointers appreciated.

Cheers,
-- jra
-- 
Jay R. Ashworth                                                jra at baylink.com
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