We bought a small box as our server and we installed ubuntu linux.
We don't plug any display to it, instead, we remote desktop/vnc to the server (using TightVNC).
However, the display by default is around 1024x768 and our local display is usually much larger.
How could we change the resolution on the server without a display? Preferably, it is setup during the boot time. It is also OK to change at VNC time.
( when we plug a display, it works perfectly )
Perhaps try creating an /etc/X11/xorg.conf file with something like:
Section "Device"
Identifier "VNC Device"
Driver "vesa"
EndSection
Section "Screen"
Identifier "VNC Screen"
Device "VNC Device"
Monitor "VNC Monitor"
SubSection "Display"
Modes "1280x1024"
EndSubSection
EndSection
Section "Monitor"
Identifier "VNC Monitor"
HorizSync 30-70
VertRefresh 50-75
EndSection
... where 1280x1024 would be replaced by the resolution you want.
I did not test it myself; this is from http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=8636175 (first post).
When you start the TightVNC server, one of the options is geometry. According to the manual page for vncserver, this is what determines the resolution.
-geometry widthxheight
Specify the size of the VNC desktop to be created. Default is 1024x768
