(presuming you don't know about this, sorry if this isnt it):
X supports multiple resolutions, but the virtual res is always the same.
You use Ctrl_Alt_+ and Ctrl_Alt_- to change physical resolution.
I think most setups give the lowest res on startup, which I personally
don't see the logic of (lower res is only useful _occasionally_).
Sorry to see your post seems to have gone so long with no answer,
I've not had useful replies to some of mine recently either.
Of course, you might have figured this thing out by now, or given up :P
--
Tom Barnes-Lawrence (aka Tomble the Bod)
Kindly remove eggs and spam from email address
if you want to email me.