Can't get VNC to view larger than 1024x768

Question

Level 1

6 points

Can't get VNC to view larger than 1024x768

I'm trying to control 3 other macs (two G5 Duel 2's, and 1 G4 Duel 800) via VNC on my 8-core MacPro.

They all are 'serving' under OSXvnc, also known now as Vine.

From the 8-core, I've tried "Vine Viewer" and "Chicken of the VNC". No matter what, I can't seem to view larger than 1024x768 - which is like looking at these computers on a 15" screen. It's driving me nuts.

How do I view these with a larger screen?? Is this pilot error? Is this a limitation of the VNC protocol?

Any help is appreciated.

Posted on Nov 20, 2007 9:53 AM

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Answer 1

StevenJD

Level 2

230 points

Nov 20, 2007 10:19 AM in response to Nathan Furst

Hi Nathan,

I have been using OSXVnc and Chicken of the VNC (COVNC) for years, and as far as I know, COVNC displays at whatever resolution is set on the machine you are accessing. Do you have 1024x768 resolution set in Display Preferences on the server (the machine running OSXVnc)? If so, I think you will need to change it on the server, after which, your windows on the clients will be fixed at the new resolution. You still won't be able to change it on the client. The other option with COVNC is to run in full screen mode.

Recently I started using JollysFastVNC, which is in Beta but works fine. It allows window resizing and will interpolate accordingly, and it's also very fast. It's a free download. The only quip I have is it does not support right clicking. To access a context menu on the server desktop you need to control click. If this is what you are used to, you wouldn't notice it, but I have a two-button mouse that I am now used to.

Steve

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Answer 2

Nathan Furst Author

Level 1

6 points

Nov 20, 2007 2:42 PM in response to StevenJD

This is helpful. I'll try jollyfast.

All of the Macs (the two g5's and 1 g4) show 1024x768 has the highest resolution option in the display system preferences. However, I know this is bogus - for years I had a 23" apple display connected to the G5's at 1920xwhatever resolution.

How do I make the G5's show higher resolution options?
(sorry, i realize this is know a sorta different question).

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Answer 3

StevenJD

Level 2

230 points

Nov 20, 2007 6:07 PM in response to Nathan Furst

Nathan,

I did some playing around, and you are correct. My G4 is also only letting me go to 1024. It went higher when I had a display connected, but not now.

I believe the problem is that OS X only allows you to set a resolution that it thinks is compatible with the connected display. If you're like me right now, you're running your remote machine headless, with no display. I guess in this case, OS X defaults to allowing only 800x600 or 1024x768.

Other than using JollysfastVNC, and dragging the VNC window to a larger size (which makes the remote screen look fuzzy since it's scaling 1024x768 to a higher resolution - which I am OK with), I don't think there is any solution working just with the OS X display and VNC settings. However, the application SwitchRESX will allow you to override the OS X limitations and set any resolution on your server, so perhaps this will solve the problem. I have used it in the past but am not using it on my current system. It's available at:

http://www.madrau.com/

Steve

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Answer 4

Nathan Furst Author

Level 1

6 points

Nov 21, 2007 12:58 PM in response to StevenJD

Steve,
Switchresx did exactly what I needed. Perfect.
Thanks.

Also, Jollyfastvnc works pretty well. There's nothing fast about it, but it sorta works.

Thanks for all your help!

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Answer 5

StevenJD

Level 2

230 points

Nov 24, 2007 7:42 AM in response to Nathan Furst

Glad it worked out! Would appreciate credit for the answer if you get around to it.

Steve

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Answer 6

Nathan Furst Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 1, 2007 8:23 PM in response to StevenJD

I hit the solved button....is that what you meant? Never knew what that did....

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