c800 Laptop X Window System issue

Hello folks - I just purchased a used c800 Latitude laptop. I am having trouble getting the X server to recognize the available video modes for the system. According to the /var/log/Xorg.0.log the server recognizes the card (ATI Technologies Inc Rage Mobility M4 AGP) and correctly identifies the monitor as
(**) R128(0): using flat panel for display
(II) R128(0): Primary Display == Type 2
(II) R128(0): Panel size: 1400x1050
(II) R128(0): Panel ID: Hitachi TX38D99VC1CAA
etc...
then I find
(II) R128(0): VESA VBE DDC supported
(II) R128(0): VESA VBE DDC Level none
(II) R128(0): VESA VBE DDC transfer in appr. 2 sec.
(II) R128(0): VESA VBE DDC read failed
it then proceeds to start the xserver with default hsync of 28-33kHz and vrefresh of 43-72 Hz
It fails to start on any of the default modes saying (hsync out of range) or (no mode of this name) thus:
(II) R128(0): Not using default mode "1400x1050" (hsync out of range)

Am I going to be limited to 640x480 VGA mode with this computer? Why is the panel not talking to the driver? (VESA VBE DDC read failed)? If I can manually configure mode lines for the x server where can I find the appropriate numbers so I don't fry my panel? HELP!!!!!

Message Edited by ethang on 09-22-2007 06:16 PM