Screen Resolution:1280x1024 Optimum mode-Ubuntu boot problem

[stevesmithx]

After trying Linux from usb, I decided to install it to one of my hard drives.
After installing the Intrepid Ibex Ubuntu to my disk, when I rebooted to login for the first time the following problem occurs.
Grub loads up, followed by booting to linux after which monitor shows the following error:

"Not Optimum mode
Recommended mode:1280x1024"

This error message floats around the screen and after which some weird things happen.

The Login screen appears but the gui doesn't accept any input from keyboard or mouse.
I restarted 4 or 5 times and each time the same thing happens.

I tried to enter into grub menu but it has only 3 items which are like:
1.Boot into ubuntu.
2.Boot into ubuntu using recovery mode.
3.Test memory using memtest86.

Well as only the second option would make any sense to this problem, I tried this but it doesn't have any choice to change the screen resolution too.
Now I am stumped and don't know how to change the screen resolution without booting into linux.
I am using ATI Radeon Xpress 200 series chipset.

Any ideas/suggestions would be much appreciated.

[Akkernight]

Hmm... I was able to change the resolution once, after panicing and freaking out on the keyboard :P but it could also have been some time based resolution change for me, I dunno xP

[glo]

Did you try editing /etc/X11/xorg.conf ?