Thanks for the help. I have installed the 915resolution package but am not sure exactly where to place the "/usr/bin/915resolution 54 1024 600" line in the hwconf.sh file
I have a Samsung N130, which also runs at 1024x600. I was trying for 1280x800 but no luck on any distro so I assume the video card doesn't allow it.
I just installed Xorg & 915Resolution, added the 1024x600 mode to the /etc/X11/Xorg.conf file and it worked. The Intel video card was directly supported by the combination.
I have installed both the 915 resolution package and XOrg. I have also attempted to generate a new xorg.conf file with the xserver turned off, i.e. using the console. The resulting file is no different from the one automatically generated at boot up. It doesn't actually specify any monitor resolutions to which I could add the new one.