Managing monitors without X in Ubuntu 12.04 LTS

Question

linux

Good evening, hackers!

Given:
A laptop with a 1366x768 screen running a clean Ubuntu 12.04 LTS.
xorg was not installed and is not needed yet.

It is used only in the console for monitoring various processes
An external 1280x1024 monitor is connected to the laptop.
The image is mirrored by default but with dead zones on both monitors

Task:
Disable the small built-in screen and set native 1280x1024 on the external monitor.

Thanks in advance.
UPD

Video card: Intel GMA 4500MHD on Acer 1810TZ laptop

UPD2
Changed the line in /etc/default/grub
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="video=VGA-1:[email protected] video=LVDS-1:d"

A list of video outputs, connected monitors and recommended screen resolutions for them can be found by carefully examining the contents of /sys/class/drm

Answer 1

Read manuals towards xrandr. This is what you need.

Answer 2

Try poke the Fn-key to switch external screen/laptop monitor modes. If it exists, of course :)

Answer 3

You need to connect the monitor before turning on the laptop. Turn on laptop. Then use the keys to disable the built-in.
Perhaps you meant it.