So I tried to install Kubuntu MCE on my Dell Dimension c521. I couldn't get any of the VGA modes to work other than 800x600. I am using a Panny AE900 and should be able to use 720p, but none of the frequencies seem to work.
Then I tried to get sound to work. I am using a Turtle Beach USB Audio Advantage. I have no idea if there is any way to make it work under MCE.
I also have an AVerMedia ComboPCIe card. I don't even think I got to that point. Once the pre-install questions ended and it restarted, I got a window that said it could not start the GUI. I can get more details if I start up the computer again.
So I guess installing Linux, even the "easy MCE install" is not easy. If anyone has any suggestions or would be available to help, I might keep trying. Otherwise it seems like I have to re-install (not because of the Linux install, but because Windows broke) Windows Vista (Blah).

I'm not going to be much help, but there is a command that will log your EDID data (so that you can see if that's the problem). After that, I don't know enough about X to help.

The command is something like the following:

startx -- -verbose 6 -logverbose 6 2 > /tmp/startx.log


Don't take that as gospel, I'm doing it from memory. You'll probably have to use the man page to make sure that I didn't make any mistakes in that command.

Hey, I found out about a new trick, but I haven't tried it yet:

1) Reboot inot recover mode
2) at the "# prompt" dpkg -reconfigure xserver-xorg


It should then prompt you for a bunch of info about your video card and monitor and reconfigure X with that info.

I also have an AVerMedia ComboPCIe card.Its not supported under Linux