> In my experience a VESA BIOS will sometimes report
> different available modes depending on the detected
> EDID.

I have no problem believing this is true, but I'm also sure there's more to it than that. The device I'm most frustrated with is a Thinkpad, reporting on the built-in display, for example. I've seen the same on at least one other laptop with a widescreen display (some HP thing), and at least a pair of desktop graphics cards with a 16:10 monitor attached. Very frustrating. I'd be interested in a survey with broader results than just dueling anecdotes; I'd be happy to know I'd just gotten unlucky.
Anthony