Just got this game and its only listing 640x480 and 1024x768 (with 32bit variants of both)
Is there no 800x600 or custom resolution option?
(640x480 on my samsung nc10 netbook looks bad, and 1024x768 means the screen has to scroll and is unplayable virtually as result)

If you want you can download a fan made patch which will let you play on any resolution your monitor support, and give the game MUCH better graphics than before.
You can download the installer here:
[url=]http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,42854.0.html[/url]
If you follow the instructions on that installer, it shouldn’t be too difficult. Note that the patch gives the game a higher system requirement, but nothing too bad for a semi modern PC. If you run into any trouble, you can always ask for help on those same forums, they are very friendly over there.
A tip: when you run the game after installing the patch, use the "Launcher.exe" not the original "Freespace2.exe". The game is run and settings (like resolution) are changed through that launcher.

ahhh... when you say higher system requirement. how high?
this game was purchased for my netbook which is only a 1.6ghz cpu and a intel 950gma gpu.
i just want the resolution. i dont care about eye candy at all. is there an option just for the resolution and not all the other increased textures and other stuff i expect it includes?

Yes, there shouldnt be a problem to just use the resolution upgrade.
After launching the installer I linked to, be sure to select only to download "the absolute minimum". This shoud give you no graphical upgrades except for resolution.

You'll be fine. Just make sure to uncheck the mv_adveffects.vp section in the installer. The basic Zeta mediavps should work wonderfully on that machine.

If i recall correctly, 800x600 became available when you select hardware acceleration. Fumbling around with the renderers could net you that 800x600 you're looking for.
There's no way to get a custom resolution on FS/FS2 unless you install the freespace2 open mod.

i used the fsoinstaller (www.fsoinstaller.com)in the end to get the custom resolutions i desired for my netbook.
works wonderfully and i highly recommend everyone to use it.

solved

With FreeSpace Open, there is atcually a command-line flag that you can use to set custom resolutons, like 1024x600, it there is need for it.
Also, the requirements of FSO shouldn't be any higher than those of retail FS2. It's the MediaVPs (a collection of graphical and audio enhancements) that need some semi-recent hardware.

i have used the FSO installer and it works extremely well. And the grphics are SOOOO much better. After i play the FSO version then play the regular it feels like i got cheated :) j/k. It's worth the 1hr+ of downloading and installing. The only flaw is the text looks a bit mucky but i'll take that anyday for being able to play at 2560x1600.