Hello Puppybyte and everybody,
Sorry for the delay and thank you for trying my suggestion eventhough it didn't succeed (and frankly It was expected for different reasons, unless...).
Now that it's clear that you're using extlinux to boot and Xvesa server on an old 32 bits computer with intel graphic card, I may suggest that you try the '915resolution' command. It used to work with no hassle in similar situations, when screen resolutions weren't standard vesa ones.
Once booted normally, you need to have the 915resolution.tcz extension installed, exit from X completly to a terminal, and issue from there:
sudo 915resolution 50 1280 800 32
then
startx
to come back to X
You might still need to use the kernel option 'xvesa=1280x800x32' at the boot prompt.
To answer your question about this option and where it goes: it must be on the boot prompt. Either typed ***without quotes*** or later added in the 'extlinux.conf' file on the 'append' line, inside the section you're using to start TC. ( 'append' line comes after 'linux/kernel' and 'initrd' lines).
You might need it so that it will be added to the '.xsession' file automatically when TC configures itself at boot.
An important note so, maybe you need to replace the '32' by '24' or '16' eventually, in case your screen cannot handle 32 bits depth.
Hope it works.
Regards