[Date Prev][Date Next] [Thread Prev][Thread Next] [Date Index] [Thread Index]

Re: Laptop with external display running X11.



peasthope@shaw.ca wrote:

> Squeeze is installed on an IBM ThinkPad A22m and X11 has worked
> with no obvious problems.
> 
> Yesterday I connected a PanaSync E70i monitor to the VGA connector
> and set BIOS Display to "external".  All appeared normal until Xdm
> started.  There display reverted to the built-in flat screen with
> the broken image visible here.
>   http://members.shaw.ca/peasthope/ThinkPadDisplay.jpg
>   
> After rebooting, xdm gives only a black screen.  Even after purging
> and reinstalling xdm, xserver-org and xserver-common, xdm gives a
> black screen.  The tails of /var/log/Xorg.0.log and xdm.log are
> appended.  There is no /etc/X11/xorg.conf.
> 
> Similarities between this problem and my attempts to drive a TV
> with the composite video signal from a Compaq Armada are noticeable.
> 
> My error messages are similar to those reported here.
> http://lists.debian.org/debian-user/2011/03/msg00810.html
> 
> From, http://lists.debian.org/debian-user/2011/04/msg00165.html
>> You should know the drill ...
> 
> Yes, for a monitor connected to a desktop machine.  Someone please
> tell me where to find the drill for a monitor on a laptop.

For some monitors and setups ... like TV out you need to create a custom
xorg.conf. There are tons of howtos and infos out there on how to do it.

Recent versions of X server are working with a temporary configuration file,
but I found out that I would prefer to adjust some things by myself.

You start doing this by rinning dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool

and then edit the sections that may be of interest for you.

Another way to solve you problem is to configure the command line correctly

i.e. for intel put into /boot/grub/menu.lst video=i915:modeset=1

this helps X discover the outputs automatically. Mostprobably you experience
clash between fb and normal driver 

> 
> Appears that the automation of modern X fails with an external
> display on a laptop.
> * Any idea of where X stores the broken configuration?
> * Can X be made to work on the built-in screen again without
>   reinstalling the system?

everything is possible when your mind is free

I recall it was storing it somewhere in /var ... but as  I am using 2
displays I prefer using my custom xorg.conf in /etc/X11

> * Does anyone have an external display working on a laptop with a
>   contemporary Debian?  Any tips or recipe?
>   
> Thanks,                ... Peter E.
> 
> root@whiterock:/var/log# tail Xorg.0.log
> (EE) R128(0): R128CCEWaitForIdle: CCE stop -9
> (EE) R128(0): R128CCEWaitForIdle: CCE start -9
> (EE) R128(0): R128CCEWaitForIdle: CCE idle -9
> (EE) R128(0): Idle timed out, resetting engine...
> (EE) R128(0): R128CCEWaitForIdle: CCE stop -9
> (EE) R128(0): R128CCEWaitForIdle: CCE start -9
> (EE) R128(0): R128CCEWaitForIdle: CCE idle -9
> (EE) R128(0): Idle timed out, resetting engine...
> (EE) R128(0): R128CCEWaitForIdle: CCE stop -9
> (EE) R128(0): R128CCEWaitForIdle: CCE start -9
> root@whiterock:/var/log# tail xdm.log
> (EE) R128(0): R128CCEWaitForIdle: CCE start -9
> (EE) R128(0): R128CCEWaitForIdle: CCE idle -9
> (EE) R128(0): Idle timed out, resetting engine...
> (EE) R128(0): R128CCEWaitForIdle: CCE stop -9
> (EE) R128(0): R128CCEWaitForIdle: CCE start -9
> (EE) R128(0): R128CCEWaitForIdle: CCE idle -9
> (EE) R128(0): Idle timed out, resetting engine...
> (EE) R128(0): R128CCEWaitForIdle: CCE stop -9
> (EE) R128(0): R128CCEWaitForIdle: CCE start -9
> (EE) R128(0): R128CCEWaitForIdle: CCE idle -9
> root@whiterock:/var/log# ls /etc/X11/xorg.conf
> ls: cannot access /etc/X11/xorg.conf: No such file or directory
> 



Reply to: