Laptop + external monitor--I got it wrong!

the.drizzle

Hi all,

I suspect I've done something wrong in configuring the kernel, but can't seem to figure out what exactly...

Basically, I want to be able to use an external monitor with my laptop. I can plug it in (analog out from laptop) and use it via <fn>+<f4>, but I've obviously set it up wrong as the laptop monitor refuses to turn off once I activate the external display--even if I close the lid of the laptop!

Moreover, I have a 1280x1024 external display which the the on-board graphics card on the laptop should support, but since I can only operate both screens at the same time I can only run the external one at a max of 1024x768 (the resolution of the laptop screen).

Any advice on what to fix? For what it's worth, the laptop is an hp nx6110.

I have not posted any config information with this only because I am not sure what would be useful--anything anyone may want to see, I'll be happy to supply.

Cheers!
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But... it IS pointless!

Sade · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 6:25 pm Post subject:

I think the problem you have is with your X configuration.
If so, than you are in the wrong Forum and you should have been in
Desktop Environments

Can you please post your /etc/X11/xorg.conf (please clean out the comments before posting)
and the output of lspci
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| 1.6Ghz atom N270 | adopt an unanswerd post | a nice way to post a config file |

farhaven · Tux's lil' helper Joined: 17 Feb 2008 Posts: 127

Also, the output of xrandr might be useful.

the.drizzle · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 12:12 am Post subject:

As requested (I hope didn't delete any non-comment lines...)

szczerb · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 12:41 am Post subject:

Read 'man i810' about configuring your monitors. And read about randr.

Are you sure that u should use the i810 driver and not intel? (they're in one package but they're different drivers - at least the versions for Xorg 7.3 that I use).

And it definitely should be in the Desktop forum.

the.drizzle · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 2:28 am Post subject:

OK...

I put it here as I figured I had my kernel configured incorrectly, but it's certainly possible that it's problem with my xorg.conf file as well. While I'm here though, what intel driver are you alluding to? That is, I've read the man files, and can't seem to see anything of any use, other than to say that the intel driver is compatible with RandR output, but I can't seem to figure out how to actually use that information...

Cheers!
_________________
But... it IS pointless!

farhaven · Tux's lil' helper Joined: 17 Feb 2008 Posts: 127

The way I see it, it should suffice to execute the following command

szczerb · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 12:43 pm Post subject:

X3100 is the graphics part of the i965 chipset and not the really old i810. And with the newest driver that is in portage people had problems when using the old i810 instead of intel in xorg.conf.

I think that for randr to work this way you need to specify which hw output is wich monitor - the same way as in 'man intel'.

farhaven · Tux's lil' helper Joined: 17 Feb 2008 Posts: 127

Oh, then forgive me my ignorance

For xrandr to work that way, one can leave the xorg.conf as is, as dynamically reattaching / rearranging screens is what xrandr is made for.

the.drizzle · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 8:36 pm Post subject:

Yeah, the intel driver seems like a nominally better choice, as the chipset in the machine is actually an i915, but loading the i915 driver directly seemed to cause some problems, hence the inclusion of the i810 driver in the first place...

However, I'm still not convinced this is not a kernel problem, as all that xrandr allows me do with the VGA output is a (maximum) of 1024x768 resolution, even with the LVDS output turned off completely...

I'm not saying this shouldn't be moved to Desktop Environments--I'm no expert--but if it was simply a problem with my xorg.conf file, shouldn't I be able to at least get the proper 1280x1024 on the VGA output with the setup I've got?

Cheers!
_________________
But... it IS pointless!

the.drizzle · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 2:38 am Post subject:

Sorry, I guess this should be in Desktop Environments--can I move it myself somehow?

I say this because it occurred to me that I should try using the framebuffer at the diesired resolution, which works (that is, edit grub to use the VGA monitor at 1280x124-24, which works fine, thus allowing me to conclude that the problem is not with the kernel).

So, if anyone knows how to move this to correct spot, that would be great. Even better would be some instructions on how do accomplish my goal! I've read the man pages for xrandr and i810, but just cannot seem to get X to start without using the LVDS output, which then automatically knocks me down to 1025x768-16 no matter what...

Why is this so hard?!?!

Thanks in advance

_________________
But... it IS pointless!