Ubuntu
xserver-xorg-driver-ati package

How to make external monitor work on Hardy Heron when Laptop screen is broken?

Asked by Kamalakar Agashe

I use HP COMPAQ Presario 2500 series Laptop whose LCD screen is damaged (I can see colors on small patches and recognize the GDM login screen, Ubuntu Desktop, Kubuntu Desktop etc.). It is hooked up to COMPAQ V45 external monitor and being used as a Desktop.

I am Ubuntu user since version 5.04 (when the Laptop was new and its LCD screen working). While using version 6.10 the Laptop had a great fall and the screen was damaged and since then it is hooked up to the old VGA monitor.

I am also an active member on Ubuntuforums with userid kagashe

I downloaded Ubuntu 8.04 alternate iso, and used it to install Hardy Heron on another partition on the Laptop. It is a perfect installation but I am unable to use. Everything is ok till GDM starts, the VGA monitor comes to standby mode on login screen. I can see through the patches on Laptop the GDM login screen, enter userid and password, hear the welcome music of Ubuntu desktop and confirm its loading (through the patches) but alas! the monitor remains on standby mode.

On pressing Ctrl alt F1, I can get the console on the monitor, login and verify that the monitor is configured correctly through the command:
xrandr -display :0.0 -q

The settings I get for VGA-0 and LVDS are same which I get in Gutsy.

I assume that VGA-0 which is shown connected is disabled by GDM, so I try to enable it (through --auto):
xrandr -display :0.0 --output VGA-0 --auto --mode 1024x768

But when I go back to X through Ctrl Alt F7 the monitor returns to standby.

I know about the new GUI utility displayconfig-gtk to set up the second monitor but can't use it since the Laptop screen does not work.

My video card is:
01:05.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc Radeon IGP 330M/340M/350M

Please tell me how to use the monitor without configuring it through displayconfig-gtk

Note: I can install any software or update the installed system typing apt-get on console.

kagashe

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Kamalakar Agashe
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Revision history for this message
Kamalakar Agashe (kagashe) said : 		#1

Since there is no answer for almost a day. Let me provide some more information.

I am presently using Gutsy Gibbon and the display works even after deleting xorg.conf file. This means auto detection by X window system is working.

I have already compared the output of xrandr -q on Gutsy and Hardy and there is no difference in Modelines.

I thought I should check which driver is being used by Gutsy and Hardy.

On Gutsy, when I reconfigure with the command:
dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

xorg.conf gets generated and the device section reads as follows:
Section "Device"
 Identifier "ATI Technologies Inc Radeon IGP 330M/340M/350M"
 Driver "ati"
 BusID "PCI:1:5:0"

Unfortunately dpkg-reconfigure does not alter xorg.conf as above and the device section remains generic file:
Section "Device"
 Identifier "Configured Video Device"
EndSection

When I compare the Xorg.0.log files I find the following lines in Gutsy which are missing in Hardy:
(II) ATI: ATI driver wrapper (version 6.7.195) for chipsets: mach64, rage128, radeon

The above line is found in Gutsy even after deleting xorg.conf file.

I have also tried to write the above device section in xorg.conf file of Hardy but there is no change in Xorg.0.log file.

I suspect that Hardy is not using proper driver for my chipset to make the VGA-0 work.

Revision history for this message
Kamalakar Agashe (kagashe) said : 		#2

I think this is a bug in Xorg. I have submitted a Bug Report.
http://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=15888

Revision history for this message
Kamalakar Agashe (kagashe) said : 		#3

I was using dpkg-reconfigure xserver.xorg command to write xorg.conf file till
Ubuntu 7.10. This does not work on Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron.

After reading xorg.conf manual in Hardy Heron I attempted to create xorg.conf
file. It did not work with ati driver.

When I replaced ati with vesa driver my VGA monitor works. xrandr -q, however,
produces peculiar output which is copied below:
:~$ xrandr -q
Screen 0: minimum 640 x 480, current 1024 x 768, maximum 1024 x 768
default connected 1024x768+0+0 0mm x 0mm
   1024x768 61.0*
   800x600 73.0
   640x480 86.0

Unlike earlier output this is not showing VGA-0, LVDS, S-Video etc.

Anyway, I am happy to report that my external VGA monitor now works with vesa
driver.

Device, Monitor and Screen section of my xorg.conf file:
Section "Device"
 Identifier "ATI Technologies Inc Radeon IGP 330M/340M/350M"
 Driver "vesa"
 BusID "PCI:1:5:0"
 Option "Monitor-VGA-0" "VGA monitor"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
 Identifier "VGA monitor"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
 Identifier "Default Screen"
 Device "ATI Technologies Inc Radeon IGP 330M/340M/350M"
 Monitor "VGA monitor"
 DefaultDepth 24
 SubSection "Display"
 Modes "1024x768"
 EndSubSection
EndSection

Revision history for this message
Nishan (nishanm) said : 		#4

i dont know if you can help me but i am trying to turn off my laptops display and only use my external lcd...

https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/33445

please help if you can

Revision history for this message
Noah K. Muchai (reloded) said : 		#5

What do you mean you tried vesa? Can you give a few more details please?
I have the exact problem. My laptop screen is broken so I need/have to use an external Display. The external monitor was working with with 7.10. But when I upgraded to 8.04. It refused to pick up.
I've tried so many settings but nothing yet,
Is there anyone who can add on to this problem?
I've also tried envy but it crashed on installing.
PS: have exact settings as above including the ATI card etc.

Revision history for this message
mohit khanna (mohit-khanna) said : 		#6

I have sony vaio fz140E. ubuntu 8.04 installed. I was amazed to find out. the distribution worked without any re configuration with the external 17inch dell monitor .

Thanks Ubuntu Team.!!

Revision history for this message
jeg3k (jeg3k) said : 		#7

I also have VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc Radeon IGP 330M/340M/350M and am trying to get S-Video to work. I tried downloading the driver from ATI, but when installing, I receive the following message:
root@jonathan-laptop:/home/jonathan/Desktop# sh ./ati-driver-installer-8.24.8-x86.run
Creating directory fglrx-install
Verifying archive integrity... All good.
Uncompressing ATI Proprietary Linux Driver-8.24.8.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
-e =============ugg=====================================
-e ATI Technologies Linux Driver Installer/Packager
-e ==================================================
Detected configuration:
Architecture: i686 (32-bit)
X Server: unable to detect
Removing temporary directory: fglrx-install

Any suggestions on how to install the driver without X Server would be appreciated. I am a LINUX novice. Thanks in advance!