Laptop w/ External LCD not working

**pwoods** · 10-06-2003, 06:37 PM

Hi Everyone,

I have a Compaq Presario 1800T, been enjoying knoppix on it for about three months w/o problem. I just got a new Dell 1800FP LCD though, and cannot get them to work together with Linux (does work w/ windows, so not hardware).

I *suspect* part of the problem is that I'm trying to use it at 1280x1024, which I do not believe my 15" laptop display supports - though the video card does. I've tried various boot cheat codes, most ending in a blank display on both LCDs, or with the message:

Code:

starting single x-window session for user knoppix.  Please stand by a few seconds while the optimal configuration is being determined.

starting x11...
Retrying with server xfree86(vesa)
Retrying with server xfree86(fbdev)
Error: no suitable x-server found for your card

The following list of lines are cheat code combinations I've attempted, which resulted in the above error set.

Code:

knoppix screen=1280x1024 vsync=60 xmodule=ati
knoppix screen=1280x1024 vsync=60 xmodule=ati noddc
knoppix fb1280x1024 screen=1280x1024 vsync=60 xmodule=ati

I've tried the above codes without the 'knoppix' and only fb1280x1024, but recieved blank LCDs in return, and no luck.

(update)I have since had two partial successes - a display, but only at 640x480. My problem above was assuming that the xmodule ati was the correct one. Leaving it out, it was able to work with vesa - at the lower resolution. I've tried both the *knoppix* and *knoppix-txt* kernels, with the same results.(/update)

I would very much appreciate any ideas, help, advice. Thank You,

Paul

**rickenbacherus** · 10-06-2003, 09:26 PM

fb1280x1024 xmodule=nv screen=1280x1024

According to a post by marciano that works on a 1900FP. Who knows- it might work for you too.

**pwoods** · 10-06-2003, 10:55 PM

Originally Posted by rickenbacherus

fb1280x1024 xmodule=nv screen=1280x1024

According to a post by marciano that works on a 1900FP. Who knows- it might work for you too.

That post actually got me to try the knoppix-txt kernel, which gave some limited success at 640x480.

Code:

knoppix-txt vsync=60 screen=1280x1024 noddc

I believe I have an ATI card, but I tried your suggestion anyway. The display was blank, so I then tried it with xmodule=fbdev, and again a blank display. I also tried a 3rd time after adding the noddc option - which in past attempts has gotten me something, but still nothing.

The best luck I've had so far is:

Code:

knoppix vsync=60 screen=1280x1024 noddc xmodule=fbdev

That resulted in a display of 1024x768 - a lot better than 640x480, but still not what I want. Anything in xmodule besides fbdev doesn't seem to work, even though this is supposed to be a *Rage mobility M3 AGP 2x* - apparently not supported directly yet.

I've been trying a number of the cheat codes, but anytime I use the fb1280x1024 kernels I get a uniformly blank display.

Thanks for the help.