New to Q4OS and a problem with video driver

cjoliprsf · 2017-04-23 19:06

Hello to the group, my name is Claude.
I have some experience with Linux Mint, but I wanted a lighter OS for an old computer I am rebuilding, and seaching a bit, I stumbled on Q4OS, which seems quite nice.

After installation, there remains however a major issue as my video card doesn't seem to be seen by the system. I only have very basic VGA video setting available, with max resolution of 1024x728 (while my screen can display 1920x1080).
I did install the basic profile (with the profiler), hoping a appropriate driver would install, but no. I also did the updates recommended by the update manager.
The card is nothing fancy (although somewhat old), a basic on-board Intel 82G33/G31 Express (this is what the Hardware device manager says)
Note that Linux Mint did have the driver for it and provided full resolution.
Any suggestion on how this may be solved will be welcome.

A second (quite minor) issue seems to be a bug in Konqueror file browser. There is a toolbar button which seems to be there for the view mode, toggling between icon view and list view, but this button is ineffective. I thus need to go to the menus to change the display view. I am surprised this bug is still there as it is so obvious...

Thanks,
Claude

Dai_trying · 2017-04-23 20:20

Hi Claude, first thing I would check is that the intel video module is installed

apt-cache policy xserver-xorg-video-intel

If this is already installed you could install inxi and post the output from

inxi -F

this will allow us to see the hardware and better understand your system.

q4osteam · 2017-04-23 20:27

cjoliprsf wrote:

A second (quite minor) issue seems to be a bug in Konqueror file browser. There is a toolbar button which seems to be there for the view mode, toggling between icon view and list view, but this button is ineffective. I thus need to go to the menus to change the display view. I am surprised this bug is still there as it is so obvious...

Yes, it's known TDE glitch. You only need to hold the button for a second and popup menu will open.

cjoliprsf · 2017-04-23 21:10

Thanks,

To this 1st question,

Hi Claude, first thing I would check is that the intel video module is installed
apt-cache policy xserver-xorg-video-intel

the output is:

xserver-xorg-video-intel:
  Installé : 2:2.21.15-2+b2
  Candidat : 2:2.21.15-2+b2
 Table de version :
     2:2.99.917+git20161206-1~bpo8+1 0
        100 http://ftp.debian.org/debian/ jessie-backports/main i386 Packages
 *** 2:2.21.15-2+b2 0
        500 http://ftp.debian.org/debian/ jessie/main i386 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

And to the second,

If this is already installed you could install inxi and post the output from
inxi -F
this will allow us to see the hardware and better understand your system.

the output is:

System:    Host: q4os-desktop Kernel: 3.16.0-4-686-pae i686 (32 bit)
           Desktop: KDE 3 Distro: Debian GNU/Linux 8
Machine:   System: Dell product: Inspiron 530s
           Mobo: Dell model: 0G679R v: A00
           Bios: Dell v: 1.0.18 date: 02/24/2009
CPU:       Dual core Pentium E5200 (-MCP-) cache: 2048 KB
           Clock Speeds: 1: 1200 MHz 2: 2500 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel 82G33/G31 Express Integrated Graphics Controller
           Display Server: X.Org 1.16.4 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1024x768@60.00hz
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel G33 x86/MMX/SSE2
           GLX Version: 2.1 Mesa 10.3.2
Audio:     Card Intel 82801I (ICH9 Family) HD Audio Controller
           driver: snd_hda_intel
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k3.16.0-4-686-pae
Network:   Card-1: Intel 82562V-2 10/100 Network Connection driver: e1000e
           IF: eth0 state: down mac: 00:24:e8:0e:fa:a0
           Card-2: ZyDAS ZD1211 802.11g driver: zd1211rw
           IF: wlan0 state: up mac: 00:02:72:4f:1f:ea
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 8.0GB (42.7% used)
           ID-1: USB /dev/sda model: USB_Flash_Drive size: 8.0GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 6.9G used: 2.9G (44%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
           ID-2: swap-1 size: 0.38GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda5
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 40.0C mobo: N/A
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 121 Uptime: 14 min Memory: 218.8/3029.1MB
           Client: Shell (bash) inxi: 2.1.28

And thanks for the tip on holding the button in the File browser...

Claude

Dai_trying · 2017-04-23 22:38

I see you are using the 32bit version, I don't know if that would make any difference... your spec appears to be 64bit..

This may seem a bit obvious but have you checked your settings, right click on desktop select Configure Desktop -> Display and then using the drop-down list to select size? What options does it give you?

cjoliprsf · 2017-04-23 23:01

Yes, I chose to install the 32 bit version even if the CPU is 64 bit capable because there are only 3 Gigs of RAM installed.
A 64 bit OS is only required for over 4 Gigs and in my opinion brings quite a bit of overhead if it isn't really necessary for handling over 4 Gigs of RAM (but I could be wrong on this...)
Note I have installed the same 32 bit version for testing in a Virtual machine on my MS Windows computer and the screen resolution is fine there. But it is not the same hardware obviously.

As of the setting, yes naturally this is the first place I went to look - the options available go from 640x480 up to 1024x768 - actually this reminds me of my first Windows 95 computer which had exactly the same setting options... Back 20 years!!!

About this line in the output of inxi:
> Display Server: X.Org 1.16.4 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa) <
Doesn't it mean the driver isn't loaded?

Claude

Dai_trying · 2017-04-23 23:15

cjoliprsf wrote:

Yes, I chose to install the 32 bit version even if the CPU is 64 bit capable because there are only 3 Gigs of RAM installed.
A 64 bit OS is only required for over 4 Gigs and in my opinion brings quite a bit of overhead if it isn't really necessary for handling over 4 Gigs of RAM (but I could be wrong on this...)

I have found it to be better to run the 64 bit version if hardware supports it, but that's down to choice so not really a problem

cjoliprsf wrote:

As of the setting, yes naturally this is the first place I went to look - the options available go from 640x480 up to 1024x768 - actually this reminds me of my first Windows 95 computer which had exactly the same setting options... Back 20 years!!!

Yes I think that is the standard vga list, and probably 20+ years

cjoliprsf wrote:

About this line in the output of inxi:
> Display Server: X.Org 1.16.4 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa) <
Doesn't it mean the driver isn't loaded?

No, it means fbdev and vesa are unloaded.

I'm afraid graphics are not really my strong point, but I would try running the live-cd and see if that gives you proper screen size, there are 32 bit and 64 bit versions available from the download page if one (or both) of them give you the correct screen size we might be able to find an easy solution (fingers crossed).

q4osteam · 2017-04-23 23:28

@cjoliprsf
In addition, please attach file '/var/log/Xorg.0.log' here to analyze.

cjoliprsf · 2017-04-23 23:54

Dai_trying wrote:

I'm afraid graphics are not really my strong point, but I would try running the live-cd and see if that gives you proper screen size, there are 32 bit and 64 bit versions available from the download page if one (or both) of them give you the correct screen size we might be able to find an easy solution (fingers crossed).

Yes, I had thought of trying that, but hoping I could avoid the trouble of going through that process...
Will do it as soon as I find a bit of time.
Claude

cjoliprsf · 2017-04-24 00:42

q4osteam wrote:

@cjoliprsf
In addition, please attach file '/var/log/Xorg.0.log' here to analyze.

Here it is.
I think I can see where things go wrong:

[     8.473] (==) No screen section available. Using defaults.
[     8.473] (**) |-->Screen "Default Screen Section" (0)
[     8.473] (**) |   |-->Monitor "<default monitor>"
[     8.484] (==) No monitor specified for screen "Default Screen Section".
	Using a default monitor configuration.

Seems it is the screen that is the problem, and the system uses a default monitor that has maximum resolution of 1024x768
Claude

Attachments:

Xorg.0.log, Size: 19.02 KiB, Downloads: 759

cjoliprsf · 2017-04-24 04:38

I made a few tests:
- run the live CD of Q4OS (32 bits): no improvement
- run live CD of Linux Mint 17.1 32 bits: no change
- install Mint 17.1: no change
- plug the monitor on my Windows 8.1 computer: the screen was not recognized as it should have been (it is a modern LG monitor). By default it was set at 1024x768, just as Linux does. However the resolution of 1920x1080 was available in the list of possible resolutions, and I was able to set it there - which I can't do in Linux.

But then why when I previously installed Mint 2 weeks ago I did get correct resolution with the same hardware...
The only thing that is changed is the cable between the VGA output of the computer and the monitor. I left the one I previously had in some other place, and had to use a very old cable I found in my reserves.

Is it possible that this cable could prevent the monitor to identify itself to the OS? And in consequence the OS takes it as a non plug-and-play monitor only capable of providing 1024x768?

I'll know for sure in a few days when I will be able to retrieve the cable that worked with my previous install.

Thanks, and I'll let you know how it goes when I retest with another cable.
Claude

q4osteam · 2017-04-24 06:19

cjoliprsf wrote:

Is it possible that this cable could prevent the monitor to identify itself to the OS? And in consequence the OS takes it as a non plug-and-play monitor only capable of providing 1024x768?

Yes, it is. You could also configure the monitor manually by adding 'Modes' and 'Modeline' options into the '/etc/X11/xorg.conf' file, please see this Debian forum topic http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?t=26577

Dai_trying · 2017-04-24 11:22

Yes, I also had thus problem when I purchased a cheap vga lead from amazon, it would only give me 1024*768 I was scratching my head for a while trying to figure it out! Eventually I threw it out (it really was cheap enough to not worry me).

cjoliprsf · 2017-04-24 13:55

Dai_trying wrote:

Yes, I also had thus problem when I purchased a cheap vga lead from amazon, it would only give me 1024*768.

Thanks to both of you for your help. It now seems obvious this cable is the problem. I am sorry I first thought Q4OS was responsible, please accept my apologies.
Claude

Dai_trying · 2017-04-24 14:07

You are welcome, and it could be good to have this post in case others may have the same issue.

bin · 2017-04-24 15:26

I have a Dell 1501 and it only performs properly with an external display if you use the Dell supplied VGA lead - it has an extra pin compared with the normal aftermarket leads - or indeed those provided with monitors.

Dai_trying · 2017-04-24 16:04

I thought VGA was a standard and all 15 pins were pre-defined, maybe some cheap leads don't use all the pins (maybe not always necessary) which would give poor results, or it is always possible the cheap leads have a crossed cable in them causing issues. I guess the possibilities are almost endless

cjoliprsf · 2017-04-24 19:26

With a visual check of the VGA cable I was using, there are 3 pins missing. This cable is probably about 20 years old...
I guess with pre-plug-and-play, not all pins were required to transmit low resolution signal and cables were manufactured accordingly.
Claude

Q4OS Forum

#1 2017-04-23 19:06

New to Q4OS and a problem with video driver

#2 2017-04-23 20:20

Re: New to Q4OS and a problem with video driver

#3 2017-04-23 20:27

Re: New to Q4OS and a problem with video driver

#4 2017-04-23 21:10

Re: New to Q4OS and a problem with video driver

#5 2017-04-23 22:38

Re: New to Q4OS and a problem with video driver

#6 2017-04-23 23:01

Re: New to Q4OS and a problem with video driver

#7 2017-04-23 23:15

Re: New to Q4OS and a problem with video driver

#8 2017-04-23 23:28

Re: New to Q4OS and a problem with video driver

#9 2017-04-23 23:54

Re: New to Q4OS and a problem with video driver

#10 2017-04-24 00:42

Re: New to Q4OS and a problem with video driver

#11 2017-04-24 04:38

Re: New to Q4OS and a problem with video driver

#12 2017-04-24 06:19

Re: New to Q4OS and a problem with video driver

#13 2017-04-24 11:22

Re: New to Q4OS and a problem with video driver

#14 2017-04-24 13:55

Re: New to Q4OS and a problem with video driver

#15 2017-04-24 14:07

Re: New to Q4OS and a problem with video driver

#16 2017-04-24 15:26

Re: New to Q4OS and a problem with video driver

#17 2017-04-24 16:04

Re: New to Q4OS and a problem with video driver

#18 2017-04-24 19:26

Re: New to Q4OS and a problem with video driver

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