amd laptop linux mint 18.2 external display not working

Title: Finally getting Linux Mint on my 7 year old Chromebook tech pc techtok linux windows
Channel: yaptech

Finally getting Linux Mint on my 7 year old Chromebook tech pc techtok linux windows by yaptech

Laptop Linux Mint 18.2 External Display Nightmare? FIX IT NOW!

Laptop Linux Mint 18.2 External Display Woes: Conquering the Connection Chaos!

Oh, the joy! You’ve got your sleek Linux Mint 18.2 laptop, primed and ready. You're looking forward to some serious screen real estate, perhaps for presentations or movie marathons. You plug in your external monitor, expecting immediate gratification. Then… nothing. Sound familiar? You are not alone. Getting an external display to play nice with Linux Mint 18.2 can sometimes feel like wrestling a particularly stubborn octopus. But fear not, intrepid explorer! This isn't an unescapable doom loop. We're going to untangle this mess.

The Silent Screen: Unveiling the Initial Culprit

First, let's take a breath. Don't panic. Instead, let’s begin with the fundamentals. Quite often, the issue lies in something simple. It's easy to overlook these crucial first steps. Is your external display actually turned on? Double-check that power button. Seriously, it happens! Next, scrutinize the cable connection. Is it securely plugged into both your laptop and monitor? Try unplugging and replugging both ends. Furthermore, a faulty cable might be the reason. Try a different cable if possible. Moreover, try a different port on your laptop or monitor.

Digging Deeper: Diving into Display Settings

So, the basics are good to go? Excellent! Now, let's delve into the software side of things. Linux Mint offers a user-friendly way to manage your displays. Head over to your system settings. The Display configuration should be very easy to find. Look for an icon on the system tray. You can also hunt for "Display" within your system search bar. Click it, and the display configuration window will open.

Within this interface, your external monitor should be recognized. Even if it's not currently displaying anything. You will see various settings available. You'll find options for resolution, refresh rate, and arrangement. If your external monitor appears in the list, but isn't active, select it. Then, choose “Activate” or “Enable.” If it is already enabled, try disabling it and then re-enabling.

Still no luck? Let's proceed.

The Xorg Configuration: A Potential Lifesaver

Sometimes, the graphical interface doesn’t fully understand the situation. It might need a helping hand through the X configuration file (Xorg.conf). This file manages how your display hardware is configured. Be careful when modifying this. Incorrect edits can result in a non-bootable system.

First, open a terminal window. You can usually find it in your application menu. Then, type the following command (followed by your password if prompted): sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf. This command will open the Xorg configuration file in the “nano” text editor.

If the file doesn't exist, it means that the system is using default settings. However, you can automatically generate a new one using sudo X -configure. A file will be created in the root directory. Next, copy the file to the location described above. Check if your external display is listed. If it's missing, you may need to add it manually. This step is more involved and might require research specific to your hardware. There are plenty of guides online.

Resolution Matters: Reaching Display Harmony

Resolution is often a key culprit. Your laptop and external monitor may not be playing nice. The external monitor might be set to a resolution that isn't supported. Or, the laptop and monitor aren't synchronizing properly.

In the display settings, experiment with different resolutions. Try a lower resolution first. Then, gradually increase it to find the optimal setting. Pay attention to the refresh rate. Ensure it’s within the supported range of both displays. Make sure the refresh rate matches the monitor’s capabilities.

Driver Drama: Taming the Graphics Beast

Drivers are crucial for communicating with your graphics card. Linux Mint 18.2 often includes drivers out-of-the-box. However, sometimes, you might encounter issues. These issues might involve proprietary drivers.

Open the "Driver Manager." You can find it in the system settings. This tool will scan your system for available drivers. It should show you the recommended drivers for your graphics card. If there's a recommended driver, install it and restart your system. The change will take effect after the reboot.

The Power of Persistence: Restarting and Reconnecting

After making changes to your display settings or installing new drivers, always restart your system. A restart forces the system to recognize these alterations. It's a simple yet powerful troubleshooting step.

Also, try unplugging and reconnecting your external display cable after restarting. This can refresh the connection. It further helps the system acknowledge the external display.

Seeking Support: When Assistance Is Necessary

If, after all of this, your external display continues to be a problem child, don't despair. The Linux community is large. They're also incredibly helpful. Search online forums and support websites. Use specific keywords. Keywords should include your laptop model, Linux Mint 18.2, and the problem you are experiencing.

You can also seek assistance in Linux Mint forums. Provide detailed information about your hardware, the steps you’ve taken, and the error messages you’ve encountered. Someone will definitely have a solution.

Conclusion: Triumph Over Display Demons

Dealing with external display issues on Linux Mint 18.2 can be frustrating. However, by systematically working through these troubleshooting steps, you're highly likely to achieve success. Patience, persistence, and a willingness to experiment are your best allies. You CAN conquer the external display monster. Now go forth and enjoy that extended screen real estate!

HP Vista USB Nightmare? FIX Your Dead Ports NOW!

Laptop Linux Mint 18.2 External Display Nightmare? FIX IT NOW!

Alright, folks, let's be honest: remembering the good ol' days of plug-and-play simplicity with external displays on Linux can be a bit like searching for a unicorn in a desert. Especially when we're talking about Linux Mint 18.2. We've all been there – the frustration, the head-scratching, the frantic Googling at 3 AM. The good news? You're not alone, and we're here to walk you through the minefield and get those external displays working like a charm. Consider this your survival guide.

1. The Initial Dread: Recognizing the External Display Blues

Let's face it, the initial moment when you plug in that monitor or projector and… nothing happens is a special kind of disappointment. It's that sinking feeling, that internal groan that says, "Oh boy, here we go again." This is the starting point. We need to acknowledge the problem before we can solve it. Is your display completely blank? Does it show a garbled mess? Is it mirroring your laptop screen when you want an extended desktop? These are the symptoms.

2. Understanding the Underlying Culprit: Drivers and Configurations

Often, the root of this display drama boils down to two main culprits: drivers and configuration. Think of drivers as the translators your laptop uses to talk to your external display. If the driver isn't installed correctly, or if it’s not the right one, communication breaks down. Configuration, on the other hand, is all about telling your system how you want the display to behave. Do you want to mirror? Extend? What's the resolution? The refresh rate? These are all configuration decisions.

3. Checking the Obvious First: The Physical Connections

Before we dive into the technical weeds, let's cover the basics. I know, I know, it seems obvious, but sometimes it’s the simplest things that trip us up.

• Is the cable plugged in securely? This includes checking both ends – the laptop and the display.
• Is the power on? Yes, I've made this mistake. Don't judge.
• Are you using the correct port? Double-check you're using the right HDMI, VGA, or DisplayPort.

If everything checks out, move on. If not, well, consider yourself a winner. Sometimes it's just a loose cable!

4. Diving into the Deep End: Identifying Your Graphics Card and Driver

Okay, now we get to the fun part – the techy stuff! To get things working, we need to identify precisely what graphics card you have. This information is crucial. Open a terminal (you can find it by searching in your Mint menu) and type:

lspci | grep VGA

This command lists all your PCI devices and filters for "VGA," which usually indicates your graphics card. The output will tell you the manufacturer and model (e.g., "NVIDIA Corporation GK107 [GeForce GTX 650]").

Now, knowing your graphics card, you need to determine the appropriate driver. Linux Mint 18.2, at its core, offers a driver manager that can often help you install the correct proprietary drivers for your card, particularly if you have an NVIDIA or AMD card.

5. The Driver Dilemma: Proprietary vs. Open Source

Here's where things get interesting. You'll often have a choice between proprietary drivers (usually provided by the graphics card manufacturer) and open-source drivers. Proprietary drivers often give you the best performance and support for advanced features. Open-source drivers, while generally less powerful, can be a good starting point and may be required to correct the display.

How do you install drivers?

• Driver Manager: The Driver Manager within Linux Mint is your best friend. It will scan your system and suggest available drivers. Follow its instructions.
• Terminal: for more complex setups, you may have to install drivers through the command line. We'll delve into those commands later, but Driver Manager is the gateway.

6. Configuration Crossroads: Setting Up the Display With xrandr

Once you've installed the driver, it's time to configure the display. The most common tool for this is xrandr. Think of xrandr as the all-powerful wizard of display control. It lets you set resolutions, refresh rates, and screen arrangements.

First, let’s see what xrandr sees:

xrandr

This command will list all connected displays and their available resolutions. You'll often see names like "HDMI-0," "VGA-0," or "DP-0."

7. Extending vs. Mirroring: The Display Mode Decision

This is where you choose how you want your displays to behave.

• Mirroring: Both screens show the same content. This is the easiest setup.
• Extending: You have two separate screens, giving you more desktop space. This is usually what you want for productivity.

To mirror, you'd typically use something like:

xrandr --output HDMI-0 --same-as LVDS1

Replace "HDMI-0" with the name of your external display and "LVDS1" with the name of your laptop's display (check the output of xrandr).

To extend, you might use something like:

xrandr --output HDMI-0 --right-of LVDS1

This puts the external display to the right of your laptop screen. You can adjust the position ("left-of," "above," "below") as needed.

8. Resolution Revelation: Getting the Pixels Right

Sometimes, the resolution isn't correct. Your image might look blurry or stretched. To set the resolution:

xrandr --output HDMI-0 --mode 1920x1080

Replace "HDMI-0" with your display's name and "1920x1080" with the resolution you want. Check the output of xrandr to see the supported resolutions.

9. Persistent Paradise: Making Changes Stick

The commands we’ve covered so far are temporary. They'll work until you reboot. To make your changes permanent, you generally need to save your configuration. A common approach is to create a script that runs on startup.

• Create a script: Create a new text file (e.g., display_config.sh) and add your xrandr commands to it.
• Make it executable: In the terminal, navigate to the directory where you saved the script and run: chmod +x display_config.sh
• Add to startup: Go to "Startup Applications" in the Mint menu and add an entry to run your script at startup.

10. The Troubleshooting Toolkit: When Things Go Wrong

Sometimes, even after all of this, things won't work perfectly. Here's a quick troubleshooting guide:

• Reboot: Seriously, it can often fix things.
• Check Logs: Look at the system logs for errors. You can find these in /var/log/.
• Search Forums: Search the Linux Mint forums and other online communities for solutions specific to your graphics card and setup.
• Reinstall Drivers: Sometimes, a reinstall is necessary.
• Consider an alternative distro: if everything else fails, sometimes it’s better to start over. Consider a more up-to-date Linux distribution offering greater support.

11. Common Issues Solved

Let’s break down specific problems and how to approach them:

• Blank Screen: Double-check cable connections, drivers. Try different resolutions. Make sure the external display is powered on.
• Garbled Display: Driver issues are a likely culprit. Try a different driver (proprietary vs. open source). Check your cable.
• Incorrect Resolution: Use xrandr to set the correct resolution.
• Screen Tearing: This is when the image looks like it's being torn apart. This is often a driver flaw or a configuration problem. Try different drivers. Enable VSync in your display settings.

12. Optimizing Your Setup: Refresh Rate and More

Once you have a working setup, think about optimizing it:

• Refresh Rate: Match the refresh rate of your external display to your laptop's. This can reduce screen tearing and make things smoother. You can set the refresh rate with xrandr --output HDMI-0 --rate 60 (replace 60 with your desired refresh rate).
• Font settings: If your external display is a different resolution, adjust font settings for better readability.
• Theme and Appearance: Customize the theme and appearance to blend the two displays.

13. The Power of Persistence: Staying Updated

Linux Mint is constantly evolving. Keep your system updated to the latest packages. This will help keep your drivers and configuration tools current. From time to time, a system update may cause your settings to revert. This is frustrating, but be ready to refresh your configuration post-update.

14. Embrace the Learning Curve: Patience is a Virtue

Dealing with external displays can be a frustrating learning curve. Don'

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Title: Linux mint 19 graphical glitches on external monitor. HELP
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Laptop Linux Mint 18.2 External Display Nightmare? FIX IT NOW!

If you're reading this, chances are you've encountered the frustrating reality: your Linux Mint 18.2 laptop refuses to play nicely with that external monitor. We understand the pain. You want to extend your workspace, stream a movie on a bigger screen, or finally get that dual-monitor productivity setup rolling. Instead, you're stuck with flickering displays, incorrect resolutions, or simply nothing showing up at all. The good news? This isn’t a permanent situation. More often than not, with a bit of troubleshooting, that external display will cooperate. So, let's dive into the solutions.

Understanding the Root of the Problem: Common Culprits

Before we start, it's helpful to understand why things go wrong. Multiple factors can contribute to external display woes in Linux Mint 18.2. We'll cover them in this section.

• Graphics Drivers: The foundation for display output rests on your graphics drivers. Whether you're using proprietary drivers from NVIDIA or AMD or the open-source offerings, the drivers must be properly installed and configured. Incorrect driver installations or conflicting versions are top suspects.
• Display Configuration Settings: Linux Mint uses a display configuration tool to detect and manage connected monitors. Sometimes, this tool doesn't correctly identify your external display, or the configurations are not properly applied.
• Hardware Limitations: The age of your laptop, the type of connections available (HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort), and the capabilities of your integrated graphics card, all play a role. Older hardware can sometimes pose compatibility challenges.
• Desktop Environment Glitches: Occasionally, the desktop environment itself (in this case, Cinnamon, MATE, or Xfce—depending on your Mint version) can bug out, leading to display-related issues.
• Cable and Port Integrity: A seemingly obvious point, but broken or faulty cables and ports are a frequent cause of display failure. Test different cables and ports before diving into software solutions.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting: Your Path to External Display Harmony

Let's get to work. We'll run through a series of steps, aimed at diagnosing and resolving your external display issue.

1. The Obvious First Check: Physical Connections and Power

Yes, it sounds basic, but it’s the first place to start.

• Cable Check: Ensure your HDMI, VGA, or DisplayPort cable is securely plugged into both your laptop and the external monitor. Try a different cable if possible.
• Power Check: Confirm your external monitor is switched on and receiving power.
• Port Check: If your laptop has multiple output ports, try a different one. They might be configured to a different GPU within the device.
• Monitor Input: On the external monitor, verify that the input source (e.g., HDMI 1, VGA) is selected correctly.

2. System Updates: Keeping Things Fresh

Outdated software can sometimes cause compatibility issues.

• Run the Update Manager: Open the Update Manager (search for it in the Mint menu) and install all available updates, including kernel updates. This ensures your system has the latest drivers and bug fixes.

3. Driver Verification and Installation:

This is a crucial step. Your graphics drivers must be correctly installed.

• Open Driver Manager: Search for and open the "Driver Manager" in your Mint menu. This tool will automatically scan for proprietary drivers (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD) that are suitable for your graphics card.
• Select and Apply Drivers: If proprietary drivers are available, the Driver Manager will offer them. Select the recommended driver and click "Apply Changes". You might need to restart your computer after installing new drivers.
• Open Source Driver fallback: After proprietary driver installation, you may try the open-source alternative in case of problems.
• Restart and Test: After the driver updates, restart your laptop and check if the external display is now detected and working.

4. Display Settings Configuration: Tailoring Your Setup

Once the drivers are in place, it's time to configure your display settings.

• Open Display Settings: Right-click on your desktop and choose "Display Settings" (this label may vary slightly depending on your desktop environment). Alternatively, search for "Displays" in the Mint menu.

• Detection and Identification: Your external monitor should ideally be detected automatically. If it isn't, look for a "Detect Displays" or similar button within the display settings. Click this to manually scan for connected monitors.

• Configuration Choices: Once the display is detected, you'll have several options:

  • Arrangement: Choose how you want the displays arranged (e.g., extended desktop, mirror displays).
  • Resolution: Set the correct resolution for each monitor.
  • Refresh Rate: Adjust the refresh rate.
  • Position: Drag and drop the monitor icons to reflect the physical layout of your displays (useful for extended desktop setups).

• Apply and Save: After choosing your settings, click "Apply" or "Apply Settings" and save your changes.

5. Utilizing the Terminal for Advanced Configuration

If the GUI tools aren't working, it's time to explore the command line.

• Open the Terminal: Press Ctrl+Alt+T to open the terminal.

• Using xrandr: The xrandr command is a powerful tool for managing display configurations.

  • List Connected Displays: Type xrandr and press Enter. This will list all detected displays along with their available resolutions and connected status (e.g., "HDMI-0 connected").
  • Enabling a Display: To enable a disabled external display, identify its name from the xrandr output (e.g., "HDMI-0") and use the following command: xrandr --output HDMI-0 --auto (replace "HDMI-0" with the correct display name).
  • Setting Resolution: To set the resolution for a display: xrandr --output HDMI-0 --mode 1920x1080 (replace "HDMI-0" and "1920x1080" with your display's name and desired resolution).
  • Positioning Displays: To set the position of your external display relative to your main display: xrandr --output HDMI-0 --right-of LVDS1 (replace "HDMI-0" and "LVDS1" with the correct display names, and choose "right-of", "left-of", "above", or "below" as needed).
  • Saving Your Configuration: Once you've your desired settings, you'll want to make sure that your settings stick even after you reboot.

• To ensure that your settings are persistently applied, you must create a startup script:

  • Create a shell script: Create a new file in your home directory, for example: ~/set_displays.sh
  • Add your xrandr commands: Add your xrandr commands to the script.
  • Make the script executable: chmod +x ~/set_displays.sh
  • Test Your script: Execute the script from your terminal and verify everything works.
  • Add to startup applications: Open 'Startup Applications'.
  • Add a new entry: Click 'Add'.
  • Provide the details:
    • Name: Give it a meaningful name like "Set Displays".
    • Command: Enter: /home/your_username/set_displays.sh (replacing your_username with your actual username).
    • Comment: (Optional) Enter a comment explaining what the startup application does.
  • Save and close: Save the entry and restart your device.

6. Troubleshooting Specific Problems:

• Flickering: If the external display flickers, try these steps:
  • Refresh Rate Adjustment: Experiment with different refresh rates in the Display Settings.
  • Driver Reinstallation: Reinstall your graphics drivers.
  • Cable and Port Check: Rule out cable and port issues.
• Incorrect Resolution:
  • Display Settings Adjustments Go to Display Settings and select the right resolution in the settings page.
  • Terminal Commands Use xrandr to set the correct resolution, as mentioned earlier.
• Display Not Detected:
  • Hardware Detection: Restart your laptop with the external monitor already connected.
  • Driver Reinstallation Reinstall your graphics drivers.
  • Cable and Port Checking Make sure there are no hardware problems, as stated before.

7. Advanced Techniques (For the More Tech-Savvy)

• Edit Configuration Files: For even more control, you can edit configuration files directly. Exercise caution when doing this, as incorrect changes can make the system unstable.

  • xorg.conf: The xorg.conf file (typically located in /etc/X11/) contains detailed settings for your display. This file may not exist by default, but you can generate it manually.

  • Creating the xorg.conf file:

    1. Generate a basic configuration: Open the

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