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I have an old Dell Inspiron 1100 which has an issue displaying only a partial screen once I install Linux distros. This AM I installed Linux Lite and experienced the same problem. Not familiar with this software, and working in 1/4 of the normal screen, I stumbled into Settings Editor and manually changed the resolution from 640x480 to 1024x768. I then rebooted and ended up with a black screen.
I forced a restart and booted into recovery which started up and displayed 1024x768. Thought everything was good ... but on a second restart, found that normal boot ends up with a black screen.
How might I correct the problem I created in xfconf? Secondly, any ideas how I might resolve the original problem with the partial screen display?
Thank you in advance ...
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02-16-2018, 03:36 AM
(This post was last modified: 02-16-2018, 03:44 AM by firenice03.)
Couple of things..
You maybe able to correct your conf file from TTY (all command line) - CTRL+ALT+F1
- You'll be prompted for login - if you recall the path/file you could use vi to correct.
I'm not sure what file was updated..
If you have a recent Systemback backup/restore point you can restore to it.. Same TTY process then
You'll be prompted which restore point - choose and follow prompts
-- Once corrected -- Use "Display" to change resolutions..
<Menu<Setting<Display
** UPDATED **
Reading more and looking at Settings Editor more in-depth thinking you may have activated the VGA port.
If you have a monitor - plug it in (VGA Port) and see if you have a display.. Then you should be able to correct.
LL4.8 UEFI 64 bit ASUS E402W - AMD E2 (Quad) 1.5Ghz - 4GB - AMD Mullins Radeon R2
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Running Linux Lite since LL2.2
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Thanks for the ideas/suggestions! Here's where I am now.
Figured out how to get out of the black screen. Two options work.
1. Reboot, then amend with "nomodeset." This gets me a nice centered, 640x480 display that cannot be expanded to 1024x768. It also goes away when I shut down and reboot - back to the black screen. However, I was able to access the xfconf file and reverse the changes I made earlier through Settings Editor. Not really sure if any of that was actually causing problems. Sometimes it boots to a black screen, sometimes it boots to a partial screen - 640x768 ... in upper left corner.
2.The second option is the reboot and select recovery which puts me exactly where I want to be ... 1024 display and the options to select 800 or 640 screen display. I think maybe recovery is booting me into a "live" version of the program??
I know this partial screen issue has been earlier identified with this model 1100 with the Intel 845 graphics. I found web search references with several "resolved" solutions - none of which worked for me.
update bios. Already current
update Intel microcode. Done - no efffect
i845.modeset=0 Done - no effect
xforcevesa Done - no effect
So ... how do I change this install to retain the boot setting which take effect when I boot through the recovery option??? That will fix this problem.
Please excuse my ignorance of commands/terminology. My understanding of Linux is basically limited to a personal opinion that I really like it, and would like to use it on this old machine!
Thanks again!
