Open Suse v11.1 - HP 1702 LCD monitor message "input signal out of range"

English Hardware
1

Hello All,
I just bought a second hand HP 1702 LCD monitor and want to use it with my Open Suse V11.x machine. These are the steps I did so far:

  1. Searched for the HP 1702 technical specs online and found these pages:
    HP L1702 Overview & Specs - LCD Monitors - CNET Reviews
    HP L1702 LCD Flat Panel Monitor

  2. Checked the OpenSuse HCL list over here and noted the remarks in the HCL.
    HCL:Monitors - openSUSE

  3. Started up YAST and searched for the display properties

  4. I used the “generic LCD driver” driver present in Open Suse V11.x

  5. Adjusted the screen and resolution sizes (with my old analog monitor still present)
    to the HP 1702 LCD “native frequency” which is 1280x1024@60Hz, 16.7 m colordepth

  6. Saved all settings and powered down my computer.

  7. Disconnected my old (analog) monitor and connect my HP 1702 LCD display

  8. Powered-up my computer and this what happened (on HP 1702 LCD screen)
    ================================================================

A - During Hardware Boot -> Textmode -> Everything was clearly visible on screen!
B - After booting the Linux Kernel -> screen resolution switch to “GraphicMode”
C - Error Message on screen appears [Input signal out of range]
D - Upon Linux Kernel boot completion (and starting up of the X windows Server)
Open Suse Login screen appeared crystal clear @ 1280x1024 pixelzzz :slight_smile:

==================================================================
Now I have a few questions…

  1. What (software) causes the display/screen-resolution change, after Linux Kernel boot?
  2. Can I (manually) alter this setting, so that it jumps right to 1280x1024 pixels

Why do i want to fix this
Due to this [Input signal out of range] error, the output to screen blanks and i am not able to see (anymore) how my machine boots up (services, tasks etc…)

Any suggestion are welcome!

2

On 2012-04-21 18:06, ronaldvermeij wrote:
>
> Hello All,
> I just bought a second hand HP 1702 LCD monitor and want to use it with
> my Open Suse V11.x machine. These are the steps I did so far:

What is the value of that x? There are many differences.

–
Cheers / Saludos,

Carlos E. R.
(from 11.4 x86_64 “Celadon” at Telcontar)

3

The version number is Open Suse 11.1

4

On 2012-04-24 09:06, ronaldvermeij wrote:
>
> The version number is Open Suse 11.1

Ah, then upgrade, that version is out of support since the end of 2010. You
might also consider extended support via evergreen.

The video mode right after boot is controlled by the vga parameter on the
kernel boot line.

–
Cheers / Saludos,

Carlos E. R.
(from 11.4 x86_64 “Celadon” at Telcontar)

5

The version number is Open Suse 11.1

That is well past end-of life, so many around here would suggest you install a current version (11.4 or 12.1) and take advantage of a newer Xorg server that largely works with auto-detection (via EDID). However, your HP monitor relies on a VGA cable connection, and that can cause problems with detecting the native display mode with some display hardware.

  1. I used the “generic LCD driver” driver present in Open Suse V11.x

It is an option that you select (not a driver) , used to configure /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Now I have a few questions…

  1. What (software) causes the display/screen-resolution change, after Linux Kernel boot?
  2. Can I (manually) alter this setting, so that it jumps right to 1280x1024 pixels

The initial frame-buffer display mode is set by the ‘vga=…’ kernel boot option in /boot/grub/menu.lst. For example

title openSUSE 11.1 - 2.6.27.21-0.1
    root (hd0,1)
    kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27.21-0.1-default
    root=/dev/disk/by-id/scsi-3600605b000db099011b1713421c457ad-part2
    resume=/dev/disk/by-id/scsi-3600605b000db099011b1713421c457ad-part1 splash=silent
    showopts vga=0x31a
    initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.27.21-0.1-default

When the X-server starts, it uses xorg.conf to load the appropriate driver, and set the required display mode etc

6

Try to set vga=normal or just remove this option and see if the out of range problem persists.

7

@All: Thanks you for your solutions! This are 2 links that helped me to figure out how it works
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VESA_BIOS_Extensions
VGA framebuffer modes used while booting in Linux