Screen Resolution Downgrading on its own

English Hardware
#1

I just updated my system from 12.1 to 12.2 using network method. I have this annoying problem that I have investigated using this forum but have not been able to resolve it. I have set my screen resolution at 1280x1024 but every few minutes the system downgrades to 1024x768 or something less and I have to manually set it back to desired resolution. Can’t figure out for the life of me. It is a IBM ThinkCenter with Intel graphics. I had no issues with 12.1; so, something that changed in 12.2 from 12.1 is screwing things up. Help!:slight_smile:

#2

So we could use the exact model of your computer, the video chipset used would be helpful. You say you installed/upgraded to openSUSE 12.2. Did you do a clean install or a actual upgrade over the older version? A clean install, but not formatting your /home partition is really the best course of action. You must reload all applications, but your personnel settings are still maintained. Is this a 64 or 32 bit installation? What Desktop did you decide to use? It is possible to upgrade the kernel to a newer version which might help, up to 3.6.2 from kernel.org using my bash script S.A.K.C., but before you take any other action, please tell us more as I have requested.

Thank You,

#3

I am computer savvy but not linux savvy. I followed the instructions supplied for network upgrade to 12.2 but did not do a clean install. Here is what I found about the graphics controller in hwinfo:

15: PCI 02.0: 0300 VGA compatible controller (VGA)
[Created at pci.319]
Unique ID: _Znp.wpF33lVoW4B
SysFS ID: /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:02.0
SysFS BusID: 0000:00:02.0
Hardware Class: graphics card
Model: “IBM NetVista A30p”
Vendor: pci 0x8086 “Intel Corporation”
Device: pci 0x2562 “i845”
SubVendor: pci 0x1014 “IBM”
SubDevice: pci 0x0267 “NetVista A30p”
Revision: 0x01
Driver: “i915”
Driver Modules: “drm”
Memory Range: 0x88000000-0x8fffffff (ro,non-prefetchable)
Memory Range: 0x80000000-0x8007ffff (rw,non-prefetchable)
IRQ: 16 (32734 events)
I/O Ports: 0x3c0-0x3df (rw)
Module Alias: “pci:v00008086d00002562sv00001014sd00000267bc03sc00i00”
Driver Info #0:
XFree86 v4 Server Module: intel
Driver Info #1:
XFree86 v4 Server Module: intel
3D Support: yes
Extensions: dri
Config Status: cfg=no, avail=yes, need=no, active=unknown

#4

I think you have two possible options. First, I would try installing kernel 3.6.2 from kernel.org using my bash script SAKC for which I already left a link to. That is were the video driver is located. If that does not help, it may be time to do a clean install, but not formatting your /home partition. It keeps all your personnel settings while wiping clean all system settings and starting over by reloading all applications from scratch. The i915 video has been around for a while, but perhaps a new kernel is an easy thing to try. Other things include modification of your configuration files. Have a look at another thread on the subject here: http://forums.opensuse.org/english/get-technical-help-here/hardware/479676-resolution-problem.html

Thank You,

#5

I have this annoying problem that I have investigated using this forum but have not been able to resolve it. I have set my screen resolution at 1280x1024 but every few minutes the system downgrades to 1024x768 or something less and I have to manually set it back to desired resolution.

This is a new one on me. The next time it happens though, observe the output of the following

dmesg|tail

xrandr

That might help us track it down.

BTW, which desktop environment are you using?

#6

While investigating my options, I followed the thread that you posted but I get the following error when I try to install xf86-video-modesetting. But I get following message from Yast. Can’t tell if it is a Yast error or issue with the package:

YaST got signal 11 at YCP file PackagesUI.ycp:280
/sbin/yast2: line 427: 6348 Segmentation fault $ybindir/y2base $module “$@” “$SELECTED_GUI” $Y2_GEOMETRY $Y2UI_ARGS

#7

No, don’t follow the advice in that thread! It has nothing to do with your hardware or display issue.

#8

Output of dmesg | tail is as follows:

nayyar@linux-7dij:~> dmesg | tail
2311.422439] <f82d1cc8>] i915_gem_object_unbind+0x78/0x1c0 [i915]
2311.422491] <f82d1e25>] i915_gem_free_object_tail+0x15/0xd0 [i915]
2311.422547] <f8164e2d>] drm_gem_object_free+0x1d/0x30 [drm]
2311.422572] <f8165347>] drm_gem_handle_delete+0xc7/0x100 [drm]
2311.422600] <f8163afc>] drm_ioctl+0x37c/0x3e0 [drm]
2311.422615] <c0330baa>] do_vfs_ioctl+0x7a/0x550
2311.422623] <c03310ea>] sys_ioctl+0x6a/0x80
2311.422633] <c069095c>] sysenter_do_call+0x12/0x28
2311.422645] <b76eb430>] 0xb76eb42f
2311.422649] — end trace dcac01fdcc6423d7 ]—
nayyar@linux-7dij:~>

and XRANDR output is as follows:

nayyar@linux-7dij:~> xrandr
Screen 0: minimum 320 x 200, current 1024 x 768, maximum 2048 x 2048
VGA1 connected 1280x1024+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 293mm x 234mm
1280x1024 77.0 75.0* 60.3
1152x864 75.0
1024x768 85.0 75.8 75.1 70.1 60.0
832x624 74.6
800x600 85.1 72.2 75.0 60.3 56.2
640x480 85.0 72.8 75.0 66.7 60.0
720x400 87.8 70.1
nayyar@linux-7dij:~>

and when you run XRANDR, it brings the resolution back to 1280x1024. Go figure :wink:

#9

I can’t begin to think what might be causing that behaviour, but could be related to the driver, and coupled with DPMS issues somehow. When it happens does the display brightness also drop? I think you’re going to need to file a bug report for this strange behaviour.

#10

There is usually a short flicker and when screen comes back, it ha different resolution.

#11

On 2012-10-24 11:26, nmbutt wrote:
>
> Output of dmesg | tail is as follows:

…

> 2311.422645] <b76eb430>] 0xb76eb42f
> 2311.422649] — end trace dcac01fdcc6423d7 ]—
> nayyar@linux-7dij:~>

That looks like the end of a kernel oops. → bugzilla.

–
Cheers / Saludos,

Carlos E. R.
(from 11.4 x86_64 “Celadon” (Minas Tirith))

#12

This is frustrating. I will go back to 12.1 or another linux distro. Does not seem anyone has an easy solution for it.

#13

I can understand your frustration. It is a very unusual regression. I haven’t seen this issue reported before. It will probably require developer support to resolve.

I will go back to 12.1 or another linux distro.

For now, I think that’s all you can do. Good luck.

#14

If this was me, I would try two more things because loading another distro will mean starting over anyway.

  1. Download and reinstall openSUSE from a DVD (software.opensuse.org: Download openSUSE 12.2) you make using your present running openSUSE copy. Trust me when I say that small differences can exist from the different methods of install.
  2. Upgrade to Linux kernel 3.6.3 from kernel.org: S.A.K.C. - SUSE Automated Kernel Compiler - Version 2.78 - Blogs - openSUSE Forums

I have had to reinstall openSUSE before because something was/went wrong with the install. I have had issue with older kernels and missing hardware support fixed by installing a newer kernel. If there is one thing for sure here, we want your copy of openSUSE to work. What ever you decide to do, we wish you all the luck.

Thank You,

#15

Ok. One more try considering there will be a few dead days with hurricane Sally approaching :wink:

#16

That is OK, take your time. We obviously hope that you and your family will be safe through the storms.

Thank You,

#17

I tried doing a clean install of 12.2 but Brasero produced a bad ISO CD that would refuse to boot. That is when I gave up and went back to Mint Linux (which does a great job with this video set up). I will download live cd again for 12.2 to experiment before a do a switchback to 12.2. Thanks for all the help I received on this forum.

#18

Well good luck then and do not get give using Linux. There are many good things about using Linux Mint.

Thank You,