Arch Linux

jarek

Member

Registered: 2011-05-31

Posts: 11

Display resolution keeps switching with external monitor connected

A fresh install of archlinux on a Dell Vostro 3550 with all updates (OSS only - no proprietary drivers).

When connecting the laptop to an external monitor to extend my desktop the display settings are unstable. I choose to enable both the laptop panel, and the external monitor setting appropriate resolutions and apply settings. Sometimes the chosen settings do not "take". If they do apply, and I confirm that I want to keep the settings, at random intervals the display settings are auto-changed by the system. This may include:
- Resetting to "mirrored" displays at 1024x768
- Resetting to a single display on the laptop panel
- Resetting to a single display on the external monitor
- Some other weird combination.

E.g. When using my computer in a time range of 10 minutes i could get through 5 different dispositions and resolutions. It could be both display working fine, then only one but with wrong resolution, then the two again but with mirror, then just the second, and so on..

Some debug information below - happy to collect more if it's helpful.

$ sudo lspci | grep VGA
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation 2nd Generation Core Processor Family Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 09)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc NI Whistler [AMD Radeon HD 6600M Series]

I have this problem on different linux distribution (ubuntu, mint)

Trilby

Inspector Parrot

Registered: 2011-11-29

Posts: 30,481

Website

Re: Display resolution keeps switching with external monitor connected

First, as this is all done through some DE controls, it would be good to know which DE.

Related to that, try using xrandr instead.

However, based on this ...

I have this problem on different linux distribution (ubuntu, mint)

... I suspect it could be a bad connection.  Perhaps if the connector or the cable is going bad, the system detects it as disconnecting and reconnecting and modes are reset because of this.

---

"UNIX is simple and coherent" - Dennis Ritchie; "GNU's Not Unix" - Richard Stallman

jarek

Member

Registered: 2011-05-31

Posts: 11

Re: Display resolution keeps switching with external monitor connected

I forgot to add that I checked another monitor with new cables, I also used kde to manage monitor, xrandr and program disper, but i still have this problem