BIOS and Linux resolution too big

CamelAmp · 2014-09-09 16:01:44

When ever I am in my UEFI/BIOS or I boot into a boot disc or even install a linux OS the resolution is too big for my monitor. I think it has to do with drivers for my graphics card, Nvidia 780, and it makes it impossible to do stuff. I can't see the terminal because it is too cut off. BIOS isn't impossible to use but it is harder. Can't use gparted or arch. Hard to use ubuntu. Monitor is actuall a 1360/768 tv. The TV doesn't have any kind of picture adjustments for sizing so I can't resize the screen to get into the os and start fixing it. I think I need better device drivers for the OSes I am booting into. Windows had this issue until I installed my NVidia drivers.

On an Ubuntu install I tried using the included drivers, the NVidia Linux drivers, as well as some open source driver package and none of them would let me resize the resolution. Any tips on what I can do? I would prefer a software solution. I have a feeling that what it will come down to is plugging the monitor straight into the board and doing the arch install and finding some good drivers. I would like to know what drivers I should get first though so it can be one of the first packages I grab.

emeres · 2014-09-09 17:21:16

Are you using any adapters for the pc-tv connection? Try setting a lower resolution on boot:
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/GR … resolution

CamelAmp · 2014-09-09 17:47:55

I can't see the terminal to get most of that done, including GRUB. One option I have is to boot into Ubuntu and open a terminal there. I can see the terminal enough to move it to the center so I can work. I have limited options because I am still booting from USB to get the system installed. If there is a command I can type into the terminal that works with what comes with arch boot image to resize the resolution that would be perfect. I can't see the terminal but if it is a single command or two to reset the terminal resolution so that I can then do something more permanent that would be awesome. Doing a GRUB command requires that a write to a file using the /dev/sdX style, I assume I have to pick the boot partition doing it that way and I don't know what one that is with out checking so I have to be able to see where the boot partition is.

There is probably an easy solution that I have been able to find. I read that article you linked and I don't think it is the right solution for this problem since I am booting from USB and not into the actual install.

CamelAmp · 2014-09-24 21:28:23

Found a few things out about this for anyone else having these issues. I think the problem is the monitor, actually a small TV, doesn't have a DVI cable so I have an HDMI to DVI cable hooked up between the PC and the TV. I think that because the cable goes from HDMI to DVI the edid information the tv sends out to the PC is incorrect. So the resolution needs to be manually set.

Before booting into the OS if you are booting from a live image you can add a command to the boot, I think you press e or tab when the live boot splash shows, and add this to the boot line:

drm_kms_helper.edid_firmware=edid/1024x768.bin

that last number can be changed to a few formats based on what the user needs. The wiki has all the default resolutions listed that are supported. Not all resolutions are supported by default. https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/ke … de_setting
From grub to get these changes to apply on boot edit the boot options, go down to the line that starts off with linux then there are some commands after that, put the drmk_kms line in there.
Once you are booted into the OS and have done the install you can start an xserver and use xrandr to change the resolution. You have to have the xserver running to use xrandr. You also have to create your own profiles in xrandr if your resolution is not supported by default. The xrandr documentation on the wiki covers its commands adequately enough to get that done. You have to generate the resolution information by using a command called cvt.

The problem I am having now is that xrandr outputs the wrong physical dimensions to the TV, but the correct resolution. The TV doesn't like the signal it is getting and refuses to display it. Right now I am stuck with a 1024x768 resolution on a 1360x768 TV. It is annoying but works for now. I plan on just getting a new 1080p monitor to fix my issues. I think that getting some settings working on the nvidia drivers might be able to fix the issues I am having. I haven't had time to look at the documentation for the nvidia proprietary drivers yet. I don't think the opensource drivers are going to work. I fiddled with them for about an hour and couldn't get them to display properly. I am going to leave the thread as unsolved, I can get the OS installed and used but the resolution is still too low and bothers me.

If anyone else is having these issues feel free to shoot me a PM or Email, there isn't much information on this issue, but this isn't the first time I have had these issues with BIOSes and Linux so I know it is more common than the internet would have me believe.

Also a dirty hack to forcing screen size smaller just so you can apply the boot options if you can't see enough of the splash to even get the drm_kms_helper command working. Plug the monitor into the motherboard, let the system boot fully into the USB or DVD or what have you, then after you are confident that it has gotten that far, as you shouldn't be able to see any image because the output signal is through the graphics card and not the mobo, plug the monitor back in the graphics card. This usually displays the image as 800x600, after the live image tries to boot though it will default back to the resolution that was causing issues so you do have to use drm_kms_helper command for boot. This hack works for BIOS being too small as well. If you are finding this hack isn't working for you don't give up, it is hit or miss. On some boards you have to unplug the monitor completely before boot then into the card, or switch the BIOS display option to display from board and not the card, forgot the name of that setting. Sometimes if you shutdown with the monitor unplugged it will boot into an 800x600 resolution as well. If you need to get into the BIOS or boot options for a live image and can't see enough to work at all this is a way to get it done, and messing around with where and when you have the monitor plugged in can help force this to happen. It is temporary, when ever an OS boots it will override the display settings and you will have to wrestle with it instead.

Last edited by CamelAmp (2014-09-24 21:28:49)

zulqurnain · 2021-05-22 17:30:33

Youn just need to press e, then at the end of the command line add
video=1360x768

Or whatsoever is your resolution size objective

V1del · 2021-05-22 17:36:36

Please check the dates of the threads you are replying to, I find it unlikely they are still looking for a solution for this particular problem 7 years later.

Closing.

Arch Linux

#1 2014-09-09 16:01:44

BIOS and Linux resolution too big

#2 2014-09-09 17:21:16

Re: BIOS and Linux resolution too big

#3 2014-09-09 17:47:55

Re: BIOS and Linux resolution too big

#4 2014-09-24 21:28:23

Re: BIOS and Linux resolution too big

#5 2021-05-22 17:30:33

Re: BIOS and Linux resolution too big

#6 2021-05-22 17:36:36

Re: BIOS and Linux resolution too big

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