Original X Windows Workarounds Page

Free X Server
Currently, the free Xserver developed by the XFree86 Project appears to only partially support the ATI Rage LT Pro found in the I7k. However, there are a couple of workarounds which will allow you to get 1024x768 without having to pay $$ to purchase a commercial X server. These tips should work with XFree86 regardless of which OS you are using.

Before we continue, first please understand that I will NOT be held responsible for any damage that you do to your own system in case something goes wrong! It is possible to damage your display by using a bad mode, so keep that in mind when you use other people's values, even if it works for them. The same goes true for any hardware modifications that you make.

As far as I know, the following is the best you can do using XF86 3.3.2.3. For all options below, make sure you are using the XF86_Mach64 server version 3.3.2.3 or newer (you can obtain the latest binaries from the XFree86 Project web page). Debian users should just install the xserver-mach64 package from the regular stable tree and make it the default X server when asked. I'm sure a RedHat package exists somewhere too, but I don't know where (to any RedHat users: tell me!).

  1. With only the LCD (i.e. no external monitor), one can only acheive a very strange resolution of 640x600 in 8bit color. The XF86Config file for this can be found here.
  2. With only the LCD (i.e. no external monitor), you can get 800x600 by using XF86_Mach64 3.3.2 (yes, this only works on 3.3.2). Use the XF86Config file stored here. This solution was contributed by Rainer Lucas, <rainerlucas@csi.com>.
  3. With only the LCD, it is possible to get 1024x768 in 32bit color if you are willing to go to an electronics store such as Radio Shack to buy some parts and build a "monitor dongle". The idea here is to create a VGA connector which tricks the Inspiron into thinking an external monitor is connected when in fact there isn't. I figured out how build one of these and it works great -- now I can travel with my laptop and get a clear, stable 1024x768 mode using XFree86. While it is relatively easy to build, it does take some effort and time unless you know how to solder or have crimping tools. By the way, I also hear that using one of those VGA to Macintosh video converter plugs also does the job.

    Parts required:

    If you think you are going to make mistakes, you may want to buy a few extra parts. All of this stuff should be relatively inexpensive.

    Instructions:

    1. Solder/connect one end of the 75-ohm resistor to pin 2, and the other end to pin 7. Use electrical tape or heat shrink tubing to cover the exposed portions of the resister to prevent a short circuit.
    2. Solder/connect pins 4, 5, and 11 together. Make sure these connections do not come into contact with any other pins or the resistor.

    Now, use the same XFConfig file as the one for the external monitor, located here. When you start up X, the screen will be all messed up. Press Ctrl-Alt-F1 to put the screen in text mode. Plug in the monitor dongle that you built above into the external VGA port. Press Fn-F8 until the LCD screen turns off -- you are now in CRT mode. (Note: if you are unable to turn off the LCD screen, either you have wired the pins of your dongle incorrectly, or you need to first disable the LCD from Windows [see last paragraph of this section]). Now press Alt-F7 to switch to X (you won't see anything yet since you are still in CRT mode). Finally, press Fn-F8 twice to go from CRT mode to simultaneous mode to LCD-only mode. At this point, you can remove the dongle from the external VGA port.

  4. If you have an external monitor connected to the VGA port, then you can get the full 1024x768 in 32bit color on both the monitor and LCD. It doesn't matter what "Video display device" is set to inside your CMOS. However, before you switch into 1024x768, you must be in external monitor (CRT) mode and not LCD or shared mode. Use Fn-F8 to switch modes. If you are in the wrong mode when X starts and the screen is messed up, don't worry. First press Ctrl-Alt-F1 to go to text mode. Then press Fn-F8 until you are in CRT mode (i.e. no LCD display). Next, press Alt-F7 to switch back to X windows. I find it easier myself just to go to CMOS setup and change the Video display device to "CRT". That way, when the external monitor is plugged in, the LCD will turn off by default and you don't have to press any function keys (if the LCD doesn't turn off even if the CMOS display setting is set to "CRT", see the last paragraph of this section). As for the XF86Config file, use the one located here. Using these settings, I can get a very nice stable 1024x768 display on either my LCD screen or my external monitor. However, the text mode gets screwed up, so if you quit X you will have to reboot to get a working text display. If you happen to enable both LCD and external output at the same time, the screen will switch to a vertical refresh of 60Hz. To get back to the 85Hz refresh rate, first switch back to external CRT only mode. Then press Ctrl-Alt-F1 followed by Alt-F7.

Steve Hsieh <steveh@eecs.umich.edu>

Last modified: Wed Nov 4 22:57:59 1998