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Dell C600 Docked Video Problems

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Michael White

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Sep 20, 2001, 11:12:08 PM9/20/01
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Hi,

At work several of us are expressing our discontent with
Windows by installing Linux on our machines. We make fun
of the Windows guys whenever a new "virus" (aka Microsoft
bug) shows its face.

Anyway, I've installed Redhat 7.0 on several Dell CPxs and
a Compaq notebook, but this latest Dell Lattitude C600 is giving
me problems. It has an ATI Rage Mobility 128 with 8 MB of RAM.
CPU is a 700 MHz PIII. 20 GB HD. 14" LCD, with a maximum
resolution of 1024x768, I believe. 256 MB of RAM.

I installed the save partition, and then installed RH 7.0
while the machine was un-docked. Everything seem to go well,
and the machine booted fine.

I docked the machine, and turned on the Dell CRT connected to
the dock. Booted up. Seemed to go OK, then suddenly
a blank at the CRT screen, and the CRT shuts down as if it lost the
signal. I start investigating, and find the display was being
output at the LCD rather than through the dock, even though the
notebook was closed. Very odd. I manually switched the display
back via the keyboard, and the LCD shuts down and the CRT turns
back on.

Logged out. CRT dead again. Display is back at the LCD.
Grrrr.... I can switch back via the notebook keypad, but the notebook
must be open (not feasible with a 20" monitor sitting over the
dock).

In addition, when attempting to set XFree86 to use resolutions
higher than 1024x768 (the resolution of the LCD), it fails as
it always runs the test at the LCD, not the CRT. Grrrr...

Installed Windows ME. Display works docked or undocked, up to
1600x1200 at the CRT. If the notebook is left open during boot,
however, the CRT will go back to 1024x768, as the LCD turns on
for a couple of seconds during startup.

Installed Redhat 7.1. Same problem.

Installed the patch from Dell for the ATI Rage Mobility 128.
Same problem.

Thought about installing XFree86 4.1.0, but saw the number
of packages I'd have to upgrade and thought I'd post to this
group first :).

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Michael White (mich...@mindspring.com)

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