Dell Laptop

[bujums]

just installed Debian on an older Dell Laptop and it is working fine except the display. Only about half of the screen is being used. I must need a Dell Driver. Does anyone know of where I can get some drivers for linux on Dell?

ps the screen size is the same as when I am in the Bios... if that is a good clue...

[techieMoe]

I'm not sure I understand. You're saying the screen size is the same as in the BIOS? Meaning what, 640x480 resolution? Or do you mean that physically part of the screen is missing? Like you're only seeing graphics on half of it or something like that?

If that's the case you simply need to figure out what kind of video hardware you have on the laptop and install the appropriate Linux driver for it. There would not be a Dell Linux driver for anything older than the last year or two, since they only recently started supporting it.

Until then, you can probably get a better resolution using the generic VESA driver. Are you able to boot Linux and get access to your files? If so please post the "Display" section of this file:

/etc/X11/xorg.conf

It would also help us if you could identify the specific make and model of your Dell.

[bujums]

The screen is mostly black with about 4"x5" in the center working. I do see an entire screen, for the most part I think it is function fine it just thinks it has a really small screen. I noticed before I install Debian, when I went into the Bios the screen was the same way. Just a small area with all the the appropriate information in it, so nothing is cut off, just small. It is an Inspiron and I will post the model this evening and post again.

[bujums]

the Laptop is an inspiron 1100 and here is the info you asked for:

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "Intel Corporation 82845G/GL[Brookdale-G]/GE Chipset Integrated Graphics Device"
Monitor "Generic Monitor"
DefaultDepth 16
SubSection "Display"
Depth 1
Modes "1280x960" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4
Modes "1280x960" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"

of course I deleted some of the repeated info.

[techieMoe]

Here's an article I found about Linux on the Inspiron 1100:

Linux on the Dell Inspiron 1100

You might try installing the 915resolution package using apt-get. It seems to work wonders for some folks having issues with Intel graphics chipsets.

apt-get install 915resolution

[bujums]

Ok, I will give that a try this afternoon. Thanks for help.

[bujums]

I did update my Bios as the article suggested and install the program. I did the program 1st and it did not configure itself but did say how to. Now that my Bios is updated I will try to configure the 915resolution and hopefully that will work. I will post after that.

[bujums]

update on my problem... so I was not able to configure the 915resolution and I even tried to reinstall Debian. I thought I would try that since I had updated the Bios. Still, a small screen. So just for fun I tried another distribution that I have tried a little but not stuck with. Anyway VectorLinux (a slackware thing) works great on the little laptop. I am just setting it up for someone to use for basic stuff so it will be find. Thank you so much for your assistance, TechieMoe!!

[bujums]

TechieMoe... I just read your "rants" page on Vector 9.5 Standard! If you don't mind me asking, should I stick with the 8.5 standard Vector or move up to 9.5 standard? I have several older computers that I use or have set up for family & friends.

[techieMoe]

TechieMoe... I just read your "rants" page on Vector 9.5 Standard! If you don't mind me asking, should I stick with the 8.5 standard Vector or move up to 9.5 standard? I have several older computers that I use or have set up for family & friends.

Do you mean 5.9 standard? I liked that one. If you're a fan of 5.8, I don't see why you wouldn't at least take a look at 5.9.