[ozar]

Have you checked the Dell support website to see if others are reporting this problem?

I think flickering on LCD screens usually has to do with a failing inverter, but I'm not sure why it would only do it under Linux if that should be the case. In fact, I hear that some newer machines don't have inverters, so I'm not sure about yours.

[devils casper]

I think its heat problem only. Did you try booting up earlier version of kernel ( .15). I have both Feisty and Gutsy and I have used both on LCD Screens. There isn't any problem at all.
I dont recommend you to install Gutsy kernel. Its not a kernel issue.

[nowshining]

gutsy is about two months away so the MAJOR probs should be fixed also when you do a gutsy update thru ubntu to the gutsy kernel you don't just get a new kernel you get also driver updates as well without updating to a new kernel at least then NO NEW drivers will be had for feisty whether buggy or not unless you get VERY LUCKY and they release one thru the Ubuntu Community..

Again the Kernel has NOTHING to do with the data more than likely going back to the last kernel will fix a problem if encountered. Example before I updated the screen was a bit worse on feisty - after updating the screen is much much better esp. when I have to reboot and login or switch users as it used to look weird when switching...

They could wait, but again the major issues should be out of running since again IT IS ONLY
ABOUT TWO MONTHS AWAY FROM OFFICIAL RELEASE.... and the REST ARE SMALL FIXES ONLY SO FAR...

if you read the original post with the how to you'll notices that you'll also update the restricted modules, but like I said the ORIGINAL kernel from kernel.org is actually stable -way and besides that ubuntu uses unstable Debian kernels in the end to begin with and add/fixes/add drivers themselves from there...... otherwise one would have to recompile drivers on their own...

[devils casper]

Originally Posted by nowshining

gutsy is about two months away so the MAJOR probs should be fixed also when you do a gutsy update thru ubntu to the gutsy kernel you don't just get a new kernel you get also driver updates as well without updating to a new kernel at least then NO NEW drivers will be had for feisty whether buggy or not unless you get VERY LUCKY and they release one thru the Ubuntu Community..

I am not getting your point at all. As I mentioned earlier, Screen blinking or flickring is not a Kernel issue. Why are you suggesting to upgrade or compile a kernel for that?
Could you point me to a registered BUG, or a thread where screen blinking problem has been fixed with kernel upgrade only?

[jj23]

Not sure if this will help you, but I have a Nvidia 7300 / Fiesty Fawn on a 17 inch laptop.

Every 1 minute or so there would be a very annoying flick on the screen (intermittent as you have described).

I changed my refresh rate to 60 and now the problem is solved and I am flicker free.

Hope that helps.

[jmadero]

Thank you for offering me some advice from first hand experience but I have another issue, I can't change the refresh from the Screen Resolution Preferences, only 50 is available....is there any way around this ? (I'm sure there is but is it safe/easy/stable? Thanks all

[devils casper]

Have you set supported HorizSync/VertRefresh rates and Resolutions in /etc/X11/xorg.conf file? Check Manual of your Monitor for supported values and edit xorg.conf file accordingly.

[jj23]

Originally Posted by jmadero

Thank you for offering me some advice from first hand experience but I have another issue, I can't change the refresh from the Screen Resolution Preferences, only 50 is available....is there any way around this ? (I'm sure there is but is it safe/easy/stable? Thanks all

$ sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf_orig

$ sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Search for the following Section "Monitor"

You will need to increase HorizSync & VertRefresh.

Here is my current params:

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Generic Monitor"
HorizSync 28.0 - 72.0
VertRefresh 43.0 - 60.0
Option "DPMS"
EndSection

After saving and making the change - hit <CTRL> <ALT> <BACKSPACE> or reboot your system.

If the GUI cannot start, then replace /etc/X11/xorg.conf with /etc/X11/xorg.conf_orig

As others have said you should check your monitor manual for correct values as trying to run a Refresh rate beyond the monitors ability can break it.

Good luck!

[jmadero]

I updated to Gutsy a couple months ago and the problem is still here.....I have formatted and reinstalled several times. Running Nvidia 7900 GS in a Dell inpiron 9400. The problem is much less severe now and I've realized that it actually starts after an action is taken (such as opening a pdf, rotating the cube in compiz-fusion, etc...) I don't think that it's any one program in particular but it does just randomly start. I have checked refresh rates and they seem to be fine....again the problem is much less severe now but if anyone has any suggestions (I thought about posting a video to show what the flickering/blinking looks like, if that will help I can get one up. Thanks all