I have an old Dell Inspiron 1100 which has an issue displaying only a partial screen once I install Linux distros. This AM I installed Linux Lite and experienced the same problem. Not familiar with this software, and working in 1/4 of the normal screen, I stumbled into Settings Editor and manually changed the resolution from 640x480 to 1024x768. I then rebooted and ended up with a black screen.
I forced a restart and booted into recovery which started up and displayed 1024x768. Thought everything was good ... but on a second restart, found that normal boot ends up with a black screen.
How might I correct the problem I created in xfconf? Secondly, any ideas how I might resolve the original problem with the partial screen display?
Thank you in advance ...
Couple of things..
You maybe able to correct your conf file from TTY (all command line) - CTRL+ALT+F1
- You'll be prompted for login - if you recall the path/file you could use vi to correct.
I'm not sure what file was updated..
If you have a recent Systemback backup/restore point you can restore to it.. Same TTY process then
You'll be prompted which restore point - choose and follow prompts
-- Once corrected -- Use "Display" to change resolutions..
<Menu<Setting<Display
** UPDATED **
Reading more and looking at Settings Editor more in-depth thinking you may have activated the VGA port.
If you have a monitor - plug it in (VGA Port) and see if you have a display.. Then you should be able to correct.
Thanks for the ideas/suggestions! Here's where I am now.
Figured out how to get out of the black screen. Two options work.
1. Reboot, then amend with "nomodeset." This gets me a nice centered, 640x480 display that cannot be expanded to 1024x768. It also goes away when I shut down and reboot - back to the black screen. However, I was able to access the xfconf file and reverse the changes I made earlier through Settings Editor. Not really sure if any of that was actually causing problems. Sometimes it boots to a black screen, sometimes it boots to a partial screen - 640x768 ... in upper left corner.
2.The second option is the reboot and select recovery which puts me exactly where I want to be ... 1024 display and the options to select 800 or 640 screen display. I think maybe recovery is booting me into a "live" version of the program??
I know this partial screen issue has been earlier identified with this model 1100 with the Intel 845 graphics. I found web search references with several "resolved" solutions - none of which worked for me.
update bios. Already current
update Intel microcode. Done - no efffect
i845.modeset=0 Done - no effect
xforcevesa Done - no effect
So ... how do I change this install to retain the boot setting which take effect when I boot through the recovery option??? That will fix this problem.
Please excuse my ignorance of commands/terminology. My understanding of Linux is basically limited to a personal opinion that I really like it, and would like to use it on this old machine!
Thanks again!