Hi,

I've been struggling for a while trying to get x-windows to work with my Gateway lcd monitor - 18" model # FPD 1810.

I tried on RedHat 7 with no luck. I just installed the latest version of RedHat 9 and still no luck. When I tried to install using the graphic mode, my screen just went blank. Also, the monitor is not recognized during hardware detection. After installing, when I try to enter x-windows, same thing--blank screen.

A Gateway tech advised that I try connecting the monitor using the analog cable instead of the DVI cable, but that doesn't sound plausible to me. Should I bother with that?

Any ideas where I can start? Is it hopeless if no driver is written for my monitor?

Thanks a lot!

--JG

Okay, here are two ideas:

Having struggled with laptop installs in the past, I have found that sometimes you need to do a text-based install without the graphic interface and configure X later with XF86config. Most distro's such as Red Hat and Mandrake allow you to 'test' the configuration prior to committing. Worse case is that your screen will go black, but no permanent damage will be done.

Also, try running a CDROM based package like Demo Linux without doing an actual install on the hard drive. If the video driver is probed adequately check the system settings and find out which driver the distro used. I used this trick with Mandrake on a MediaGo 2700 laptop I struggled with.

You don't always need the 'exact' driver for X to work, but do keep in mind that you can fry your monitor if you set frequencies that are out of the monitors capable range.

Good luck and don't give in!