Would like to use my tv as a monitor

[PurpleCowTipper]

I purchased a Dell computer tower at a second hand store that is running Linux Mint 8 and I have never used Linux in my life. I have a Samsung LN40A450 I would like to use as my monitor but I am unable to figure out how to change the settings so it will show up on the TV. I've searched the net trying to get some answers but everything I've come across is like trying to read a language I don't understand. Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

[stevefed5291]

Let me be the first to welcome you to the wonderful world of Linux. Now, several questions about your predicament:

How are you trying to connect the computer to the tv? HDMI/S-video/et cetera
What graphics card are you using? If you don't know, you can find out by opening the terminal and typing:

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lspci | grep VGA

note that the VGA is case sensitive. Paste that output of that back here. Also it would help if you knew if the graphics card was integrated/agp/pci-e.

[PurpleCowTipper]

I went to the terminal and typed in what you said and this was my result.

00:05.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation C51 [GeForce 6150 LE] (rev a2)

Also I am using a a normal VGA monitor cable.

Hope this is the information you needed.

[dawgdoc]

C51 [GeForce 6150 LE] (rev a2)

This is nVidia integrated graphics. From Wikipedia

In late 2005 Nvidia introduced a new member to the GeForce family, the 6100 series, also known as C51. The term GeForce 6100/6150 actually refers to an nForce4-based motherboard with an integrated NV44 core, as opposed to a standalone graphics card.

and

Both the 6100 and 6150 support Shader Model 3.0 and DirectX 9.0c. The 6150 also features support for High-Definition video playback, PureVideo Processing, DVI, and video-out while the 6100 supports PureVideo Processing only. Maximum supported resolution is 1920 x 1440 pixels (@75 Hz) for RGB display and 1600 x 1200 pixels (@65 Hz) for DVI-D display

[stevefed5291]

Thanks dawgdoc, quite helpful .

PurpleCowTipper, do you have the proprietary Nvidia Drivers installed? (Menu>Administration>Hardware Drivers. Download whatever version is 'recommended')

Once you do that, (or if you already have them installed) launch the Nvidia settings manager as root in the terminal with the following command:

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gksu nvidia-settings

Then enter your password at the prompt, and it will launch an easy-to-use graphical program that lets you fine-tune your settings.

[PurpleCowTipper]

Yes I already have the nvidia drivers installed I set it to the resolution suggested for my tv and it still doesn't work. Also it will not let me save my resolution and every time I restar it goes back to the previous setting.

[dawgdoc]

Also it will not let me save my resolution and every time I restar it goes back to the previous setting.

It will always go back to previous settings if the nVidia utility is not opened as Steve suggested. Also see this post by McLovin about installing nVidia drivers and making your settings sticky. You already have the drivers installed, so scroll down to just above the 3rd screenshot. Look for where it starts with the code posted by Steve.

...launch the Nvidia settings manager as root in the terminal with the following command:

Code: Select all

gksu nvidia-settings

Then enter your password at the prompt, and it will launch an easy-to-use graphical program that lets you fine-tune your settings.

[Kubbur]

hi, i had the same problem with the resolution, i fixed it by set the res to the next one to the native one (in windows i used 1360x768 but in mint i use 1280x768) and change the rest on the tv itself