[SOLVED]Issues with mirroring my laptop to tv via vga hdmi cable

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ozshabs

[SOLVED]Issues with mirroring my laptop to tv via vga hdmi cable

Post by ozshabs »

Hi

I am new here and not sure where to post this question, so I have chosen the safe option.

I have lenovo x230 laptop (32 bit machine). This laptop has 3 usb and 1 vga output. Here is the output of 'lscpu'.

Code: Select all


Architecture:          i686
CPU op-mode(s):        32-bit, 64-bit
Byte Order:            Little Endian
CPU(s):                4
On-line CPU(s) list:   0-3
Thread(s) per core:    2
Core(s) per socket:    2
Socket(s):             1
Vendor ID:             GenuineIntel
CPU family:            6
Model:                 58
Model name:            Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3520M CPU @ 2.90GHz
Stepping:              9
CPU MHz:               1212.449
CPU max MHz:           3600.0000
CPU min MHz:           1200.0000
BogoMIPS:              5786.30
Virtualisation:        VT-x
L1d cache:             32K
L1i cache:             32K
L2 cache:              256K
L3 cache:              4096K
Flags:                 fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe nx rdtscp lm constant_tsc arch_perfmon pebs bts xtopology nonstop_tsc aperfmperf eagerfpu pni pclmulqdq dtes64 monitor ds_cpl vmx smx est tm2 ssse3 cx16 xtpr pdcm pcid sse4_1 sse4_2 x2apic popcnt tsc_deadline_timer aes xsave avx f16c rdrand lahf_lm epb tpr_shadow vnmi flexpriority ept vpid fsgsbase smep erms xsaveopt dtherm ida arat pln pts
I have recently changed the os to linux mint 18.1. LM runs quite smoothly on this laptop (this is my first foray with Linux Mint). This laptop has 3 usb and 1 vga output. Output of 'xrandr'

Code: Select all

Screen 0: minimum 8 x 8, current 1366 x 768, maximum 32767 x 32767
LVDS1 connected primary 1366x768+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 277mm x 156mm
   1366x768      60.02*+
   1360x768      59.80    59.96  
   1280x720      60.00  
   1024x768      60.00  
   1024x576      60.00  
   960x540       60.00  
   800x600       60.32    56.25  
   864x486       60.00  
   640x480       59.94  
   720x405       60.00  
   680x384       60.00  
   640x360       60.00  
DP1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
DP2 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
DP3 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
HDMI1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
HDMI2 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
HDMI3 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
VGA1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
VIRTUAL1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)

My issue is that when I am trying to mirror my laptop screen on my tv (samsung smart tv) through my laptop's vga (vga to hdmi cable), nothing shows up on my tv (just black screen) after I have selected the correct hdmi through my 'source' button on my tv remote. Interesting thing is that when I disconnect the vga, samsung says source is disconnected. When I plug it in again, I see the same black screen again. I have tried all other hdmi ports, same issue.

This is getting quite frustrating. Could anyone tell me what I am doing wrong, do i need to update any display drivers etc. I would really appreciate any assistance in getting my laptop mirror on my tv. Please let me know if I need to move this question to another sub forum?

Much thanks
ozshabs
Last edited by LockBot on Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:16 am, edited 2 times in total.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
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roblm
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Re: Issues with mirroring my laptop to tv via vga hdmi cable

Post by roblm »

1. Use this command in the Terminal and post the output: inxi -SMCGx

2. Check in Preferences > Display, if there are two screens. One may say Unknown with a connector name such as VGA1 or DP1.

3. If not, restart the laptop. At the GRUB boot menu select the correct line but don’t press Enter. Press the “E” key to edit. If no menu shows, then hold down the shift key while starting. Use the Down arrow key to go down to the line that starts with:
linux /boot/vmlinuz.............ro quiet splash $vt_handoff

Press the End key to go to the end of the line. Add a space and then type: video=VGA-1:e

Press F10. At the desktop, if the TV is not on, then first try turning the power off and back on. If that doesn't work, then go to Preferences > Display and check for two screens. Is one named VGA1?

4. If two screens don’t show after step 3, then restart and repeat the steps but use video=DP-1:e, and if necessary, video=DP-2:e and video=DP-3:e
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ozshabs

Re: Issues with mirroring my laptop to tv via vga hdmi cable

Post by ozshabs »

Thank you for your reply, roblm.

1. Here is the output of inxi -SMCGx

Code: Select all

System:    Host: ozshabs Kernel: 4.4.0-53-generic i686 (32 bit gcc: 5.4.0)
           Desktop: Cinnamon 3.2.7 (Gtk 3.18.9-1ubuntu3.3)
           Distro: Linux Mint 18.1 Serena
Machine:   System: LENOVO (portable) product: 2325VEN v: ThinkPad X230
           Mobo: LENOVO model: 2325VEN
           Bios: LENOVO v: G2ET33WW (1.13 ) date: 07/24/2012
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core i7-3520M (-HT-MCP-) cache: 4096 KB
           flags: (lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 11573
           clock speeds: max: 3600 MHz 1: 3429 MHz 2: 3457 MHz 3: 2859 MHz
           4: 2940 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel 3rd Gen Core processor Graphics Controller
           bus-ID: 00:02.0
           Display Server: X.Org 1.18.4 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1366x768@60.02hz
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel Ivybridge Mobile x86/MMX/SSE2
           GLX Version: 3.0 Mesa 12.0.6 Direct Rendering: Yes
I am now completing the other steps. Will keep you posted.

Thank you
ozshabs
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ozshabs

Re: Issues with mirroring my laptop to tv via vga hdmi cable

Post by ozshabs »

HI Roblm
roblm wrote:
3. If not, restart the laptop. At the GRUB boot menu select the correct line but don’t press Enter. Press the “E” key to edit. If no menu shows, then hold down the shift key while starting. Use the Down arrow key to go down to the line that starts with:
linux /boot/vmlinuz.............ro quiet splash $vt_handoff

Press the End key to go to the end of the line. Add a space and then type: video=VGA-1:e

Press F10. At the desktop, if the TV is not on, then first try turning the power off and back on. If that doesn't work, then go to Preferences > Display and check for two screens. Is one named VGA1?
I don't have a GRUB menu as I currently have one os (LM18.1). Can I edit/access step 3 through terminal text commands? What are my options?

Thanks
Shabbir
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roblm
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Re: Issues with mirroring my laptop to tv via vga hdmi cable

Post by roblm »

Use this command to open the grub file:

Code: Select all

gksudo xed /etc/default/grub
Add a hash mark (#) in front of this line:

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GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT=0
Then use this command to update grub and then reboot:

Code: Select all

sudo update-grub
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ozshabs

Re: Issues with mirroring my laptop to tv via vga hdmi cable

Post by ozshabs »

Hi Roblm

I accessed the grub menu and added the following
video=VGA-1:e
and then rebooted the laptop. Once rebooted, the display under pref showed VGA1.

When I connected the laptop to smart tv via vga hdmi cable, I could see the following:
Image

However, nothing is displayed on my smart tv (samsung(\), still black. when i remove the cable, it shows no source. When I add the cable, hdmi 3(where I connected the laptop to tv) appears as a source but nothing on screen.

I must be doing something wrong.

ozshabs
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roblm
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Re: Issues with mirroring my laptop to tv via vga hdmi cable

Post by roblm »

This next step will permanently add the kernel parameter video=VGA-1:e to the kernel command line, so you don't have to manually add it each time during startup. Use this command to open the grub file:

Code: Select all

gksudo xed /etc/default/grub
Change this line:

Code: Select all

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash"
To this:

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GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash video=VGA-1:e"
Then use this command to update grub and then reboot: sudo update-grub

1. When you get to the desktop, use this command and post the output:

Code: Select all

xrandr --verbose

2. What is the model number of the Samsung TV?
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ozshabs

Re: Issues with mirroring my laptop to tv via vga hdmi cable

Post by ozshabs »

Hi Rob

I have now edited the grub to put video=VGA-1:e in kernel as you have explained.

1. result of xrandr verbose

Code: Select all

Screen 0: minimum 8 x 8, current 1366 x 768, maximum 32767 x 32767
LVDS1 connected primary 1366x768+0+0 (0x4d) normal (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 277mm x 156mm
	Identifier: 0x43
	Timestamp:  3283378
	Subpixel:   horizontal rgb
	Gamma:      1.0:1.0:1.0
	Brightness: 1.0
	Clones:    
	CRTC:       0
	CRTCs:      0 1 2
	Transform:  1.000000 0.000000 0.000000
	            0.000000 1.000000 0.000000
	            0.000000 0.000000 1.000000
	           filter: 
	EDID: 
		00ffffffffffff0030e4a30300000000
		00160103801c1078ea10a59658578f28
		20505400000001010101010101010101
		0101010101013a1b5668500016303020
		2500159c1000001b0000000000000000
		00000000000000000000000000fe004c
		4720446973706c61790a2020000000fe
		004c503132355748322d544c42320090
	BACKLIGHT: 14 
		range: (0, 15)
	Backlight: 14 
		range: (0, 15)
	scaling mode: Full aspect 
		supported: None, Full, Center, Full aspect
  1366x768 (0x4d) 69.700MHz +HSync -VSync *current +preferred
        h: width  1366 start 1414 end 1446 total 1470 skew    0 clock  47.41KHz
        v: height  768 start  770 end  775 total  790           clock  60.02Hz
  1360x768 (0xeb) 84.750MHz -HSync +VSync
        h: width  1360 start 1432 end 1568 total 1776 skew    0 clock  47.72KHz
        v: height  768 start  771 end  781 total  798           clock  59.80Hz
  1360x768 (0xec) 72.000MHz +HSync -VSync
        h: width  1360 start 1408 end 1440 total 1520 skew    0 clock  47.37KHz
        v: height  768 start  771 end  781 total  790           clock  59.96Hz
  1280x720 (0xed) 74.480MHz -HSync +VSync
        h: width  1280 start 1336 end 1472 total 1664 skew    0 clock  44.76KHz
        v: height  720 start  721 end  724 total  746           clock  60.00Hz
  1024x768 (0x4e) 65.000MHz -HSync -VSync
        h: width  1024 start 1048 end 1184 total 1344 skew    0 clock  48.36KHz
        v: height  768 start  771 end  777 total  806           clock  60.00Hz
  1024x576 (0xee) 46.995MHz -HSync +VSync
        h: width  1024 start 1064 end 1168 total 1312 skew    0 clock  35.82KHz
        v: height  576 start  577 end  580 total  597           clock  60.00Hz
  960x540 (0xef) 40.784MHz -HSync +VSync
        h: width   960 start  992 end 1088 total 1216 skew    0 clock  33.54KHz
        v: height  540 start  541 end  544 total  559           clock  60.00Hz
  800x600 (0xf0) 40.000MHz +HSync +VSync
        h: width   800 start  840 end  968 total 1056 skew    0 clock  37.88KHz
        v: height  600 start  601 end  605 total  628           clock  60.32Hz
  800x600 (0xf1) 36.000MHz +HSync +VSync
        h: width   800 start  824 end  896 total 1024 skew    0 clock  35.16KHz
        v: height  600 start  601 end  603 total  625           clock  56.25Hz
  864x486 (0xf2) 32.901MHz -HSync +VSync
        h: width   864 start  888 end  976 total 1088 skew    0 clock  30.24KHz
        v: height  486 start  487 end  490 total  504           clock  60.00Hz
  640x480 (0xf3) 25.175MHz -HSync -VSync
        h: width   640 start  656 end  752 total  800 skew    0 clock  31.47KHz
        v: height  480 start  490 end  492 total  525           clock  59.94Hz
  720x405 (0xf4) 22.175MHz -HSync +VSync
        h: width   720 start  728 end  800 total  880 skew    0 clock  25.20KHz
        v: height  405 start  406 end  409 total  420           clock  60.00Hz
  680x384 (0xf5) 19.677MHz -HSync +VSync
        h: width   680 start  688 end  752 total  824 skew    0 clock  23.88KHz
        v: height  384 start  385 end  388 total  398           clock  60.00Hz
  640x360 (0xf6) 17.187MHz -HSync +VSync
        h: width   640 start  640 end  704 total  768 skew    0 clock  22.38KHz
        v: height  360 start  361 end  364 total  373           clock  60.00Hz
DP1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
	Identifier: 0x44
	Timestamp:  3283378
	Subpixel:   unknown
	Clones:    
	CRTCs:      0 1 2
	Transform:  1.000000 0.000000 0.000000
	            0.000000 1.000000 0.000000
	            0.000000 0.000000 1.000000
	           filter: 
	Broadcast RGB: Automatic 
		supported: Automatic, Full, Limited 16:235
	audio: auto 
		supported: force-dvi, off, auto, on
DP2 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
	Identifier: 0x45
	Timestamp:  3283378
	Subpixel:   unknown
	Clones:    
	CRTCs:      0 1 2
	Transform:  1.000000 0.000000 0.000000
	            0.000000 1.000000 0.000000
	            0.000000 0.000000 1.000000
	           filter: 
	Broadcast RGB: Automatic 
		supported: Automatic, Full, Limited 16:235
	audio: auto 
		supported: force-dvi, off, auto, on
DP3 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
	Identifier: 0x46
	Timestamp:  3283378
	Subpixel:   unknown
	Clones:    
	CRTCs:      0 1 2
	Transform:  1.000000 0.000000 0.000000
	            0.000000 1.000000 0.000000
	            0.000000 0.000000 1.000000
	           filter: 
	Broadcast RGB: Automatic 
		supported: Automatic, Full, Limited 16:235
	audio: auto 
		supported: force-dvi, off, auto, on
HDMI1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
	Identifier: 0x47
	Timestamp:  3283378
	Subpixel:   unknown
	Clones:     VGA1
	CRTCs:      0 1 2
	Transform:  1.000000 0.000000 0.000000
	            0.000000 1.000000 0.000000
	            0.000000 0.000000 1.000000
	           filter: 
	aspect ratio: Automatic 
		supported: Automatic, 4:3, 16:9
	Broadcast RGB: Automatic 
		supported: Automatic, Full, Limited 16:235
	audio: auto 
		supported: force-dvi, off, auto, on
HDMI2 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
	Identifier: 0x48
	Timestamp:  3283378
	Subpixel:   unknown
	Clones:     VGA1
	CRTCs:      0 1 2
	Transform:  1.000000 0.000000 0.000000
	            0.000000 1.000000 0.000000
	            0.000000 0.000000 1.000000
	           filter: 
	aspect ratio: Automatic 
		supported: Automatic, 4:3, 16:9
	Broadcast RGB: Automatic 
		supported: Automatic, Full, Limited 16:235
	audio: auto 
		supported: force-dvi, off, auto, on
HDMI3 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
	Identifier: 0x49
	Timestamp:  3283378
	Subpixel:   unknown
	Clones:     VGA1
	CRTCs:      0 1 2
	Transform:  1.000000 0.000000 0.000000
	            0.000000 1.000000 0.000000
	            0.000000 0.000000 1.000000
	           filter: 
	aspect ratio: Automatic 
		supported: Automatic, 4:3, 16:9
	Broadcast RGB: Automatic 
		supported: Automatic, Full, Limited 16:235
	audio: auto 
		supported: force-dvi, off, auto, on
VGA1 connected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
	Identifier: 0x4a
	Timestamp:  3283378
	Subpixel:   unknown
	Clones:     HDMI1 HDMI2 HDMI3
	CRTCs:      0 1 2
	Transform:  1.000000 0.000000 0.000000
	            0.000000 1.000000 0.000000
	            0.000000 0.000000 1.000000
	           filter: 
	EDID: 
		00ffffffffffff004c2d440c01000001
		2a18010380854b780a23ada4544d9926
		0f474abdef80714f81c0810081809500
		a9c0b300010104740030f2705a80b058
		8a00501d7400001e023a801871382d40
		582c4500501d7400001e000000fd0018
		4b0f511e000a202020202020000000fc
		0053414d53554e470a202020202001b9
		020342f1535f101f041305142021225d
		5e62636407160312290907071507503d
		04c083010000e2000f6e030c003000b8
		3c21108001020304e3060501e50e6061
		6566011d80d0721c1620102c2580501d
		7400009e662156aa51001e30468f3300
		501d7400001e00000000000000000000
		00000000000000000000000000000093
  1024x768 (0x4e) 65.000MHz -HSync -VSync
        h: width  1024 start 1048 end 1184 total 1344 skew    0 clock  48.36KHz
        v: height  768 start  771 end  777 total  806           clock  60.00Hz
  800x600 (0xf0) 40.000MHz +HSync +VSync
        h: width   800 start  840 end  968 total 1056 skew    0 clock  37.88KHz
        v: height  600 start  601 end  605 total  628           clock  60.32Hz
  800x600 (0xf1) 36.000MHz +HSync +VSync
        h: width   800 start  824 end  896 total 1024 skew    0 clock  35.16KHz
        v: height  600 start  601 end  603 total  625           clock  56.25Hz
  848x480 (0xf7) 33.750MHz +HSync +VSync
        h: width   848 start  864 end  976 total 1088 skew    0 clock  31.02KHz
        v: height  480 start  486 end  494 total  517           clock  60.00Hz
  640x480 (0xf3) 25.175MHz -HSync -VSync
        h: width   640 start  656 end  752 total  800 skew    0 clock  31.47KHz
        v: height  480 start  490 end  492 total  525           clock  59.94Hz
VIRTUAL1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
	Identifier: 0x4b
	Timestamp:  3283378
	Subpixel:   no subpixels
	Clones:    
	CRTCs:      3
	Transform:  1.000000 0.000000 0.000000
	            0.000000 1.000000 0.000000
	            0.000000 0.000000 1.000000
	           filter:
2. samsung model is UA60JU6400WXXY

Thank you for all your effort and help.

oz
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roblm
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Re: Issues with mirroring my laptop to tv via vga hdmi cable

Post by roblm »

Your Samsung TV supports Ultra High Definition (3840x2160). I don't think you can get that with a VGA to HDMI adapter. After doing a little research, the info I found for the maximum supported resolution for a VGA connector is conflicting, but it's something like 2053x1536 at 85 Hz and 2560x1920 at 60 Hz, but that may be high.

I think your laptop has a DisplayPort connector, so an Active Display Port 1.2 to HDMI 2.0 adapter would probably work, such as this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Display ... B00S0C7QO8
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ozshabs

Re: Issues with mirroring my laptop to tv via vga hdmi cable

Post by ozshabs »

Thanks Roblm

I have ordered a new adapter (mini display port to hdmi). Once it arrives, i will try it out and advise outcome accordingly.

Really appreciate your help!

Cheers
ozshabs
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ozshabs

[SOLVED]Re: Issues with mirroring my laptop to tv via vga hdmi cable

Post by ozshabs »

Hi Roblm
roblm wrote:Your Samsung TV supports Ultra High Definition (3840x2160). I don't think you can get that with a VGA to HDMI adapter. After doing a little research, the info I found for the maximum supported resolution for a VGA connector is conflicting, but it's something like 2053x1536 at 85 Hz and 2560x1920 at 60 Hz, but that may be high.

I think your laptop has a DisplayPort connector, so an Active Display Port 1.2 to HDMI 2.0 adapter would probably work, such as this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Display ... B00S0C7QO8


my new display port plug was delivered today. I connected it using the dp port in laptop to my Samsung, and voila, it WORKS.

Can't thank you enough for your valuable guidance and advise.

Cheers
Shabbir
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