How to change refresh rate for external monitor?

[loveLM]

Hi there,

My current laptop display resolution is
Screen 0: minimum 8 x 8, current 2560 x 1440, maximum 32767 x 32767
eDP1 connected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
1920x1080 60.02 + 59.93 40.02

and I'm using an external monitor which has higher resolution
HDMI2 connected primary 2560x1440+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 708mm x 398mm
2560x1440 59.95*+

However sometimes I would experience flashy flickrs and occasionally black screens for 1 second or 2. I did get a message saying to use 2560x1440@60hz for the best result.

How do I change that? Thank you!

[Spearmint2]

you got those readings from xrandr? If not, the post results from it using terminal. Also, what's the maximum refresh rate can that monitor do at it's manufacturer's recommended resolution?

Code: Select all

xrandr

[loveLM]

Hi there,
indeed I read from there. Here is the full info.

Code: Select all

Screen 0: minimum 8 x 8, current 2560 x 1440, maximum 32767 x 32767
eDP1 connected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
   1920x1080     60.02 +  59.93    40.02  
   1680x1050     59.95    59.88  
   1600x1024     60.17  
   1400x1050     59.98  
   1600x900      60.00  
   1280x1024     60.02  
   1440x900      59.89  
   1280x960      60.00  
   1368x768      60.00  
   1360x768      59.80    59.96  
   1152x864      60.00  
   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  
   640x360       60.00  
DP1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
HDMI1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
HDMI2 connected primary 2560x1440+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 708mm x 398mm
   2560x1440     59.95*+
   1920x1080     60.00    50.00    59.94  
   1920x1080i    60.00    50.00    59.94  
   1280x1440     59.91  
   1680x1050     59.88  
   1280x1024     75.02    60.02  
   1440x900      59.90  
   1280x960      60.00  
   1280x720      60.00    50.00    59.94  
   1024x768      75.03    70.07    60.00  
   832x624       74.55  
   800x600       72.19    75.00    60.32    56.25  
   720x576       50.00  
   720x480       60.00    59.94  
   640x480       75.00    72.81    66.67    60.00    59.94  
   720x400       70.08  
VIRTUAL1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)

Here is the information about external monitor
Philips BDM3270QP2/00
Ursprunglig upplösning 2560 x 1440 vid 60 Hz
Vertikal uppdateringshastighet 23 - 76 Hz
Horisontell uppdateringshastighet 15 - 99 Hz

[Spearmint2]

Code: Select all

xrandr --newmode "2560x1440_70.00"  368.00  2560 2760 3032 3504  1440 1443 1448 1501 -hsync +vsyn
xrandr --addmode HDMI2 2560x1440_70.00
xrandr --newmode "2560x1440_65.00"  339.25  2560 2752 3024 3488  1440 1443 1448 1497 -hsync +vsync
xrandr --addmode HDMI2 2560x1440_65.00

copy/paste the above into a text file, then save that into your user's home folder as .xprofile, which is a hidden file due to the leading dot or period. That will add the above resolution with slightly higher refresh rate choices for that monitor, which may get rid of the "flicker". You may have to logoff and back on for it to be available then in Display settings.

[loveLM]

Hi @Spearmint2,

I did those as you said. However the problem remains. This is the xrandr after I created the file. It seems the refresh rate didn't get changed.

Code: Select all

NAME@LINUX /home $ ls -al
total 32
drwxr-xr-x  4 root  root   4096 Dec  5 16:13 .
drwxr-xr-x 23 root  root   4096 Dec  5 15:52 ..
drwxr-xr-x 27 NAME NAME  4096 Dec  5 16:14 NAME
drwx------  2 root  root  16384 Dec  2 19:37 lost+found
-rw-rw-rw-  1 NAME NAME   277 Dec  5 16:07 .xprofile

Code: Select all

Screen 0: minimum 8 x 8, current 2560 x 1440, maximum 32767 x 32767
eDP1 connected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
   1920x1080     60.02 +  59.93    40.02  
   1680x1050     59.95    59.88  
   1600x1024     60.17  
   1400x1050     59.98  
   1600x900      60.00  
   1280x1024     60.02  
   1440x900      59.89  
   1280x960      60.00  
   1368x768      60.00  
   1360x768      59.80    59.96  
   1152x864      60.00  
   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  
   640x360       60.00  
DP1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
HDMI1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
HDMI2 connected primary 2560x1440+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 708mm x 398mm
   2560x1440     59.95*+
   1920x1080     60.00    50.00    59.94  
   1920x1080i    60.00    50.00    59.94  
   1280x1440     59.91  
   1680x1050     59.88  
   1280x1024     75.02    60.02  
   1440x900      59.90  
   1280x960      60.00  
   1280x720      60.00    50.00    59.94  
   1024x768      75.03    70.07    60.00  
   832x624       74.55  
   800x600       72.19    75.00    60.32    56.25  
   720x576       50.00  
   720x480       60.00    59.94  
   640x480       75.00    72.81    66.67    60.00    59.94  
   720x400       70.08  
VIRTUAL1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)

[Spearmint2]

Try it after a reboot then. Don't leave a blank line at top of file. You can read about xrandr by running the following in terminal. It will open firefox tab or page to the file.

Code: Select all

firefox file:///usr/share/doc/xorg/howto/use-xrandr.html

[loveLM]

Hi there,

no I did not leave any blank line in the xprofile file. I did reboot. I still got

Code: Select all

HDMI2 connected primary 2560x1440+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 708mm x 398mm
   2560x1440     59.95*+

when I ran xrandr. And the flickrs remained.

[Spearmint2]

I don't even know what distro you are running? I don't know your hardware.

That should have worked in MATE and Cinnamon for single display, but dual display may involve more configuring.

The .xprofile is supposed to allow each user/profile on the computer to add alternate display resolutions than the system wide ones.

OK, let's try this then. Run below in terminal.

Code: Select all

xrandr --newmode "2560x1440_70.00"  368.00  2560 2760 3032 3504  1440 1443 1448 1501 -hsync +vsyn
xrandr --addmode HDMI2 2560x1440_70.00
xrandr --output HDMI2
xrandr --newmode "2560x1440_65.00"  339.25  2560 2752 3024 3488  1440 1443 1448 1497 -hsync +vsync
xrandr --addmode HDMI2 2560x1440_65.00
xrandr --output HDMI2

If that doesn't work, then read on and study the items below.

Here's some info on xrandr usage.

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/xrandr

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/multihead

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/DisplayLink#xrandr
I see something new in this concerning "providers". Note the "Enabling DVI output on startup" for a dual monitor system.

Avoid placing these commands in ~/.xprofile as this breaks the display configuration of some window managers. Instead these commands should be run prior to any display output or setup.

and more in lines below that at page.

I don't know if any of that applies to you concerning display link, Intel graphics, NVidia. You can run

Code: Select all

 inxi -v7

and get all the info that's needed, if needed

Also see if any of this applies to your situation.

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/intel_graphics

Also check out these links on google.

[loveLM]

Hi there!

My distro:
Linuxmint 18.3 Cinnamon 64-bit
Cinnammon version 3.6.6
Linuxkernel 4.10.0-40-generic
Graphic Card Intel Corporation Device 5916

Single display on laptop is OK. When connecting to external Philips monitor, with my laptop monitor off, the flickers and occasional black screen appears on the Philips monitor.

I will first undo various steps I've tried yesterday. Then give those a read and try those lines you suggested. Let's see what happens next.

[loveLM]

Hi again,

I did the instruction in the terminal and they seem to be added but not in use. See below

Code: Select all

Screen 0: minimum 8 x 8, current 2560 x 1440, maximum 32767 x 32767
eDP1 connected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
   1920x1080     60.02 +  59.93    40.02  
   1680x1050     59.95    59.88  
   1600x1024     60.17  
   1400x1050     59.98  
   1600x900      60.00  
   1280x1024     60.02  
   1440x900      59.89  
   1280x960      60.00  
   1368x768      60.00  
   1360x768      59.80    59.96  
   1152x864      60.00  
   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  
   640x360       60.00  
DP1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
HDMI1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
HDMI2 connected primary 2560x1440+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 708mm x 398mm
   2560x1440     59.95*+
   1920x1080     60.00    50.00    59.94  
   1920x1080i    60.00    50.00    59.94  
   1280x1440     59.91  
   1680x1050     59.88  
   1280x1024     75.02    60.02  
   1440x900      59.90  
   1280x960      60.00  
   1280x720      60.00    50.00    59.94  
   1024x768      75.03    70.07    60.00  
   832x624       74.55  
   800x600       72.19    75.00    60.32    56.25  
   720x576       50.00  
   720x480       60.00    59.94  
   640x480       75.00    72.81    66.67    60.00    59.94  
   720x400       70.08  
   2560x1440_70.00  69.97  
   2560x1440_65.00  64.97 
VIRTUAL1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)

Other information related:

Code: Select all

NAME@LINUX ~ $ inxi -v7
System:    Host:LINUX Kernel: 4.10.0-40-generic x86_64 (64 bit gcc: 5.4.0)
           Desktop: Cinnamon 3.6.6 (Gtk 3.18.9-1ubuntu3.3) dm: lightdm
           Distro: Linux Mint 18.3 Sylvia
Machine:   System: PC Specialist (portable) product: N24_25BU
           Mobo: CLEVO model: N24_25BU
           Bios: American Megatrends v: 5.12 date: 08/03/2017
           Chassis: Notebook type: 10
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core i5-7200U (-HT-MCP-) cache: 3072 KB
           flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 10848
           clock speeds: min/max: 400/3100 MHz 1: 599 MHz 2: 600 MHz
           3: 686 MHz 4: 603 MHz
Memory:    No dmidecode memory data: try newer kernel.
Graphics:  Card: Intel Device 5916 bus-ID: 00:02.0 chip-ID: 8086:5916
           Display Server: X.Org 1.18.4 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 2560x1440@59.95hz
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel HD Graphics 620 (Kabylake GT2)
           GLX Version: 3.0 Mesa 17.0.7 Direct Rendering: Yes

However I am still not sure what I should do with them after those reading. >.<

[Neil Edmond]

If your external monitor is an LCD, I doubt that refresh rate is the cause of the flicker.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refresh_rate

[loveLM]

@Neil Edmond

Hi there. It's
LCD panel type
AMVA LCD
Backlight type
W-LED system

My other old laptop HP Elitebook with Nvidia graphic card doesn't have problem with this external monitor. However it's not connected via HDMI, but DP.

My new laptop with intel graphic card connecting with HDMI does. The problem is sometimes it would flash (like the screen is taking a picture with flash or sth), occasionally black screen for 1 or 2 seconds. When I plug in I got the message that tells me to use 60hz for the best result, which doesn't appear when I use old HP laptop.

I have no idea how to set it up to 60Hz, as recommended. Or perhaps it has something to do with HDMI? How do we fix that?

[Spearmint2]

I did the instruction in the terminal and they seem to be added but not in use. See below
My new laptop with intel graphic card connecting with HDMI does. The problem is sometimes it would flash (like the screen is taking a picture with flash or sth), occasionally black screen for 1 or 2 seconds. When I plug in I got the message that tells me to use 60hz for the best result, which doesn't appear when I use old HP laptop.
I have no idea how to set it up to 60Hz, as recommended. Or perhaps it has something to do with HDMI? How do we fix that?

For that resolution to be "in use" you need to choose it in Display Settings. The last number on the resolution settings, like the 60 65 70 are the Hz refresh rate, and that relates to the 60 Hz message you received. However, you now have introduced more information which indicates the problem may be elsewhere than the computers. This is LED backlit TV/Monitor. You may have some LED's going out, or their driver board is having a problem keeping them lit up properly. Here's a video about that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj6quLUjULs

See the LED array starting at 7 minute mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgaL6X6eSaU

[loveLM]

Hi there,

In Menu > Display there is NO OPTION in choosing different refresh rate in Linuxmint, or did I miss something?

I don't think it's the LED problem as we just bought it a few weeks ago and it works perfectly with the other laptop. This laptop which I am having problem with was bought last week. I regret I didn't test them fully under the trial Windows now I have to fix things myself under Linux, especially I need to know problems aren't related to hardware of my new laptop.

[Spearmint2]

You don't see something like this in your Display settings? On this particular resolution, I have it set at 60, but also have a refresh of 75 Hz I can use if I want, due to me adding that using the xrandr command.

Display.png

Display75.png

I don't think it's the LED problem as we just bought it a few weeks ago and it works perfectly with the other laptop. This laptop which I am having problem with was bought last week. I regret I didn't test them fully under the trial Windows now I have to fix things myself under Linux, especially I need to know problems aren't related to hardware of my new laptop.

What happens if you boot to a LIVE DVD or USB? Same thing? If so, you might be experiencing what is often called "tearing". If you search that subject, there's quite a number with the problem. Take a look at this thread link, it deals with your specific Intel graphics chip which the person had similar problem, involving the driver for it in linux mint.

viewtopic.php?t=236521

[loveLM]

WOW that's awesome. Which version of Linuxmint do you have? This is what I have


I totally wish mine have more options like yours, which would make things much easier.

I also checked the other post, and saw that in the Drivers the intel one was enabled. Mine was not. Since problem appeared without it, now I'm gonna enable the intel driver option, and see whether problem gets solved.

If not, I will disable it and try USB live CD and test as you suggested.

[Spearmint2]

WOW that's awesome. Which version of Linuxmint do you have?

This computer I'm using right now is Mint 17.3 MATE.

[loveLM]

OK so turning on intel driver option doesn't solve the problem. Now I've reverted it.

I will try USB live CD tmr.

And I do not have those "tearing" thing, which slices the image into pieces. My major problems are flashes, and occasional black screen. Those happens from time to time, but it's hard to predict when it will. I still think it might be that its refresh rate is lower than recommended. But I can't seem to be able to find a way to set up one in use. sigh* Why don't they keep those options in 17.3 MATE in the Cinnamon 18.3?

[Spearmint2]

Is this what you are seeing?
download/file.php?id=26842&mode=view


https://openbenchmarking.org/s/Notebook%20N24_25BU

viewtopic.php?t=241988

https://github.com/google/capsicum-linu ... 1593303fd5

a beta "mod" for Clevo computers
https://github.com/alepez/clevo-wmi

This linux user has your same graphics chip. He's also using a lower resolution. Maybe if you tried a lower resolution your problem would also resolve. It looks like he's using the same video driver that is already on your system.

Here's the Intel upgrade tool. Be sure to read all of it and remember your system is 64 bit and based on Ubuntu 16.04. Remember you have 64 bit system installed.
http://www.noobslab.com/2017/04/intel-g ... ed-to.html
http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2016/09/inte ... untu-16-04

Here's Release Notes on Mint 18.2, there's a part in there about the newest Intel graphics. You seem to already have done this.
https://linuxmint.com/rel_sonya_cinnamon.php

This entire thread is about the Intel 620 problems and how to correct it. Their fix is a kernel update with better graphics "mod" (driver in windows) in the kernel for the 620.
viewtopic.php?t=237337

The difference in why MATE works, but Cinnamon has your problem.

THE OP: However, both Kernels (custom 4.3 and 4.4 mainline from ubuntu repos) caused Cinnamon to flicker and graphic glitches. Especially if i click or move the mouse, the glitches are heavier. ======= THE ANSWER: Mate uses the 2D driver for desktop display and cinnamon uses the 3D driver

https://github.com/linuxmint/Cinnamon/issues/5044

[loveLM]

Hi there!

Definitely NOT that image. Mine is more like quick, half a second flash of the screen. Then from time to time, black screen for 1 or 2 seconds, then back to normal. In most of the time, the display quality is perfect. Just those occasional errors bother me as I haven't seen that in my old HP laptop (DP connection Nvidia card).

Using lower resolution (such as mirror option) probably will stop that problem but then it's not the point because the reason I want to use external screen is for the better quality of display!

Right now I am testing on modified monitors.xml, if this works I will report here.