I have several of these Lenovo Thinkcentre M700 mini-pc around, been
running Debian 12 on them just fine. A couple days ago I grabbed another
one off the shelf and it still had Windows 11, that was working. Argued
with it a bit till I remembered 'enter' key gets me into bios to disable
secure boot. I wiped it and installed Debian 12.9 and now it boots but I
get no graphics. Vt-d was disabled. I tried enabling it, still no
difference.

I ssh into it from another machine and I see it even detects my monitor:

me@debian:~$ inxi -GSaz
System:
  Kernel: 6.1.0-31-amd64 arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 12.2.0
    parameters: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-31-amd64
    root=UUID=20550085-c29f-4537-b70e-086e5ab86f7f ro quiet
  Console: pty pts/0 DM: LightDM v: 1.26.0 Distro: Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm)
Graphics:
  Device-1: Intel HD Graphics 530 vendor: Lenovo driver: i915 v: kernel
arch: Gen-9
    process: Intel 14n built: 2015-16 ports: active: DP-2 empty: DP-1, DP-3, HDMI-A-1, HDMI-A-2,
    HDMI-A-3 bus-ID: 00:02.0 chip-ID: 8086:1912 class-ID: 0300
  Display: server: X.org v: 1.21.1.7 driver: X: loaded: modesetting
unloaded: fbdev,vesa
    dri: iris gpu: i915 tty: 158x36
  Monitor-1: DP-2 model: Sceptre J20 built: 2021 res: 1600x900 dpi: 92
gamma: 1.2
    size: 435x237mm (17.13x9.33") diag: 496mm (19.5") ratio: 16:9
modes: max: 1600x900 min: 720x400
  API: OpenGL Message: GL data unavailable in console. Try -G --display me@debian:~$ inxi -G --display
Graphics:
  Device-1: Intel HD Graphics 530 driver: i915 v: kernel
  Display: server: X.org v: 1.21.1.7 driver: X: loaded: modesetting
unloaded: fbdev,vesa
    dri: iris gpu: i915 resolution: 1600x900
  API: OpenGL Message: No GL data found on this system.

I finally got graphics with a live boot Ubuntu 13.10 but only in safe
graphics mode. Ubuntu reported running x11 and for graphics it says
'software rendering' inxi wasn't installed; I tried installing but it
failed. So much for ubuntu.

I did some searching and found some suggestions: I need to enable or
disable igd in bios. Neither seemed to change my problem. Another said
purge nvidia drivers. So I did:

sudo apt purge *nvidia*

    -- snip --

0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.

As far as I can see, there is no nvidia gpu. Their is no graphics card
attached to the motherboard, and only the intel is reported in sudo
lspci -v:

 --snip--

00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation HD Graphics 530
(rev 06) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
    DeviceName:  Onboard IGD
    Subsystem: Lenovo HD Graphics 530
    Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 126, IOMMU group 0
    Memory at de000000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16M]
    Memory at c0000000 (64-bit, prefetchable) [size=256M]
    I/O ports at f000 [size=64]
    Expansion ROM at 000c0000 [virtual] [disabled] [size=128K]
    Capabilities: [40] Vendor Specific Information: Len=0c <?>
    Capabilities: [70] Express Root Complex Integrated Endpoint, MSI 00
    Capabilities: [ac] MSI: Enable+ Count=1/1 Maskable- 64bit-
    Capabilities: [d0] Power Management version 2
    Capabilities: [100] Process Address Space ID (PASID)
    Capabilities: [200] Address Translation Service (ATS)
    Capabilities: [300] Page Request Interface (PRI)
    Kernel driver in use: i915
    Kernel modules: i915
 --snip--

I looked over dmesg and nothing jumps at me. Here is a bit of it:

sudo dmesg | grep i915
[    1.657232] i915 0000:00:02.0: [drm] VT-d active for gfx access
[    1.657486] i915 0000:00:02.0: vgaarb: deactivate vga console
[    1.657547] i915 0000:00:02.0: [drm] Using Transparent Hugepages
[    1.659658] i915 0000:00:02.0: vgaarb: changed VGA decodes: olddecodes=io+mem,decodes=io+mem:owns=io+mem
[    1.659698] i915 0000:00:02.0: firmware: direct-loading firmware i915/skl_dmc_ver1_27.bin
[    1.660024] i915 0000:00:02.0: [drm] Finished loading DMC firmware i915/skl_dmc_ver1_27.bin (v1.27)
[    1.660046] i915 0000:00:02.0: [drm] Disabling framebuffer
compression (FBC) to prevent screen flicker with VT-d enabled
[    1.661882] i915 0000:00:02.0: [drm] [ENCODER:94:DDI B/PHY B] is disabled/in DSI mode with an ungated DDI clock, gate it
[    1.661886] i915 0000:00:02.0: [drm] [ENCODER:120:DDI D/PHY D] is disabled/in DSI mode with an ungated DDI clock, gate it
[    1.700642] [drm] Initialized i915 1.6.0 20201103 for 0000:00:02.0 on minor 0
[    1.721771] fbcon: i915drmfb (fb0) is primary device
[    1.776800] i915 0000:00:02.0: [drm] fb0: i915drmfb frame buffer device [    4.068631] snd_hda_intel 0000:00:1f.3: bound 0000:00:02.0 (ops i915_audio_component_bind_ops [i915])

I'm really stuck.

--
Thank You!

Titus Newswanger
Curtiss WI

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On 3/4/25 21:51, Titus Newswanger wrote:

I finally got graphics with a live boot Ubuntu 13.10 but only in safe graphics mode. Ubuntu reported running x11 and for graphics it says
'software rendering' inxi wasn't installed; I tried installing but it
failed. So much for ubuntu.

correction: live boot was ubuntu 23.10 and the failed install was an
attempt to install inxi during that live boot, 'sudo apt update' got 404
not found, '/etc/apt/sources.list appeared original and I didn't pursue
it farther. It had my monitor at 800x600 resolution.


I tried to switch consoles using ctrl+alt+F1 ~ ctrl+alt+F9. no go

cat /etc/debian_version
12.9
re-installed twice in case the first one was bum

I should get another monitor cord to try. M700 pc has only two
display-ports. My monitor has vga and hdmi. I'm using dp to vga
converter because that's the only bits I have laying around that fit.
Thing is, bios and grub have graphics.

--
Thank You!

Titus Newswanger
Curtiss WI

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

Titus Newswanger composed on 2025-03-04 21:51 (UTC-0600):

I have several of these Lenovo Thinkcentre M700 mini-pc around, been
running Debian 12 on them just fine. A couple days ago I grabbed another
one off the shelf and it still had Windows 11, that was working. Argued
with it a bit till I remembered 'enter' key gets me into bios to disable secure boot. I wiped it and installed Debian 12.9 and now it boots but I
get no graphics. Vt-d was disabled. I tried enabling it, still no
difference.

I ssh into it from another machine and I see it even detects my monitor:

me@debian:~$ inxi -GSaz
System:
  Kernel: 6.1.0-31-amd64 arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 12.2.0
    parameters: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-31-amd64
    root=UUID=20550085-c29f-4537-b70e-086e5ab86f7f ro quiet
  Console: pty pts/0 DM: LightDM v: 1.26.0 Distro: Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm)
Graphics:
  Device-1: Intel HD Graphics 530 vendor: Lenovo driver: i915 v: kernel arch: Gen-9
    process: Intel 14n built: 2015-16 ports: active: DP-2 empty: DP-1, DP-3, HDMI-A-1, HDMI-A-2,
    HDMI-A-3 bus-ID: 00:02.0 chip-ID: 8086:1912 class-ID: 0300
  Display: server: X.org v: 1.21.1.7 driver: X: loaded: modesetting unloaded: fbdev,vesa
    dri: iris gpu: i915 tty: 158x36
  Monitor-1: DP-2 model: Sceptre J20 built: 2021 res: 1600x900 dpi: 92

...

I'm really stuck.

I have a slightly newer PC and see nothing obviously evident in your data to explain the problem. That said, I don't remember why I have i915.enable_guc=2 included on my kernel cmdline. It may be that you need it too. Also, you do have
kernel-firmware-free installed, correct? I can't recall ever trying a DP-to-VGA cable or converter, and avoid VGA connections unless there is no other option. I'm
not sure I even own one. I suppose you could be getting a feedback failure from your EDID using it to cause this trouble. I've had good luck with DP-to-HDMI converters when necessary. Flatscreen displays are usually happier to be connected
digitally. VGA is analog.

# inxi -GSaz --vs --za --hostname
inxi 3.3.37-00 (2025-01-06)
System:
Host: ab250 Kernel: 6.1.0-31-amd64 arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc
v: 12.2.0 clocksource: tsc avail: hpet,acpi_pm
parameters: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz root=LABEL=<filter> noresume
ipv6.disable=1 net.ifnames=0 consoleblank=0 i915.enable_guc=2
Desktop: TDE (Trinity) v: R14.1.3 tk: Qt v: 3.5.0 wm: Twin v: 3.0
with: kicker vt: 7 dm: 1: TDM 2: XDM Distro: Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm) Graphics:
Device-1: Intel HD Graphics 630 vendor: ASUSTeK driver: i915 v: kernel
arch: Gen-9.5 process: Intel 14nm built: 2016-20 ports:
active: DP-1,HDMI-A-2,HDMI-A-3 empty: DP-2,HDMI-A-1 bus-ID: 00:02.0
chip-ID: 8086:5912 class-ID: 0300
Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.21.1.7 compositor: Twin v: 3.0 driver: X:
loaded: modesetting unloaded: fbdev,vesa dri: iris gpu: i915 display-ID: :0
screens: 1
Screen-1: 0 s-res: 3600x2640 s-dpi: 120 s-size: 760x557mm (29.92x21.93")
s-diag: 942mm (37.1")
Monitor-1: DP-1 pos: primary,bottom-l model: Acer K272HUL serial: <filter>
built: 2018 res: mode: 2560x1440 hz: 60 scale: 100% (1) dpi: 109 gamma: 1.2
size: 598x336mm (23.54x13.23") diag: 686mm (27") ratio: 16:9 modes:
max: 2560x1440 min: 720x400
Monitor-2: HDMI-A-2 mapped: HDMI-2 pos: top-left model: NEC EA243WM
serial: <filter> built: 2011 res: mode: 1920x1200 hz: 60 scale: 100% (1)
dpi: 94 gamma: 1.2 size: 519x324mm (20.43x12.76") diag: 612mm (24.1")
ratio: 16:10 modes: max: 1920x1200 min: 640x480
Monitor-3: HDMI-A-3 mapped: HDMI-3 pos: top-right model: Dell P2213
serial: <filter> built: 2013 res: mode: 1680x1050 hz: 60 scale: 100% (1)
dpi: 90 gamma: 1.2 size: 473x296mm (18.62x11.65") diag: 558mm (22")
ratio: 16:10 modes: max: 1680x1050 min: 720x400
API: EGL v: 1.5 hw: drv: intel iris platforms: device: 0 drv: iris
device: 1 drv: swrast gbm: drv: iris surfaceless: drv: iris x11: drv: iris
inactive: wayland
API: OpenGL v: 4.6 vendor: intel mesa v: 22.3.6 glx-v: 1.4 es-v: 3.2
direct-render: yes renderer: Mesa Intel HD Graphics 630 (KBL GT2)
device-ID: 8086:5912 memory: 15.14 GiB unified: yes
API: Vulkan v: 1.3.239 layers: 4 device: 0 type: integrated-gpu name: Intel
HD Graphics 630 (KBL GT2) driver: mesa intel v: 22.3.6
device-ID: 8086:5912 surfaces: xcb,xlib device: 1 type: cpu name: llvmpipe
(LLVM 15.0.6 256 bits) driver: mesa llvmpipe v: 22.3.6 (LLVM 15.0.6)
device-ID: 10005:0000 surfaces: xcb,xlib
Info: Tools: api: eglinfo, glxinfo, vulkaninfo x11: xdriinfo, xdpyinfo,
xprop, xrandr
#
HDMI-2 is actually DVI, while HDMI-3 is indeed HDMI. I have a VGA port too, which
the software labels DP-2. :p
--
Evolution as taught in public schools is, like religion,
based on faith, not based on science.

Team OS/2 ** Reg. Linux User #211409 ** a11y rocks!

Felix Miata

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On 3/5/25 00:12, Felix Miata wrote:

I have a slightly newer PC and see nothing obviously evident in your data to explain the problem. That said, I don't remember why I have i915.enable_guc=2 included on my kernel cmdline. It may be that you need it too. Also, you do have
kernel-firmware-free installed, correct?

For some reason I'm not finding any kernel-firmware-free. I see I have firmware-linux-free...?

apt show kernel-firmware-free
N: Unable to locate package kernel-firmware-free
N: Unable to locate package kernel-firmware-free
E: No packages found


sudo apt update
  --snip--
All packages are up to date.


(no errors or warnings reported)


sudo apt install kernel-firmware-free
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree... Done
Reading state information... Done
E: Unable to locate package kernel-firmware-free



cat /etc/apt/sources.list
#deb cdrom:[Debian GNU/Linux 12.9.0 _Bookworm_ - Official amd64 NETINST
with firmware 20250111-10:54]/ bookworm contrib main non-free-firmware

deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ bookworm main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
deb-src http://deb.debian.org/debian/ bookworm main contrib non-free non-free-firmware

deb http://security.debian.org/debian-security bookworm-security main non-free-firmware
deb-src http://security.debian.org/debian-security bookworm-security
main non-free-firmware

# bookworm-updates, to get updates before a point release is made;
# see https://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-reference/ch02.en.html#_updates_and_backports
deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ bookworm-updates main non-free-firmware deb-src http://deb.debian.org/debian/ bookworm-updates main
non-free-firmware



apt show firmware-linux-free

Package: firmware-linux-free
Version: 20200122-1
Priority: optional
Section: kernel
Source: firmware-free
Maintainer: Debian Kernel Team <debian-kernel@lists.debian.org>
Installed-Size: 87.0 kB
Suggests: initramfs-tools
Homepage:
http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/firmware/linux-firmware.git
Tag: role::app-data
Download-Size: 24.2 kB
APT-Manual-Installed: no
 --snip--

I can't recall ever trying a DP-to-VGA
cable or converter, and avoid VGA connections unless there is no other option. I'm
not sure I even own one. I suppose you could be getting a feedback failure from
your EDID using it to cause this trouble. I've had good luck with DP-to-HDMI converters when necessary. Flatscreen displays are usually happier to be connected
digitally. VGA is analog.

I agree about VGA. I think I should quit wasting time on this until I
get more DP-HDMI cords, I seem to be completely out of stock on those.

# inxi -GSaz --vs --za --hostname
inxi 3.3.37-00 (2025-01-06)
System:
Host: ab250 Kernel: 6.1.0-31-amd64 arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc
v: 12.2.0 clocksource: tsc avail: hpet,acpi_pm
parameters: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz root=LABEL=<filter> noresume
ipv6.disable=1 net.ifnames=0 consoleblank=0 i915.enable_guc=2
Desktop: TDE (Trinity) v: R14.1.3 tk: Qt v: 3.5.0 wm: Twin v: 3.0
with: kicker vt: 7 dm: 1: TDM 2: XDM Distro: Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm)
Graphics:
Device-1: Intel HD Graphics 630 vendor: ASUSTeK driver: i915 v: kernel
arch: Gen-9.5 process: Intel 14nm built: 2016-20 ports:
active: DP-1,HDMI-A-2,HDMI-A-3 empty: DP-2,HDMI-A-1 bus-ID: 00:02.0
chip-ID: 8086:5912 class-ID: 0300
Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.21.1.7 compositor: Twin v: 3.0 driver: X:
loaded: modesetting unloaded: fbdev,vesa dri: iris gpu: i915 display-ID: :0
screens: 1

I see my 'Display:' value is missing 'x11':

Display: server: X.org v: 1.21.1.7 driver: X: loaded: modesetting
unloaded: fbdev,vesa

    dri: iris gpu: i915 tty: 158x35

I included i915.enable_guc=2 in kernel commandline, and didn't notice a difference:

inxi -GSaz System: Kernel: 6.1.0-31-amd64 arch: x86_64 bits: 64
compiler: gcc v: 12.2.0 parameters:
BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-31-amd64 root=UUID=20550085-c29f-4537-b70e-086e5ab86f7f ro quiet
i915.enable_guc=2 Console: pty pts/0 DM: LightDM v: 1.26.0 Distro:
Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm) Graphics: Device-1: Intel HD Graphics 530 vendor: Lenovo driver: i915 v: kernel arch: Gen-9 process: Intel 14n
built: 2015-16 ports: active: DP-2 empty: DP-1, DP-3, HDMI-A-1,
HDMI-A-2, HDMI-A-3 bus-ID: 00:02.0 chip-ID: 8086:1912 class-ID: 0300
Display: server: X.org v: 1.21.1.7 driver: X: loaded: modesetting
unloaded: fbdev,vesa dri: iris gpu: i915 tty: 158x36 Monitor-1: DP-2
model: Sceptre J20 built: 2021 res: 1600x900 dpi: 92 gamma: 1.2 size:
435x237mm (17.13x9.33") diag: 496mm (19.5") ratio: 16:9 modes: max:
1600x900 min: 720x400 API: OpenGL Message: GL data unavailable in
console. Try -G --display

--
Thank You!

Titus Newswanger
Curtiss WI

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On Wed, 5 Mar 2025 10:54:05 -0600
Titus Newswanger <nwe@abcmailbox.net> wrote:

For some reason I'm not finding any kernel-firmware-free. I see I
have firmware-linux-free...?

apt show kernel-firmware-free
N: Unable to locate package kernel-firmware-free
N: Unable to locate package kernel-firmware-free
E: No packages found

This will give you some packages to check on.

charles@hawk:~/Mail/mairix$ apt-cache search firmware | grep kernel firmware-linux-free - Binary firmware for various drivers in the Linux kernel nvidia-kernel-dkms - NVIDIA binary kernel module DKMS source nvidia-tesla-kernel-dkms - NVIDIA binary kernel module DKMS source (Tesla version)
nvidia-tesla-470-kernel-support - NVIDIA binary kernel module support files (Tesla 470 version)
nvidia-open-kernel-dkms - NVIDIA open kernel module DKMS source
firmware-linux - Binary firmware for various drivers in the Linux kernel (metapackage)
firmware-linux-nonfree - Binary firmware for various drivers in the Linux kernel (metapackage)
firmware-misc-nonfree - Binary firmware for various drivers in the Linux kernel charles@hawk:~/Mail/mairix$


--
Does anybody read signatures any more?

https://charlescurley.com
https://charlescurley.com/blog/

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

Titus Newswanger composed on 2025-03-05 11:54 (UTC-0500):

On 3/5/25 00:12, Felix Miata wrote:

I have a slightly newer PC and see nothing obviously evident in your data to >> explain the problem. That said, I don't remember why I have i915.enable_guc=2
included on my kernel cmdline. It may be that you need it too. Also, you do have
kernel-firmware-free installed, correct?

For some reason I'm not finding any kernel-firmware-free. I see I have firmware-linux-free...?

apt show kernel-firmware-free
N: Unable to locate package kernel-firmware-free
N: Unable to locate package kernel-firmware-free
E: No packages found

My brain and fingers were out of sync typing that. What they should have typed was:

firmware-linux-free

Sorry. :(
--
Evolution as taught in public schools is, like religion,
based on faith, not based on science.

Team OS/2 ** Reg. Linux User #211409 ** a11y rocks!

Felix Miata

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

Titus Newswanger composed on 2025-03-05 10:54 (UTC-0600):

Felix Miata wrote:

# inxi -GSaz --vs --za --hostname
inxi 3.3.37-00 (2025-01-06)

...

Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.21.1.7 compositor: Twin v: 3.0 driver: X: >> loaded: modesetting unloaded: fbdev,vesa dri: iris gpu: i915 display-ID: :0
screens: 1

I see my 'Display:' value is missing 'x11':

Display: server: X.org v: 1.21.1.7 driver: X: loaded: modesetting
unloaded: fbdev,vesa

Using Bookworm's broken old inxi version 3.3.26 might be one explanation for 'x11'
absence. The other: running inxi from a vtty instead of a terminal in a running X
session.

    dri: iris gpu: i915 tty: 158x35

I included i915.enable_guc=2 in kernel commandline, and didn't notice a difference:

Phooey. I had high hopes for it. :(

inxi -GSaz System: Kernel: 6.1.0-31-amd64 arch: x86_64 bits: 64
compiler: gcc v: 12.2.0 parameters:
BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-31-amd64 root=UUID=20550085-c29f-4537-b70e-086e5ab86f7f ro quiet
i915.enable_guc=2 Console: pty pts/0 DM: LightDM v: 1.26.0 Distro:
Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm) Graphics: Device-1: Intel HD Graphics 530 vendor: Lenovo driver: i915 v: kernel arch: Gen-9 process: Intel 14n
built: 2015-16 ports: active: DP-2 empty: DP-1, DP-3, HDMI-A-1,
HDMI-A-2, HDMI-A-3 bus-ID: 00:02.0 chip-ID: 8086:1912 class-ID: 0300
Display: server: X.org v: 1.21.1.7 driver: X: loaded: modesetting
unloaded: fbdev,vesa dri: iris gpu: i915 tty: 158x36 Monitor-1: DP-2
model: Sceptre J20 built: 2021 res: 1600x900 dpi: 92 gamma: 1.2 size:

Have you checked out reviews on the J20? Have there been known issues reported? Does it have a firmware update available? Do you have a TV or other display to try
the M700 with?

435x237mm (17.13x9.33") diag: 496mm (19.5") ratio: 16:9 modes: max:
1600x900 min: 720x400 API: OpenGL Message: GL data unavailable in
console. Try -G --display

When you need to put console terminal (vtty) output in an email or forum post, redirect its output to a plain text file, from which you can copy & paste without
losing its precious formatting. Just remember the command itself doesn't reach the
file, so you need to type it in ahead of the paste to make perfectly clear to readers exactly what produced the pasted output.
--
Evolution as taught in public schools is, like religion,
based on faith, not based on science.

Team OS/2 ** Reg. Linux User #211409 ** a11y rocks!

Felix Miata

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On 3/5/25 12:06, Felix Miata wrote:

When you need to put console terminal (vtty) output in an email or forum post,
redirect its output to a plain text file, from which you can copy & paste without
losing its precious formatting. Just remember the command itself doesn't reach the
file, so you need to type it in ahead of the paste to make perfectly clear to readers exactly what produced the pasted output.

Thanks for the tip. I was confused why my formatting was lost; didn't
happen to notice it until right after I sent. 🙁

I had copy-pasted direct from terminal to email.

--
Thank You!

Titus Newswanger
Curtiss WI

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

I got out the old VGA monitor and plugged it via adapter into the other
DP plug. No change except ssh into it and notice inxi reports I got 2
monitors running now.

Uninstalled xfce and installed gnome; no go.

Now I think about my headless M700 print server connecting a couple usb printers to my local network. I know at one time I had a monitor running
on that, displaying a desktop.

I powered down the M700 print server... I see it has 2 DP and 1 VGA
port. I first plug it into my DP adapters... Same thing, no graphics! I
connect its VGA to the monitor and it works. 😮

So I swap hard drives between the two units. Now my headless print
server has no more display output and my new Debian install is working
on this old VGA cord. To fix all my problems here, I likely only need to
buy more DP - HDMI cords, or get a DP monitor.

Lesson learned: I can't depend much on digital - to - VGA converters.

I'll never forget the dual monitor setup I found in a client's office a
couple years ago. He had 2 DVI to VGA converters plugged into his pc,
then 2 VGA cords going to his monitors, then a VGA to DVI converter
plugged into each monitor. He looked at me and says, "What's wrong? it's
been working like this for a long time"

I'm not sure, some? all? DVI also has analog available, possibly he had
a straight-through analog circuit.

Thanks everyone for all the help!

--
Titus Newswanger
Curtiss WI

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)