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X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

X200/X201/X220 (including equivalent tablet models) and X300/X301 Series
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axur-delmeria
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X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#1 Post by axur-delmeria » Fri Aug 17, 2018 9:50 am

Recently bought a second-hand Eizo MX220W LCD monitor. It has three input ports: two DVI and one Displayport.

It's plugged to my X220 via Displayport cable. On Linux it works without issues, but on Windows I can't get it to work properly.
The display works for a second, then it jitters, then an incomplete video frame appears with some artifacts (green or red pixels). The display turns black for a few seconds, and the cycle repeats.

It looks like some synchronization issue, as if the laptop is struggling to send video data to the monitor. When using the DVI inputs (using a Displayport to DVI passive dongle + DVI cable), the monitor works without issue on both Windows and Linux.

Any suggestions on how to resolve the issue?
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#2 Post by dr_st » Fri Aug 17, 2018 10:50 am

DisplayPort handshake/synchronization issues can indeed be a pain. Without having a specific idea, I would suggest playing with various settings in the Windows Intel GPU settings / Power Management options.

Which Windows version is this? X220 GPU is not officially supported on Win10.
Thinkpad 25 (20K7), T490 (20N3), Yoga 14 (20FY), T430s (IPS FHD + Classic Keyboard), X220 4291-4BG
X61 7673-V2V, T60 2007-QPG, T42 2373-F7G, X32 (IPS Screen), A31p w/ Ultrabay Numpad

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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#3 Post by axur-delmeria » Fri Aug 17, 2018 11:09 am

-mod edit by mistake-
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#4 Post by axur-delmeria » Fri Aug 17, 2018 2:22 pm

axur-delmeria wrote:
Fri Aug 17, 2018 11:09 am
Ping me in 2-3 weeks if you don't succeed. I will be able to check my X220 which also has Win7 with a number of DisplayPort monitors.
Uhh, dr_st, I know you're a moderator, but did you overwrite my last post by mistake or is the forum software going nuts?

I remember posting that I'm gonna try obscure settings in Intel Graphics and power management.... :O
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#5 Post by dr_st » Fri Aug 17, 2018 3:07 pm

axur-delmeria wrote:
Fri Aug 17, 2018 2:22 pm
Uhh, dr_st, I know you're a moderator, but did you overwrite my last post by mistake or is the forum software going nuts?

I remember posting that I'm gonna try obscure settings in Intel Graphics and power management.... :O
Yes, dagnabbit! Sorry about that!!!

It happened to me a couple of times already, because the "edit" button for mods is where the "quote" button is for regular users. So I get confused a lot; usually I catch it before hitting "submit", but a couple times I missed it. :(

Unfortunately, there is also no way for me to revert the edit. Feel free to edit it back.

I've submitted feedback on the confusing interface, but I guess I'm the only one bothered by it so far, so it's unlikely to change. :(

In any case, as I said, I can check my X220 with some DisplayPort monitors in 2-3 weeks time, when I'm back from this vacation...
Thinkpad 25 (20K7), T490 (20N3), Yoga 14 (20FY), T430s (IPS FHD + Classic Keyboard), X220 4291-4BG
X61 7673-V2V, T60 2007-QPG, T42 2373-F7G, X32 (IPS Screen), A31p w/ Ultrabay Numpad

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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#6 Post by axur-delmeria » Sat Aug 18, 2018 2:48 am

Update:

Set "Displayport on Thinkpad" as primary output device in BIOS.

Bootup sceen is messed up like in Windows. Good image for a second, jitters, then red and green horizontal bands (and a few green or red dots sprinkled all over), screen goes blank, cycle repeats.

But when I boot to Linux, the screen is blank until I press a mouse button, then the display is completely fine afterwards.

BTW I'm using the fully unlocked (with Advanced settings page) 1.46 BIOS.

Unit is an X220 with Core i7-2620M.

I even tried putting a ferrite toroid on the Displayport cable like this one:

Image

It was a bit too big. but there was no improvement at all. :cry:

So somehow Linux is doing something right (or fixing something) that the BIOS and Windows can't...? :?

Should I use another Displayport cable? I don't have any spare though. :(

One last thing: I checked the monitor's built-in menus. One item is "Signal Info". It says:

Code: Select all

Displayport 
Digital 1920 X 1200
fD: 154.0 MHz
fH: 74.0kHz
fV: 59.9Hz
I don't know if any of that is relevant though.
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#7 Post by RealBlackStuff » Sat Aug 18, 2018 6:52 am

Have a look at the refresh rates, some are set to 50Hz (X220 ?), others to 60Hz (monitor).
Stuff like Intel video-drivers, power settings, etc.

Just found this: https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-X ... 357/page/2

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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#8 Post by axur-delmeria » Sat Aug 18, 2018 10:58 am

Tried the monitor on my dad's X220, issue persists. I'm starting to think it's the monitor, but if that's the case, then I should be having problems even in Linux. But no, it works perfectly there. :?

It might be an issue with the drivers, but I'm already using the latest Intel driver straight from their web site (9.17.4229). Or should I be using an older one, maybe the 8.15 series?
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#9 Post by dr_st » Sat Aug 18, 2018 6:01 pm

axur-delmeria wrote:
Sat Aug 18, 2018 10:58 am
Tried the monitor on my dad's X220, issue persists. I'm starting to think it's the monitor, but if that's the case, then I should be having problems even in Linux. But no, it works perfectly there. :?
Is it exactly the same resolution / refresh rate?
Thinkpad 25 (20K7), T490 (20N3), Yoga 14 (20FY), T430s (IPS FHD + Classic Keyboard), X220 4291-4BG
X61 7673-V2V, T60 2007-QPG, T42 2373-F7G, X32 (IPS Screen), A31p w/ Ultrabay Numpad

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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#10 Post by axur-delmeria » Sun Aug 19, 2018 12:07 am

dr_st wrote:
Sat Aug 18, 2018 6:01 pm
Is it exactly the same resolution / refresh rate?
Yeah, I'm running the MX220W monitor at its native resolution of 1920x1200. Tried it at 59Hz and 60Hz. Even at lower resolutions I'm encountering the issue. :x

Current suspects:

1. Monitor - don't have other Displayport monitors to test
2. cable - don't have another cable
3. Video BIOS / drivers - last Windows driver is dated 2015, Linux drivers are probably newer (using 4.17 kernel and intel xorg driver). Should I try the generic modesetting driver? If I get problems there, could it mean that it's a hardware issue that the Linux Intel driver has a workaround for? :o

I've tried Google search, and in some of the forum posts, it appears that the Displayport issues were solved when the proper monitor driver (inf file) was installed-- apparently the "Generic PnP monitor" driver in Windows is not good enough. Problem is, the MX220W is a medical-grade display, and whenever I try to download the ICC profile package (with includes the inf file) from the eizoglobal web site, it aks for a username and password (!!) :x which doesn't happen with their non-medical screens. :cry:
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#11 Post by RealBlackStuff » Sun Aug 19, 2018 7:55 am


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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#12 Post by dr_st » Sun Aug 19, 2018 8:33 am

RealBlackStuff wrote:
Sun Aug 19, 2018 7:55 am
There seems to be a solution: https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-X ... 155#M25733
Why do you think these problems are related?
Thinkpad 25 (20K7), T490 (20N3), Yoga 14 (20FY), T430s (IPS FHD + Classic Keyboard), X220 4291-4BG
X61 7673-V2V, T60 2007-QPG, T42 2373-F7G, X32 (IPS Screen), A31p w/ Ultrabay Numpad

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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#13 Post by RealBlackStuff » Sun Aug 19, 2018 9:37 am

Axur-delmeria has not yet referred to any refresh-rates in the X220 under Windows, that's why.

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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#14 Post by axur-delmeria » Sun Aug 19, 2018 12:15 pm

My issue is with an external monitor, not the built-in display.

Perhaps I should post a video or something, just to show how bad it is. That'll have to wait until tomorrow though.
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#15 Post by RealBlackStuff » Sun Aug 19, 2018 12:40 pm

If your laptop sends a 50Hz signal to a 60Hz monitor that expects a 60Hz signal, where do you think the problem is?

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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#16 Post by axur-delmeria » Sun Aug 19, 2018 1:26 pm

RealBlackStuff wrote:
Sun Aug 19, 2018 12:40 pm
If your laptop sends a 50Hz signal to a 60Hz monitor that expects a 60Hz signal, where do you think the problem is?
Does it output 50Hz even when in BIOS setup? I had the charger plugged in and the battery installed. I set the ff BIOS settings:

Primary output is "Displayport in Thinkpad"
Max performance in AC mode

The issue persists even in the BIOS setup. :cry:

Another thing: when I use my Displayport to DVI adapter and use the DVI input on the same screen, I encounter no problems whatsoever.
Of course, I could just stick with that setup, but TBH the adapter is kinda bulky, and the DVI cable is thicker than the DP cable. More importantly, I want to get to the bottom of this, which hopefully leads to a solution, rather than settle for a workaround and not getting the whole picture. :lol:

So many questions, but the answers are so few. :??:

Does this particular monitor simply have a quirky Displayport input? Is it something with the EDID data? I'm considering going back to the store where I bought from and testing other Displayport monitors, if the store clerks would allow it.

Is my cable wonky? It's a no-name cable after all. :oops:

Or is there actually an issue with the X220's Displayport implementation? This one's a long shot, though I do find it a bit comforting that it works in Linux at least.
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#17 Post by dr_st » Sun Aug 19, 2018 6:47 pm

If I understand correctly, the thread RBS linked to is a different problem, because it is only referring to the refresh rate of the internal display when the laptop is on battery.

DisplayPort interoperability is a tricky thing. The standard is often ambiguous and it's hard to say who is 'at fault' when things don't work - computer, monitor or cable.
Thinkpad 25 (20K7), T490 (20N3), Yoga 14 (20FY), T430s (IPS FHD + Classic Keyboard), X220 4291-4BG
X61 7673-V2V, T60 2007-QPG, T42 2373-F7G, X32 (IPS Screen), A31p w/ Ultrabay Numpad

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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#18 Post by RealBlackStuff » Sun Aug 19, 2018 9:05 pm

C'mon, the problem is with Windows, the solution I linked to is for Windows, what is there not to understand?
Has a-d actually TRIED that in Windows?

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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#19 Post by axur-delmeria » Mon Aug 20, 2018 5:33 am

Already tried that. Intel's Display controls only show 59Hz and 60Hz for the external monitor. Tried both, problem persists.
Even tried a custom modeline, no dice. :cry:
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#20 Post by thinkpadcollection » Mon Aug 20, 2018 6:42 am

How old is EIZO? Keep in mind this is third party manufactured monitor usually have quality issues.

Go to different place (your friend's) and try on different monitor. Can get this display to HDMI cable adapter too.

Cheers, thinkpadcollection

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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#21 Post by CrazyTPFan » Tue Aug 21, 2018 7:33 am

axur-delmeria wrote:
Fri Aug 17, 2018 9:50 am
Recently bought a second-hand Eizo MX220W LCD monitor. It has three input ports: two DVI and one Displayport.

It's plugged to my X220 via Displayport cable. On Linux it works without issues, but on Windows I can't get it to work properly.
The display works for a second, then it jitters, then an incomplete video frame appears with some artifacts (green or red pixels). The display turns black for a few seconds, and the cycle repeats.

It looks like some synchronization issue, as if the laptop is struggling to send video data to the monitor. When using the DVI inputs (using a Displayport to DVI passive dongle + DVI cable), the monitor works without issue on both Windows and Linux.

Any suggestions on how to resolve the issue?
It's probably a driver issue in Windows or it could be something with the monitor itself. It could also be a issue with the laptop not being able to output the right resolution using Dispalyport with Windows.

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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#22 Post by axur-delmeria » Tue Aug 21, 2018 11:50 am

thinkpadcollection wrote:
Mon Aug 20, 2018 6:42 am
How old is EIZO? Keep in mind this is third party manufactured monitor usually have quality issues.

Go to different place (your friend's) and try on different monitor. Can get this display to HDMI cable adapter too.

Cheers, thinkpadcollection
This monitor's year of manufacture is 2010, as printed on the label at the back. It's a medical-grade monitor (EIZO Radiforce MX220W), so third-party or not, it's reasonable to believe it's made to a higher standard.

Displayport to HDMI is no problem, I've connected this X220 to a number of TVs already, via a Displayport to DVI passive adapter, + DVI to HDMI adapter.

It's my first Displayport monitor and have only one cable. I don't even know anyone who has one. :lol:

Maybe I should go back to the store and test other monitors. But when I bought it, there were only two of this model left, and this was the better-looking one.
Hard to find a good 1920x1200 screen these days. :cry:
Zach123 wrote:
Tue Aug 21, 2018 7:33 am
It's probably a driver issue in Windows or it could be something with the monitor itself. It could also be a issue with the laptop not being able to output the right resolution using Dispalyport with Windows.
1. I'm using the latest Intel HD 3000 driver straight from Intel's website. I also tried connecting the monitor to my dad's X220, same issue. What's disturbing is that when I set the X220's primary output to the Displayport on the Thinkpad, the issue persists. :x

2. I tried lower resolutions (even down to 1024x768) on Windows, and the issue persists. Somehow Linux manages to get it right. :??:
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#23 Post by RealBlackStuff » Tue Aug 21, 2018 1:50 pm

If you want 1980x1200, look into these: Dell U2412M or U2415, both are 24" IPS.

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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#24 Post by axur-delmeria » Tue Aug 21, 2018 2:10 pm

RealBlackStuff wrote:
Tue Aug 21, 2018 1:50 pm
If you want 1980x1200, look into these: Dell U2412M or U2415, both are 24" IPS.
If I can find any at a good price. All of the IPS screens here hover at 85 USD and higher.

I got the MX220W--which is a PVA or MVA screen, not as great as IPS but still pretty good--for slightly less than half of that.
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#25 Post by CrazyTPFan » Tue Aug 21, 2018 4:56 pm

If what I said is wrong then i'm stumped :? Makes no sense that in linux it works and in windows it doesn't. But it may have to do with the driver in Windows even though you are using the latest one.

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Re: X220 Displayport issue in Windows but not in Linux

#26 Post by axur-delmeria » Mon Aug 27, 2018 3:04 am

And I've completely sidestepped the issue by getting a Series 3 Mini Dock with USB 3.0 (Type 4337) and using its DVI output port. :lol:

I've also tried the Displayport output on the Dock. The output is a bit more stable, but still blanks out every few seconds. :(

@Zach123

It makes sense if you consider that the Linux graphics drivers are in constant development, while the latest Windows 7 drivers for the HD 3000 is already three years old.
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

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