Can't Set Display Resolution to 1920x1080 On Lenovo E570 with Skylake GT2 Graphics Card

Support and Help
1

I bought a Lenovo E570 a few years ago that would allow me to set the resolution on the built in display to 1920x1080. I’m having problems with the laptop, so I bought a refurbished E570 assuming it would be identical, loaded Ubuntu 24.04.1 on it and figured out that the new laptop has a different graphics card in it, the Skylake GT2.

Can someone tell me for sure if I’m just stuck with 1366x768 resolution. It’s unbearable. I’ve done everything I can find on the web to address this, but I’m not an expert by any means. Thanks for any help I can get on this.

2

What is the output of:

sudo lshw -C display
lsb_release -a
uname -a
xrandr
wlr-randr

Thanks

1 Like
3

If possible you might try a HDMI to USBC cable or even a DVI - USBC cable.

I misread your post and along with @Actionparsnip request please show us this:

xdpyinfo | grep -B 2 resolution

It is possible a scaling factor might be needed.

4

Here’s what I get:

rich@RichsNewThinkpad:~$ sudo lshw -C display
lsb_release -a
uname -a
xrandr
wlr-randr
[sudo] password for rich:
-display
description: VGA compatible controller
product: Skylake GT2 [HD Graphics 520]
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 2
bus info: pci@0000:00:02.0
logical name: /dev/fb0
version: 07
width: 64 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pciexpress msi pm vga_controller bus_master cap_list rom fb
configuration: depth=32 driver=i915 latency=0 resolution=1366,768
resources: irq:130 memory:f0000000-f0ffffff memory:e0000000-efffffff ioport:e000(size=64) memory:c0000-dffff
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS
Release: 24.04
Codename: noble
Linux RichsNewThinkpad 6.8.0-51-generic #52-Ubuntu SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Thu Dec 5 13:09:44 UTC 2024 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
Screen 0: minimum 320 x 200, current 1366 x 768, maximum 16384 x 16384
eDP-1 connected primary 1366x768+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 344mm x 194mm
1366x768 60.06+ 47.99
1280x720 60.06
1024x768 60.06
960x720 60.06
928x696 60.06
896x672 60.06
1024x576 60.06
960x600 60.06
960x540 60.06
800x600 60.06
840x525 60.06
864x486 60.06
700x525 60.06
800x450 60.06
640x512 60.06
700x450 60.06
640x480 60.06
720x405 60.06
684x384 60.06
640x360 60.06
512x384 60.06
512x288 60.06
480x270 60.06
400x300 60.06
432x243 60.06
320x240 60.06
360x202 60.06
320x180 60.05
DP-1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
HDMI-1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
DP-2 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
HDMI-2 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
failed to connect to display
rich@RichsNewThinkpad:~$

5

Here you go:

rich@RichsNewThinkpad:~$ xdpyinfo | grep -B 2 resolution
screen #0:
dimensions: 1366x768 pixels (361x203 millimeters)
resolution: 96x96 dots per inch
rich@RichsNewThinkpad:~$

6

Thank you, both of you. I hope we can figure it out.

I’m literally ready to gut both computers and just move everything from the old computer into the new case. The only reason I got the new computer was because i’ve grown fond of it. The old computer’s battery won’t charge, and the hinge for the screen broke inside and the case is starting to fall apart. I can use the old case with the new guts as a desktop, plugged in all the time with a larger external monitor if I have to. But I’d really like to just get the new one to a resolution I can look at without wanting to scream.

7

Using xrandr you can add the mode:
Guide here shows a way to add it in

1 Like
8

My guess is, this might related to Wayland, have you tried just logging in to a X11 session and then see if you can get the proper setting (1920x1080) first.

And are you using more than one Monitor? If so then my strike through still maybe relevant.
If possible you might try a HDMI to USBC cable or even a DVI - USBC cable.

9

Driver for Skylake GT2
https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=389739

10

Saving everyone a click: This recommends downgrading to kernel 5.15, which isn’t a good option for 24.04 and higher.

1 Like
11

I’ve logged in both ways, wayland and X11 and get the same results.

I’m just trying to use the built in screen on the laptop.

12

Good news: the instructions in the link seem to have worked. I have the option available in display settings and it appears to work. I’m rebooting now to see if it defaults to it or if I have to pick it every time. I’m fine with picking it every time.

One thing though, the fonts seem “fuzzy” and a little faint. I’ll run it for a while and see if that matters to me over the long term. I’ll report back when I’m booted back up.

EDIT: The settings aren’t available after reboot. There are more instructions in the link you posted. I’ll revisit it and see if the rest of it locks it in for me. Thanks for your time.

13

You can put the commands in /etc/rc.local to persist after reboot. Perhaps there are better ways to make the changes permanent, if so, let me know.

14

I have found it is easiest to put the xrandr commands into your “.profile” file. (That’s in your Home Directory)
Then it will be executed at startup.

15

Thank you folks, but honestly when I set that resolution it was still not usable for me. The screen seemed somewhat faded and the fonts were “fuzzy”. saving that setting isn’t worth it unless I can fix that. I’m probably stuck with what I have. Maybe I can get used to it. Thanks again for the help though.

16

I had totally forgot how fonts looked on 24.04, maybe give this try.
https://ubuntuhandbook.org/index.php/2023/04/restore-old-fonts-ubuntu-2304/
As for your faded screen I got nothing other than whats already suggested above.

apt policy fonts-ubuntu-classic
fonts-ubuntu-classic:
  Installed: 0.83-6ubuntu2
  Candidate: 0.83-6ubuntu2
  Version table:
 *** 0.83-6ubuntu2 500
        500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu noble/universe amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
17

I recall this being covered elsewhere. It comes from the fact that GNOME is currently mixing GTK3 and GTK4 and there are no plans to fix this in the version of GNOME included in 24.04. Basically, the GTK4 font smoothing is good, but GTK3 will not be. It’s unfortunate, but this is the way it is.

EDIT: Found it: Bug #2092667 “Lack of LCD antialiasing in GNOME in Ubuntu 24.10 ...” : Bugs : font-manager package : Ubuntu

1 Like
18

I fixed it. The problem was the screen on the new (refurbished) computer, which was incapable of 1920 x 1080. I took the screen out of my old computer and it works perfectly. Unsnap the bezel, remove 4 screws, carefully disconnect the ribbon cable connection, and swap the screens. That’s it. You’re welcome.