A possible (re)solution for the Intel IGP/GMA problems!

[erijo197]

I have a Thinkpad X41, with the Intel 82852/855 integrated graphics, which i tried to get to work with an LCD TV at 1360x768 using everything, including Powerstrip. This proved impossible, since the Intel chips only support resolutions "hardcoded" in the vbios by the manufacturer (as I learned in this forum), and IBM apparently didn't enable any "wide" resolutions - only the usual ones like 1024x768, 1280x1024 and so on.

Then, however, I found Intel's 852/855 drivers for Windows XP Embedded Edition. These are drivers meant for developers of embedded applications running XP:

http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df-external/Detail_Desc.aspx?strState=LIVE&ProductID=2159&DwnldID=9870&agr=Y&lang=eng&PrdMap=2159

If the link doesn't work, go to www.intel.com, support and downloads, and search for "iegd" and you'll find them (they ARE available to the public).

Using these drivers, my Thinkpad was suddenly capable of outputting several other resolutions, including the HDTV 1280x720 for example!

So, either it IS in fact possible to add other resolutions than those originally intended by the manufacturer for a specific machine, OR my Thinkpad had other resolutions programmed from the start, that not even Powerstrip let me use with the standard Intel drivers (latest version, of course)

What do you think? Am I just letting myself get carried away here?

Note however, that the IEGD drivers does not give you the possibility to add *custom* resolutions at will in Powerstrip, but it might provide a way of adding other resolutions than you previously could use. There are tools included with these drivers that seems to, for example, enable developers of embedded applications to create the settings files used to "hard code" the vbios. Maybe someone else can make something more out of it than I have so far - I for one would be very happy if someone could make it possible for my Thinkpad to output 1360x768! (or only give a reasonable explanation to why it still isn't possible, even...)

Note2: The intaller of the IEGD drivers didn't work for me, I had to manually install them by upgrading the usual Intel driver for both instances of the card in the device manager.

[Rik Wang]

It is interesting, thanks, but it does not apply to the standard Intel driver, which only seems to read video modes from the EDID or VBIOS table...

Unfortunately, Intel has no developer relations department, and they do not document regsiters or drivers.

[Ziglio]

Hi there, thank you for the idea!

I share the same problem: it was impossible to go widescreen on my external TV from my laptop, until I tried the Intel Embedded driver as suggested here. But now I can't use the laptop monitor!
I've written about it in the Fujitsu-Siemens forum: http://support.fujitsu-siemens.de/forum/viewtopic.php?p=39306&sid=944ed4395c5c5193e4555f68099bd6a3#39306

It's interesting that you can also download the code to compile the new version (5.0) of the vbios. Is it something we can plug into a windows xp based pc?

[Ziglio]

Hi again, I'm adding a couple of things I've discovered today:
http://www.intel.com/design/intarch/swsup/graphics_faq.htm
Can I use the Intel Embedded Graphics Drivers in conjunction with a standard desktop video BIOS?
Yes, this is possible. However, you cannot use the Parameter Configuration Format (PCF) and the User Build System to configure the desktop video BIOS. Instead, you must use the BIOS Modification Program (BMP) to configure the desktop video BIOS, and use the PCF format and utilities to configure the Intel Embedded Graphics Drivers.

Can I use the Intel Extreme Graphics Driver for the desktop with the Intel Embedded VBIOS?
No, the Extreme Graphics Driver must use the associated desktop video BIOS. The Intel Embedded VBIOS will only work with the Intel Embedded Graphics Drivers.


So we can't compile a Bios for the embedded drivers and use it with the desktop drivers :-(
But if we had this BIOS Modification Program (BMP), maybe we could configure the bios so the desktop drivers could go for different resolutions.

Then I've found this:
http://mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=34958
In the old win2k_xp1415.zip version of the drivers, these files are present:
vbios855gm.zip
vbios865gm.zip
vbios915g.zip
vbios915gm.zip
vbios945g.zip

Yai! let's see if we can work out how to use them :-)

[vovikg]

I have a Toshiba laptop with XGA screen which I'd like to upgrade. Got an SXGA panel but it won't work because the BIOS is hardcoded at 1024x768 for LVDS I think.

It sounds that it is theoretically possible to reprogram the BIOS using the Intel-provided toolkit and the script files. What are the steps involved to accomplish this? Are there any tools that can be helpful? Obviously I don't have the source code for Toshiba BIOS, can a binary image be somehow "fixed" to enable the higher res on LVDS?

[Ziglio]

I've managed! my problem was to configure the Intel Embedded Drivers so that my laptop could go at 1024x768 (internal flat screen), while driving an external widescreen TV at 1280x768.

The default settings for my driver were detecting a 3rd output port (s-video) before the internal monitor, so the internal monitor was being shut down.
So I solved this, after reading the excellent documentation for embedded drivers from Intel,

1 - by changing the order of the device detection
2 - by activating the extended clone mode, that sets the bigger screen as primary, while the smaller screen displays a portion that is centered and panned by the movement of the mouse cursor (cool!!)

There are 3 ways to accomplish that:
a) If you have the Intel Embedded Drivers already installed, open regedit and look for the key [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Video\{...}\0000\Config\1]

and add
"name"="Enhanced clone mode -- 2 CRT+LVDS"

then add
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Video\{...}\0000\Config\1\General]
"DisplayConfig"=dword:00000002
"CloneWidth"=dword:00000400
"CloneHeight"=dword:00000300
"CloneRefresh"=dword:0000003c
"PortOrder"="5430"
"portdrivers"="lvds"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Video\{...}\0000\Config\Port\4\FpInfo]
"Width"=dword:00000400
"Height"=dword:00000768

The key attributes are PortOrder and portdrivers

In the next message, how to build a custom inf file from this settings

[Ziglio]

I forgot to say, that I've added the same values under another key
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet003\Control\Video\{...}\0000\Config\1]

I'm not an expert of the Windows Registry, so I don't know how to work out the long string between { }, so maybe the best way is to build the extra information to add to Intel's ssigd.inf (that's the installation file of the Intel Embedded Graphics Drivers).

In order to do that you need to write a "pcf" file and then use Intel's pcf2iegd.exe to translate it into inf:
pcf2iegd.exe -inf sample.pcf >sample.inf

I got the sample.pcf example from the documentation, when they talk about the extended clone mode, here it is sample.pcf:
#
# 855 + IntLVDS + CRT + LVDS
# Choose a CRT that supports bigger than 1024x768 resolution.
# 1. Set 800x600 on CRT and check 800x600 image appeared
# at top,left corner on LVDS. Or Image should be scaled to
# match the panel size based on panel used.
# 2. Set 1280x1024 on CRT and check LVDS display is panning.
# Check the clone mouse pointer is in sync with primary display
# mouse pointer.
#

{
   config 1 {
   
      name = "Enhanced clone mode -- 2 CRT+LVDS"
      
      general   {
   
         displayconfig = 2
         portorder = "5430"

         clonewidth = 1024
         cloneheight = 768
         clonerefresh = 60

         portdrivers = "lvds"
      }
      
      port 4 {
         name = "DVO-C"

         fpinfo {
            width = 1024
            height = 768
         }
      }
   }
}

and here is the result, sample.inf:
HKR,,                              PcfVersion, %REG_DWORD%, 0x0400
HKR, Config\1                 ,          name, %REG_SZ%,    "Enhanced clone mode -- 2 CRT+LVDS"
HKR, Config\1\General         , DisplayConfig, %REG_DWORD%, 2        
HKR, Config\1\General         ,     PortOrder, %REG_SZ%,    "5430"
HKR, Config\1\General         ,    CloneWidth, %REG_DWORD%, 1024      
HKR, Config\1\General         ,   CloneHeight, %REG_DWORD%, 768      
HKR, Config\1\General         ,  CloneRefresh, %REG_DWORD%, 60        
HKR, Config\1\General         ,   portdrivers, %REG_SZ%,    "lvds"
HKR, Config\1\Port\4          ,          name, %REG_SZ%,    "DVO-C"
HKR, Config\1\Port\4\FpInfo   ,         Width, %REG_DWORD%, 1024      
HKR, Config\1\Port\4\FpInfo   ,        Height, %REG_DWORD%, 768      

Those lines (a part from the first one) need to be added in ssigd.inf under
[ssigd_SoftwareDeviceSettings_nap]


Ok, so now you're ready to install the drivers using your custom inf file.
I must say, I didn't manage to import the settings in the registry automatically, maybe because I had installed the drivers previously.
But, this method at least suggested me what strings needed to be added to the registry, and I did by hand.
Hope that helps!!

[jumz]

Could you perhaps guide me on how I could do something similar to my onboard Intel graphics?

I am using the i945GM express video on an Aopen i945GTm-VHL motherboard...

[Ziglio]

Hi Jumz,

I'm glad that could help someone else. Later I've discovered that other people had used the intel embedded graphic drivers for particular applications like on car PCs (that have screens with non standard resolutions).

Have you tried installing the drivers? what do you see

I'm having a problem now with video overlay (used for movies). There's just one channel for that so since my computer screen is the secondary monitor, I can't use it and can't watch avis on my PC (without overlay, the refrash rate is really slow), the primary port, connected to the TV supports that.
But once I managed to get both working and still they had different resolutions. Can't managed to reproduce that.

[jumz]

I am going to try the Imbedded graphics driver solution when I get home and will post back with results. My setup doesn't include more than 1 screen, the PC is connected directly to the tv straight off the bat so I hope that won't cause any problems. According to the documentation for the imbedded driver, my Chipset is supported.

[cantones]

I am trying to connect a PSONE LCD as a second display on my laptop and I can't seem to be able to enable the modified registry configuration and settings.

Also, the initial registry settings did not have any of the timings parameters, but only

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{...}\0000\Settings]
"InstalledDisplayDrivers"=hex(7):69,00,67,00,64,00,64,00,69,00,73,00,00,00,00,\
  00
"VgaCompatible"=dword:00000000
"MultifunctionSupported"=hex(7):31,00,00,00,00,00
"NativeResolution"=dword:00000001
"NativeBPP"=dword:00000001
"ConfigID"=dword:00000000
"SystemDirectory"="C:\\WINNT\\system32"
"Display1_RotationConfig"=dword:00000000
"Display2_RotationConfig"=dword:00000000
"TotalStaticModes"=dword:00000000
"Display1_RotationCaps"=dword:00000007
"Display2_RotationCaps"=dword:00000007
"Display1_RotationPolicy"=dword:00000000
"Display2_RotationPolicy"=dword:00000000
"OpenGLInstalled"=dword:00000001
"Display1_DisableIntTvOut"=dword:00000000
"Display1_EnableNoPruneFlag"=dword:00000001
"ModeEnumerationPreference"=dword:ffffffff
"Display1_DVIHotPlugWAFlag"=dword:00000000
"LogResumeTime"=dword:00000000
"MaxRuns"=dword:00000009
"Display1_UnderScanPercentageIntTvOut"=dword:00000000
"Display1_AddUnderscanPercentageHDMI"=dword:00000000
"TotalDTDCount"=dword:00000000
"DTD_1"=hex:01,1d,80,18,71,1c,16,20,58,2c,1a,00,00,00,00,00,00,86,37,01
"DTD_2"=hex:01,1d,80,d0,72,1c,16,20,10,2c,1a,80,00,00,00,00,00,86,37,01
"DTD_3"=hex:01,1d,00,bc,52,d0,1e,20,b8,28,25,40,00,00,00,00,00,04,37,01
"DTD_4"=hex:01,1d,00,72,51,d0,1e,20,6e,28,25,00,00,00,00,00,00,06,37,01
"DTD_5"=hex:00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00
"PcfVersion"=dword:00000400
"No_D3D"=dword:00000000
"PortDrivers"="sdvo lvds"

 Could someone who managed working with this card post the registry hive for the adapter ?

(IEGD 5.1)

[fulluey]

As previously described, Intel IEGB driver 5.1 does work to configure the 1360x768 mode after manually modifying the registry (PortOrder) to properly bring up the display. I also noticed that 1360x768 is not shown by default (the best match available is 1280x768), unless you REBOOT the PC while having the display being connected and staying power on (for my case it is the Olevia 532v HDTV through VGA port). Bios check and WinXP boot screen will be shown on TV, not the T43 LCD. Then after re-entering XP, LCD and TV will both light up assuming EXTEND mode is enabled. Now, you should see 1360x768 mode being enabled. If not, double check moniter settings. Make sure "hide modes that the moniter can not display" is not checked. Set the mode and enjoy the 1360x768 native resolution on the TV. For me, the result delivered from Olevia 532v is amazing. I am totally satisfied.

The only bad thing about this method is that if you reboot the PC again without the other display being connected, you won't see 1360x768 mode the next time. It will be annoying if you frequently reboot machines. But still acceptable. At least better than not having the 1360x768 mode.

Amazingly, as I kept digging out, T43 DOES support 1360x768 mode naturely using Generic Intel Drivers and IBM Software (Presentation Director). It is just hidden there without being documented. I will post again tomorrow for the detail steps. That is the ultimate way to set up the mode with the ease of use and simplicity.

[MSkates]

Is there a way to force s-video/tv-out? I have a s-video cable I test to my home tv with but the portable tv I actually want tv out to wont get detected with the svideo to composite adapter. I have a onboard Intel Graphics Video Card (852/855GM) so it doesnt have the "FORCE TV-OUT" feature like ATI/NVIDIA. Supposedly there was a trick using a resistor on a tv outs that had composite out via the composite cable, not sure how I could integrate that into a svideo to composite cable. Hope someone can help. Great posts I may use this to tweak my resolutions on my 6.4" LCD.

[noodle]

I have a laptop Dell D400, with the Intel 82852/855 integrated graphics, which i tried to get to work with a Sony CRT TV DA29M80 at 1280x720/60Hz
It's almost the same with Ziglio, I tried the method Ziglio provied, now it can output 1280x720/60Hz to the Sony TV(Ziglio, thank you very much), but the laptop LCD being shutdown.


the enviroment:
1. windows xp sp2
2. laptop Dell D400, resolution: 1024*768/60Hz
3. Sony CRT, supposed to be set at 1280x720/60Hz
4. before install the embedded driver, the laptop LCD is the primary display;

i did the following things:
1. change ssigd.inf by doing "pcf2iegd.exe -inf sample.pcf >sample.inf", add the sample.inf to ssigd.inf, sample.pcf same as Ziglio;
2. after install, i check the registry, the setup.exe does write the proper info into the registry;

Ziglio, you didn't manage to import the settings in the registry automatically, some reason:
1) uninstall the embedded drivers firstly;
2) add the sample.inf not just under [ssigd_SoftwareDeviceSettings_nap], you should add the sample.inf above the " ;===============================================================================
[Strings]



3. it can output 1280x720/60Hz to my Sony TV, i found the TV became the primary display, and the second is inactive, at the same time the laptop LCD being shutdown;

after that, i did following things trying to resolve the problem:
1. in the display property windows, i choose the second display and select "let windows desktop extend to this display", it doesn't work
2. if i set the laptop LCD laptop as primary display, then TV and laptop both have no video;
3. i go to displayconfig in advanced setting, i choose twin, clone, none of them work(default is single);
4. update the latest bios a08, D400 has only two choice: a) video out to the system, b) video out to dock, none of them work;

i feel very frustrated, could someone help me, thanks in advance.

[scott1256ca]

Sorry for asking such an elementary question, but I can't seem to find the answer elsewhere, and this looks like a knowledgable group.

How do you find out what modes ARE in the vbios?
Is it as simple as looking at the DISPLAY Properties in the control panel, then
Advanced->Adapter->List All Modes?

I already have clicked on the "Hide modes this monitor cannot display" button. If so, then I see 1920x1080p in there for various refresh rates.

The reason I ask is I am running a 945g chipset, sun0567 monitor (can find no signed .inf file for this), and want 1920x1080 output. Preferably interlaced and progressive but I'll settle for one or the other for now. The monitor is well capable of 1920x1080, but everything over 1600x1200 results in scrolling desktop.

GMA drivers show nothing above 1600x1200.

MOBO is ECS 945G-M3 Viiv. Neither Intel nor ECS give me any help. They are both useless resources so far.

If I uninstall the GMA drivers, I can get 1920x1440, 16bit (which is still of little value to me).

Thanks

Scott

p.s. Latest bios/vga/gma drivers, and used powerstrip to write a new .inf file (but unsigned, of course).