Screen resolution changed to 640x480 with last kernel update

Support & Help Requests
1

My system (20.04.6) updated the kernel today. When I rebooted, I got a screen resolution of 640x480. I restarted, same thing, so I restarted with 5.4.0-190-generic kernel and all is fine. What happened?

2

can you post inxi -G

3

Does it make a difference which kernel I am using. Using 5.4.0-190-generic kernel

$ inxi -G
Graphics: Device-1: NVIDIA GK208B [GeForce GT 710] driver: nvidia v: 470.256.02
Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.13 driver: nvidia unloaded: fbdev,modesetting,nouveau,vesa
resolution: 1920x1080~60Hz
OpenGL: renderer: NVIDIA GeForce GT 710/PCIe/SSE2 v: 4.6.0 NVIDIA 470.256.02

4

Using 5.4.0-192-generic kernel I am unable to change resolution or frequency.

$ inxi -G
Graphics:
Device-1: NVIDIA GK208B [GeForce GT 710] driver: N/A
Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.13 driver: fbdev,nouveau
unloaded: modesetting,vesa resolution: 640x480~73Hz
OpenGL: renderer: llvmpipe (LLVM 12.0.0 256 bits)
v: 4.5 Mesa 21.2.6

5

the second did not load the nvidia driver.

3 Likes
6

Any suggestions? I tried the Nouveau driver and with 190 kernel and ended up with the 640x480. If there is not a fix, is there a way to lock into 5.4.0-190-generic kernel and prevent future updates?

7

So now I am even more confused. After enabling/disabling the Nouveau driver, all seems to work well with the NVIDIA driver. Is this a software glitch or a sign of a failing video card?

$ uname -r
5.4.0-192-generic
$ inxi -G
Graphics: Device-1: NVIDIA GK208B [GeForce GT 710] driver: nouveau v: kernel
Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.13 driver: modesetting unloaded: fbdev,vesa resolution: 1920x1080~60Hz
OpenGL: renderer: NV106 v: 4.3 Mesa 21.2.6

8

I read that there are conflicts between nvidia drivers and new(er) kernels but I cannot pinpoint the exact issue. If nouveau works for you at the resolution you have, good.

Nvidia will transition to open GPU Kernel drivers which should make install/tuning easier. Stay tuned.

9

Thanks, sorry I was not clear with my last post, I tried the nouveau driver and the resolution was not corrected. I then re-enabled the NVIDIA driver and resolution was restored to what is expected.

10

Did you previously have the following in your "/etc/default/grub" ?

GRUB_TERMINAL=gfxterm
GRUB_GFXMODE="1920x1080,auto"
GRUB_GFXPAYLOAD_LINUX="keep"

and are they in the updated version of that file?

11

I never touched the grub since original install of 20.04. There are lines in my grub but all commented out:

#GRUB_TERMINAL=console
#GRUB_GFXMODE=640x480