Switch primary display console

[lptessier]

Hello,

I build a pfsense 2.1.5 (amd64) system from a Sony netbook a salvage. The LCD screen is crack so I want to output the VGA console at the VGA external display connector. I know that the external VGA is working right, I install PCBSD on that salvage netbook to test it and everything fine. I also remember at the time a broked the screen, BIOS menu was send to that VGA output but not anymore. BIOS menu is very simple, only setting to write a BIOS password or boot up password and activate the external storage boot device. Nothing about video adapter.

The result of that command```
dmesg | grep vga

vgapci0: <vga-compatible display="">port 0x50c0-0x50c7 mem 0x96180000-0x961fffff,0x80000000-0x8fffffff,0x96000000-0x960fffff irq 16 at device 2.0 on pci0
agp0: <intel pineview="" (m)="" svga="" controller="">on vgapci0
vgapci1: <vga-compatible display="">mem 0x96100000-0x9617ffff at device 2.1 on pci0
vga0: <generic isa="" vga="">at port 0x3c0-0x3df iomem 0xa0000-0xbffff on isa0</generic></vga-compatible></intel></vga-compatible>

Is there a way to swap the primary output from internal LCD to external VGA?

The netbook is a Sony VPCW211AD with an Intel Atom N450 CPU and an integrate Intel GMA 3150 GPU.

Thank you.

Louis-Philippe

[stephenw10]

You tried Fn+F7? Often that is low level hardware.

Steve

[lptessier]

Hello,

Yes I try Fn+F7 in every possible way. I also try to close the lid and connect external keyboard and mouse without any result. I only managed to get the external monitor working when a GUI is running.

Thank you.

Louis-Philippe

[stephenw10]

Hmm, pfSense just uses a generic graphics driver that work at a low level mode. It won't have any access to switching the output. Do you not see anything at all on the monitor? Even the BIOS output?

Steve

[lptessier]

Nothing, not even the BIOS. I plug it in a Sony Bravia LCD TV to make sure that it is not my monitor, the TV saw a load on the VGA input when the cable is plug in but no signal. I have another Sony VAIO VPCW211AD in full working condition and I experience the same issue. Not output to the VGA.

Thank you.

Louis-Philippe

[stephenw10]

Ok, if I think the easiest way to get this going would be to swap the hard drives and install pfSense in the other identical netbook. Once it's running make sure you've enabled SSH and enough firewall rules so you can manage it remotely then swap back the hard drive.

Steve

[lptessier]

I try that but the only thing different between these 2 computers is the mini-PCIe to PCIe X1 adapter I manage to install into the slot reserve for the WLAN adapter. So when I swap the hard drive back into the salvage one, something was wrong with the config, SSH and webconfigurator was not reachable, I cannot saw what was going on and I got angry. I gently dismantle the working one to use is good screen. Now, I am up and running with pfsense, but I know I will mess around and I will need reconfigure something in the console. So I'm looking for a solution to activate that VGA port. I might buy an LVDS to DVI adaptor if I cannot find a solution.

Thank you!

Louis-Philippe