Partial success

zaq.hack · 02-05-2014, 11:41 PM

My love is Linux, but I've been condemned to run Windows for several reasons for years. However, today, one of those reasons (Displaylink support) has weakened. It isn't gone, and I want to know how to encourage more of the right behavior.

You may have heard that Linux Kernel now supports DisplayLink. Yes. Kinda. I am running Linux Mint 16 (and so should you) and I have gotten it to work by simply compiling a newer kernel. If you know how to roll your own kernel, you can get this to work. It is not great, but it is not "blank" or "green."

Using the following guide to build the newer kernel: http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=131433 ... I downloaded the kernel code for 3.11.10. When you get to the "menuconfig" step, scroll down to "Device Drivers." In that menu, scroll down to "Graphics Support." In that menu, you will see "Displaylink." Select it. (I had to build as module.) Now when you build the new kernel, it will indeed have Displaylink support ...

That said, my experience still isn't awesome. The light on my adapters blink and Linux seems to peg IO to enable the extra display. There is probably an "elevators" switch I can flip that would help it out, but I haven't looked for it, yet. The display comes up in less than true colors, and the lag for using it is notable. If you are used to the Displaylink experience in Windows, this ain't it. But, technically, it works: I can park a Facebook window over there and get messages, or a calendar, or something. Not good enough to actually WORK on, but good enough to use as extended display. Silver lining, right?

Now, this last bit may be a bit controversial. I delved into the kernel files to find out who the heck was writing the Displaylink support. There's a contact at the bottom, but I'm not sure if begging/bribing/tons of e-mail would be welcome. BE NICE, please. This guy has gotten us this far, and maybe he can carry it the rest of the way. If we are a bunch of douchebags, he'll probably never push out another release: Bernie Thompson <bernie@plugable.com>

02-05-2014, 11:41 PM	#1
zaq.hack Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 2	Partial success My love is Linux, but I've been condemned to run Windows for several reasons for years. However, today, one of those reasons (Displaylink support) has weakened. It isn't gone, and I want to know how to encourage more of the right behavior. You may have heard that Linux Kernel now supports DisplayLink. Yes. Kinda. I am running Linux Mint 16 (and so should you) and I have gotten it to work by simply compiling a newer kernel. If you know how to roll your own kernel, you can get this to work. It is not great, but it is not "blank" or "green." Using the following guide to build the newer kernel: http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=131433 ... I downloaded the kernel code for 3.11.10. When you get to the "menuconfig" step, scroll down to "Device Drivers." In that menu, scroll down to "Graphics Support." In that menu, you will see "Displaylink." Select it. (I had to build as module.) Now when you build the new kernel, it will indeed have Displaylink support ... That said, my experience still isn't awesome. The light on my adapters blink and Linux seems to peg IO to enable the extra display. There is probably an "elevators" switch I can flip that would help it out, but I haven't looked for it, yet. The display comes up in less than true colors, and the lag for using it is notable. If you are used to the Displaylink experience in Windows, this ain't it. But, technically, it works: I can park a Facebook window over there and get messages, or a calendar, or something. Not good enough to actually WORK on, but good enough to use as extended display. Silver lining, right? Now, this last bit may be a bit controversial. I delved into the kernel files to find out who the heck was writing the Displaylink support. There's a contact at the bottom, but I'm not sure if begging/bribing/tons of e-mail would be welcome. BE NICE, please. This guy has gotten us this far, and maybe he can carry it the rest of the way. If we are a bunch of douchebags, he'll probably never push out another release: Bernie Thompson <bernie@plugable.com>