Linux 5.9 and Display Link

[nvergontbij]

As per January, 1st 2021, all changes have been pushed to branch v.1.7.x: #225.

The updated (simpler) instructions are the following:

1. Download the DisplayLink driver from [the official download page](https://www.displaylink.com/downloads/ubuntu). Then run the following commands:

    unzip 'DisplayLink USB Graphics Software for Ubuntu 5.3.1.zip'
    chmod +x displaylink-driver-5.3.1.34.run
    ./displaylink-driver-5.3.1.34.run --noexec --keep

2. Get the updated evdi version by typing:

    git clone https://github.com/DisplayLink/evdi.git
    cd evdi
    git checkout v1.7.x
    tar cf evdi.tar.gz *
    cp evdi.tar.gz ../displaylink-driver-5.3.1.34

3. Install displaylink:

    cd ../displaylink-driver-5.3.1.34
    sudo ./displaylink-installer.sh install

Tested on Ubuntu 20.04, kernel version 5.10.2 (-surface).
Hope that helps.

[Xros]

Originally Posted by bnavigator

Hello Ubuntu Users,

DisplayLink can work with the newest kernel 5.9, but you have to patch the kernel module manually.
The issue is discussed here: https://github.com/DisplayLink/evdi/issues/225


Get:

• The official DisplayLink Driver from the download page.
• evdi-1.7.0 from https://github.com/DisplayLink/evdi/.../v1.7.0.tar.gz
• PR#228 from https://github.com/DisplayLink/evdi/pull/228.patch

1. Unzip the DisplayLink package and extract the inner archive

unzip 'DisplayLink USB Graphics Software for Ubuntu 5.3.1.zip'
chmod +x displaylink-driver-5.3.1.34.run
./displaylink-driver-5.3.1.34.run --noexec --keep

2. Patch evdi-1.7.0 with #228 or clone directly

tar xf v1.7.0.tar.gz
pushd evdi-1.7.0
patch -p1 < ../228.patch
popd

or

git clone https://github.com/DisplayLink/evdi.git evdi-1.7.0
pushd evdi-1.7.0
git fetch origin pull/228/head
git checkout -b pr228 FETCH_HEAD
popd

3. Replace evdi

rm displaylink-driver-5.3.1.34/evdi.tar.gz
pushd evdi-1.7.0
tar cf evdi.tar.gz *
cp evdi.tar.gz ../displaylink-driver-5.3.1.34/
popd

4. Install displaylink

cd displaylink-driver-5.3.1.34
sudo ./displaylink-installer.sh install

However, we did not get feedback from any reasonably skilled Ubuntu user that these instructions are complete for Ubuntu.

The patch has been sucessfully tested on Archlinux and openSUSE.

I followed these commands in Ubuntu 20.04.01 and I had no problems until I tried to install the drivers and I got this:

DisplayLink Linux Software 5.3.1.34 install script called: install
Distribution discovered: Ubuntu 20.04.1 LTS
Unsatisfied dependencies. Missing component: Linux headers for running kernel, 5.9.7-050907-generic.
This is a fatal error, cannot install DisplayLink Linux Software.

May the 5.9.7 kernel version to be too high?

[andy_g]

Originally Posted by Xros

May the 5.9.7 kernel version to be too high?

No I am on 5.9.12 and all is working well. Try doing all the steps again with displaylink removed before hand maybe

[andy_g]

The new mainline 5.10 and 5.10.1 aren't working for me but I did notice some message when I installed these about EVDI so maybe I need to run the process again?

I've dropped back down to 5.9.X today as I have loads of work on.

[Crashdummy]

Originally Posted by andy_g

The new mainline 5.10 and 5.10.1 aren't working for me but I did notice some message when I installed these about EVDI so maybe I need to run the process again?

I've dropped back down to 5.9.X today as I have loads of work on.

You need to use evdi 1.7.2 See the announcement.

Just follow the steps from page one but use the 1.7.2 release rather than cloning/patching