Ubuntu – How to enable HDMI output on Nvidia GTX 650

hdminvidia

I just built new PC:

  • AMD 8350 CPU
  • ASUS sabertooth motherboard
  • Nvidia GTX 650 graphics card
  • Ubuntu 12.10

System boots fine and desktop is fine using VGA connection, but there is no HDMI video output to the monitor (HP w2207h) using the Nouveau drivers.

Tried a second other type of monitor with HDMI and had the same thing "NO SIGNAL".

So I used "System Settings" and changed from Nouveau driver to NVIDIA Proprietary but still have "NO SIGNAL" from the HDMI port. On both monitors I did press the on screen menu to attempt to switch the HDMI port but on both they just time out and display "NO SIGNAL" and return me to the VGA input.

I did put a call on Sunday to PNY (the brand of GTX 650 card I bought) to ask them for any possible solution.

I'd appreciate any suggestions about how to troubleshoot this further to understand why and how to enable the HDMI port's video output to either of these two monitors.

Best Answer

Are the correct drivers installed?

First of all, check that you actually have the correct nvidia drivers installed (this will check whether they are installed and install them if they aren't already):

Fire up a terminal, and then:

  • If you want the stable (tested, but old) drivers, do:

sudo apt-get install nvidia-current

  • If you want the latest (possibly untested, but fresh from nVidia) drivers, do:

sudo apt-get install nvidia-current-updates

Once you're done with that, restart your computer to check that the drivers are working correctly (check the bottom of the post if they aren't).

Now, shut down your computer (or just shut down the X server(s)), and then remove the VGA cable. Then, plug in the HDMI cable.

Now start up your computer. Is it working?

If not, check that the monitors you have work with another HDMI output (ie: X360, PS3, DVD Player, etc.). If they don't, it might just be your monitors.

If the monitors work but the card isn't working, it may be a defect with the card, or an alternate setup may be required.

If the (newly installed) drivers weren't working:

Hit Ctrl + Alt + F1

You will be shown a terminal. Log in using your username and password.

Stop whatever display manager you're using:

  • LightDM (Default): sudo service lightdm stop

  • GDM (GNOME): sudo service gdm stop

  • KDM (KDE Plasma Workspaces): sudo service kdm stop

  • Any other display manager (custom/other desktop environments): sudo service [display manager name] stop

Then, uninstall the nvidia drivers:

sudo apt-get remove nvidia-current nvidia-current-updates

Once this is finished, reinstall the nvidia drivers as shown at the top of the post.

Restart the computer:

sudo reboot now

Did it work out in the end?

If all of the above doesn't solve the problem, tell us what didn't work. If it did work, mark the solution, and upvote it.

Related Question