[Radeon 7000 IGP] DVI out corrupted above 1280x1024

["Michael B Allen" <mba2000 ioplex com>]

Hi,

I have an IBM Thinkpad T30 with a Radeon Mobility M7 which I believe is
also known as the Mobility 7000 IGP [1]. I would like to use the DVI-I
out on the Port Replicator II I just purchased to drive a Dell 2000FP 20"
flat panel display that requires 1600x1200 for non-interpolated display.

However, alas it does not work out of the box. I used a modeline
that successfully drives the display from a Radeon PCI card in a regular
workstation but with DVI out on the T30 the display was corrupted and the
Fn+F7 to switch between the builtin display and external monitor does not
work. Initially I tried 24bpp and the resolution was demoted. Then I tried
16bpp and I think I managed to get 1600x1200 but it was still corrupted.

After looking at IBMs website they claim the port replicator DVI out on
the T30 (as well as many other Thinkpads) only supports up to 1280x1024
[2]. Oops. Although, they do not say if this is a hardware limitation
in the port replicator. The ATI website reads [1]:

  Flat Panel Monitor Support
   - Digital output to support DVI via external TMDS
   - Supports up to 1600x1200 screen resolution for LCD panels

I have tinkered with the D-Sub output and it can do 1600x1200 but it's
too blurry.

The machine dual boots Win2000 pro which exhibits similar behavior;
it can do 1600x1200 using the D-Sub connector but the DVI out is only
clean up to 1280x1024. Above that it's corrupted or blank.

Possible Solutions:

I'm using RH 7.3. Upgrading X from 4.2.0 to 4.3.0 looks like it's a real
chore. Are there any RPMs for RH 7.3? And does anyone know if the 7000 IGP
will perform differently with 4.3.0 over 4.2.0? The X log reads:

(II) RADEON(0): Supported Future Video Modes:
(II) RADEON(0): #0: hsize: 1280  vsize 1024  refresh: 60  vid: 32897
(II) RADEON(0): #1: hsize: 1600  vsize 1200  refresh: 60  vid: 16553
(II) RADEON(0): #2: hsize: 1152  vsize 864  refresh: 75  vid: 20337

Does this mean the driver will support those modes eventually?

If there is hope for the driver solution I am willing to explore patches.

If upgrading X does not help could I use S video? The DFP supports it.

Parhaps I should return the port replicator, buy the docking station,
and put the other proven PCI card in that?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. If I don't get this to work it
would be a serious waste of good hardware.

Thanks,
Mike

[1]
http://www.ati.com/technology/hardware/mobilityradeon7000igp/features.html
[2] Search here http://www-1.ibm.com/support/search/index.html for 'dvi
t30 resolution'