You have to know how to get around in Linux. You have to create a xorg.conf using nvidia-xconfig (which is not part of SteamOS, so you have to install it from the Debian repo). Then you have to insert the line at the right place (in the "Device" SubSection) adjust it to your specific display configuration.

The line above only fits my own configuration: In my case it's a 1680x1050 VGA-LCD (nVidia calls analogue displays "CRT"), which get's an upscaled and centered 1280x720 signal.

Issue remains: Once I enable this configuration, SteamOS Big Picture Mode doesn't work anymore and shows a black screen. I'dont know why yet. So there currently is no point in using that config.

Originally posted by artisan002:

We already know I didn't make the beta. The fact that I'm posting this is glaring proof. However, would it be entirely out of the question to at least send me a controller to test? I'm already woefully underwhelmed by the videos beta testers have posted. I have yet to see one of them that indicates they really get computer hardware, let alone Linux. And the most prolific poster of videos is somenow stymied by both Big Picture and touch pads. I'm already really tired of hearing about how he's confused that his Microsoft Windwos/Xbox controller wont work [in Linux], and equally disinterested in the fact that he's exclusively a keyboard and mouse gamer.

I totally expected this to happen, as I soon as I saw the weird beta selection criteria. So I choose to not bother with it and I didn't get hit by the hidden criterion (not being in the US).

I've not watched a single home video from a beta tester. I have no time to waste and prefer reviews from professionals. Additionally if you are a qualified technician and are able to throughly beta-test hardware, you can expect to be paid for it.

You're not an idiot. Delivering a end-user console with two HDMI ports of which one is just dysfunctional is a clear hardware design error. These ports should the removed or at least covered.

I now successfully have configured a working display mode by using in /etc/X11/xorg.conf. It just works fine with desktop and games. But now Steam BPM doesn't load anymore. Bummer.

The approach of SteamOS goes even further. It doesn't use onboard sound at all, it lets the GPU handle digital sound output via HDMI.

Just checked the BPM settings of my desktop Steam, it has these options. SteamOS BPM is missing them completely, odd...

Weird, UEFI doesn't have any text modes available. It always runs with a graphical EFI framebuffer. Perhaps the X server used by the SteamOS installer can't make proper use of it...

The age of soundcards is over. Nowadays CPUs are more than powerful enough, so games output whatever multichannel sound they have over HDMI and the rest is up to your AV receiver, at least in a Steam Machine setup.

SteamOSInstaller is not a LiveCD, it just an installer with a minimal BusyBox environment.

Try removing from /boot/grub/grub.cfg on the USB drive.

There are currently no resolution settings in Steam BPM settings for me. All I can do is set the brightness and reduce the picture size (overscan correction).