How to set up Dual Monitors?

Message

laserbeak · #1 Post by **laserbeak** » Sat 12 May 2007, 16:48

Hi,
I want to set up dual monitors but am a bit lost on how to do this in xorg.
i have the second monitor plugged into my laptop. and upon booting my system, the secondary monitor takes over and is used as the default instead of the LCD screen. this is fine, but i'd like to have both of them working as well.

Greystar · #2 Post by **Greystar** » Sat 12 May 2007, 17:41

I don't think you can do 2 monitors on a laptop unless you have a pcmia video card. if your just pluging into the vga connection( I'm asuming this because it sonds this way) you are just changing from portable to a "desktop" setup. If you have a pcmia video card though you can do a dual monitor setup.(have done this under windows but not puppy)

I could be wrong since laptops are so different but both of my laptops (this one which now runs 100% puppy for the last 2 or so months and my "wifes" laptop which is a vista machine) work this way.

laserbeak · #3 Post by **laserbeak** » Sat 12 May 2007, 18:08

i am able to do this in windows XP which is why i assume it's possible in Puppy

giac_fab · #4 Post by **giac_fab** » Sat 12 May 2007, 19:27

on my old and cheap laptop I do that simply by pressing fn+F5 ....... did you try ?????

laserbeak · #5 Post by **laserbeak** » Sat 12 May 2007, 19:55

i have that but will that make it dual monitor of just mirror the desktop onto both monitors?

-edit-
i'm not in puppy atm which is why i cant give you a straight answer right now.
but i think what you're suggesting simply mirrors the desktop.

giac_fab · #6 Post by **giac_fab** » Sat 12 May 2007, 20:13

Ah ok, excuse me ......

You want to extend your desktop ......

There is a way, but only if you have an ati or an nvidia ..... try to see this post :

http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=14261

This procedure installs an utility that make you able to set your two monitor (on my home pc I did it)

laserbeak · #7 Post by **laserbeak** » Sat 12 May 2007, 21:04

that's for s-video. and i dont have ati or nvidia..
this is from my xorg.conf:

Identifier "Card0"
Driver "savage" #card0driver
VendorName "S3 Inc."
BoardName "86C270-294 Savage/IX-MV"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"

-edit-
lspci seems to output something im not used to.

Code: Select all

sh-3.00# lspci
00:00.0 Class 0600: 8086:7190 (rev 03)
00:01.0 Class 0604: 8086:7191 (rev 03)
00:05.0 Class 0680: 8086:7110 (rev 02)
00:05.1 Class 0101: 8086:7111 (rev 01)
00:05.2 Class 0c03: 8086:7112 (rev 01)
00:05.3 Class 0680: 8086:7113 (rev 03)
00:08.0 Class 0200: 8086:1229 (rev 09)
00:08.1 Class 0700: 115d:00d4
00:0b.0 Class 0607: 1179:0617 (rev 20)
00:0b.1 Class 0607: 1179:0617 (rev 20)
00:0c.0 Class 0401: 1073:0012
01:00.0 Class 0300: 5333:8c12 (rev 13)

laserbeak · #8 Post by **laserbeak** » Sat 12 May 2007, 22:59

i found this but it only tells me that i have dual monitor support. not how to use it.

http://www.die.net/doc/linux/man/man4/savage.4.html

Canadianpride · #9 Post by **Canadianpride** » Sun 13 May 2007, 18:45

I've been running dual monitors in puppy on my desktop for quite awhile but never tried on my laptop. This post helped me to figure out how.

http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=16086

Hope it helps.

Matthew.

HairyWill · #10 Post by **HairyWill** » Sun 13 May 2007, 19:00

Canadianprides's link is for a system that has 3 separate graphics cards, one for each display.

Assuming your laptop doesn't have two graphics cards.
You need to explore the savage driver specific options in your device section.

http://www.die.net/doc/linux/man/man4/savage.4.html
<edit>
On reflection that doesn't seem to be very helpful. What happens if you create two device sections using the same PCI id and then have 2 screen and monitor sections, one for each of them.
</edit>
<edit2>
Arrrgh, I just had to try, didn't I.
I've just tried to get this to work on my thinkpad x30 and am so far not succeeding. I'd managed to resist the temptation to try this until now. Now my laptop feels broken. I just booted into windows for the first time in 3 months and honestly hoped that XP wouldn't be able to make it work either because my graphics card is flaky. Unfortunately it worked, windows 1, linux nil. Though the score did even when XP forcibly put the laptop into standby when I know the battery had 30 minutes left.
The last time I tried to setup dual monitors with a matrox p650
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 15&t=14592
it took me about 4 hours. I must stop myself from playing again!
</edit2>

laserbeak · #11 Post by **laserbeak** » Sun 13 May 2007, 21:55

yeah ever since i messed with xorg, my window manager has been different and not as cool. BUT KEEP PLAYING!!!!

I really do wish someone could come up with a simpler solution to video for the linux platform. but i know that might not be very simple.

laserbeak · #12 Post by **laserbeak** » Sun 13 May 2007, 22:18

I just tried this but it didnt seem to work. i also tried this version with two different copies of the device section and named the devices card0 and card1 but no luck. maybe it would help if lspci in linux was a bit more specific?

Code: Select all

#Special base config file used in Puppy Linux.

# **********************************************************************
# Module section -- this  section  is used to specify
# which dynamically loadable modules to load.
# **********************************************************************
#
Section "Module"

# This loads the DBE extension module.

    Load        "dbe"  	# Double buffer extension

# This loads the miscellaneous extensions module, and disables
# initialisation of the XFree86-DGA extension within that module.
    SubSection  "extmod"
      Option    "omit xfree86-dga"   # don't initialise the DGA extension
    EndSubSection

# This loads the font modules
    Load        "type1"
    Load        "freetype"

# This loads the GLX module
    Load       "glx"

# This loads xtrap extension, used by xrandr
    Load       "xtrap"

EndSection

# **********************************************************************
# Files section.  This allows default font and rgb paths to be set
# **********************************************************************

Section "Files"

# The location of the RGB database.  Note, this is the name of the
# file minus the extension (like ".txt" or ".db").  There is normally
# no need to change the default.

    RgbPath	"/usr/X11R7/lib/X11/rgb"

# Multiple FontPath entries are allowed (which are concatenated together),
# as well as specifying multiple comma-separated entries in one FontPath
# command (or a combination of both methods)

    FontPath   "/usr/X11R7/lib/X11/fonts/misc/"
    FontPath   "/usr/X11R7/lib/X11/fonts/Type1/"
    FontPath   "/usr/X11R7/lib/X11/fonts/TTF/"

EndSection

# **********************************************************************
# Server flags section.
# **********************************************************************

Section "ServerFlags"

# Uncomment this to disable the <Crtl><Alt><Fn> VT switch sequence
# (where n is 1 through 12).  This allows clients to receive these key
# events.

#    Option "DontVTSwitch"


 Option "Xinerama" "true" 

# Enables mode switching with xrandr
# There is a report that this can cause Xorg not to work on some
# video hardware, so default is commented-out...
# but i want to use it in xorgwizard so leave on...

    Option "RandR" "on"

EndSection

#everything past here is auto-generated by Puppy's Xorg Wizard...

Section "ServerLayout"
	Identifier     "X.org Configured"
	Screen      0  "Screen0" 0 0
	Screen      1  "Screen1" RightOf "Screen0" 
	InputDevice    "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
	InputDevice    "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
	Identifier  "Keyboard0"
	Driver      "kbd"
	Option      "XkbRules" "xorg"
	Option      "XkbModel" "pc102"
	Option      "XkbLayout" "us" #xkeymap0
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
	Identifier  "Mouse0"
	Driver      "mouse"
	Option	    "Protocol" "auto" #mouse0protocol
	Option	    "Device" "/dev/mouse"
	#Option      "Emulate3Buttons"
	#Option      "Emulate3Timeout" "50"
	Option      "ZAxisMapping" "4 5" #scrollwheel
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
	#DisplaySize	  320   240	# mm
	Identifier   "Monitor0"
	VendorName   "GWY"
	ModelName    "EV700"
	Option	    "DPMS"
	HorizSync    30-70
	VertRefresh  50-85
	#UseModes     "Modes0" #monitor0usemodes
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
	#DisplaySize 330 240 # mm
	Identifier "Monitor1"
	VendorName "SNY"
	ModelName "0"
	Option "DPMS"
	HorizSync 30-70
	VertRefresh 50-85
	#UseModes "Modes0" #monitor0usemodes
EndSection 

Section "Modes"
	Identifier "Modes0"
	#modes0modeline0
EndSection

Section "Device"
	       ### Available Driver options are:-
	       ### Values: <i>: integer, <f>: float, <bool>: "True"/"False",
	       ### <string>: "String", <freq>: "<f> Hz/kHz/MHz"
	       ### [arg]: arg optional
	       #Option     "NoAccel"            	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "HWCursor"           	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "SWCursor"           	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "ShadowFB"           	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "Rotate"             	# [<str>]
	       #Option     "UseBIOS"            	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "LCDClock"           	# <freq>
	       #Option     "ShadowStatus"       	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "CrtOnly"            	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "TvOn"               	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "PAL"                	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "ForceInit"          	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "Overlay"            	# [<str>]
	       #Option     "TransparencyKey"    	# [<str>]
	       #Option     "ForceInit"          	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "DisableXVMC"        	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "DisableTile"        	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "DisableCOB"         	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "BCIforXv"           	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "DVI"                	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "BusType"            	# [<str>]
	       #Option     "DmaType"            	# [<str>]
	       #Option     "DmaMode"            	# [<str>]
	       #Option     "AGPMode"            	# <i>
	       #Option     "AGPSize"            	# <i>
	Identifier  "Card0"
	Driver      "vesa" #card0driver
	VendorName  "S3 Inc."
	BoardName   "86C270-294 Savage/IX-MV"
	BusID       "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection



Section "Screen"
	Identifier "Screen0"
	Device     "Card0"
	Monitor    "Monitor0"
    DefaultDepth 16
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth       16
        Modes       "1024x768"
    EndSubsection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
	Identifier "Screen1"
	Device     "Card0"
	Monitor    "Monitor1"
    DefaultDepth 16
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth       16
        Modes       "1024x768"
    EndSubsection
EndSection

#PuppyHardwareProfile=S3_Incorporated__M7GWY1b62

laserbeak · #13 Post by **laserbeak** » Sun 13 May 2007, 22:27

Taken from the Savage video driver man page

Option "UseBIOS" "boolean"
Enable or disable use of the video BIOS to change modes....

Note: Use of the BIOS is required for dualhead operation. Default: on (use the BIOS).

interesting

HairyWill · #14 Post by **HairyWill** » Sun 13 May 2007, 23:01

I notice in the above xorg.conf that the driver is listed as vesa. I presume this is after you have tried it. I noticed that the i810 driver in mine was being replaced by vesa when xorg failed to start because of a conf file like yours but with 2 driver sections.
I will not be sucked in

I will not be sucked in

laserbeak · #15 Post by **laserbeak** » Mon 14 May 2007, 01:14

Yeah!! i just noticed that!!!
i wonder why it would do that. it probably explains my issues with my Desktop manager

Do it!!

Do it!!

laserbeak · #16 Post by **laserbeak** » Mon 14 May 2007, 01:22

re ran the xorg wizard and this is the new xorg.conf file with no vesa...

Code: Select all

#Special base config file used in Puppy Linux.

# **********************************************************************
# Module section -- this  section  is used to specify
# which dynamically loadable modules to load.
# **********************************************************************
#
Section "Module"

# This loads the DBE extension module.

    Load        "dbe"  	# Double buffer extension

# This loads the miscellaneous extensions module, and disables
# initialisation of the XFree86-DGA extension within that module.
    SubSection  "extmod"
      Option    "omit xfree86-dga"   # don't initialise the DGA extension
    EndSubSection

# This loads the font modules
    Load        "type1"
    Load        "freetype"

# This loads the GLX module
    Load       "glx"

# This loads xtrap extension, used by xrandr
    Load       "xtrap"

EndSection

# **********************************************************************
# Files section.  This allows default font and rgb paths to be set
# **********************************************************************

Section "Files"

# The location of the RGB database.  Note, this is the name of the
# file minus the extension (like ".txt" or ".db").  There is normally
# no need to change the default.

    RgbPath	"/usr/X11R7/lib/X11/rgb"

# Multiple FontPath entries are allowed (which are concatenated together),
# as well as specifying multiple comma-separated entries in one FontPath
# command (or a combination of both methods)

    FontPath   "/usr/X11R7/lib/X11/fonts/misc/"
    FontPath   "/usr/X11R7/lib/X11/fonts/Type1/"
    FontPath   "/usr/X11R7/lib/X11/fonts/TTF/"

EndSection

# **********************************************************************
# Server flags section.
# **********************************************************************

Section "ServerFlags"

# Uncomment this to disable the <Crtl><Alt><Fn> VT switch sequence
# (where n is 1 through 12).  This allows clients to receive these key
# events.

#    Option "DontVTSwitch"

# Enables mode switching with xrandr
# There is a report that this can cause Xorg not to work on some
# video hardware, so default is commented-out...
# but i want to use it in xorgwizard so leave on...

    Option "RandR" "on"

EndSection

#everything past here is auto-generated by Puppy's Xorg Wizard...

Section "ServerLayout"
	Identifier     "X.org Configured"
	Screen      0  "Screen0" 0 0
	InputDevice    "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
	InputDevice    "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
	Identifier  "Keyboard0"
	Driver      "kbd"
	Option      "XkbRules" "xorg"
	Option      "XkbModel" "pc102"
	Option      "XkbLayout" "us" #xkeymap0
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
	Identifier  "Mouse0"
	Driver      "mouse"
	Option	    "Protocol" "auto" #mouse0protocol
	Option	    "Device" "/dev/mouse"
	#Option      "Emulate3Buttons"
	#Option      "Emulate3Timeout" "50"
	Option      "ZAxisMapping" "4 5" #scrollwheel
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
	#DisplaySize	  320   240	# mm
	Identifier   "Monitor0"
	VendorName   "GWY"
	ModelName    "EV700"
	Option	    "DPMS"
	HorizSync    30-70
	VertRefresh  50-72
	#UseModes     "Modes0" #monitor0usemodes
EndSection

Section "Modes"
	Identifier "Modes0"
	#modes0modeline0
EndSection

Section "Device"
	       ### Available Driver options are:-
	       ### Values: <i>: integer, <f>: float, <bool>: "True"/"False",
	       ### <string>: "String", <freq>: "<f> Hz/kHz/MHz"
	       ### [arg]: arg optional
	       #Option     "NoAccel"            	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "HWCursor"           	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "SWCursor"           	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "ShadowFB"           	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "Rotate"             	# [<str>]
	       #Option     "UseBIOS"            	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "LCDClock"           	# <freq>
	       #Option     "ShadowStatus"       	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "CrtOnly"            	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "TvOn"               	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "PAL"                	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "ForceInit"          	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "Overlay"            	# [<str>]
	       #Option     "TransparencyKey"    	# [<str>]
	       #Option     "ForceInit"          	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "DisableXVMC"        	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "DisableTile"        	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "DisableCOB"         	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "BCIforXv"           	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "DVI"                	# [<bool>]
	       #Option     "BusType"            	# [<str>]
	       #Option     "DmaType"            	# [<str>]
	       #Option     "DmaMode"            	# [<str>]
	       #Option     "AGPMode"            	# <i>
	       #Option     "AGPSize"            	# <i>
	Identifier  "Card0"
	Driver      "savage" #card0driver
	VendorName  "S3 Inc."
	BoardName   "86C270-294 Savage/IX-MV"
	BusID       "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection


Section "Screen"
	Identifier "Screen0"
	Device     "Card0"
	Monitor    "Monitor0"
    DefaultDepth 16
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth       16
        Modes       "1024x768"
    EndSubsection
EndSection

#PuppyHardwareProfile=S3_Incorporated__M7GWY1b62

Q5sys · #17 Post by **Q5sys** » Tue 03 Nov 2009, 22:55

Old topic... but Im running into this problem now.
I dont think its a Xorg problem. I think its a WM issue.
Enviroments like KDE, GNOME, etc. are able to span multiple screens eaisly. In Gnome you just run "gnome-display-properties" from the prompt.
Not sure the exact command for KDE. But I think our limiting factor here might be what GUI we are using. XFCE should be able to do multiple monitors as well.
My puppy install is Gray's BoxPup 4.1.2. I believe that uses WinBox for its WM. (I'm writing this from my Fc11 install so Im going by memory.) On that it just will clone the Screen at a certain resolution. (laptop - 1280x800 , monitor - 1600-1200)
Im having the same issue with trying to extend my screen with Fluxbox in my Fedora install, but it works perfectly in gnome or kde.

Im going to dig around in the settings for my WM that is installed in my puppy install and see what I can find. But I believe its a matter of WM not a matter of xorg.

(old)Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

(old)Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

How to set up Dual Monitors?

How to set up Dual Monitors?