Problem with dual monitors...

**greythej** · 11-13-2007

I have been trying to solve this problem for so long please help!!

I have two monitors attached using DVI to 1 graphics card. at first linux just showed the same on both screens. After playing around for a while i can get linux to see that they are two different monitors but on the second monitor all i have is a load of flashing coloured squares?

posted below is the relevant section of my xorg.conf file please help anyway you can!!!

Thank you

GTJ

Code:

# /.../
# SaX generated X11 config file
# Created on: 2007-11-12T01:55:27+0000.
#
# Version: 7.1
# Contact: Marcus Schaefer <sax@suse.de>, 2002
#
# Automatically generated by [ISaX] (7.1)
# PLEASE DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE!
#

Section "Files"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/misc:unscaled"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/local"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi:unscaled"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi:unscaled"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Type1"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/URW"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Speedo"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/PEX"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/cyrillic"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/latin2/misc:unscaled"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/latin2/75dpi:unscaled"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/latin2/100dpi:unscaled"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/latin2/Type1"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/latin7/75dpi:unscaled"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/baekmuk:unscaled"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/japanese:unscaled"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/kwintv"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/truetype"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/uni:unscaled"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/CID"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/ucs/misc:unscaled"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/ucs/75dpi:unscaled"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/ucs/100dpi:unscaled"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/hellas/misc:unscaled"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/hellas/75dpi:unscaled"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/hellas/100dpi:unscaled"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/hellas/Type1"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/misc/sgi:unscaled"
  FontPath     "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/xtest"
  FontPath     "/opt/kde3/share/fonts"
  InputDevices "/dev/ttyS0"
  InputDevices "/dev/ttyS1"
  InputDevices "/dev/ttyS2"
  InputDevices "/dev/ttyS3"
  InputDevices "/dev/ttyS4"
  InputDevices "/dev/ttyS5"
  InputDevices "/dev/ttyS6"
  InputDevices "/dev/ttyS7"
  InputDevices "/dev/ttyS8"
  InputDevices "/dev/psaux"
  InputDevices "/dev/logibm"
  InputDevices "/dev/sunmouse"
  InputDevices "/dev/atibm"
  InputDevices "/dev/amigamouse"
  InputDevices "/dev/atarimouse"
  InputDevices "/dev/inportbm"
  InputDevices "/dev/gpmdata"
  InputDevices "/dev/mouse"
  InputDevices "/dev/usbmouse"
  InputDevices "/dev/adbmouse"
  InputDevices "/dev/input/mice"
  InputDevices "/dev/input/event0"
  InputDevices "/dev/pointer0"
  InputDevices "/dev/pointer1"
  InputDevices "/dev/pointer2"
  InputDevices "/dev/pointer3"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
  Option       "AllowMouseOpenFail"
EndSection

Section "Module"
  Load         "dbe"
  Load         "type1"
  Load         "freetype"
  Load         "extmod"
  Load         "glx"
  Load         "v4l"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
  Driver       "kbd"
  Identifier   "Keyboard[0]"
  Option       "Protocol" "Standard"
  Option       "XkbLayout" "gb"
  Option       "XkbModel" "pc105"
  Option       "XkbRules" "xfree86"
EndSection


Section "InputDevice"
  Driver       "mouse"
  Identifier   "Mouse[1]"
  Option       "Buttons" "7"
  Option       "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
  Option       "Name" "ImExPS/2 Generic Explorer Mouse"
  Option       "Protocol" "explorerps/2"
  Option       "Vendor" "Sysp"
  Option       "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection


Section "Monitor"
  DisplaySize  340 270
  HorizSync    30-82
  Identifier   "Monitor[0]"
  ModelName    "VIEWSONIC VP171S-2"
  Option       "DPMS"
  VendorName   "Viewsonic"
  VertRefresh  50-85
  UseModes     "Modes[0]"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
  DisplaySize  340 270
  HorizSync    30-82
  Identifier   "Monitor[1]"
  ModelName    "VIEWSONIC VP171S-2"
  Option       "DPMS"
  VendorName   "Viewsonic"
  VertRefresh  50-85
  UseModes     "Modes[1]"
EndSection


Section "Modes"
  Identifier   "Modes[0]"
  Modeline 	"1280x1024" 134.72 1280 1368 1504 1728 1024 1025 1028 1068
  Modeline 	"1280x1024" 114.54 1280 1360 1496 1712 1024 1025 1028 1062
  Modeline 	"1280x960" 126.27 1280 1368 1504 1728 960 961 964 1001
  Modeline 	"1280x960" 107.32 1280 1360 1496 1712 960 961 964 995
  Modeline 	"1280x800" 120.33 1280 1368 1504 1728 800 801 804 839
  Modeline 	"1280x800" 104.35 1280 1360 1496 1712 800 801 804 835
  Modeline 	"1280x800" 88.68 1280 1352 1488 1696 800 801 804 830
  Modeline 	"1152x864" 116.71 1152 1224 1352 1552 864 865 868 906
  Modeline 	"1152x864" 102.08 1152 1224 1352 1552 864 865 868 901
  Modeline 	"1152x864" 86.70 1152 1224 1344 1536 864 865 868 896
  Modeline 	"1280x768" 114.53 1280 1360 1496 1712 768 769 772 806
  Modeline 	"1280x768" 99.17 1280 1352 1488 1696 768 769 772 801
  Modeline 	"1280x768" 84.35 1280 1344 1480 1680 768 769 772 797
  Modeline 	"1024x768" 92.05 1024 1088 1200 1376 768 769 772 806
  Modeline 	"1024x768" 79.52 1024 1080 1192 1360 768 769 772 801
  Modeline 	"1024x768" 67.48 1024 1080 1184 1344 768 769 772 797
  Modeline 	"800x600" 55.22 800 840 928 1056 600 601 604 630
  Modeline 	"800x600" 47.53 800 840 920 1040 600 601 604 626
  Modeline 	"800x600" 40.19 800 832 912 1024 600 601 604 623
  Modeline 	"768x576" 50.62 768 808 888 1008 576 577 580 605
  Modeline 	"768x576" 43.52 768 800 880 992 576 577 580 601
  Modeline 	"768x576" 37.37 768 800 880 992 576 577 580 598
  Modeline 	"640x480" 34.80 640 672 736 832 480 481 484 504
  Modeline 	"640x480" 29.84 640 664 728 816 480 481 484 501
  Modeline 	"640x480" 25.10 640 656 720 800 480 481 484 498
EndSection

Section "Modes"
  Identifier   "Modes[1]"
  Modeline 	"1280x1024" 134.72 1280 1368 1504 1728 1024 1025 1028 1068
  Modeline 	"1280x1024" 114.54 1280 1360 1496 1712 1024 1025 1028 1062
  Modeline 	"1280x960" 126.27 1280 1368 1504 1728 960 961 964 1001
  Modeline 	"1280x960" 107.32 1280 1360 1496 1712 960 961 964 995
  Modeline 	"1280x800" 120.33 1280 1368 1504 1728 800 801 804 839
  Modeline 	"1280x800" 104.35 1280 1360 1496 1712 800 801 804 835
  Modeline 	"1280x800" 88.68 1280 1352 1488 1696 800 801 804 830
  Modeline 	"1152x864" 116.71 1152 1224 1352 1552 864 865 868 906
  Modeline 	"1152x864" 102.08 1152 1224 1352 1552 864 865 868 901
  Modeline 	"1152x864" 86.70 1152 1224 1344 1536 864 865 868 896
  Modeline 	"1280x768" 114.53 1280 1360 1496 1712 768 769 772 806
  Modeline 	"1280x768" 99.17 1280 1352 1488 1696 768 769 772 801
  Modeline 	"1280x768" 84.35 1280 1344 1480 1680 768 769 772 797
  Modeline 	"1024x768" 92.05 1024 1088 1200 1376 768 769 772 806
  Modeline 	"1024x768" 79.52 1024 1080 1192 1360 768 769 772 801
  Modeline 	"1024x768" 67.48 1024 1080 1184 1344 768 769 772 797
  Modeline 	"800x600" 55.22 800 840 928 1056 600 601 604 630
  Modeline 	"800x600" 47.53 800 840 920 1040 600 601 604 626
  Modeline 	"800x600" 40.19 800 832 912 1024 600 601 604 623
  Modeline 	"768x576" 50.62 768 808 888 1008 576 577 580 605
  Modeline 	"768x576" 43.52 768 800 880 992 576 577 580 601
  Modeline 	"768x576" 37.37 768 800 880 992 576 577 580 598
  Modeline 	"640x480" 34.80 640 672 736 832 480 481 484 504
  Modeline 	"640x480" 29.84 640 664 728 816 480 481 484 501
  Modeline 	"640x480" 25.10 640 656 720 800 480 481 484 498
EndSection


Section "Screen"
  DefaultDepth 24
  SubSection "Display"
    Depth      15
    Modes      "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x800" "1152x864" "1280x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "768x576" "640x480" 
  EndSubSection
  SubSection "Display"
    Depth      16
    Modes      "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x800" "1152x864" "1280x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "768x576" "640x480" 
  EndSubSection
  SubSection "Display"
    Depth      24
    Modes      "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x800" "1152x864" "1280x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "768x576" "640x480" 
  EndSubSection
  SubSection "Display"
    Depth      32
    Modes      "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x800" "1152x864" "1280x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "768x576" "640x480" 
  EndSubSection
  SubSection "Display"
    Depth      8
    Modes      "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x800" "1152x864" "1280x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "768x576" "640x480" 
  EndSubSection
  Device       "Device[0]"
  Identifier   "Screen[0]"
  Monitor      "Monitor[0]"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
  DefaultDepth 24
  SubSection "Display"
    Depth      15
    Modes      "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x800" "1152x864" "1280x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "768x576" "640x480" 
  EndSubSection
  SubSection "Display"
    Depth      16
    Modes      "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x800" "1152x864" "1280x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "768x576" "640x480" 
  EndSubSection
  SubSection "Display"
    Depth      24
    Modes      "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x800" "1152x864" "1280x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "768x576" "640x480" 
  EndSubSection
  SubSection "Display"
    Depth      32
    Modes      "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x800" "1152x864" "1280x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "768x576" "640x480" 
  EndSubSection
  SubSection "Display"
    Depth      8
    Modes      "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x800" "1152x864" "1280x768" "1024x768" "800x600" "768x576" "640x480" 
  EndSubSection
  Device       "Device[1]"
  Identifier   "Screen[1]"
  Monitor      "Monitor[1]"
EndSection


Section "Device"
  BoardName    "nVidia nForce 3"
  BusID        "1:0:0"
  Driver       "nvidia"
  Identifier   "Device[0]"
  Screen       0
  VendorName   "Videocard Vendor"
EndSection

Section "Device"
  BoardName    "nVidia nForce 3"
  BusID        "0:14:0"
  Driver       "nvidia"
  Identifier   "Device[1]"
  Option       "TwinView"
  Option       "SecondMonitorHorizSync" "30-82"
  Option       "MetaModes" "1280x1024,1280x1024; 1024x768,1024x768"
  Option       "TwinViewOrientation" "RightOf"
  Option       "ConnectedMonitor" "FPD,FPD"
  Option       "SecondMonitorVertRefresh" "50-85"
  Screen       1
  VendorName   "Videocard Vendor"
EndSection


Section "ServerLayout"
  Identifier   "Layout[all]"
  InputDevice  "Keyboard[0]" "CoreKeyboard"
  InputDevice  "Mouse[1]" "CorePointer"
  Option       "Clone" "off"
  Option       "Xinerama" "on"
  Screen       "Screen[0]"
  Screen       "Screen[1]" RightOf "Screen[0]"
EndSection

Section "DRI"
    Group      "video"
    Mode       0660
EndSection

Section "Extensions"
EndSection

**Lordshooter** · 11-13-2007

Hello. Let me try. - Because I am very interested in learning something about you problem.

Ok...:

You do have a dual monitor computer work station (...sounds nice, doesnt it?).

Just from overlooking my thumb, I would give the following comments:

You say, that you have "two different monitors": And here, we should start getting a little alert, or better, just show some attention.

Your problem does not concern, how many monitors you would have: "only" two, or four, or even six.

In fact, by using the same operating system, your so called "different monitors" get more in common. And the aim with a multiple monitor set up, should allways be, to get them more and more in common, uniform and coordinated. Like a little troupe of soldiers, all dressed and equiped the same, with the same formation/training, and the same aim and mission/duty.
But if you take a closer look at them, they are still individuals.
So are your computer screens as well.

Ideal, would be to have all the same type of screens, respectively, of flat panel screens, to achieve the best harmony.

With different models of screens, you never reach the same level of harmony as if they where all the same model. Each one, the same model.

Anyway, you allways work on what coordinates them with your operation system, and with your other external devices/hard- and software. Etc.

Your second monitor, is not behaving how he should, because "your army troop (of two soldiers)" is not uniform and coordinated (enough).

You start achieving this by having a task bar on each monitor screen.

And you get a good unification/standartization by using special software for multimonitoring, or for multi taskbars, or for both.

Build your system, so that you would be able to add additional monitors anytime you feel like it, or need it. Not that you have set it up all nicely, but are limited to only two monitors. But two, might be enough for you, for quite a while.

Your quote:
" i can get linux to see that they are two different monitors..."

Well, I don't quite agree with that:
Linux should think that he has two equal monitors. Make him think that, trick him out, and he might treat them as if they where equal. The same.

Problems with different monitors, come from different screen resolution, and possibly just the difference in age, because the one you can only use analog, and the other one can be used digital. Modern times...

So: treat them the same, and use them the same, and you should not get too often distrurbances and interferences, troubles, etc.

This is just a guidance in the right direction.

Best is, to save, and buy a uniform set of flat screen panels. Digital, of course.
you will be most happy that way.

Don't forget and neglect the importance of the look of your workstation:
Uniform, looks much better. Is very pleasing to the eye. And gets a lot of compliments. You can even show off with them.

Cheers, and happy multimonitoring.

Alexander

**greythej** · 11-13-2007

thank you for your speedy reply!!!!!

I do actually in fact hav two digital flat panels that are exactly the same!!

What i meant by the quote you pointed out was: when i first installed linux it had the same image on both monitors and xorg.conf only had screen 0 defined. So by 'playing around' i meant i defined the second monitor so xorg.conf now has screen 0 and screen 1. they still showed the same image tho so while trying to sort out different things on each screen i now have one screen which shows the desktop nicely and 1 screen which flashes blacks of colour at me!!!

**Lordshooter** · 11-13-2007

Hi there.

Nice setup with two exactly same monitors.

I doubt, you should manipulate with your files.

Try:
1.) Go to KDE panel.

2.) "System configuration"/Settings.

3.) "Desktop"

4.) "Multiple Desktops"

5.) Go from there, and see what you can do with the other options within "Settings" of "System Configuration".

6.) Get some additional special software for multimonitoring.

7.) But you could also do some tweeking, if you know where and how.

Good luck.

Heartily greetings. My pleasure.

Alexander

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