Using External Monitor with Laptop & KDE 4.1

[MikeH30]

I just installed OpenSuse11.0 (KDE 4.1) on a Sony VAIO Laptop ( VGN-FZ290). The graphics card is Nvidia GeForce 8400M GT.

The laptop screen resolution is 1280 X 800. When I hook up my external monitor to the laptop, I am cannot close the laptop without it going into sleep mode. I am unable to find a power save menu configuration anywhere in the KDE menu. I remember when I tested Ubuntu Hardy Heron there was a power save option for disabling the laptop from going into sleep mode when the cover was closed.

Is there a way to close the laptop or turn off the laptop display while the output is viewed on my external monitor in KDE 4.1?

Regards,

-Mike
Edit/Delete Message

[gogalthorp]

There are power saving setting in Yast

[Grandebasta]

You might be able to put the settings right in BIOS.

[MikeH30]

Thanks guys I will do some more digging around.

I have been using Linux for over a year now (SLES10 and OpenSuse10.3 & 11). Linux is amazing and I will never go back to Windows - ever!! However, I am curious why the screen resolution and output to an external monitor has been so difficult to accomplish with laptops running Linux. The only thing I liked about my former windows machine ( XP Pro) was that when I docked my laptop I could right click on the desktop and choose a menu item for "output to monitor." It was that easy. I have not been able do this easily with my laptops running Linux.

1. Why is this?
2. Is there a preferred Linux distro for laptop users?

-Mike

[gogalthorp]

The problem is the hardware. The makers tell MS all about it but do not let anyone else know there secrets. When you get a notebook it comes pre installed with Windoz and all the hardware drivers you need. You would probaly have the same problems if you tried to install windows from scratch with out the makers divers.

The best way to get a notebook is to buy one preinstalled with Linux. Then you know that all the hardware has proper drivers.

[MikeH30]

Thanks for the tip. Who do you recommend for Linux pre-installed on a notebook? I noticed Dell ships with Ubuntu.

-Mike

[MikeH30]

I am now looking at a Dell XPS M1330 that ships with Ubuntu 8.0.4. I would probably replace Ubuntu with OpenSuse 11.0 - KDE 4.1. Will I find myself with laptop hardware compatibility issues if I switch to OpenSuse 11.0 - KDE 4.1?

-Mike

[gogalthorp]

I don't know it all depends on the drivers needed. Dell may use freely available drivers or they may not.

Here is a place that sells Linux pre-installed with Suse or just about any distro you might want

Linux Laptop - Fully Supported & Configured Linux Laptops | LinuxCertified

Looks like reasonable prices for the hardware.