Dual Screen Configuration

Angryguy · Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 1:32 am Post subject: Dual Screen Configuration

Not sure if I should post this here or Desktop Environments . . .

I just got myself a new LCD monitor, giving me a dual display setup with a Samsung SyncMaster 710T (connected by VGA) and a Samsung Syncmaster 740BX (DVI connection) with an Nvidia 6600GT Video Card. I could use some help in getting this to work . . the directions from the wiki aren't very helpful.

If I switch to the terminal (ctrl+alt+f2), the terminal is shown on both screens (identical output), however I can't get the second screen to work in Gnome.

I am trying to load the nvidia-settings manager, assuming that might have some of the options I need in it, however it refuses to load. From the command prompt it gives me:

Angryguy · Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 6:20 am Post subject: Update

Ok, I got the dual screens working now with twinview after a lot of trial and error with my Xorg.conf file.

1. How can I swap primary/secondary displays? Its currently got the DVI connection as secondary and VGA as primary, and I'd like to have that reversed.

2. Are there any options available for customizing window behavior across the screens? Namely in allowing windows to maximize only to a single screen instead of both (although I'd prefer being able to choose either behavior as needed). Similarly (but not as importantly), how about for changing workspaces independently between displays? More importantly, an option such as in Windows to center a dialog on a single screen, rather than in between the screens.

3. Any suggestons on good ways to optimize/configure settings across dual displays? Both displays look good, however side by side the colors on my old monitor seem a bit washed out. This is completely off topic, but has anyone tried Samsung's Magic&/Natural-Color software or know if its designed to synchronize colors between two displays (and not just printers and displays)?

Thanks.

zambeezi · n00b Joined: 05 Oct 2006 Posts: 3

Angryguy · Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 7:53 pm Post subject:

Thanks, I think I've got the display setup/layout down now. It'll still take me some time to adjust the monitor settings to my liking/used to . . the old monitor seems a lot darker and more washed-out in comparison to the new one.

The reason I ask about windows coming up in the middle, is beause when I was configuring the nvidia drivers in windows (I still maintain a dual-boot), their wizard has a specific option to force windows to be centered on the active window to prevent dialogs from appearing in the middle. The windows driver also has an option to enable some sort of nvidia window manager that allows you some interesting options - switching windows between screens, and a choice to maximize a window to a single screen, or to both.

Since its part of the nvidia drivers on windows, I was assuming that the option probably exists somewhere on linux to - this isn't exactly the most advanced feature.

gtaluvit · Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 8:05 pm Post subject:

You don't need to run two independent X servers to get windows to pop up in the center. I have nvidia listed as a device twice and two monitors using the Screen LeftOf syntax and without using TwinView or Xinerama. What that gives you is two X screens, :0.0 and :0.1. You can't drag between the two but you can spawn apps in them by using --display. I use one monitor and then a second smaller LCD for watching TV or movies so I simply have shortcuts for MythTV and Totem on the second screen.
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badchien · Guru Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 415 Location: doghouse

pteppic · l33t Joined: 28 Nov 2005 Posts: 781

Angryguy · Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2006 7:40 pm Post subject:

Thanks, I actually inadvertently solved the problem.

I installed Beryl with the beta nVidia drivers and, while Beryl is running, window maximization works as I'd expect - to only one screen plus the nice eye-candy effects as a bonus.

So far, Beryl is excellent - looks great, works well, and gives the added functionality I need. Just need to tweak some of the settings a little more . . . The only problem I've had with beryl so far (once its running), is that it has a tendency to crash when playing around with the preferences.

The other issue, is that I can't get it to automatically startup correctly, but that's a matter for another topic.

_mikec_ · Guru Joined: 22 May 2004 Posts: 386

i'm having the same error as above, i am getting popups from windows pupin' up on the center, i have the nvidia ti4200 card, beryl-aiglx, kinda sad to get these kind of problem.. the code should know in which dispay the program is running so to display anything from that program on the same display.. a monkey should know that lol.. anyone got this working without having to recompile the entire system, X..KDE.. ?
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monicajae · Guru Joined: 03 Sep 2003 Posts: 363 Location: Dorset, VT

could someone post a working xorg.conf? thnks

networkorg · n00b Joined: 02 Feb 2006 Posts: 74 Location: Buenos Aires

HI,

the dualview works fine with my XfX Geforce 6800XT Extreme Card. I use it on a Core2Duo System (real 64bit version) with KDE and the following nvidia-driver versions :

monicajae · Guru Joined: 03 Sep 2003 Posts: 363 Location: Dorset, VT

Hey thanks for that.