Running X on just one screen (or independent X instances)?

GSMD · 01-04-2009, 02:36 AM

Is there a way to run 2 entirely independent Xorg instances on 2 monitors?
What I want is to have XBMC running on TV with the second available for whatever I want (including console apps).
For now I always get X running on both screens, even if I comment out everything related to "vga-" in my xorg.conf. startx – :0 doesn't work out as well.
Am I missing the point?
TIA.

Code:

Section "ServerLayout"
        Identifier     "Main Layout"
        Screen      0  "hdmi-screen"
        Screen      1  "vga-screen" LeftOf "hdmi-screen"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
        Identifier  "hdmi-monitor"
        Option      "VendorName" "LG"
        Option      "ModelName" "42LF75"
        Option      "DPMS" "true"
        ModeLine    "1920x1080"  138.50  1920 1968 2000 2080  1080 1083 1088 1111 +vsync
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
        Identifier  "vga-monitor"
        Option      "VendorName" "Samsung"
        Option      "ModelName" "740BF"
        Option      "DPMS" "true"
        ModeLine    "1280x1024"  135.00  1280 1296 1440 1688  1024 1025 1028 1066
EndSection

Section "Device"
        Identifier  "hdmi-device"
        Driver      "fglrx"
        Option      "VideoOverlay" "on"
        Option      "OpenGLOverlay" "off"
        BusID       "PCI:1:5:0"
        Screen      0
EndSection

Section "Device"
        Identifier  "vga-device"
        Driver      "fglrx"
        BusID       "PCI:1:5:0"
        Screen      1
EndSection

Section "Screen"
        Identifier "hdmi-screen"
        Device     "hdmi-device"
        Monitor    "hdmi-monitor"
        DefaultDepth     24
        SubSection "Display"
                Depth     24
                Modes    "1920x1080"
        EndSubSection
EndSection
Section "Screen"
        Identifier "vga-screen"
        Device     "vga-device"
        Monitor    "vga-monitor"
        DefaultDepth     24
        SubSection "Display"
                Depth     24
                Modes    "1280x1024"
        EndSubSection
EndSection

Uncle_Theodore · 01-04-2009, 08:34 PM

Do you want two independent X servers or do you want two separate screens (:0.1 and :0.2) on the same server? Your configuration file suggests the latter. There is a "display" option in the amdcccle program that comes with the fglrx driver. Or, try reading here:
http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-386633.html

mike10 · 01-04-2009, 09:05 PM

are you looking for a setup like this one http://linuxgazette.net/124/smith.html

GSMD · 01-05-2009, 02:03 PM

Awesome links, thanks!
What I want to do is run at least one X server (on tv) for XBMC with the second screen available for whatever I want.

mike10 · 01-05-2009, 10:33 PM

wich of the two links is closest to what you want?
I am not sure what you are looking for
why not use MergedFD since if I read your first post right you are using an ATI card and MergedFB will let you have 3D acceleration?

GSMD · 01-06-2009, 08:37 AM

It's the linuxgazette one. See: got a linux box with a 42" LCD TV hooked over hdmi and a normal monitor connected over vga. The primary purpose of the box (besides being a home/dev server headless by it's nature) is to be a XBMC media center controlled via lirc (with video & sound obviously going to TV only). A nice bonus would be to have a workstation that is independent from XBMC and utilizes the vga screen attached.
I'm about to start trying, will report back on how it goes.

mike10 · 01-06-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSMD

It's the linuxgazette one.

ah I think I know how it is you want to do things.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSMD

will report back on how it goes.

yes please do

GSMD · 01-07-2009, 01:56 AM

Well, wasn't able to make it work.
As I believe the problem is more related to fglrx, I've posted my findings here on Phoronix.com.