Dual Monitor Setup
 

I think this would be considered both a hardware and software issue.

Does Linux support a dual or multi-monitor set up like Windows has? I do alot of work where I am running a program and like to refer to the digital manual as I am working and really liked that particular aspect of Windows (about the only thing I liked about it!). Any info would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

It certainly does.

How easy it is to achieve this depends on your distribution but most of the popular releases have a simple interface to set up and use multiple monitors.

As an example SuSE 8.x uses a YAST module (Yet Another Set-up Tool) to configure all your display settings similar to that seen in Windoze but of course does it better!

Good luck.

The last hurdle for me switching to Linux was multiple monitor support. I have three and I just couldn't go back to one.

Here are the major points from my experience. There may be better ways, but I'm a newbie myself, so bear with me.

0) Redhat doesn't have a good tool for configuring multiple monitors like other distros, as a previous reply mentioned. BTW, previous poster, can you give me any help regarding running that tool on RH? Is it possible?

1) Read this. http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/Xinerama-HOWTO/. Then read it again, it's not easy to get all at once.

2) Run "X -config". Copy the file that creates to /etc/X11/SF86Config. Go to run level 3. Open it in vi. You should have 2 monitor sections, 2 device (video card) sections, and 2 screen sections. You shouldn't have to mess with device sections.

3) Edit the monitor sections so that they reflect the correct HorizSync and VertRefresh ranges. If you don't know, look on the back of the monitor, get the model number, and google for the specs.

4) Edit the screen sections so that all the screens have the same color depth (required) and same resolution (preferred, IMO). Also make sure that these values are within the capabilities of your equipment.

5) Warning: wrong values in your XF86Config file could destroy your hardware or even start a fire. Proceed at your own risk.

6) Save the file and run "startx -- +xinerama". Your monitors should all come up. You may need to edit your screen sections again so that the right monitor is not on the left and vice versa.

Hope this helps. Good luck and enjoy the view.

Shep,

Good list, although there are a few dated items.

1) The xinerama how-to is alright, but the later X's, those after 4.0, which is was written around, auto-configure themselves quite nicely... except when you go to three... I had to resort to some funky goop with my 3 head, but with a dual, its just as easy as the step 2 you mentioned, except:

2) X -configure and the file created is XF86Config.new, and it should replace /etc/X11/XF86Config, also might want to run the test it suggests too before overwriting your 1-head working file.

5) Can't really happen anymore, XFree 3.3.x could do that still, X 4 will choke if the values are out of range, but if the monitor is pre-99'ish, then it might be too stupid to let X know.

6) X -configure will add the xinerama line to the server section of the XF86Config file, so a simple "startx" will do.

Cheers,

Finegan

Red Hat Dual Monitor
 

Well it looks like I have the unfortunate Red Hat Linux that shep mentioned for this particular issue. If there is any information on the set up for this particular distro I would appreciate it. (It's version 9)

The distro doesn't matter, RH 9 is XFree86 4.3.0, all of the above instructions will work, all the distros, more or less, release on the same X-windows.

Cheers,

Finegan

How do I do this?
 

OK, just to show you how much of a newbie I am...

I went to the website and read it countless times and tried every combination listed but am not really sure what I am doing. Do you type "X -config" at the root# in Terminal? I guess what I am asking for is for someone to tell me how to do this as though I had never worked with Linux before, but know how to read and am fairly intuitive. And please explain thinkgs like "run level 3" and "open it in vi". Unfortunately I am unfamiliar with these terms and when I try to look them up in the documentation it either isn't there or doesn't tell me how to do anything with it. I know this is probably taxing and bothersome but none of the commands seem to do anything and I can't seem to find the right information to figure it out myself. Someone please help!

Open a Konsole, terminal, aterm, Xterm, Eterm, whatever gets you a command line:

su - (this will switch you up to root)

init 3 (this will drop you out of GUI X-windows mode and to a tty [that'll make sense when you get there])

Log in as root.

From the prompt:

X -configure

Then it'll hiccup, the monitor will blink a few times (hopefully both of them), and then drop you back at the prompt.

X -xf86config /root/XF86Config.new

This should launch a blank X-windows accross both screens, its just a test pattern with a checkered background and an X cursor, if it displays right (or at all close to right), good... to get out of the test:

CTRL+ALT+BACKSPACE

Then copy the test file over the real file:

cp /root/XF86Config.new /etc/X11/XF86Config

Now, logout from root and login as joe user, and then start X with:

startx

Most likely the resolutions are going to be way off, one will be overscreen or somesuch... post back with the entire contents of /etc/X11/XF86Config and we'll show you what you need to edit.

Cheers,

Finegan

2 Quick questions
 

OK i am getting ready to do all that you said but I wanted to verify 2 things first, is it "cp /root/XF86Config.net" (what is written in post) or ".new" (what was written from previous command. And second, after I log out from root and log in as Joe user do I open a Terminal and type "startx" or do I do that from somewhere else?

.new, I editeded that probably while you were looking at it.

When you log out as root and log in as joe user, you'll be in what RH and Mandrake have started calling console mode, no gui, no terminal open, just you and a command prompt.

Currently its imposible to configure X with X running...

Cheers,

Finegan

OK that worked but...
 

Both screens now work but like you said the resolutions are off. You said to post back with the entire contents of /etc/X11/XF86Config but how do I view that?

Probably have to cut and paste it by parts, open a Konsole or whatever:

more /etc/X11/XF86Config

Then highlight over the whole beast, and paste it in here with clicking both mouse buttons at the same time, if you don't already have a third button, that should paste. Unlike ctrl+c, under X windows anything highlighted is whats in the buffer.

Cheers,

Finegan

Do I need to start over and if so how?
 

Well I had to quit for the night last night, so I shut down Linux and when I got home today and turned it on, it goes through the OK/Failed checklist and both of my monitors come on and display the video card info, but then it goes to a black screen and stays that way. I let it sit several minutes and tried all the key combinations I could think of and nothing happens. I just installed Linux so I don't have any data saved if I do have to reinstall it. If I do have to reinstall is there some way I can set up the dual monitor while it is installing, or do I have to wait untill the install is finished?
Also in regards to my last post, I don't even know how to open the file to see the contents in order to highlight them and paste them. I am not connecting to the internet on my Linux system (mainly because my ISP does not support Linux) and I am having to research which is the best ISP for Linux, so I don't exactly know how to paste it, I think I will just have write it down and then type it in.

Okay, more problems always seem to come from fun solutions...

First, when it goes to a black screen:

ctrl+alt+backspace

should get you right to a command line. As to why it displayed fine yesterday and not today... I'm a bit perplexed. Maybe the display manager is the issue... that would have been end-runned yesterday... hmm. If you can get to a command line:

init 3
login as joe user
startx

That should get you back to X with el wonko display settings. Now, let's just hand edit /etc/X11/XF86Config. First, copy that file and stick it somewhere:

cp /etc/X11/XF86Config /home/username

That's a good place for now.

If the above doesn't get you back to X, this might:

Reboot the machine, at the login prompt:
ctrl+X
Linux single
(login as root)
init 3
startx


Now, when you edit it, I recommend the command line editor pico, its pretty self-explanitory and the key movements are what you would expect from anything really basic, like notepad...

Open a Konsole, Xterm, yadya...

su -
(enter root password)
pico /etc/X11/XF86Config

Now, here's mine as an example:
What you will want to change:
Under the "Monitor" section, put in the specific Vert Refresh and Horiz Sync ranges for your monitors, like it was mentioned earlier in this thread, they're either on the back of the monitors, or easily found on the manufactuer's site.

Under the "Screen" sections at the bottom, You will want to create a line called "DefaultDepth" and probably give it a value of "16", that's the safe side, look at mine above for ideas. Then Under "Modes" for a setting of 16, 1024x768 for both of them is probably a good bet.

Now, as for the net connection. Just because your ISP doesn't support Linux doesn't mean Linux doesn't support your ISP. What's your connection type? Are we talking DSL, Cable, Dial-up, carrier pigeon? If its broadband, USB-modem? Ethernet-modem, dhcp or pppoe? If its a dial-up... ugh... erhm, who's the ISP?

Okay, that's enough for now, post back with how far you get... oh, and no, re-installing won't help, as far as I know there is still no distro that will setup a dual-head on install.

Cheers,

Finegan

dual head
 

Lots of good posts in this thread, finegan.

Regarding distros that automatically set up a dual head -- as I recall, I tried the latest version of Mandrake and it brought up all 3 of my monitors. I also recall that I still had to tweak my XF86Config file a bit for resolution, color depth, etc. I would hazard a guess that it might do the same thing for 2 heads. So, healfdeane, you might think about trying Mandrake, or at least doing some searching on Mandrake's multiple monitor capabilities.

BTW, in reading your posts, healfdeane, I see that you are having some issues with some of the more basic tasks. Don't get frustrated. We were all there at one time. I started off a bit ahead of the curve in Linux (for a newbie) because I've worked in the computer field for a few years on the Windows side. One of the things that has helped me greatly and continues to help me, is that I've bought several books on Linux. Specifically, I suggest you get those big, fat, 3-4 inch thick books. Matter of fact, mine are all fairly old and I got them in the bargin bins at bookstores and computer stores, for prices between $5 and $15 (instead of $50). While a lot of things have changed in Linux over the years, you'll find some things haven't changed or haven't changed much. These older books have sections on vi, bash, fetchmail, sed, etc. Personally, I find that, while you can find all the same information on the internet, the informtation in these books is organized and presented in a manner more conducive to learning things you don't know. You can stumble across a lot on the web, but the book takes you buy the hand and says, "Look. Here's the important stuff you should know."

Just a suggestion. Hope it helps.

Check, check, and check...
 

OK, I have now made all the changes in pico (I am assuming I can just type them in as long as they are lined up) and the screen is waiting. This time I am just going to leave it on untill I am ready for the next step because I tried both the reboot options you suggested but it still did the same thing, so I had to reinstall it anyway. (I needed the practice!) So what is the next step? Copy the file to /etc/X11/XF86Config?

Yes, I do have dial-up and I have CompuServe however I think I have narrowed it down to Earthlink, Patriot, and NetZero, but I have a feeling my USB modem is not going to play in the sand box very well.

Actually shep, I had decided today to hunt down the local used book stores to see what I could find. I thought that since Red Hat was a well known distro that it would have more documentation with it (I guess in a way that is one thing Windows and Linux, or at least Red Hat Linux, have in common) but I can't find much on the disk or the paper manual.

Some USB modems work... whew, okay, X first. Since you re-installed, I take it you got X working right on 1 head? First lets avoid a mistake I asked you to make the first time and backup the X file RH created for you.

cp /etc/X11/XF86Config /root/XF86Config.stable

now take the new and hacked up one over:

cp /root/XF86Config.net /etc/X11/XF86Config

You'll have to restart X to see if it worked.

Now, the modem, let's see if it got recognized, give me a good solid chunk of "dmesg", just type it in on a Konsole and it'll splatter goop all accross the screen, if the usb modem driver loaded and bound right, it'll be near the bottom... or...

/sbin/lsusb

Or... just type:

/sbin/lsmod

and see if the module "acm" is loaded. There's a USB modem standard which a lot of them conform to, this is the only type of usb modem supported by the kernel. If it isn't loaded, try loading it:

/sbin/modprobe acm

If it loads (it'll hork errors if it doesn't), check the end of "dmesg" for what you see... Most of it will be gobbledy gook, but you're looking for some along the lines of a /dev/stty0 or somesuch.

Cheers,

Finegan

I hope you guys dont mind me posting on this thread.

strange things are going on in the world...

I might not be considered a newbie to linux, however, I am by no means any sort of advanced user. I have RH9 running on a laptop with an ATI Radeon M9 card. I want to be able to use the dual head capability of the card. I have spent A LOT of time trying to figure this out and I finally have it to the point where there are two screens that the desktop displays. however, i get a duplication of the first screen on the second. in other words... I have the same thing on both screens, but I am two screens wide. that is probably the best i can explain it. when something is only on the second screen it disappears into the background unless i alt-tab it or <move> it. this means i dont have any desktop icons. if you guys think you could help me out... or point me in a direction where to go, i would be ecstatic. thx.

i have posted my XF86Config file(s) at this address:
http://www.engr.ucsb.edu/~wcsmith/X11/
XF86Config is the one I am currently testing and *.dual is its previous version.

okay, so i got it working... although i dont think any one read the original post yet... if anyway wants to see how to get the RADEON M9 working on a laptop with dual heads... you can check the link above... i found on an unrelated thread on an unrelated site that setting the videoram is a bad thing to do with xinerama. so i am now using the exact same config files as before with just the videoram lines (both) commented out.

hope some poor soul finds this as useful as i did. ta.

I have the Matrox G450 i download the 2 drivers they had.I just someone lost littie.:newbie: :confused:

Ok guys n galz,

I'm now having to return to the "dual head" problem.
I'm using Slack9. The system is the same one I'd used SuSE8.0 on for about 1 yr. I had the dual heads working just fine with it.

I've gone thru the xinerama pages time and again. I've been thru these message boards time and again reading all the different problems.
I'me having the exact same problems and no matter what I try it doesn't seem to work.
Below is the xf86config file. I've used one of the examples posted and plugged in my specific info as needed.
*******************************
Section "Module"
Load "dbe" # Double buffer extension
SubSection "extmod"
Option "omit xfree86-dga" # don't initialise the DGA extension
EndSubSection
Load "type1"
Load "freetype"
# This loads the GLX module
# Load "glx"
EndSection

Section "Files"
RgbPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/rgb"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/local/"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/misc/"
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/Speedo/"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi/"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi/"
# The module search path. The default path is shown here.
# ModulePath "/usr/X11R6/lib/modules"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
Option "Xinerama" "true"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Keyboard1"
Driver "Keyboard"
Option "AutoRepeat" "500 30"
Option "XkbRules" "xfree86"
Option "XkbModel" "pc101"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Mouse1"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "IMPS/2"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Buttons" "5"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "My Monitor"
HorizSync 31.5-50
VertRefresh 50-90
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "My Monitor2"
HorizSync 31.5 - 50
VertRefresh 50-90
EndSection

# Video Card , Matrox G450 Dual Head
Section "Device"
Identifier "Matrox"
Driver "mga"
VideoRam 4192
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen 1"
Device "Matrox"
Monitor "My Monitor"
DefaultDepth 24

Subsection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1024x768/60Hz" "800x600" "640x480"
Virtual 0 0
EndSubsection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen 2"
Device "Matrox"
Monitor "My Monitor2"
DefaultDepth 24

Subsection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1024x768/60Hz" "800x600" "640x480"
Virtual 0 0
EndSubsection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Simple Layout"
Screen "Screen 1"
Screen "Screen 2" Rightof "Screen 1"
InputDevice "Mouse1" "CorePointer"
InputDevice "Keyboard1" "CoreKeyboard"
EndSection
**********************************

Im confused about the following:
1) Virtual 0 0 (as set up by X itself upon Slack Install) vs. ViewPort 0 0???
2) The reference from the "My Monitor" to "Matrox" vs "My Monitor2" to "Matrox"???
3) Both monitors are exactly identical.

With this config, I can still startx fine, but only with one display.
Any ideas? or need more info?

Tnx

L8rz

There's only one card declaration, here's one of my old G550 files:

That's set up for merged framebuffering, but the idea is the same, each card declaration has to have a screen declaration and a monitor declaration, so the beginning of your XF log when it maps cards to monitors should have something like this:

which is just X parsing the XF86Config file, long before whether it succeeds or fails to do what you told it to.

Offhand, the above XF86Config was created by MGApdesk, using the Matrox drivers, which makes for much better DRI with one head and a much snappier X over two.

Cheers,

Finegan

Tnx Finegan. I used your example but came across a glitch still. I'm attempting two ways at once. Manually, and trying to get the mgapdesk proggie to work.
I used the mgadesk with SuSE8.0 and it worked like a charm.
I can't get it to compile d/t dependencies such as:
*****************
root@tut:/# rpm -ivh ./mgapdesk-1_00-7beta_i386.rpm
error: failed dependencies:
ld-linux.so.2
libc.so.6
libdl.so.2
libgdk-1.2.so.0
libglib-1.2.so.0
libgmodule-1.2.so.0
libgtk-1.2.so.0
libm.so.6
libX11.so.6
libXext.so.6
libXi.so.6
libc.so.6(GLIBC_2.0)
libc.so.6(GLIBC_2.1)
libc.so.6(GLIBC_2.1.3)
libc.so.6(GLIBC_2.0)
*************************
I'm running Slack9. Full install. I would have thought that Slack9 already had these libs. plz correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm going back to the manual way for now to see what exactly I can pick apart. Will post as necessary.

Tnx alot for your help.

L8rz

Ok. Here is the XF86Config file i'm currently working on.
**************************
Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Matrox Manual Configuration."
Screen 0 "Display Merged" 0 0
InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
Option "xinerama" "on"
EndSection

Section "Files"
RgbPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/rgb"
ModulePath "/usr/X11R6/lib/modules"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/local/"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/misc/"
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/Speedo/"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/CID/"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi/"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi/"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "dbe"
Load "extmod"
Load "glx"
Load "record"
Load "xtrap"
Load "speedo"
Load "type1"
Load "dri"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "keyboard"
Driver "keyboard"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Mouse0"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "IMPS/2"
Option "Device" "/dev/mouse"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Display 1"
VendorName "SAMTRON"
ModelName "77V"
HorizSync 31.5-50
VertRefresh 40.0 - 90.0
# ModeLine "1280x1024@60Hz:0" 108.0 1280 1296 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +hsync +vsync
Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Display 2"
VendorName "SAMTRON"
ModelName "77V"
HorizSync 31.5 - 50
VertRefresh 40.0 - 90.0
# ModeLine "1280x1024@75Hz:1" 135.0 1280 1328 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +hsync +vsync
Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Display Merged"
VendorName "SAMTRON"
ModelName "77V"
HorizSync 31.50 - 50.0
VertRefresh 40.0 - 90.0
# ModeLine "1280x1024@60Hz:0" 108.0 1280 1296 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +hsync +vsync
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Matrox Card 1"
Driver "mga"
VendorName "Matrox"
BoardName "MGA G450 AGP"
Option "hw cursor" "off"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Matrox Card 2"
Driver "mga"
VendorName "Matrox"
BoardName "MGA G450 AGP"
Option "hw cursor" "off"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
Screen 1
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Display 1"
Device "Matrox Card 1"
Monitor "Display 1"
DefaultDepth 24
DefaultFbBPP 32
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1280x1024"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1280x1024"
EndSubSection
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1280x1024"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Display 2"
Device "Matrox Card 2"
Monitor "Display 2"
DefaultDepth 24
DefaultFbBPP 32
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1280x1024"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1280x1024"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1280x1024"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Display Merged"
Device "Matrox Card 1"
Monitor "Display Merged"
DefaultDepth 24
DefaultFbBPP 32
Option "Monitor2Position" "RightOf"
Option "MergedFB"
Option "MetaModes" "1280x1024-1280x1024 1280x1024 "
Option "Monitor2HSync" "31.0-69.0 "
SubSection "Display"
Virtual 2560 1024
Depth 24
Modes "1280x1024"
EndSubSection
EndSection
**********************
I ran:
XFree86 -xf86config /etc/X11/XF86Config.newest
It will start up the base X with the greyish grid w/mouse support. But only 1 screen.
After I Ctrl & Alt & BKspc to kill the X, it says:
-------------
(++) Using config file: "/etc/X11/XF86Config.newest"
(EE) MGA: Failed to load module "mga_hal" (module does not exist, 0)
(EE) MGA(0): "Merged Framebuffer" mode only supported on G450 and G500 boards.
(EE) MGA(0): [drm] DRIScreenInit failed. Disabling DRI.
-------------

Ideas?

Tnx.

L8rz

You're still using the modules from XFree86, there's one from Matrox that are kinda required for some of these options to work:

http://www.matrox.com/mga/support/dr...les/lnx_30.cfm

this file:

mgadrivers-3.0.tgz

For Mgapdesk, grab the source tarball:

mgapdesk-1_00-7beta_src.tgz
tar xvzf mgapdesk-1_00-7mgapdesk-1_00-7beta_src.tgz
cd mgapdesk-1_00-7beta_src
./autogen.sh

yeah... autogen.sh, not ./configure, weird eh?

anyway;

make && make install

Then you should have a /usr/X11/bin/mgapdesk that'll do nearly as good a job at creating a whopping XF file as its Nvidia counterpart.

Cheers,

Finegan

Dude,

You rok! I had already dl'd the mgadrivers. When I had dl'd the mgapdesk, I tried the rpm and src.
First the rpm, but that said I had a dependency problem... go figure.
So I dl'd the src and same problem... until I used the ./autogeh.sh.

I should have guessed that before... same as glade projects. Don't know why I didn't try it.

Anywho, tnx alot for ur time && help. It's all up and running now.

L8rz

Dear__ friend....
I would_ greatly_ appreciate any help anyone
can give me with my XF86Config,
I am run_ RedHat_ Linux_ 9.0,,
and have something wrong with message,,,
as follow_ my system information.
_
Master_ Onboard:CLE266__vga______
Slave__ PCI Card:ATI Radeon__ M6
Dual display_ *2
_
_
when startx_ xwindow,,,but cann't into xwindows.
and appear error...as follow....
_
<EE>_ RADEON <I>_:cannot read V_BIOS
<EE>_ RADEON <I>: NOvalid_ Mode_ found for CRTC2__ Clone
VIAScreenInit:V4L__ Enable :FD2=9
....
.
..,,if_ I_ test single_ screen,,it 's_ok.(ati & cle266 vga),
but__run dual_ display_ has fail,so, i hope anyone can give me
with solution. tks..
_
My XFree86Config_ Configure_ as follow:

# XFree86 4 configuration created by redhat-config-xfree86

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen 0 "Screen0"
Screen 1 "Screen1" LeftOf "Screen0"

# The Xinerama option allows one desktop across
# multiple screens.

Option "Xinerama" "on"

InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "DevInputMice" "AlwaysCore"
EndSection




Section "Files"

# RgbPath is 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.
# Multiple FontPath entries are allowed (they are concatenated together)
# By default, Red Hat 6.0 and later now use a font server independent of
# the X server to render fonts.
RgbPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/rgb"
FontPath "unix/:7100"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "dbe"
Load "extmod"
Load "fbdevhw"
Load "glx"
Load "record"
Load "freetype"
Load "type1"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"

# Specify which keyboard LEDs can be user-controlled (eg, with xset(1))
# Option "Xleds" "1 2 3"
# To disable the XKEYBOARD extension, uncomment XkbDisable.
# Option "XkbDisable"
# To customise the XKB settings to suit your keyboard, modify the
# lines below (which are the defaults). For example, for a non-U.S.
# keyboard, you will probably want to use:
# Option "XkbModel" "pc102"
# If you have a US Microsoft Natural keyboard, you can use:
# Option "XkbModel" "microsoft"
#
# Then to change the language, change the Layout setting.
# For example, a german layout can be obtained with:
# Option "XkbLayout" "de"
# or:
# Option "XkbLayout" "de"
# Option "XkbVariant" "nodeadkeys"
#
# If you'd like to switch the positions of your capslock and
# control keys, use:
# Option "XkbOptions" "ctrl:swapcaps"
# Or if you just want both to be control, use:
# Option "XkbOptions" "ctrl:nocaps"
#
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "keyboard"
Option "XkbRules" "xfree86"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Mouse0"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "Microsoft"
Option "Device" "/dev/ttyS0"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "yes"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"

# If the normal CorePointer mouse is not a USB mouse then
# this input device can be used in AlwaysCore mode to let you
# also use USB mice at the same time.
Identifier "DevInputMice"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "IMPS/2"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "no"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
VendorName "Monitor Vendor"
ModelName "Generic Non-Interlaced SVGA, 1024x768 @ 60 Hz, 800x600 @ 72 Hz"
HorizSync 31.5 - 48.5
VertRefresh 50.0 - 70.0
Option "dpms"
EndSection


Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor1"
VendorName "Monitor Vendor"
ModelName "Generic Non-Interlaced SVGA,800x600 @ 72 Hz"
HorizSync 31.5 - 48.5
VertRefresh 50.0 - 70.0
Option "dpms"
EndSection





Section "Device"
Identifier "Videocard0"
Driver "via"
VendorName "via"
BoardName "via"
VideoRam 65536
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Videocard1"
Driver "redeon"
VendorName "ati
BoardName "ati
VideoRam 16000
BusID "PCI::19:0"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Videocard0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection


Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen1
Device "Videocard1
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 16
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "800x600"
EndSubSection
EndSection


Section "DRI"
Group 0
Mode 0666
EndSection

Dear__ friend....
I would_ greatly_ appreciate any help anyone
can give me with my XF86Config,
I am run_ RedHat_ Linux_ 9.0,,
and have something wrong with message,,,
as follow_ my system information.
_
Master_ Onboard:CLE266__vga______
Slave__ PCI Card:ATI Radeon__ M6
Dual display_ *2
_
_
when startx_ xwindow,,,but cann't into xwindows.
and appear error...as follow....
_
<EE>_ RADEON <I>_:cannot read V_BIOS
<EE>_ RADEON <I>: NOvalid_ Mode_ found for CRTC2__ Clone
VIAScreenInit:V4L__ Enable :FD2=9
....
.
..,,if_ I_ test single_ screen,,it 's_ok.(ati & cle266 vga),
but__run dual_ display_ has fail,so, i hope anyone can give me
with solution. tks..
_
My XFree86Config_ Configure_ as follow:

# XFree86 4 configuration created by redhat-config-xfree86

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen 0 "Screen0"
Screen 1 "Screen1" LeftOf "Screen0"

# The Xinerama option allows one desktop across
# multiple screens.

Option "Xinerama" "on"

InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "DevInputMice" "AlwaysCore"
EndSection




Section "Files"

# RgbPath is 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.
# Multiple FontPath entries are allowed (they are concatenated together)
# By default, Red Hat 6.0 and later now use a font server independent of
# the X server to render fonts.
RgbPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/rgb"
FontPath "unix/:7100"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "dbe"
Load "extmod"
Load "fbdevhw"
Load "glx"
Load "record"
Load "freetype"
Load "type1"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"

# Specify which keyboard LEDs can be user-controlled (eg, with xset(1))
# Option "Xleds" "1 2 3"
# To disable the XKEYBOARD extension, uncomment XkbDisable.
# Option "XkbDisable"
# To customise the XKB settings to suit your keyboard, modify the
# lines below (which are the defaults). For example, for a non-U.S.
# keyboard, you will probably want to use:
# Option "XkbModel" "pc102"
# If you have a US Microsoft Natural keyboard, you can use:
# Option "XkbModel" "microsoft"
#
# Then to change the language, change the Layout setting.
# For example, a german layout can be obtained with:
# Option "XkbLayout" "de"
# or:
# Option "XkbLayout" "de"
# Option "XkbVariant" "nodeadkeys"
#
# If you'd like to switch the positions of your capslock and
# control keys, use:
# Option "XkbOptions" "ctrl:swapcaps"
# Or if you just want both to be control, use:
# Option "XkbOptions" "ctrl:nocaps"
#
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "keyboard"
Option "XkbRules" "xfree86"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Mouse0"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "Microsoft"
Option "Device" "/dev/ttyS0"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "yes"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"

# If the normal CorePointer mouse is not a USB mouse then
# this input device can be used in AlwaysCore mode to let you
# also use USB mice at the same time.
Identifier "DevInputMice"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "IMPS/2"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "no"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
VendorName "Monitor Vendor"
ModelName "Generic Non-Interlaced SVGA, 1024x768 @ 60 Hz, 800x600 @ 72 Hz"
HorizSync 31.5 - 48.5
VertRefresh 50.0 - 70.0
Option "dpms"
EndSection


Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor1"
VendorName "Monitor Vendor"
ModelName "Generic Non-Interlaced SVGA,800x600 @ 72 Hz"
HorizSync 31.5 - 48.5
VertRefresh 50.0 - 70.0
Option "dpms"
EndSection





Section "Device"
Identifier "Videocard0"
Driver "via"
VendorName "via"
BoardName "via"
VideoRam 65536
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Videocard1"
Driver "redeon"
VendorName "ati
BoardName "ati
VideoRam 16000
BusID "PCI::19:0"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Videocard0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection


Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen1
Device "Videocard1
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 16
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "800x600"
EndSubSection
EndSection


Section "DRI"
Group 0
Mode 0666
EndSection




my email as follow :william_peng@protech.com.tw

I was having the same problem and just read through this post and solved it in 5 minutes, both monitors now work. You guys are great and so helpful.

DualHead G550 on Knoppix
 

I was trying to follow some of these instructions, but I am a little confused.

I'm using Knoppix 3.3, a Debian Distro.

Tt is currently displaying the same contents on both screens, so I assume that means the driver is working, right?

I have a couple of questions then -

First, what is the relationship between XF86Config-4 and XF86Config?
If I edit one, does that affect the other? They seem to have some
common sections. Does one of the files
"override" the other?

Second question - I did an X -configure and it created an XF86Config.new
file, but it only generated information about screen0, card0, and monitor0 -
It correctly detected my card as a Matrox G550 though - it just it didn't seem to detect a second screen or monitor. Am I supposed to cut'n' paste and create my own entries for XF86Config for Screen1 and Monitor1?

XF86Config-4 is a naming schema distros came up with back when XFree version 4 was young and didn't support everything so distros shipped also with v3, therefore depending on what X you fired up it would read a different XF86Config file. Debian is still somewhat caught in the dark ages there, hence it still has a -4 even though no matter what its going to be using XFree 4.3.0, if it doesn't find an XF86Config-4 it'll defualt to that straight XF86Config file, or at least should... The top of /var/log/XFree.0.log will show you what it parsed on last startup.

You've got mirroring going on... well, its kinda working yeah.

Hmm, let's see, do I have a working XF file for just the 2 head?

http://www.clockwatching.net/~temp/X...g-Matrox-2head

That one is dependant on the proprietary drivers from Matrox being installed since it merges the framebuffer, makes for a pretty system, just edit the modelines for your monitors and it should be rock and roll.

Cheers,

Finegan

I am running mandy10 and it didn't pull up my dual monitors, i have been fighting it for a while now and finally got them running with 2 separate X sessions, now to try and figure out extended desktop instead............lol

trying this (but when?)
 

OK - I know this is akin to a thread resurrection, but anyway I am a n00b to Linux, SuSE 9.1 distro.

I was reading the thread and hoping to find YAST2 might enable me to get extended desktops running, an early post implied I might but then later I got the impression I had to run X and a wrong config could destroy a monitor (needless to say ONE of my TFTs is brand new so this is a non-option!)!!! :eek:

I am sort of wondering if anyone could point me to a YAST or KDE place where this really does exist (I have not found one to date). If they can confirm this is NOT an option then perhaps they could indicate a level of proficiency where it is a good idea for me to approach the problem. I am no technophobe, but am dealing with a number of other configuration issues that take priority. However since it is kind of nice to have extended desktop rather than the schizo XP/Linux feel side by side I shall be forced to revert to XP from tiem to time when I want an extended desktop, unless that is you guys can help?

aha!
 

I just found a "Multiple Monitors" tab under YAST2 peripherals - display!

HOWEVER when I go there it tells me "You do not appear to have this configuration" How do I help it detect or decide that I do actually have a couple of 19" screens plugged into the 9600XT, and that the 9600 XT can support this? I think I should leave this on the current thread (unless anyone tells me otherwise).