External monitor displaying in non-native resolution [Ubuntu 12.04]
In attempting to hook up an external monitor to my netbook Ubuntu doesn't detect the monitor is plugged in (read: not showing up in Displays, not even as "unknown"), although on restart with it still connected (through VGA) display is cloned to the external monitor, albeit poorly.
The netbook's native resolution is 1024x600, but changes to 1024x768 when booted while connected to the external monitor (I assume that the external monitor is displaying in the 1024x768 also). The external monitor's native resolution is 1600x900, and displays with odd brown undertones, similar to that when F.lux or redshift are activated, although I have neither installed. lspci|grep VGA Code:
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Atom Processor D2xxx/N2xxx Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 09) Code:
xrandr: Failed to get size of gamma for output default EDIT: After messing around with XrandR some more I've slightly progressed to Code:
user:~$ xrandr |
I haven't tried hooking my netbook up to a larger monitor, but it might work better if you created an xorg.conf file with two different "Monitor" sections; one forthe netbook display and one for the external monitor. The advantage is that you could specify the resolution of each display. If it doesn't work, you're only out a few minutes of your time.
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In /etc/xorg.conf.d put a video.conf file.man xorg.conf for details.
Gather your video card, Monitor1 and Monitor2. Use the settings HorizSync, VertRefresh, & PreferredMode for each monitor. One will have to be the primary monitor. Stick something together and see how it goes. |
Sorry for being a bit clueless, but do I have to write the xorg.conf from scratch? I tried using
Code:
Xorg -configure Code:
Fatal server error: |
Don't write an xorg.conf. Put a video.conf in the directory /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/
There's usually an example xorg.conf in /etc/X11. Copy 'n' paste, ut in the video card Sections, and the Display section(s) and modify for your box. |
If you don't have a sample xorg.conf file,
Code:
X :1 -configure |
Okay, I have the sample it generated and removed all of the unnecessary sections, but I'm not sure what I need to add to make everything work. Additionally I'm not sure which driver my graphics card is using, I just left what generated in the sample.
Code:
Section "Monitor" |
Quote:
ls /usr/lib64/xorg/modules/dri Quote:
Modes "modename" "modename" etc for any mode you want to have available - e.g. "1600x900" "1280x800" |
You may need a custom modeline in the monitor section. I do because my monitor does not report its EDID properly; without the modeline in the monitor section and the corresponding mode in the Screen section, I can't get the native 1680x1050 on my monitor. Looks like this:
Code:
Section "Monitor" Code:
~$ gtf 1680 1050 60 |
Alright, I made some revisions and put "video.conf" in /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/, although I had to make the directory xorg.conf.d. I'm guessing it's still not right though, because my netbook gets stuck booting at the "5 dots screen" now.
EDIT: Managed to boot from usb and move the file out of the directory. Code:
Section "Monitor" |
Nope - My fault, I'm afraid. Try this
Quote:
as you can trip over your shoelaces with those and make it unreadable. EDIT: No Modes Section. |
Well it didn't prevent me from booting this time, however sadly it hasn't changed anything. When I boot while connected to the external monitor, it gives me the options of 1024x768, 800x600, and 600x480.
Code:
Section "Monitor" |
I've an answer for that.
X uses a 'Virtual' setting. The Virtual screen (one number usually). This laptop right now, according to xrandr, is mapping a 1024x768(virtual) screen to 1280x800, and 1440x900. Yes, 4:3 does not fit neatly on 16:9. No I don't know what it's up to. The further your screens are apart is resolutions, refresh and screen size the more likely you are to run into trouble. It's Sod's_Law |
Try adding the modeline below to your Monitor section (for Monitor 0, of course)
Code:
# 1024x600 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 37.32 kHz; pclk: 48.96 MHz |
Sod's law sounds about right. Added the modelines to one, and then both monitor sections with no changes.
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