Dual Monitor set-up suggestions / recommendations needed
 

Hi there. I just purchased a new Acer P244w for my ubuntu 8.04 box and PS3. The monitor works like a charm for both my needs. However, I do what to get some feedback as to how to best modify my set-up so that I can use my old 17" monitor as well. Ie, I want to have a dual monitor setup.

I have an nVidia 6800 card (PCI express) that my new monitor is plugged into. There is an internal video card on the motherboard but I think the card is disabled if another video card is available, so that is basically useless (or is it?).

So my questions are:
1) Should I go for another basic nVidia card [PCI - since I dont have anymore PCI-E slots left] or look for some generic card?
2) If you recommend a generic card, will it cause problems within Linux? I've seen on other forums that say it might be an issue.

Any suggestions or recommended setups are welcome.

Is the card a twin head card? If so, then you can use just that card. If not, you can have two device entries in xorg.conf.
Be sure to use the BusID statement even if you have a dual head card.

Configuring xorg.conf could be as simple as runnning the nvidia-settings program. I don't know it it will
configure xorg for the onboard video but it is worth a try. You may need to resort to generic xorg settings rather then
use nvidia twinview extensions. There are countless xorg.conf examples on the net. Try the terms "xorg.conf ext:conf" or "xorg.conf nvidia ext:conf". They should get you right to the xorg.conf files.

You will also want to decide how you want to work with the other monitor. As an extension of the desktop, or as a second monitor you use for certain programs. For example, you could run blender on one screen and have the graphics displayed on the other.

Sorry, my next posting got posted here by mistake.