I'm trying to dual monitor. One video card. I've never used debian before, but I assumed that I could install nvidia via synaptic then use twinview by modifing x86config-4, Ive installed by synaptic once and with the terminal once, neither time after reconfiguring x did my settings take effect. the xf86config-4 stays the same. also no changes that I make on the xf86config-4 seem to make any difference or take effect. Am I looking at the right file to exit.

Just to avoid confusion I've used the ubuntu forum twinview tutorial inorder to get twinview options. It just doesn't work.

I have done this before loads of times in ubuntu and slackware what is the difference this is quite troubling.

upgrading to etch and I'll try dual monitors again, I'll post what happens

Did you install Stable or Testing? You mention XFree 86, but maybe you're overlooking the Xorg config files used in Testing (Etch).

nVidia only provides proprietary 3D drivers, which will *never* be in the Debian repositories. Download and install them manually. Keep in mind that Debian is not equal to Ubuntu!!

After you've installed the nVidia drivers, use the command nvidia-settings as root to adjust your screen(s). Make sure to save the file after you've applied the changes.

Now I've done it. Switching to ETCH from SARGE made all the difference. I'm not sure why it didn't work in sarge, but with etch all that is needed is to install nvidia and twinview as in the many examples available on the net. Simple fix indeed! Too bad it takes so long to upgrade the distro.

Linux Mint. Nvidia Geforce Go 7400 on ASUS W7J notebook
Have not been able to configure Twinview working though I previously had it in SuSE 10.2 using SaX2. Can you post yours?

Please note that I have made these changes in accordance with the ubuntu forums suggestions on twinview, and only after successfully installing the nvidia proprietary drivers which are availble on their website
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=1773584
http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux_d..._1.0-9755.html
I have used this method in Slackware 11, Ubuntu Edgy & Drapper, Debian Etch, but not Debian Sarge (I'm sure it would have worked if I hadn't given up so that I could upgrade to Etch, which by the way seems much easier to work with)

this is, obviously, only the device section of my /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Section "Device"
Identifier "NVIDIA Corporation NV43 [GeForce 6600 GT]"
Driver "nvidia"
Option "TwinView" "True"
Option "TwinViewOrientation" "RightOf"
Option "UseEdidFreqs" "True"
Option "MetaModes" "1280x1024,1280x1024; 1024x768,1024x768"
Option "UseDisplayDevice" "CRT"
EndSection

I hope this helps. I love having two monitors, for what I do it helps.

On a laptop also? 1280x800 native for projector would need 1024x800
Your Twinview is similar to the Ubuntu forums posted one - I tried with no success. I will try it again- I think there may be a line or two difference.