LinuxQuestions.org - dual display question

Hi people,

Real new new new to Linux here (7 hours ago hehe!!) and already have problems. My relationship with Linux is off to a real bad start LOL.

Dual booting Linux and 3 windoze on the machine. Using 2 video cards (AGP: ATI AIW-pro 8 meg; PCI: Matrox Millenium), 2 Hard disks.

The Mandrake 9.1 install went OK as soon as a friend helped out about the partitions needed for Linux use. When it got to hardware detection, it saw the Matrox on the PCI buss but not the ATI on the AGP (although all the dialogue is going on on the AGP !!). I went and found the ATI card listed and went for that. Next, Linux did detect some sort of arrangement of dual display and asked if configure monitors independantly (or sonething like that) I said "yes" b-cause they are on separate hardware cards). Install asked if I wanted to use GUI boot, said yes to that. Install finished OK. Boot went OK and got to Linux boot menu. Chose Linux (of course ! I was real impatient to see it work :) )

All I got was the text console. WHat do I do next..... So I figured that part out by reading here n there... login as root & pswd,etc... got in okay but still no GUI !!

Reading some more, I learn about startX. I do that, expecting to see the GUI finally.... no luck but I get some messages:

********************
XF86Config drive sections "device 1" and "device 2" may not be assigned to the same adaptor
(EE) no device detected

xmodmap unable to open display " "
xmodmap unable to open display " " (yes twice)
********************

After still more reading, I get familiar with the XF86Config command at the text prompt. I answer all the questions and try out different screen configs and even try to select the Matrox or ATI card. Still can't get to the GUI :mad:

Tried the ctrl,alt,+ & ctrl,alt,- - no go

What am I doing wrong, what is the system not seeing, can this be easily fixed ??? (yes, I know all about monitor refresh rates stuff... no need to repeat it, and its probably not the problem anyways...)

What I want to try out: (is is a waste of time ??)

1 - shut down, remove the Matrox PCI card, reboot and just try out if the ATI will work.

2 - how would I get to the ATI configuration and tell it that its not a dual head or something like that (since it may seem from above that Linux thinks both monitors run off the same adapter) ?? Please spell out in step by step (how to and where is) the config file... or can I just stick in the install disk and redo things from there ?? PS: I cannot boot from CDROM, I use a linux floppy.

3 - I'm sure you have a better and easier idea hehe, can U plz share it with me ??

I would like for the sytstem to be able to work with dual displays eventually..... any info on how to do that ?? (web help article, thread somewhere, etc...)

Sorry for the long post I had to explain everything so you guyz n gals have enoug info to guide me !