2nd display stoped working

Hi guys,

I am a bit confused here. My laptop worked realy well with two additional screens, but stopped it since I've booted the thing this morning. Now I can only chose between one of the external screens. I connot use both at the same time. They both work fine, but not together.

Laptop: Fujitsu Lifebook with dockingstation
Screen1: Asus 27" - connected with DP
Screen2: Asus 24" - connected with DVI
Distro: MX Linux - up-to-date

Working and not working cases:

C1: 27" + Laptop - works
C2: 24" + Laptop - works
C3: 27" + 24" - nope
C4: 27" + 24" + Laptop - nope

Like I said initially, C3 and C4 worked fine until yesterday.

I've searched this forum for similar problems and could find nothing, but saw, you guys like to have informations from xrandr:

$ xrandr
Screen 0: minimum 320 x 200, current 1920 x 1080, maximum 16384 x 16384
eDP-1 connected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
   1920x1080     60.02 +  60.01    59.97    59.96    59.93    47.99  
   1680x1050     59.95    59.88  
   1600x1024     60.17  
   1400x1050     59.98  
   1600x900      59.99    59.94    59.95    59.82  
   1280x1024     60.02  
   1440x900      59.89  
   1400x900      59.96    59.88  
   1280x960      60.00  
   1440x810      60.00    59.97  
   1368x768      59.88    59.85  
   1360x768      59.80    59.96  
   1280x800      59.99    59.97    59.81    59.91  
   1152x864      60.00  
   1280x720      60.00    59.99    59.86    59.74  
   1024x768      60.04    60.00  
   960x720       60.00  
   928x696       60.05  
   896x672       60.01  
   1024x576      59.95    59.96    59.90    59.82  
   960x600       59.93    60.00  
   960x540       59.96    59.99    59.63    59.82  
   800x600       60.00    60.32    56.25  
   840x525       60.01    59.88  
   864x486       59.92    59.57  
   800x512       60.17  
   700x525       59.98  
   800x450       59.95    59.82  
   640x512       60.02  
   720x450       59.89  
   700x450       59.96    59.88  
   640x480       60.00    59.94  
   720x405       59.51    58.99  
   684x384       59.88    59.85  
   680x384       59.80    59.96  
   640x400       59.88    59.98  
   576x432       60.06  
   640x360       59.86    59.83    59.84    59.32  
   512x384       60.00  
   512x288       60.00    59.92  
   480x270       59.63    59.82  
   400x300       60.32    56.34  
   432x243       59.92    59.57  
   320x240       60.05  
   360x202       59.51    59.13  
   320x180       59.84    59.32  
DP-1 connected primary 1920x1080+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 598mm x 336mm
   1920x1080     60.00*+  50.00    59.94    59.99  
   1920x1080i    60.00    50.00    59.94  
   1600x1200     60.00  
   1680x1050     59.95  
   1280x1024     75.02    60.02  
   1440x900      59.89  
   1280x960      60.00  
   1366x768      59.79  
   1152x864      75.00  
   1280x720      60.00    50.00    59.94  
   1024x768      75.03    70.07    60.00  
   832x624       74.55  
   800x600       72.19    75.00    60.32    56.25  
   720x576       50.00  
   720x480       60.00    59.94  
   640x480       75.00    72.81    66.67    60.00    59.94  
   720x400       70.08  
HDMI-1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
DP-2 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
HDMI-2 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)

If you need any further information to solve this riddle, please let me know.

Thanks in advance!
Faust

Are dock and both external displays powered on when booting the laptop?

Which DE or WM are you using? Is the behavior different if you start a different X session type, or use Xorg instead of Wayland (or vice versa)?

Is it possible to connect both external displays without using the dock? If yes, do both external displays work at the same time?

Were any updates installed before shutting down yesterday? If yes, were any related to graphics, or a new kernel?

Are there any new or freshly changed files in /etc/X11/ or /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/?

Please ensure /etc/inxi.conf does not contain B_ALLOW_UPDATE='false', removing the line or changing false to true if necessary, then run sudo inxi -U, and follow by pasting here input/output from inxi -SGaz -vs.

Originally Posted by mrmazda Are dock and both external displays powered on when booting the laptop?

Positive. Both ASUS displays have it's own power source and they are powerd before I boot my laptop.

Originally Posted by mrmazda Which DE or WM are you using?

Desktop: Xfce 4.16.0 tk: Gtk 3.24.24 info: xfce4-panel wm: xfwm 4.16.1 vt: 7 
           dm: LightDM 1.26.0 Distro: MX-21.2.1_x64 Wildflower September 18  2022 
           base: Debian GNU/Linux 11 (bullseye)

Originally Posted by mrmazda Is the behavior different if you start a different X session type, or use Xorg instead of Wayland (or vice versa)?

Never done, don't know how. Need to learn it and will report back when done.

Originally Posted by mrmazda Is it possible to connect both external displays without using the dock? If yes, do both external displays work at the same time?

I've tried following:
I've connected the 27" display directly via DP to the laptop and the 24" display via DVI and docking station.
Both displays work now like before the problem occured, yet not fully with the docking station, which is unsatisfactory.

Originally Posted by mrmazda Were any updates installed before shutting down yesterday? If yes, were any related to graphics, or a new kernel?

I am not sure. I update like Lucky Luke - faster than my shaddow - maybe not a good idea ^^

Originally Posted by mrmazda Are there any new or freshly changed files in /etc/X11/ or /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/?

Does not looks like it would be.

/etc/X11 
$ ls -aal
insgesamt 96
drwxr-xr-x  11 root root  4096 15. Sep 19:58 .
drwxr-xr-x 146 root root 12288 24. Nov 21:04 ..
drwxr-xr-x   2 root root  4096 15. Sep 19:58 app-defaults
-rw-r--r--   1 root root    18 15. Sep 19:58 default-display-manager
drwxr-xr-x   6 root root  4096 15. Sep 19:53 fonts
-rw-r--r--   1 root root 17394  9. Okt 2020  rgb.txt
drwxr-xr-x   3 root root  4096 15. Sep 19:56 xinit
drwxr-xr-x   2 root root  4096 29. Feb 2020  xkb
drwxr-xr-x   2 root root  4096 15. Sep 20:02 xorg.conf.d
-rwxr-xr-x   1 root root   709  9. Okt 2020  Xreset
drwxr-xr-x   2 root root  4096 15. Sep 19:39 Xreset.d
drwxr-xr-x   2 root root  4096 15. Sep 19:39 Xresources
-rwxr-xr-x   1 root root  3922 15. Feb 2021  Xsession
drwxr-xr-x   2 root root  4096 19. Nov 15:05 Xsession.d
-rw-r--r--   1 root root   265  9. Okt 2020  Xsession.options
drwxr-xr-x   2 root root  4096 15. Sep 19:56 xsm
-rw-r--r--   1 root root    13 29. Feb 2020  XvMCConfig
-rw-r--r--   1 root root   630 15. Sep 19:58 Xwrapper.config

/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d
$ ls -all
insgesamt 16
drwxr-xr-x  2 root root 4096 15. Sep 20:02 .
drwxr-xr-x 11 root root 4096 15. Sep 19:58 ..
-rw-r--r--  1 root root 1105 27. Aug 05:28 10-evdev.conf
-rw-r--r--  1 root root 1247  7. Apr 2022  20-synaptics.conf

Originally Posted by mrmazda Please ensure /etc/inxi.conf does not contain B_ALLOW_UPDATE='false', removing the line or changing false to true if necessary, then run sudo inxi - U, and follow by pasting here input/output from inxi -SGaz -vs.

1. Changed to 'true'
2. sudo inix -U

$ inxi -SGaz -vs
System:
  Kernel: 5.10.0-19-amd64 arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 10.2.1
    parameters: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-5.10.0-19-amd64
    root=UUID=681c54d6-39a3-46fe-b15d-1a28c6a54e1f ro quiet splash
  Desktop: Xfce v: 4.16.0 tk: Gtk v: 3.24.24 info: xfce4-panel wm: xfwm
    v: 4.16.1 vt: 7 dm: LightDM v: 1.26.0 Distro: MX-21.2.1_x64 Wildflower
    September 18 2022 base: Debian GNU/Linux 11 (bullseye)
Graphics:
  Device-1: Intel Skylake GT2 [HD Graphics 520] vendor: Fujitsu driver: i915
    v: kernel arch: Gen-9 process: Intel 14n built: 2015-16 ports:
    active: DP-2,HDMI-A-1 off: eDP-1 empty: DP-1,HDMI-A-2 bus-ID: 00:02.0
    chip-ID: 8086:1916 class-ID: 0300
  Device-2: Chicony Integrated Camera type: USB driver: uvcvideo
    bus-ID: 1-10:7 chip-ID: 04f2:b563 class-ID: 0e02
  Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.20.11 compositor: xfwm v: 4.16.1 driver:
    X: loaded: modesetting unloaded: fbdev,vesa dri: iris gpu: i915
    display-ID: :0.0 screens: 1
  Screen-1: 0 s-res: 3840x1080 s-dpi: 96 s-size: 1016x286mm (40.00x11.26")
    s-diag: 1055mm (41.55")
  Monitor-1: DP-2 pos: primary,left model: Asus VS278 serial: <filter>
    built: 2013 res: 1920x1080 hz: 60 dpi: 82 gamma: 1.2
    size: 598x336mm (23.54x13.23") diag: 686mm (27") ratio: 16:9 modes:
    max: 1920x1080 min: 720x400
  Monitor-2: HDMI-A-1 mapped: HDMI-1 pos: right model: Asus VS248
    serial: <filter> built: 2013 res: 1920x1080 hz: 60 dpi: 92 gamma: 1.2
    size: 531x299mm (20.91x11.77") diag: 609mm (24") ratio: 16:9 modes:
    max: 1920x1080 min: 720x400
  Monitor-3: eDP-1 note: disabled model: LG Display 0x046d built: 2014
    res: 1920x1080 dpi: 158 gamma: 1.2 size: 309x174mm (12.17x6.85")
    diag: 355mm (14") ratio: 16:9 modes: 1920x1080
  API: OpenGL v: 4.6 Mesa 20.3.5 renderer: Mesa Intel HD Graphics 520 (SKL
    GT2) direct render: Yes
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 53.0 C mobo: N/A
  Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A

Ether one of your measures worked, or the problem was simply solved by using another DP-Port at the docking station.
Booted several times - removed and replaced the laptop from and to the docking station several times - the display settings are working again and they are stable.

Whatever it was,it works now perfectly.

Thanks for your help @mrmazda

Looks like you had an encounter with connector voodoo. Glad it works now!

Originally Posted by GHFaust 2. sudo inix -U

If this is what you actually did, you didn't accomplish anything. The instruction was inxi -U. Your following command should have looked rather differently, more like what follows:

# inxi -GSaz --vs
inxi 3.3.23-00 (2022-10-31)
System:
  Kernel: 5.14.21-150400.24.33-default arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc
    v: 7.5.0 parameters: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz root=LABEL=zd8p24s154
    noresume ipv6.disable=1 net.ifnames=0 mitigations=auto consoleblank=0
    radeon.cik_support=0 amdgpu.cik_support=1
  Console: pty pts/3 wm: kwin_x11 DM: 1: TDM 2: XDM
    Distro: openSUSE Leap 15.4
Graphics:
  Device-1: AMD Kaveri [Radeon R7 Graphics] vendor: ASRock driver: amdgpu
    v: kernel alternate: radeon arch: GCN-2 code: Sea Islands
    process: GF/TSMC 16-28nm built: 2013-17 ports:
    active: DP-1,DVI-D-1,HDMI-A-1 empty: VGA-1 bus-ID: 00:01.0
    chip-ID: 1002:130f class-ID: 0300
  Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.20.3 compositor: kwin_x11 driver: X:
    loaded: amdgpu unloaded: fbdev,modesetting,vesa dri: radeonsi gpu: amdgpu
    display-ID: :0 screens: 1
  Screen-1: 0 s-res: 3600x2640 s-dpi: 120 s-size: 762x558mm (30.00x21.97")
    s-diag: 944mm (37.18")
  Monitor-1: DVI-D-1 mapped: DVI-D-0 pos: top-left model: NEC EA243WM
    serial: <filter> built: 2011 res: 1920x1200 hz: 60 dpi: 94 gamma: 1.2
    size: 519x324mm (20.43x12.76") diag: 612mm (24.1") ratio: 16:10 modes:
    max: 1920x1200 min: 640x480
  Monitor-2: DP-1 mapped: DisplayPort-0 pos: primary,bottom-l
    model: Acer K272HUL serial: <filter> built: 2018 res: 2560x1440 hz: 60
    dpi: 109 gamma: 1.2 size: 598x336mm (23.54x13.23") diag: 686mm (27")
    ratio: 16:9 modes: max: 2560x1440 min: 720x400
  Monitor-3: HDMI-A-1 mapped: HDMI-A-0 pos: top-right model: Dell P2213
    serial: <filter> built: 2012 res: 1680x1050 hz: 60 dpi: 90 gamma: 1.2
    size: 473x296mm (18.62x11.65") diag: 558mm (22") ratio: 16:10 modes:
    max: 1680x1050 min: 720x400
  API: OpenGL v: 4.6 Mesa 21.2.4 renderer: AMD KAVERI (DRM 3.42.0
    5.14.21-150400.24.33-default LLVM 11.0.1) direct render: Yes

Note absence of Sensors data.

Originally Posted by mrmazda Looks like you had an encounter with connector voodoo. Glad it works now! If this is what you actually did, you didn't accomplish anything. [...] Note absence of Sensors data.

I also allowed to update, like you've suggested "/etc/inxi.conf does not contain B_ALLOW_UPDATE='false'" and made an update.

But I am to new too Linux to even understand what the inxi.conf is for =D
So my guess is, it was the connector voodoo.

Thx again

Originally Posted by GHFaust I also allowed to update, like you've suggested "/etc/inxi.conf does not contain B_ALLOW_UPDATE='false'" and made an update.

Did you misspell inxi when you were supposed to run inxi -U, or just here in your #3 response?

But I am to new too Linux to even understand what the inxi.conf is for =D

What it is for is like any .conf file, so establish an/some configuration option(s). In this case, it was to prevent successful use of the -U switch, and keep you using a broken old inxi version. We wanted your inxi output here from the current inxi version, so changed that option to allow the upgrade by changing false to true.

So my guess is, it was the connector voodoo.

Inxi has/had nothing to do with your graphics connectors issue, only with the information contained in inxi's output/report.