I think I have dual head but i want Big Desktop
 

Hello all!

I've just got this 17" CRT to test out with my slack11 box.

After messing around with xorg.conf I "think" i have Dual Head but what I want is Big Destop.

Why do I think I have Dual Head?

From ati's knowledge base:
I have this: mouse goes from one to screen to another but windows don't. It almost looks like I have two users connected (two different desktops :scratch: )

What I wanted was
Here's my xorg.conf
fglrxinfo gives (with dual head)
If I enable Xinerama (Option "Xinerama" "on") I get one desktop over the two screens but is this Big Desktop? And btw with Xinerama enabled fglrx driver does not work, so no 3D accel.

Can I have one desktop expanded over two screens with 3D acceleration? If so how?

Is Dual Head better than Big Desktop? Should I be better with Dual Head?


Thanks in advance.

I'll try and give you some info here to help you figure out what it is you want to do.
NOTE: I use an nVidia dual-head card, so the terminology I use is based on my setup, but the end results should be comparable. How you arrive at them may be somewhat different using your ATI card.

Dual Head - generally refers to a card with two outputs. ATI may be using this term differently to describe what I know as two separate X sessions.

Big Desktop - I haven't ever heard of this term, so I guess it's an ATI expression. By your description, it sounds like you want a 'panoramic' view, which on my system I achieve by using Xinerama.

my Nvidia driver allows GLX and 3D acceleration and a few other things, while using Xinerama with two displays. ATI systems probably do as well, but I can't give you specifics because I haven't used an ATI card. nVidia also takes care of DRI internally, whereas with ATI you may have to enable it on your own.

Big Desktop (copied from above):
* A single desktop is stretched across both monitors
* Monitors may overlap by a configurable number of pixels
* Both monitors have to operate with the same video mode settings
* Both screens use a single framebuffer and only one window manager
o The smaller display will NOT autoscroll as in Clone Mode
* Big Desktop can be configured for Horizontal or Vertical operation

Xinerama (the way I have mine set up, for comparison):
* A sngle desktop can be stretched across both monitors, including OR excluding the taskbar. OR, each desktop can be unique.
* The stretched method shares a wallpaper; the separate unique desktop method gets two wallpapers.
* Monitors may overlap by a configurable number of pixels (but why would one want this?)
* Both monitors operate at the same color depth, but may have different resolutions.
* Both screens use <framebuffer(s) unknown> and only one window manager.
* Each desktop scrolls, maximizes, minimizes EITHER indepentently, or together, whichever you want.
* Horizontal OR Vertical configuration operation, whichever you want.
* Windows can be dragged from one screen to the other, and mouse goes from one to the other too.

Your file is very similar to mine, except for in yours:
Xinerama being off..
The 'RightOf' option (I use absolute x and y locations)..

And I have a couple nVidia-specific settings.

Not sure all this helps you any, but I do hope it helps you figure out just what it is you would like to do with your desktop.
:)

Hello GrapefruiTgirl, thanks for your reply.

Can you post that section of your xorg.conf? (or the whole file)

Hi there :)
My xorg.conf is on LQ here somewhere, in a thread called "Four screens with one CPU" or something similar. Just search my posts and you will find it.
If you can't, then I will post it again :)

!FIXED!

Thanks but there is no need for it, I managed to get it to work. After reading some ubuntu how to about this I've tried this:

Now it is the way I wanted :)

Here is my new xorg.conf
Thanks for your help and time GrapefruiTgirl.

From a post on ubuntuforums:
EDIT: Guess I was too late.