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- Tanglefuzz, on 10/12/2007, -5/+30Summary: setting up dual monitors in Ubuntu still isn't for 'human beings'.
- yabos, on 10/12/2007, -3/+20Yeah. At least on other operating systems you just install a 2nd vid card or use the 2nd port, plug in a 2nd monitor and it works.
- nofxjunkee, on 10/12/2007, -1/+15This is one shortcoming of *nix desktops that deserves to be made fun of. It absolutely should not require a howto. While it didn't take me 3 hours, I remember spending more time learning to set up a dual head xorg.conf than I should have.
Hopefully with X.org's advances for device setup in 7.2 we're getting closer to a Mac-like state where monitors are just plugged in & out and X will do the right thing. In this area we have to admit that Linux is at the bottom of the barrel. Even Windows hands us our asses for display config. - Rkstar, on 10/12/2007, -1/+15The fact that it need instructions more than "plug in 2nd monitor" tells me that, as far as Linux has come, it's still not ready for mainstream.
- drlha, on 10/12/2007, -5/+16Here's my howto as to how to get dual monitors working on my Mac:
1. Plug 2 monitors into either your 2 monitor capable video card, or into both your video cards.
2. There is no step 2.
This is a silly example, and I'm sure I'll get dugg down to high heaven for it by the Linux fans here, but honestly until Linux reaches this level of simplicity its not going to be mainstream. - Sp1k3, on 10/12/2007, -4/+14The easier way is to install the propriatary Nvidia drivers which come with a really easy to use "control panel" for setting up multi-display setups, it will write the changes to your xorg.conf for you!
- Rooster99, on 10/12/2007, -3/+13@Sp1k3
Im not shooting you down or anything, but this is only useful for those who are running nvidia video cards. Im using an ATI card and they havent got anywhere near the support-base that nvidia provides for linux users. Good info either way, but I just wanted to add to your point to avoid any confusion.
/me prepares to be shot to pieces by people smarter than me! - trogdoor, on 10/12/2007, -3/+11True, Linux is ahead in a lot of areas... but this isn't one of them.
- mercurysquad, on 10/12/2007, -4/+11I'm an Ubuntu user and I wholeheartedly agree. *Some* things on Linux are simply ridiculous. Maybe I'll go start coding a GUI for this...
- ryodoan, on 10/12/2007, -3/+9@jstroot
Yeah.... it was really hard on Windows. Stuck in the video card, put in a CD, installed the drivers, and suddenly my two monitors worked.
Yup. Definately needed a HowTo.
Now, lets look at linux on that same computer. It is a PCI graphics card, computer locks up with an error message about graphics drivers every time I try to boot into linux. - Dagur, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6If you're going to use compiz/beryl on dual screens, you will run into problems (or annoyances at least).
- Simplex42, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7I'm with you. I'm a linux user through and through, but had to recently set up my brother's mac for dual monitors. I'd set aside a day to do it, which involved both picking out a new monitor for it, and driving to his place.
I plugged it in, turned it on, and there were two perfectly working displays, no drivers or configurations needed, it even came up with the right native resolution for the samsung panel. The plan was to google the info from his net connection while I was working on just how to tell the mac how to find another monitor & use it properly, and the damned thing came up and did it itself within the 12 seconds it took to boot.
After that, we sat around and watched cricket for the rest of the day. I wish my ubuntu and debian boxes worked this well. - christianjul, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7@driha: You are right, this is ridicously complicated on linux, pretty much like trying to show the date next to your clock on a mac.
- leobaby, on 10/12/2007, -5/+9Having used dual monitor setups for many years now I can honestly suggest forgoing dual monitors in favor of one larger monitor. I replaced a 19" & 17" with a single 24" and have fewer problems and simply get more done. You can always expect problems with dual monitors using video players, TV capture cards, 3d acceleration, on and on. Sometimes the video player problem is the app, sometimes it is the codec.
One thing that is nice about dual monitors is having two applications maximized is easy click, versus the large monitor having to resize two windows. - bias, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5@nipterink
People want to see how their video look on full screen while editing at the same time, it just works better. You can't just tell people to stop doing that just because your favorite OS can't do it right. - SystmBetatester, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4most people dont realize how ***** easy dual monitors are easy to do, you can even use ati and nvidia card to pull it off, its what i did with my old CRT monitors. now i cant stay away from 2 screens, maybe a 3rd soon?
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/4780/dscn1248gj5.jpg
dont mind the fire hazard(s) under the desk lol. of course right now im using yeh ol win vista - briangig, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3This was probably one of the easiest things I setup when I installed ubuntu. There was a weird problem where one of my monitors would give an 'out of range' error, to fix it I had to crtl+alt+f1, then switch back to X...weird, but adding Option "NvAGP" "0" fixed it, along with fixing beryl too...which has worked fine with dual monitors. This is a dual head nvidia card, I'm sure other setups may be a bit more tricky...
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=1773584 is the howto I used.
I also agree you shouldnt need a howto for this, but I have come to live with the fact that getting linux working on obscure setups is a bit tricky... - balloot, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5And this is why you can't seriously think Linux is anywhere near catching OSX/Windows. Most of the populace gets extremely annoyed when something as simple as hooking up a 2nd monitor is a ultra-complicated task.
- Guard, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3The english he uses in the first two sentences was enough to make me stop reading.
- cantormath, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Very true, with the nvidia drivers, there is a gui that will let you select how you want your dual head to be configured, no messing with the xorg.conf file.
With ATI, I use the FGLRX drivers and set the dual head through the aticonfig command. - briguymaine, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4I was going to come back with a mighty "nuh-uh" but I checked the pref panel and your right, it's not that simple. It is pretty easy to do though, http://www.macinstruct.com/node/53
I still dugg you down. - chickenrob, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Ok maybe in Gnome this is a problem but in kde (on opensuse 10.2) I had no problem with sax2 setting up dual monitor. I simply had to check a box that said "use dual head" and then there was the option available to set up second monitor resolution and placement. Also, you guys would pee your pants with glee if you saw my sweet beryl/xgl 3d desktop! only problem is once you 3D, you can never go back.
- rebuilder, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4I fail to see the point of posting this here. Anyone who has dual screens and runs ubuntu is bound to just google a solution for using them instead of waiting around, with one screen blank, for someone on digg to link one for them...
- teckieee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1SS or it didn't happen
- teckieee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"it makes no attempt". well one of the point is for Windows users to be able to have a positive transition when migrating or maybe just learn how to use it and discovering its potential benefits far more easier than using a command line. now if you are adept then there are alot of different WindowManagers out there that you would find very powerful and suitable for you than those windows like ones.
Frankly the main reason why i don't want a mac is that i am too lazy or maybe even afraid to learn all the mac stuff from scratch, I used it for a short time and i feel like a total newb. I know how to use, fix, tweek my windows os and i can do everything on it that i would on a mac, why should i go back in elementary to learn all over again? Linux is fun coz u find new potentials of a new OS but don't have to go back and learn how to use a single thing just common sense. - kaph, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1The nvidia drivers make it a lot easier. That was a pretty standard dual screen how to, which is guaranteed not to work for some people. At least it's a quick read......
This may be handy for any stubborn games that open in the middle of both screens:
Edit your metamodes to something similar (Have your normal resolution for one monitor and set NULL on the other).
Option "metamodes" "1024x768, 1024x768; 1024x768, NULL"
Open up a terminal and put in:
xrandr -s 1024x768
To make both screens work again reset it to its default resolution eg.
xrandr -s 2048x768
If it works create a script for it. If anyone else has another way, do tell. - nofxjunkee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@chickenrob (#5975894) said: "yes, I did have to restart x like you always do with SaX2 for changes to take effect. I guess I don't think that is a big deal considering that in windows typically you need to restart the whole damn os to enact drivers and sometimes even just to install software. Restarting x remember is just like logging out and into windows and is a very quick thing with a newer machine (10 seconds maybe tops) I never had to reboot."
Windows is hardly the mark we should set for Linux when it comes to things like that. Logging in and logging out may as well be a reboot as far as I am concerned. I have to close down all my apps and open them up again anyway. It would be nice if they all just supported sessions and logging in & out or rebooting didn't mean restarting desktop apps. - Snarfy, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2It only works if you have nVidia. That said, if you do have nVidia, then yes, the proprietary drivers rock. Dual monitor support means selecting a checkbox in the nVidia X app. If you have two monitors connected to one video card, you want twinview. If you have two monitors connected to two video cards, you want xinerama.
- nofxjunkee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@kaph (#5976305)
Thanks for this. That's a great tip. - chickenrob, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1yes, I did have to restart x like you always do with SaX2 for changes to take effect. I guess I don't think that is a big deal considering that in windows typically you need to restart the whole damn os to enact drivers and sometimes even just to install software. Restarting x remember is just like logging out and into windows and is a very quick thing with a newer machine (10 seconds maybe tops) I never had to reboot. If I have something to gripe about with this opensuse install I wrestled for hours to get grub installed on the right hard drive so it would actually boot. I had some confusion about which drive would boot the older fat drive with data I didn't want to lose and a new sata drive. After a while I gave up with the opensuse installer and did some research. it was some little 3 word grub command. Pissed me off that the installer didn't seem to be able to accomodate what I thought was a simple setup.
- MrSarcasm, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3NO!! my beliefs don't allow me to use anything that is not purely OSS! /sarcasm
- steven401, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2@Rooster99
There was a story 4 days ago about AMD/ATI releasing a new control panel.
http://www.digg.com/linux_unix/AMD_Catalyst_Control_Center_For_Linux_Released - Spikito, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1nvidia drivers for linux were pretty easy to do (fedora core 6), and if had another monitor, all id have to do is plug it in, open the nivida software, and check a box
- teckieee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1nevermind... not worth my time
- KaserPro, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2dual screens give your more resolution per $/£ for example:
2 1600X1200 monitors is around £600($1000) thats 4 megapixels of space
1 2400X1200 monitor is $1200 ($2000) and less megapixels too
plus you need a dual link card to run it, and a microscope to read the text - nofxjunkee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@chickenrob (#5973098)
Yeah I guess I shouldn't complain since I usually use Gentoo. I was surprised it was the same on Ubuntu.
I have to admit I haven't tried any distros such as PCLinuxOS, Linspire, or Suse so maybe I shouldn't complain so much. Haven't been much of a KDE fan since Gnome 2 came out, but these days most of the time I use Xfce or fluxbox on Gentoo.
Did you have to restart X for the changes to take effect? If so then it's still "broken" imo. I just want to plug it in like I do with basically all my hardware on Linux (3d acceleration being the notable exception). - bias, on 10/12/2007, -4/+5Hmmm does one single large LCD let me watch full screen video one screen while editing on another?
Linux Lunatics: "You should keep your old computer because Linux is so damn cool that it can run okay on old hardwares. But you all should throw away your extra monitor because it's not for a normal human being to set it up on Linux."
Dual Monitor all of a sudden became "Uncool" just because Linux can't do it right. - cbreaker, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Just want to make one comment on the people saying how Macs are so easy:
- You have to use hardware made for the Mac
- If it doesn't work, there's no xorg.conf to try and get it working. Time to call Apple.
There's absolutely an advantage to a very closed system that is MacOS and Macintosh computers, but choice isn't one of them. Try using any video cards without an Apple sticker on them. Ohh, you can't.
If you used only "Linux Approved and Known Working" type hardware, you'd have a lot less problems too.
That being said, this shouldn't be something that requires editing files. Most video cards and their ports are indeed detected properly - there's just no GUI tools to get it set up. There should be some sort of something. That's why things like Beryl end up so popular (over Compiz) - nice easy GUI tools for things that have to do with the GUI. - PhillipJFry, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4I hope I don't get dugg down as a troll, but I really want to make a constructive point here: I am not necessarily against Linux. But as someone who has tried Linux and been unimpressed I feel that this is a key problem with the system. There have certainly been great strides, don't get me wrong. But now, the setup process is very streamlined, and for many simple users, it's good enough, but there's no ability in Linux to do a little tweaking without getting your hands really dirty. Linux has made a lot of strides to make things easier for low-level customization, but when it has serious weaknesses in a lot of areas.
Secondly, it makes no attempt (at least in KDE and Gnome) to differentiate itself from the windows interface. I'm not saying it has to be like OSX, but the fact that it is a free windows clone (not my opinion, but the misguided opinion of others) that is more difficult to opearate doesn't help. If it were different in it's user interface, then I can see more attention.
Now I know there are things like Beryl and such that change things, but in the end, there is a start menu, and all of the windows-like interface elements. Linux really needs to innovate in areas where it is noticed the most. This whole attempt at luring windows users by being a better windows isn't going to impress anyone. Linux needs to make it's own way of having better usability.
To be honest, I'd welcome a version of Linux that made me think, "Wow, that's pretty cool. I haven't seen that anywhere" On OSX as a recent switcher, I was constantly amazed at the little differences that were better than windows. You want to get people to respect Linux, you need to start doing these types of things better. - SVPirate, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3This is a classic example of why Linux is not ready for the Desktop.
Windows 2000/XP/Vista = Plug in a second monitor, turn on your computer, set it to expand your desktop onto it. (this was supposed to be the case in 98 too but the support just sucked).
Mac OS (since like 1989) = Plug in a second monitor... oh it works, LAWL!!!
Linux = WTH is a xorg.conf file?!! What are all these lines of code!! Why do I have to spend time doing this when I have work to do!?
It's not all Linux's fault. I think X is the real culprit (it's a similar round of torture getting the same thing in Solairs I believe) but as that's what Linux uses, that's what it has to live with. Props to NVIDIA and ATi for trying to sort this out so it's actually user friendly, btw.
Oh man... I'm so gonna disappear in a Linux ***** now... and... I. Don't. Care. - briangig, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1there are many other window managers besides KDE and Gnome, that arent like windows, those two are just the most popular, either because people like the interface, or they are just the most well-developed.
OS X is very similar too, they all have taskbar, menus, etc. There is a reason for this. If they were all drastically different, people would have a hard time using the interface.
I do miss the dock in OS X...and I havent found a nice one for gnome yet... - Bezruk, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Yes, i have drivers installed. However i cant find any options about dual monitor feature in GUI control panel
- bedouin, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Hmm. Maybe I should write a how to on using dual (triple, quad, even) monitors in OS X? Ready?
Plug secondary display in. Done.
Yet another reason I quit using Linux as a desktop OS 4 or 5 years ago. - Megatog615, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Anyone know how to apply this to s-video output(only)?
- mhmdkhamis, on 10/23/2007, -0/+0Option "metamodes" "1024x768, 1024x768; 1024x768, NULL"
Open up a terminal and put in:
xrandr -s 1024x768
To make both screens work again reset it to its default resolution eg.
xrandr -s 2048x768
http://www.paramegsoft.com/forum/ http://www.paramegsoft.com/flash_games.html http://www.paramegsoft.com/top_software.html - SteveMax, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2sed s/"Ubuntu Linux"/"any x.org desktop"/
(note: this applies to the description. The article makes it clear that it's not Ubuntu-specific) - chickenrob, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1I'm using dual monitor with beryl, what is the complication you are talking about? It works great. you can choose to make one big cube or two seperate cubes.. it's fully supported
- jstroot, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2@ Bezruk
I have never trusted the Nvidia GUI for configuring dual head. It's a pain in the but, but once you get your xorg.conf file set up, you will rarely have problems. My biggest gripe with the Nvidia drivers is having to recompile the driver for every new linux kernel. However, when that happens, it is only two commands on the command line, and you are back up and running. So I guess I'm just being picky. - drlha, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3Oh agreed, mercurysquad. Linux is a fine OS, which I use every day. Its just a bitch to set up sometimes.
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