KDE 4.5: Saving dual-monitor setup [SOLVED]

[marek_online]

I have two monitors on my machine, and the "Display and Monitor" section in System Settings allows me to set them up without difficulty in whatever orientation I choose.

Unfortunately though, I have to do this every time I login, there doesn't seem to be an option to save the configuration.

I've done this before using nvidia-settings on another machine, but this machine has an Intel card, with no setup program that I'm aware of.

Cheers,

M.

[askrieger]

Re: KDE 4.5: Saving dual-monitor setup

I haven't tried KDE 4.5 yet, so I don't know what works and what doesn't, but I suspect that you might be able to do what you want by using an xorg.conf file, (or editing your existing xorg.conf file).

[phil1349]

Re: KDE 4.5: Saving dual-monitor setup

This is an ongoing problem, things have evolved (progress ??) and Xorg.conf no longer seems to be the controlling config file.

You are probably going to have to use the xrandr command.

Typing xrandr -q <enter> in a terminal window gives output similar to the following

Screen 0: minimum 320 x 240, current 1024 x 768, maximum 1280 x 1024
default connected 1024x768+0+0 0mm x 0mm
1280x1024 50.0 51.0
1280x960 52.0
1152x864 53.0 54.0 55.0 56.0
1024x768 57.0* 58.0 59.0
960x600 60.0
960x540 61.0
840x525 62.0 63.0 64.0
832x624 65.0
800x600 66.0 67.0 68.0 69.0 70.0
800x512 71.0
720x450 72.0
680x384 73.0 74.0
640x512 75.0 76.0
640x480 77.0 78.0 79.0 80.0 81.0 82.0
576x432 83.0 84.0 85.0 86.0
512x384 87.0 88.0 89.0
416x312 90.0
400x300 91.0 92.0 93.0 94.0
320x240 95.0 96.0 97.0
320x240 95.0 96.0 97.0

The important bit is where it says "default connected" etc, this may be "VGA-0 connected" or "DVI-0 connected" or whatever depending on your machine.

If you enter from the command line xrandr --output "whatever depending on your machine" --mode 1024x768 this will instantly change the screen resolution (assuming it is in the list generated by xrandr.

Typing man xrandr in a terminal window gives all the command options for xrandr, there are options for multiple screens. It is easy to experiment as the results are instantaneous, once a satisfactory result is obtained, note the exact parameters and edit (as root) /etc/kde4/kdm/Xsetup and add into this file the xrandr command which sets up your screens the way you want them. This file runs at boot time with root privileges and should set your screens as desired

Good Luck !

[marek_online]

Re: KDE 4.5: Saving dual-monitor setup

That worked perfectly Phil1349, thanks a million!

I was able to add

xrandr --output DVI-1 --auto --rotate left --right-of DVI-0

to /etc/kde4/kdm/Xsetup, and KDE now starts with my screens setup correctly.

Thanks again.

[brianzion]

Re: KDE 4.5: Saving dual-monitor setup [SOLVED]

hi and hello i am new here and new to linux distros but share the same problem i have two monitors and i have to keep doing the settings for them every time i boot into kubuntu 10.10. could you explain how i could do the same as what you suggest to fix this problem i have tried to follow what you have already posted but fail. i wish my DVI-0 to be on the right with 1920 x 1080 and my VGA-0 1440 x 900 to be to the left, i am not familiar with the settings you explain so i would be very greatfull if you could talk me through it
many thanks brian.