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    #1

    Using Monitor with Laptop

    I have just tried to attach a Monitor to my Acer Aspire Laptop, it works but the problem is I only get the resolution that the Laptop screen supports 1280 x 800 while the Monitor can support 1440x900. What I would like to be able to do is when the Monitor is connected that the Laptop Monitor is turned off and it uses the Monitor only at best res (In windows I would have just press Fn + F5), is this possible even if I have to have a script which I could somehow bind to a shortcut which I run it would make life easier.

    Thanks,

    Note: I have seen mention of xrandr on the Ubuntu forum, but not sure what I need to do with this or if I need to use it with Kubuntu/KDE.


    Gavin,
    Primary OS: Kubuntu Feisty Fawn, Secondary: WinXP Pro (Games Only)<br />Intel Core Duo 1.66 GHz, 2GB RAM<br />ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 256MB<br />15&quot; Widescreen Display (1280x800)<br />Pro/Wireless Network Card connecting to US Robotics 1908A Router<br />
    Tags: None
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    #2
    Re: Using Monitor with Laptop

    Short answer is that you need to have the second monitor properly identified in the /etc/X11/xorg.conf file. The file (most likely) contains just your laptop display settings, so any external monitor that you attach is only going to be driven by those settings. That said though, I don't have any direct experience in configuring xorg.conf for a second monitor. But many forum members have. Dual monitor problems by zoink may be helpful.
    Windows no longer obstructs my view.
    Using Kubuntu Linux since March 23, 2007.
    "It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data." - Sherlock Holmes​
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      #3
      Re: Using Monitor with Laptop

      Thanks, but I have never really understood xorg.conf, not sure if anyone can help.

      I have tried configuring the monitors through System Settings (I take it Monitor #1 is internal and Monitor #2 will be external), I set Monitor #2 to the Acer AL1916W and set image format to Widescreen 16:9, but when I clicked on test I got a grey screen on both Monitors with a cursor that would move around but I could not get back to System Settings without pressing Ctrl + Alt + Backspace.

      Code:
      # xorg.conf (xorg X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
#  sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section "Files"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
	Identifier	"Generic Keyboard"
	Driver		"kbd"
	Option		"CoreKeyboard"
	Option		"XkbRules"	"xorg"
	Option		"XkbModel"	"pc105"
	Option		"XkbLayout"	"gb"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
	Identifier	"Configured Mouse"
	Driver		"mouse"
	Option		"CorePointer"
	Option		"Device"	"/dev/input/mice"
	Option		"Protocol"	"ImPS/2"
	Option		"ZAxisMapping"	"4 5"
	Option		"Emulate3Buttons"	"true"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
	Identifier	"Synaptics Touchpad"
	Driver		"synaptics"
	Option		"SendCoreEvents"	"true"
	Option		"Device"	"/dev/psaux"
	Option		"Protocol"	"auto-dev"
	Option		"HorizEdgeScroll"	"0"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
	Driver		"wacom"
	Identifier	"stylus"
	Option		"Device"	"/dev/input/wacom"
	Option		"Type"	"stylus"
	Option		"ForceDevice"	"ISDV4"# Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
	Driver		"wacom"
	Identifier	"eraser"
	Option		"Device"	"/dev/input/wacom"
	Option		"Type"	"eraser"
	Option		"ForceDevice"	"ISDV4"# Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
	Driver		"wacom"
	Identifier	"cursor"
	Option		"Device"	"/dev/input/wacom"
	Option		"Type"	"cursor"
	Option		"ForceDevice"	"ISDV4"# Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "Device"
	Identifier	"Generic Video Card"
	Driver		"fglrx"
	Busid		"PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
	Identifier	"Generic Monitor"
	Option		"DPMS"
	Horizsync	30-70
	Vertrefresh	50-160
EndSection

Section "Screen"
	Identifier	"Default Screen"
	Device		"Generic Video Card"
	Monitor		"Generic Monitor"
	Defaultdepth	24
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
	Identifier	"Default Layout"
 screen "Default Screen"
	Inputdevice	"Generic Keyboard"
	Inputdevice	"Configured Mouse"
	
	# Uncomment if you have a wacom tablet
	#	InputDevice   "stylus"	"SendCoreEvents"
	#	InputDevice   "cursor"	"SendCoreEvents"
	#	InputDevice   "eraser"	"SendCoreEvents"
	Inputdevice	"Synaptics Touchpad"
EndSection
Section "Module"
	Load		"glx"
EndSection
Section "Extensions"
	Option		"Composite"	"0"
EndSection
      Primary OS: Kubuntu Feisty Fawn, Secondary: WinXP Pro (Games Only)<br />Intel Core Duo 1.66 GHz, 2GB RAM<br />ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 256MB<br />15&quot; Widescreen Display (1280x800)<br />Pro/Wireless Network Card connecting to US Robotics 1908A Router<br />
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        #4
        Re: Using Monitor with Laptop

        As I thought, there is only one section each for 'monitor' and 'screen' which was expected. As stated, I believe that in order to have dual monitor capability, the second monitor has to be set up within the xorg.conf file. And again, I don't have any experience with that. Did you check at the link I posted?
        Windows no longer obstructs my view.
        Using Kubuntu Linux since March 23, 2007.
        "It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data." - Sherlock Holmes​
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          #5
          Re: Using Monitor with Laptop

          Yes I checked the link, but it didn't make much sense to me, I am fairly new to getting into the depths of Linux.

          I am not really looking for Dual Monitor display, what I am looking for is to be able to have either or Monitor, so if Monitor is plugged in I can use that at 1440 x 900, but if not plugged in use laptop at 1280x800

          I have just found this HowTo https://help.ubuntu.com/community/XineramaHowTo and in there I found the following:

          Code:
          Section "Screen"
    Identifier   "screen0"
    Device     "ati0"
    Monitor     "Fujitsu0"
    DefaultDepth  24
    SubSection "Display"
        Depth  24
        Modes  "1280x1024"
    EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier   "screen1"
    Device     "ati1"
    Monitor     "Fujitsu1"
    DefaultDepth  24
    SubSection "Display"
        Depth  24
        Modes  "1280x1024"
    EndSubSection
EndSection
          Any idea if I change the second screen to 1440x900 if it would work, I dont want to have no display at all


          Gavin,
          Primary OS: Kubuntu Feisty Fawn, Secondary: WinXP Pro (Games Only)<br />Intel Core Duo 1.66 GHz, 2GB RAM<br />ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 256MB<br />15&quot; Widescreen Display (1280x800)<br />Pro/Wireless Network Card connecting to US Robotics 1908A Router<br />
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            #6
            Re: Using Monitor with Laptop

            Most laptops have a key that does something to displays, often a Fn+F* combination.. Try attaching two monitors and hitting that key a few times.

            Also try this: attach two displays, back up /etc/X11/xorg.conf, and execute "sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg". I don't think it really supports multiple displays, but you never know...
            For external use only.
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              #7
              Re: Using Monitor with Laptop

              I tried that (FN + F5) and I get nothing, I do currently get screen on both Monitors that is at least something.

              Thanks,


              Gavin,
              Primary OS: Kubuntu Feisty Fawn, Secondary: WinXP Pro (Games Only)<br />Intel Core Duo 1.66 GHz, 2GB RAM<br />ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 256MB<br />15&quot; Widescreen Display (1280x800)<br />Pro/Wireless Network Card connecting to US Robotics 1908A Router<br />
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