Linux, in general, has major problems when it comes to dualhead usage. There is no tool, except SaX2(for Suse), which helps to set up the xServer. So, this means if you want dualhead, you have got to manually edit the xorg.conf file. I will set up my Xorg.conf file to either clone the signal to the external Screen and I will show how to setup the Xorg.conf file with Xinerama to place the external Display left of the internal using two different resolutions
Then, there are two ways, the easy way is to google for a xorg.conf file suiting your needs and fitting your hardward, the second one is to try to understand what your xorg.conf file needs.
Before you start…
Before your start editing your xorg.conf file, backup the working copy of your xorg.conf file. Herefore execute the following command:
sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf_BAK
So, whenever you messed up your xorg.conf file, just restore the original by copying the Backup file to the xorg.conf file. And, you cannot break anything, as your just changing some driver settings. However, setting up dual head requires some times, meaning after editing you need to restart X, or even reboot. It took me several weeks(not full time) to get it finally working(partially)
What can we do and what do you want?
What can you expect from dual monitor setups? What is possible? I will try to explain, what we can expect the Thinkpad x60 to do with an external Monitor together.As my Thinkpad x60 has an integrated Intel Graphics using the i810 driver, we can use Xinerama. Xinerama allows us to setup an external screen as additional Desktop Space. You can move open windows from one screen to the other. For Example, you could have one screen displaying your open applications, while the other you have a open instance of Evolution, which allows you to have an eye on your inbox.
So, Xinerama allows both displays to show different content and also different resolutions for both screens. Xinerama has one major drawback,… Beryl is not working with Xinerama(or at least I did not manage to get it to work). A solution would be to simply clone the internal Screen to the external, both displays show exactly the same content, but also both displays use the same resolution.
Limitations of X
There are several limitations of the actual Xserver. So for example it is not possible to switch to another xorg.conf file without restarting X. Beryl is not working.(This will be solved in Beryl 0.3.0)
ps: I will use the nextPage for the first time here. So that this post is not too long I splitted it up to 2 pages. Click below to go on…
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Thank you so much for this guide! Followed it to configure my Sony VGN-N21Z and Samsung SyncMaster 204B. It works perfectly!
Just curious what kind of resolution you get from your second monitor? Is it more than 1280 x 768? I’m trying to understand how well the x60 is capable of driving a second monitor.
Well my display only supports a 1280×1024 resolution. So I don’t know if it’s possible to get a higher resolution with the Intel Graphics Chipset?
Currently, I am using 1280×1024 resolution for the external display and it works fine.
I am using X60 as well, have cut-paste your xorg.conf, but still can’t get the dual head to work. Can advise me what’s to do next?
I’ve two screen up, can’t see the login screen -
Hi Thomas,
Well, which xorg.conf file have you copied? Are you using Beryl or Compiz?
So at boot time everything is normal, I guess? But then the login screen is not showing up? On which Screen do you expect it to show up?
Hi Thierry,
I’ve got xorg.conf_xinerama_wBs from your download section, and I’m using Compiz at the moment. Both screen(laptop, monitor) looks the same, there’re no login screen.
Expect the login screen to show up on the lcd laptop.
regards,
Hi Thomas,
Currently, there are some problems using Compiz with the Xinerama XOrg.conf configuration. So as it seems Beryl/Compiz has problems with Dual Screen setups.
So I would suggest to disable Compiz if you want to use Dual Screen with Xinerama. I have done the same, and currently I haven’t found another solution.
Best Regards
Hi Thierry,
very nice article, got it working on my x60 as well, but with one extension:
To get a higher screen resolution than 1280×1024 I had to install “915resolution”. I’m running now 1600×1200, which is a lot of fun.
Thanks,
Torsten
Hi Thorsten,
Thanks, for your message, I will also check out your suggestion.
As somebody pointed out https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/42898,
it is possible to get the Fn F7 keys working, by installing the following package “i810switch” and running “i810rotate” in a terminal.
I will check this out soon..
Best Regards
Hi All
Im wodering if anyone knows how can one turn off his monitor on the x60 ?
perhaps FN “SOMETHING” ? .. I cannot recall how but with edgy running on thinkpad R50e i could do that with FN F7..
Thnx Folks!:)
How about dual heads through a port replicator? I have an x60, but have so far been unsuccessful in getting them working together with Xinerama. If anyone has a similar setup we can do this off list until a resolution has been found. Thanks!
JB
Cloning the output - worked like a breeze. Wonderful! Thanks a million!
Your advice actually saved my neck because I realized that there was a problem only a couple of hours before I had to give a presentation to a group of colleagues.
I have the same problem with my thinkpad x60. Only laptop screen works. No video output to the external monitor. It worked a few days ago, must be due to a windows update.
Where do I find this file xorg.conf or perhaps it does not exist in Windows Vista? Is there a different solution for Win Vista OS?
Your help is appreciated.
IS