Linux Dual Monitors (NVIDIA ONLY!!)

[Joel]

Quick Guide to getting dual monitors working on linux...

This only works on NVIDIA cards as ATI are being stingy with the drivers..

download the NVIDA installer from here

Quit X and go to the directory where you downloaded the installer to and type

sh <name of nvidia file>.run

follow the instructions on screen...(You need to make sure you have ncurses installed for it to work)

then startx to start x again...

now go to /etc/X11/ and find XF86Config (depending on your system this could also be XF86Config-4, if there is both then its usually the XF86Config-4 that is used)

now back up these files to XF86Config.old and/or XF86Config-4.old. This means you can copy the old files back if everything goes belly up.

now edit the config file below accordingly...

Section "ServerLayout" Identifier "Default Layout" Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0 InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer" InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard" EndSection Section "Files" # RgbPath is the location of the RGB database. Note, this is the name of the # file minus the extension (like ".txt" or ".db"). There is normally # no need to change the default. # Multiple FontPath entries are allowed (they are concatenated together) # By default, Red Hat 6.0 and later now use a font server independent of # the X server to render fonts. RgbPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/rgb" # copy the line that begins Fontpath from your existing XF86Config(-4) file # #for slackware this is #FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/local/" #FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/misc/" #FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi/:unscaled" #FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi/:unscaled" #FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Type1/" #FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/CID/" #FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Speedo/" #FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi/" #FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi/" #FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/cyrillic/" # # for red-hat it is # FontPath "unix/:7100" # #for mandrake it is # FontPath "unix/:-1" # #just check to make sure..... EndSection Section "Module" Load "dbe" Load "extmod" Load "glx" Load "record" Load "freetype" Load "type1" Load "ramdac" EndSection Section "InputDevice" # Specify which keyboard LEDs can be user-controlled (eg, with xset(1)) # Option "Xleds" "1 2 3" # To disable the XKEYBOARD extension, uncomment XkbDisable. # Option "XkbDisable" # To customise the XKB settings to suit your keyboard, modify the # lines below (which are the defaults). For example, for a non-U.S. # keyboard, you will probably want to use: # Option "XkbModel" "pc102" # If you have a US Microsoft Natural keyboard, you can use: # Option "XkbModel" "microsoft" # # Then to change the language, change the Layout setting. # For example, a german layout can be obtained with: # Option "XkbLayout" "de" # or: # Option "XkbLayout" "de" # Option "XkbVariant" "nodeadkeys" # # If you'd like to switch the positions of your capslock and # control keys, use: # Option "XkbOptions" "ctrl:swapcaps" # Or if you just want both to be control, use: # Option "XkbOptions" "ctrl:nocaps" # Identifier "Keyboard0" Driver "keyboard" Option "XkbRules" "xfree86" Option "XkbModel" "pc105" Option "XkbLayout" "us" EndSection Section "InputDevice" Identifier "Mouse0" Driver "mouse" Option "Protocol" "IMPS/2" Option "Device" "/dev/psaux" Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5" Option "Emulate3Buttons" "yes" EndSection Section "InputDevice" # If the normal CorePointer mouse is not a USB mouse then # this input device can be used in AlwaysCore mode to let you # also use USB mice at the same time. Identifier "DevInputMice" Driver "mouse" Option "Protocol" "IMPS/2" Option "Device" "/dev/psaux" #change /dev/psaux to the location of your mouse... Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5" Option "Emulate3Buttons" "no" EndSection Section "Monitor" #Modeline "1152x864" 185 1152 1216 1344 1600 864 865 868 900 +hsync +vsync #Modeline "1152x882" 121.5 1152 1216 1344 1576 882 883 886 925 +hsync +vsync #Modeline "1152x864" 185.0 1152 1216 1440 1664 864 865 868 911 +hsync +vsync Identifier "Monitor0" VendorName "Monitor Vendor" ModelName "Dell P991"# substitute for the name of your monitor HorizSync 30.0 - 95.0 VertRefresh 50.0 - 160.0 Option "dpms" "off" #Modeline "1152x864" 108 1152 1216 1344 1600 864 865 868 900 +hsync +vsync EndSection Section "Device" #Option "UseEdidFreqs" "1" Identifier "NV AGP" Driver "nvidia" VendorName "Videocard vendor" BoardName "NVIDIA GeForce 4 (generic)" VideoRam 131072 Option "TwinVIew" "1" Option "RenderAccel" "1" Option "NvAGP" "3" Option "DigitalVibrance" "16" Option "NoLogo" Option "CursorShadow" "true" Option "CursorShadowXOffset" "5" Option "CursorShadowYOffset" "4" Option "SecondMonitorHorizSync" "30.0-95.0" Option "SecondMonitorVertRefresh" "50.0-160.0" Option "ConnectedMonitor" "CRT,CRT" Option "MetaModes" "1280x1024, 1280x1024; 1280x1024, NULL" Option "Xinerama" "0" Option "TwinViewOrientation" "RightOf" EndSection Section "Screen" Identifier "Screen0" Device "NV AGP" Monitor "Monitor0" DefaultDepth 24 SubSection "Display" Depth 24 Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480" #delete any modes your monitor cant support EndSubSection EndSection Section "DRI" Group 0 Mode 0666 EndSection

save to XF86Config(-4) and startx... all should work..

this is meant for monitors that are similar, not sure about tft's or monitors of different sizes... works for me anyway...


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Oh yes...i did bodge up

[Blacklaw]

Gravy. Deserving of stickage, methinks. I'll stick it, but leave it open for comments. Then when we've all congratulated the boy, I'll prune the comments and close the thread.

So future visitors who require Linux multimonitor support for their nVidia cards can bask in his magnificence.

-Blacklaw

[dcoulson]

You can do this with any video cards, assuming X supports the particular chipset. I've done it with three NVidia GeForce cards using the standard 'nv' driver - There were issues at the time with the NVidia drivers and multiple physical cards. Matrox multi-output cards are also well supported, I believe.

Nice screenshot of X across three heads: http://davidcoulson.net/~david/desk.jpg

[Joel]

well the script thats there is as is for twin head support on most nVIDIA gfx cards... i managed it across 2 voodoo 3 cards, but it was a bummer... and took ages, love the triple monitor setup... tis wicked... /me ponders wether to put this voodoo 3000 in and have 3 monitors...

its a real shame ATI are such buggers with their drivers, only now beginnig to sort some semi decant drivers out...

[Hamish]

dcoulson said: Nice screenshot of X across three heads: http://davidcoulson.net/~david/desk.jpg

goddamn thats a lot of desktop space

got enough consoles open there

[74c0d00dz]

i have a question about the text in the file for XF86Config file.
i have put in the text in the file, followed directions, and when i startx again i wont load! so i decided to change certain areas of the file that would be different. still didnt work. after playing around for a while i realize that i have a couple of other files that seem like maybe they should be edited too. they are XF86Config-fbdev and XF86Config-vesa.

i have a geforce 4 ti4200 card and am running slackware 9.0 with gnome.
i am a confused n00b and really cant wait to have dual monitors like i could in windoze

thanks for any help!

[Joel]

need a few details, have you installed the NVIDA driver? if not thats your problem, if you have, whet version of linux are you using?

[74c0d00dz]

yep, it was installed and running slackware 9.0, thanks

[hillxy]

My stupid question:

1) how to quit X? I am using RH Linux9.0

Hillxy

[Hwulex]

Ctrl + Alt + Backspace will drop you to command line.

Might still need to kill X. Type 'top' and find it in the processes list, then press k (kill) and enter the PID (process id number).

[KieranC]

74c0d00dz said: i have a question about the text in the file for XF86Config file. i have put in the text in the file, followed directions, and when i startx again i wont load! so i decided to change certain areas of the file that would be different. still didnt work. after playing around for a while i realize that i have a couple of other files that seem like maybe they should be edited too. they are XF86Config-fbdev and XF86Config-vesa. i have a geforce 4 ti4200 card and am running slackware 9.0 with gnome. i am a confused n00b and really cant wait to have dual monitors like i could in windoze thanks for any help!

you can ignore the other config files (-fbdev and -vesa). find what errors you're getting from /var/log/XFree86.0.log, and post em up here.

[KieranC]

Hwulex said: Ctrl + Alt + Backspace will drop you to command line. Might still need to kill X. Type 'top' and find it in the processes list, then press k (kill) and enter the PID (process id number).

yeah, if you're using xdm/gdm (graphical login), ctrl+alt+backspace will just drop you back to the graphical login prompt.
i'll have to look into how to kill xdm/gdm

[74c0d00dz]

XFree86 Version 4.3.0
Release Date: 27 February 2003
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0, Release 6.6
Build Operating System: Linux 2.4.20 i686 [ELF]
Build Date: 01 March 2003
Before reporting problems, check http://www.XFree86.Org/
to make sure that you have the latest version.
Module Loader present
Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
(++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
(WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
(==) Log file: "/var/log/XFree86.0.log", Time: Wed Nov 19 18:06:55 2003
(==) Using config file: "/etc/X11/XF86Config"
Data incomplete in file /etc/X11/XF86Config
Undefined Screen "Screen 1" referenced by ServerLayout "Simple Layout".
(EE) Problem parsing the config file
(EE) Error from xf86HandleConfigFile()

Fatal server error:
no screens found

[Joel]

post your XF86Config file from /etc/X11/

[74c0d00dz]

Section "Module"
Load "dbe" # Double buffer extension
SubSection "extmod"
Option "omit xfree86-dga" # don't initialise the DGA extension
EndSubSection
Load "type1"
Load "freetype"
Load "speedo"
Load "ramdac"
Load "record"
Load "glx"
EndSection

Section "Files"
RgbPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/rgb"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/local/"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/misc/"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Type1/"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/CID/"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Speedo/"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi/"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi/"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/cyrillic/"

EndSection
Section "InputDevice"

Identifier "Keyboard1"
Driver "Keyboard"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Mouse1"
Driver "mouse"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
VendorName "Monitor Vendor"
ModelName "Dell P991"# substitute for the name of your monitor
HorizSync 30.0 - 95.0
VertRefresh 50.0 - 160.0
Option "dpms" "off"
#Modeline "1152x864" 108 1152 1216 1344 1600 864 865 868 900 +hsync +vsync
EndSection

Section "Device"

#Option "UseEdidFreqs" "1"
Identifier "NV AGP"
Driver "nvidia"
VendorName "Videocard vendor"
BoardName "NVIDIA GeForce 4 (generic)"
VideoRam 131072
Option "TwinVIew" "1"
Option "RenderAccel" "1"
Option "NvAGP" "3"
Option "DigitalVibrance" "16"
Option "NoLogo"
Option "CursorShadow" "true"
Option "CursorShadowXOffset" "5"
Option "CursorShadowYOffset" "4"
Option "SecondMonitorHorizSync" "30.0-95.0"
Option "SecondMonitorVertRefresh" "50.0-160.0"
Option "ConnectedMonitor" "CRT,CRT"
Option "MetaModes" "1280x1024, 1280x1024; 1280x1024, NULL"
Option "Xinerama" "0"
Option "TwinViewOrientation" "RightOf"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "NV AGP"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480" #delete any modes your monitor cant support
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"


Screen "Screen 1"
InputDevice "Mouse1" "CorePointer"
InputDevice "Keyboard1" "CoreKeyboard"

EndSection
Section "DRI"
Group 0
Mode 0666
EndSection

[Joel]

ah i see the problem, you have your screen named screen0, but in ServerLayout section you have screen1, change it to screen0 and it should work

[74c0d00dz]

hey thanks for the help, it worked great!
lol
except for one minor detail..... the screens are opposite of how they should be.... so i will change which ports they are plugged into, but thanks for all the help!

[Joel]

just change Option "TwinViewOrientation" "RightOf" to Option "TwinViewOrientation" "LeftOf"

[cy-b-er]

Am I correct in assuming this will only work with one card which has two monitor ports? I have dual monitors working fine with Windows; I have an AGP card and an additional PCI graphics card; both nvidia TNT2.

I've been playing around trying to get dual monitor support to work with Linux (RH9) for a while now. I'm guessing that I'd need another device section in X11Config and perhaps another monitor section?

Cheers,

~B

[GoMyAway]

Hello All
I am new to this forum and I am looking for some insight into an odd issue. I have an nVidia quadro 100nvs setup and runnign fine with two heads. I am running RedHat 9 + XFree 4.3.0 (LTSP 3) and the Latest nVidia LKM . Time and time again I will be typing and using the mouse and the second head goes into power saving. More typing or mouse movement has no effect on waking it up. I have tried removing DPMS support and not using the powsaving stuff in xscreensaver and it still keeps dooing it. All the cables are fine ( you can see the monitor's OSD priting a "Going into power saving mode" Any Ideas ?

[Joel]

cy-b-er, yes you will need another device section, the best place to ask is www.linuxquestions.org, some one will be able to help you with the relevant code

GoMyAway - you checked your bios for powersaving gunk? if not i am not really sure, again try the above link...