External monitor

[jryden]

Hey everyone - I have an Asus laptop with an external monitor hooked up to it that I'm trying to get working

. My laptop screen is 1366x768 and the external monitor is 1600x1200, but I can't get the external monitor to go higher than 1024x768  Or rather I don't have that option in the KDE config screens. Any ideas? 

[rubentje1991]

What kind of video card does your laptop contains? (Nvidia, Amd, Intel, ...?)
=> or what Asus laptop are you using (model number?)

[jryden]

What kind of video card does your laptop contains? (Nvidia, Amd, Intel, ...?)
=> or what Asus laptop are you using (model number?)

It has an Intel card of some sort in it. The laptop model is: U43F-BBA6

[rubentje1991]

So, it's an Intel Integrated Graphics Chip (not the HD2000 or 3000, it's older than Sandy Bridge)...

What happens if you try to set the screen resolution in PCLinuxOS Control Center? (in PCC >> Hardware >> Graphical...)

[jryden]

So, it's an Intel Integrated Graphics Chip (not the HD2000 or 3000, it's older than Sandy Bridge)...

What happens if you try to set the screen resolution in PCLinuxOS Control Center? (in PCC >> Hardware >> Graphical...)

From as far as I can tell I can only configure the built-in laptop screen from the PCLOS control center. In either case it definitely doesn't have all of the options available in the KDE system settings, where I can set orientation and resolution for each monitor. The problem being that it doesn't list a higher mode than 1024x768 for the external monitor...

[rubentje1991]

So, you go to PCLinuxOS Control Center >> Hardware >> Configure Video Card.

Then you select the right video card (I hope you succeeded in that part; could you give us the brand & model of video card in the system, and what the driver you selected?).
After that, click on the button next to monitor, and choose "Generic": click on the wanted resolution...
Do not stop here; press OK and next, click on the button next to resolution
=> select drop down box, choose other, and click again on the drop down box: click again on the desired resolution (and if you want to change the color mode, it's the moment too)...

Then have a look at the options (if you're not sure, post here which options are activated and which aren't)

After changing all those settings, press "OK", and log off and on again (or do a reboot).
Let us know how it goes (or if you already tried it this way, answer then the first question please  )

[horusfalcon]

I'm curious:  are you "cloning" your primary display onto the external monitor, or extending your desktop?  If it's the former case, you will be unable to use any resolutions greater than the most limiting dimension of your primary display (in this case, 768 pixels).

Try configuring multiple displays in "Configure Your Desktop" and see what happens.  Under "Hardware" look at the "Multiple Monitors" screen.  This will allow you to configure an extended desktop, and then configure correct resolutions for each display.

Jot back, let's see if we can get yours figured out.

Later On,
D

[plankton172]

Resurrecting this thread, as the original poster doesn't seem too keen on updating us.

+++++++++++

Ok, so I hooked up a Chimei 95ND LCD monitor to my netbook (see my signature for specs) via VGA and by using Configure Your Desktop > Hardware > Display and Monitor, I could set the external monitor's screen resolution to its native 1366 x 768 while the netbook's display stays as is. I also configured the LCD monitor to not be a clone but instead be "Left of" the netbook display -- and so now I have a multiple monitor setup.

The problem is when I restart the netbook, all the changes I did are always lost, and so I have to set everything back again. I tried the "Save as default" option in Configure Your Desktop > Hardware > Display and Monitor and it does say the changes were saved as default ... but the settings don't really "stick" when I restart.

Appreciate your help.

[Archie]

Hey, Happy New Year. Are you using NVIDIA? I can't make out what your hardware specs on your sig. If it is NVIDIA, the way to go is More Applications > Configuration > NVIDIA Display Settings.

The catch is you need to be as root to save the settings on your /etc/X11/xorg.conf.

Regards,
Archie

[plankton172]

Hey there Archie!

Nope, the netbook doesn't use nVidia. According to PCC, it's an INTEL 810 and LATER.

Below is my /etc/X11/xorg.conf. What do you think I need to change?

Code: [Select]

# File generated by XFdrake (rev 262502)

# **********************************************************************
# Refer to the xorg.conf man page for details about the format of
# this file.
# **********************************************************************

Section "ServerFlags"
    Option "DontZap" "False" # disable <Ctrl><Alt><BS> (server abort)
    AllowMouseOpenFail # allows the server to start up even if the mouse does not work
    #DontZoom # disable <Ctrl><Alt><KP_+>/<KP_-> (resolution switching)
EndSection

Section "Module"
    Load "v4l" # Video for Linux
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier "monitor1"
    VendorName "Generic"
    ModelName "Flat Panel 1024x600"
    HorizSync 31.5-55.0
    VertRefresh 40.0-70.0
    Option "PreferredMode" "1024x600"
    
    # TV fullscreen mode or DVD fullscreen output.
    # 768x576 @ 79 Hz, 50 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "768x576"     50.00  768  832  846 1000   576  590  595  630
    
    # 768x576 @ 100 Hz, 61.6 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "768x576"     63.07  768  800  960 1024   576  578  590  616
    
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1024x600_120"  107.41  1024 1096 1208 1392  600 601 604 643  -HSync +Vsync
    
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1024x600_100"  87.51  1024 1088 1200 1376  600 601 604 636  -HSync +Vsync
    
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1024x600_85"  72.83  1024 1080 1192 1360  600 601 604 630  -HSync +Vsync
    
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1024x600_75"  63.20  1024 1080 1184 1344  600 601 604 627  -HSync +Vsync
    
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1024x600_60"  48.96  1024 1064 1168 1312  600 601 604 622  -HSync +Vsync
    
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1024x600_50"  39.55  1024 1048 1152 1280  600 601 604 618  -HSync +Vsync
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier "device1"
    VendorName "Intel Corporation"
    BoardName "Intel 810 and later"
    Driver "intel"
    Option "DPMS"
    Option "MonitorLayout" "NONE,CRT+LFP"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier "screen1"
    Device "device1"
    Monitor "monitor1"
    DefaultColorDepth 24
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 8
        Modes "1024x600"
    EndSubsection
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 15
        Modes "1024x600"
    EndSubsection
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 16
        Modes "1024x600"
    EndSubsection
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 24
        Modes "1024x600"
    EndSubsection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
    Identifier "layout1"
    Screen "screen1"
EndSection


Again, my external monitor is 1366 x 768; while the netbook is 1024 x 600.

[AS]

This should help:

http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,94417.msg794649.html#msg794649

AS

[Archie]

Try Texstar's solution first as per the link AS had provided.

The external monitor configuration is not on your xorg.conf and that is what is needed to be read when you session starts.

You say that your problem is the changes you did do not stick when restarting your netbook. Plugin your external monitor and try this:

Alt + F2, type kdesu systemsettings > supply your root password. Make any changes as you did and click Apply. Open xorg.conf and note if there were any changes made to the file. If changes were made, good; if not we'll have to try another method.

If any changes were made, please post them so others may also benefit.

[plankton172]

Thank you, AS and Archie (again!).

I tried both Texstar's and Archie's suggestions and I'm happy to report that yes, changes were made on the xorg.conf!
The left monitor (external LCD) now automatically becomes 1366x768 while the netbook screen is at 1024x600 -- despite numerous restarts.

However, there's just one little setting that doesn't seem to stick no matter what I do: making the external LCD's position as "Left of" the netbook screen. What I mean is, it always reverts to a default where the external monitor is a "clone" of the netbook (both of them showing the same thing) when I would have wanted one to be the other's extension. I can actually live with this coz it's just 3 mouse clicks (I counted) but hope there would be a way to make this configuration permanent.

Very grateful for all your generous help!   Would have marked this thread as "solved" but I am not the original poster. Cheers!

[AS]

However, there's just one little setting that doesn't seem to stick no matter what I do: making the external LCD's position as "Left of" the netbook screen. What I mean is, it always reverts to a default where the external monitor is a "clone" of the netbook (both of them showing the same thing) when I would have wanted one to be the other's extension. I can actually live with this coz it's just 3 mouse clicks (I counted) but hope there would be a way to make this configuration permanent.

Don't know the solution, but post your current /etc/X11/xorg.conf, so that that others can spot what is the problem.   

[plankton172]

Here it is, AS:

Code: [Select]

# File generated by XFdrake (rev 262502)

# **********************************************************************
# Refer to the xorg.conf man page for details about the format of
# this file.
# **********************************************************************

Section "ServerFlags"
    Option "DontZap" "False" # disable <Ctrl><Alt><BS> (server abort)
    AllowMouseOpenFail # allows the server to start up even if the mouse does not work
    #DontZoom # disable <Ctrl><Alt><KP_+>/<KP_-> (resolution switching)
EndSection

Section "Module"
    Load "v4l" # Video for Linux
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier "monitor1"
    VendorName "Generic"
    ModelName "Flat Panel 1024x600"
    HorizSync 31.5-55.0
    VertRefresh 40.0-70.0
    Option "PreferredMode" "1366x768"
   
    # TV fullscreen mode or DVD fullscreen output.
    # 768x576 @ 79 Hz, 50 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "768x576"     50.00  768  832  846 1000   576  590  595  630
   
    # 768x576 @ 100 Hz, 61.6 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "768x576"     63.07  768  800  960 1024   576  578  590  616
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1368x768_120"  185.67  1368 1472 1624 1880  768 769 772 823  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1368x768_100"  151.73  1368 1464 1616 1864  768 769 772 814  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1368x768_85"  125.67  1368 1456 1600 1832  768 769 772 807  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1368x768_75"  110.19  1368 1456 1600 1832  768 769 772 802  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1368x768_60"  85.86  1368 1440 1584 1800  768 769 772 795  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1368x768_50"  69.92  1368 1424 1568 1768  768 769 772 791  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1360x765_120"  182.63  1360 1456 1608 1856  765 766 769 820  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1360x765_100"  149.22  1360 1456 1600 1840  765 766 769 811  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1360x765_85"  124.65  1360 1448 1592 1824  765 766 769 804  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1360x765_75"  108.34  1360 1440 1584 1808  765 766 769 799  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1360x765_60"  84.40  1360 1424 1568 1776  765 766 769 792  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1360x765_50"  69.34  1360 1416 1560 1760  765 766 769 788  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x720_120"  161.56  1280 1376 1512 1744  720 721 724 772  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x720_100"  131.85  1280 1368 1504 1728  720 721 724 763  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x720_85"  110.01  1280 1360 1496 1712  720 721 724 756  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x720_75"  95.65  1280 1352 1488 1696  720 721 724 752  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x720_60"  74.48  1280 1336 1472 1664  720 721 724 746  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x720_50"  60.47  1280 1328 1456 1632  720 721 724 741  -HSync +Vsync
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier "device1"
    VendorName "Intel Corporation"
    BoardName "Intel 810 and later"
    Driver "intel"
    Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier "screen1"
    Device "device1"
    Monitor "monitor1"
    DefaultColorDepth 24
   
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 8
        Modes "1366x768" "1360x765" "1280x720"
    EndSubsection
   
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 15
        Modes "1366x768" "1360x765" "1280x720"
    EndSubsection
   
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 16
        Modes "1366x768" "1360x765" "1280x720"
    EndSubsection
   
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 24
        Modes "1366x768" "1360x765" "1280x720"
    EndSubsection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
    Identifier "layout1"
    Screen "screen1"
EndSection