Arch Linux

phillips1012

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Registered: 2014-01-13

Posts: 6

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How do I make arch linux pretend my laptop's monitor doesn't exist?

My laptop has a broken screen, so I use it as a desktop by hooking up an external monitor. I've been trying to google how to make arch linux ignore the laptop's monitor and only use the external one, but to no avail. I'm currently using `xrandr --output LVDS1 --off`, but bspwm still thinks it's enabled.

How do I make the kernel pretend it doesn't exist without having to cut the physical wires connecting it?

Edit: Setting a negative bottom_padding in bspwm sort of fixes this issue, but I'm gonna keep this thread because I want a less-hacky solution for anyone who goes through the same googling process. (and for linux ttys to not show up on the laptop screen)

Last edited by phillips1012 (2014-08-15 02:47:23)

ewaller

Administrator

From: Pasadena, CA

Registered: 2009-07-13

Posts: 20,722

Re: How do I make arch linux pretend my laptop's monitor doesn't exist?

I don't know what to do outside of Xorg, but inside of Xorg, I would suggest crafting an Xorg configuration that does not associate a monitor with that output.
I assume you are using the same video card for the external display, so black listing the driver is a no go.

You might also look at the output of modinfo for your video card's driver. Mine is i915 (you can see the loaded modules with lsmod.  The i915 has a mode called disable_display and is a bool.   If you have an intel  card, you could try i915.disable_display=true on the kernel command line in your bootloader.   No guarantees on the syntax, I might not have it exactly correct.  Obviously, if you are running Nvidia or ATI, the parameters will be different.   Of course, I don't know if this option turns off both outputs   You'll have to tell us

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Nothing is too wonderful to be true, if it be consistent with the laws of nature -- Michael Faraday
The shortest way to ruin a country is to give power to demagogues.— Dionysius of Halicarnassus
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headkase

Member

Registered: 2011-12-06

Posts: 2,005

Re: How do I make arch linux pretend my laptop's monitor doesn't exist?

Try appending:

video=LVDS1:d

to your kernel line in your bootloader.  If "LVDS1" isn't the proper name of the output then replace it with what is - like "LVDS-1".

The ":d" means disable the output.  It is usually used when you have problematic outputs - like your broken screen I guess although that isn't the typical time this is used..

Last edited by headkase (2014-08-15 06:23:44)

ewaller

Administrator

From: Pasadena, CA

Registered: 2009-07-13

Posts: 20,722

Re: How do I make arch linux pretend my laptop's monitor doesn't exist?

video=LVDS1:d

<snip>
The ":d" means disable the output.

Oh, nice.  Where did you find that nugget?

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Nothing is too wonderful to be true, if it be consistent with the laws of nature -- Michael Faraday
The shortest way to ruin a country is to give power to demagogues.— Dionysius of Halicarnassus
---
How to Ask Questions the Smart Way

headkase

Member

Registered: 2011-12-06

Posts: 2,005

Re: How do I make arch linux pretend my laptop's monitor doesn't exist?

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/No … tput_Issue

Phantom output problems with Nouveau.  The parameter is set before anything else is loaded, like the display driver, so I'm confident it should work in similar situations.