[Solved] Dual Monitor configuration for opensource ATI driver

NoiSe_NOR · 2011-04-09 21:21:57

After https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=115973 failing to get the catalyst driver to work i decided to go with the open source one, so i can i finally start actually setting up Arch again. Now i am starting thinking somehow it shouldn't be. The driver (or X) is not setting up the screens probably. I have one 1280x1024 and one 1920x1080 but when i startx the resultion on both are 1280x1024 and they are cloned(same content on both screens) So i looked out over the Wiki on how to configure for a dual monitor setup. The only solid help i found was a 10-monitor.conf for dual monitor setup but for nvidia cards, i tryed my best into making it work, but as i expectet i fail; both screens just go black and don't even get a signal with my configuration. The result i actually want is that i have one Workspace going over both screens so i can move windows in between. Here is my 10-monitor.conf :

Section "ServerLayout"
    Identifier     "DualSreen"
    Screen       0 "Screen0"
    Screen       1 "Screen1" RightOf "Screen0" #Screen1 at the right of Screen0
    Option         "Xinerama" "1" #To move windows between screens
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier     "Monitor0"
    Option         "Enable" "true"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier     "Monitor1"
    Option         "Enable" "true"
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier     "Device0"
    Driver         "radeon"
    BusID        "PCI:1:0:0"
    Screen         0
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier     "Device1"
    Driver         "radeon"
    BusID        "PCI:1:0:0"
    Screen         1
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier      "Screen0"
    Device         "Device0"
    Monitor        "Monitor0"
    DefaultDepth    24
    Option         "TwinView" "0"
    SubSection "Display"
        Depth          24
        Modes          "1280x1024_60.00"
    EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier      "Screen1"
    Device         "Device1"
    Monitor        "Monitor1"
    DefaultDepth   24
    Option         "TwinView" "0"
    SubSection "Display"
        Depth          24
        Modes         "1920x1080_60.00"
    EndSubSection
EndSection

Last edited by NoiSe_NOR (2011-04-10 14:03:49)

Inxsible · 2011-04-09 21:28:59

I used xf86-video-ati and had a dual monitor config in my 10-monitor.conf. Then I used xrandr, to set up the monitors the way I wanted. you know the whole DVI-1 to the left of DVI-0 shebang.

I use i3, and I could create workspaces on both monitors and transfer windows between them. What's wrong with using xrandr again (as you mentioned in your linked thread)?

BurntSushi · 2011-04-09 23:55:54

If you're using xf86-video-ati you shouldn't need an xorg.conf or a 10-monitor.conf file at all. See thinkwiki's article on RandR.

Once you have a configuration you like, just add it to your .xinitrc before you start your window manager.

Inxsible · 2011-04-10 03:42:01

I needed a 10-monitor.conf because both my monitors had a different max resolution. If I didn't use a conf file, the resolution on both would be 1280x1024 (the highest for one of the monitors) To get 1680x1050 on my newer monitor, I had to use a 10-monitor.conf file to set the different default resolution for both monitors.

BurntSushi · 2011-04-10 04:04:46

Inxsible wrote:

I needed a 10-monitor.conf because both my monitors had a different max resolution. If I didn't use a conf file, the resolution on both would be 1280x1024 (the highest for one of the monitors) To get 1680x1050 on my newer monitor, I had to use a 10-monitor.conf file to set the different default resolution for both monitors.

If you don't make any calls to xrandr when you start X, then yes, that is correct. Otherwise, `xrandr --output DIS1 --auto --output DIS2 --auto --right-of DIS1` will use the best resolution reported by each monitor. (Even if they are different.)

If you're cloning though, the behavior might be different, I'm not sure.

NoiSe_NOR · 2011-04-10 13:18:18

i would like to try xrandr but i allways get an output like this when doing anything with xrandr: Can't open display

EDIT: never mind i had to be in X for xrandr to work "doh!"

EDIT2: i got it to work, even with my TV to be working together with my two desktopscreens, amazing. Thx for all the help
If someone is couriuse i used the gui tool arandr, as i didnt got it to work with the terminal, when i had it like i wanted, i saved the script and pasted in the .xinitrc, but it has to be before the actual WM.

Last edited by NoiSe_NOR (2011-04-10 14:03:13)

Inxsible · 2011-04-10 13:56:05

So I assume that everything works now. Please mark thread as SOLVED.

Arch Linux

#1 2011-04-09 21:21:57

[Solved] Dual Monitor configuration for opensource ATI driver

#2 2011-04-09 21:28:59

Re: [Solved] Dual Monitor configuration for opensource ATI driver

#3 2011-04-09 23:55:54

Re: [Solved] Dual Monitor configuration for opensource ATI driver

#4 2011-04-10 03:42:01

Re: [Solved] Dual Monitor configuration for opensource ATI driver

#5 2011-04-10 04:04:46

Re: [Solved] Dual Monitor configuration for opensource ATI driver

#6 2011-04-10 13:18:18

Re: [Solved] Dual Monitor configuration for opensource ATI driver

#7 2011-04-10 13:56:05

Re: [Solved] Dual Monitor configuration for opensource ATI driver

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