Hi
I have a laptop (Dell, Lat 4300, with express intel GM45) which I use in two ways:
- stand alone and there I need the std 1280x800 resolution
- on my dock station attached to an external screen, and for this, I need 1900x1200 for the external screen, being a clone of the 1280x800 of my laptop (so in that config I will see only part of the desktop on my laptop, but of course I don’t care).
This worked very well with OpenSuse 11.2 and each time I put the laptop on the docking station it adapted itself, detecting a change.
Now with Opensuse 11.3 (KDE 4.5 update) it is a disaster. It does NOT work and I have every time I take out or in the laptop from the dockstation to RE-configure everything, and even the default set up is not kept (as many posts emphasised it). I must say, this is the worst release since many in this context.
So reading the posts it seems that the best for me at this stage would be to have a specific xorg.conf. I have tried Xorg -configure, but the resulting xorg.conf does not even have a right monitor setup and does not work.
So my question: any way someone would advise me how to configure my intel graphic card for the purpose mentioned above, and/or provide me with specific input on how to configure these 2 screens set up (which should transforms automatically into a 1 screen LVDS screen when I take out the laptop from the docking station).
thanks for any input (I have read many posts, and failed miserably so far to find a good solution)
You might try the xrandr approach.
Some references:
man xrandr
Xorg RandR 1.2 - ThinkWiki
Intel Linux Graphics: Dual Head Setup How To
These old threads might be helpful with making your desired xrandr configuration persistent:
how to save dual head setup?
Won’t save display settings
I agree. The handling of docking and undocking laptops is not very well handled by oS and especially now that sax2 has been removed from 11.3. What I had to resort to was create a xorg.conf for the laptop which was easy for me as I still have an identical second laptop running oS11.2 so I just copied that xorg.config over and changed the monitor details and removed all the mouse and keyboard stuff.
Did you upgrade to 11.3 or do a clean install? I’m thinking that if it was an upgrade then the old xorg.conf should still be present.
I’ve pasted my xorg.conf from my 11.2 install for your info. I have a Thinkpad with the same intel45GM video card, You can take it as a template and change your monitor details and anything else. You can strip out the font and keyboard and mouse stuff too.
# /.../
# SaX generated X11 config file
# Created on: 2010-01-14T07:50:27+0000.
#
# Version: 8.1
# Contact: Marcus Schaefer <sax@suse.de>, 2005
# Contact: SaX-User list <https://lists.berlios.de/mailman/listinfo/sax-users>
#
# Automatically generated by [ISaX] (8.1)
# PLEASE DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE!
#
Section "Files"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/misc:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/local"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/75dpi:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/100dpi:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/URW"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/Speedo"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/PEX"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/cyrillic"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/latin2/misc:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/latin2/75dpi:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/latin2/100dpi:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/latin2/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/latin7/75dpi:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/baekmuk:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/japanese:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/kwintv"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/truetype"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/uni:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/CID"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/ucs/misc:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/ucs/75dpi:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/ucs/100dpi:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/hellas/misc:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/hellas/75dpi:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/hellas/100dpi:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/hellas/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/misc/sgi:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/xtest"
FontPath "/opt/kde3/share/fonts"
InputDevices "/dev/gpmdata"
InputDevices "/dev/input/mice"
EndSection
Section "ServerFlags"
Option "AIGLX" "on"
Option "AllowMouseOpenFail" "on"
Option "ZapWarning" "on"
EndSection
Section "Module"
Load "dbe"
Load "extmod"
Load "glx"
Load "dri"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
# Driver "kbd" will be disabled unless 'Option "AutoAddDevices" "off"'
# is set in "ServerFlags" section.
Driver "kbd"
Identifier "Keyboard[0]"
Option "Protocol" "Standard"
Option "XkbLayout" "gb"
Option "XkbModel" "microsoftpro"
Option "XkbRules" "xfree86"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
# Driver "mouse" will be disabled unless 'Option "AutoAddDevices" "off"'
# is set in "ServerFlags" section.
Driver "mouse"
Identifier "Mouse[1]"
Option "Buttons" "12"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Name" "Logitech MX-1000 Cordless Mouse Receiver"
Option "Protocol" "explorerps/2"
Option "Vendor" "Sysp"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection
Section "Monitor"
DisplaySize 376 301
HorizSync 29-81
Identifier "Monitor[0]"
ModelName "SAMSUNG SYNCMASTER"
Option "DPMS"
Option "PreferredMode" "1280x1024"
VendorName "SAM"
VertRefresh 43-75
UseModes "Modes[0]"
EndSection
Section "Modes"
Identifier "Modes[0]"
Modeline "1280x1024" 106.97 1280 1360 1496 1712 1024 1025 1028 1059
Modeline "1280x1024" 87.75 1280 1328 1360 1440 1024 1027 1034 1053 +HSync -VSync
Modeline "1280x960" 107.32 1280 1360 1496 1712 960 961 964 995
Modeline "1280x960" 88.25 1280 1328 1360 1440 960 963 967 989 +HSync -VSync
Modeline "1280x800" 107.21 1280 1360 1496 1712 800 801 804 835
Modeline "1280x800" 98.89 1280 1352 1488 1696 800 801 804 833
Modeline "1280x800" 91.61 1280 1352 1488 1696 800 801 804 831
Modeline "1280x800" 88.25 1280 1328 1360 1440 800 803 809 829 +HSync -VSync
Modeline "1280x800" 83.46 1280 1344 1480 1680 800 801 804 828
Modeline "1152x864" 104.99 1152 1224 1352 1552 864 865 868 902
Modeline "1152x864" 96.77 1152 1224 1344 1536 864 865 868 900
Modeline "1152x864" 89.56 1152 1224 1344 1536 864 865 868 897
Modeline "1152x864" 86.75 1152 1200 1232 1312 864 867 871 895 +HSync -VSync
Modeline "1152x864" 81.62 1152 1216 1336 1520 864 865 868 895
Modeline "1280x768" 102.98 1280 1360 1496 1712 768 769 772 802
Modeline "1280x768" 94.98 1280 1352 1488 1696 768 769 772 800
Modeline "1280x768" 87.97 1280 1352 1488 1696 768 769 772 798
Modeline "1280x768" 84.75 1280 1328 1360 1440 768 771 778 796 +HSync -VSync
Modeline "1280x768" 80.14 1280 1344 1480 1680 768 769 772 795
Modeline "1280x720" 95.65 1280 1352 1488 1696 720 721 724 752
Modeline "1280x720" 89.04 1280 1352 1488 1696 720 721 724 750
Modeline "1280x720" 81.68 1280 1344 1480 1680 720 721 724 748
Modeline "1280x720" 79.25 1280 1328 1360 1440 720 723 728 746 +HSync -VSync
Modeline "1280x720" 74.48 1280 1336 1472 1664 720 721 724 746
Modeline "1024x768" 81.80 1024 1080 1192 1360 768 769 772 802
Modeline "1024x768" 76.16 1024 1080 1192 1360 768 769 772 800
Modeline "1024x768" 69.71 1024 1080 1184 1344 768 769 772 798
Modeline "1024x768" 69.50 1024 1072 1104 1184 768 771 775 796 +HSync -VSync
Modeline "1024x768" 64.11 1024 1080 1184 1344 768 769 772 795
Modeline "1280x600" 79.00 1280 1344 1480 1680 600 601 604 627
Modeline "1280x600" 72.80 1280 1336 1472 1664 600 601 604 625
Modeline "1280x600" 66.74 1280 1336 1464 1648 600 601 604 623
Modeline "1280x600" 66.25 1280 1328 1360 1440 600 603 613 622 +HSync -VSync
Modeline "1280x600" 61.50 1280 1336 1464 1648 600 601 604 622
Modeline "1024x600" 63.20 1024 1080 1184 1344 600 601 604 627
Modeline "1024x600" 58.10 1024 1072 1176 1328 600 601 604 625
Modeline "1024x600" 54.25 1024 1072 1104 1184 600 603 613 622 +HSync -VSync
Modeline "1024x600" 53.78 1024 1072 1176 1328 600 601 604 623
Modeline "1024x600" 48.96 1024 1064 1168 1312 600 601 604 622
Modeline "800x600" 48.91 800 840 920 1040 600 601 604 627
Modeline "800x600" 45.50 800 840 920 1040 600 601 604 625
Modeline "800x600" 44.00 800 848 880 960 600 603 607 622 +HSync -VSync
Modeline "800x600" 42.11 800 840 920 1040 600 601 604 623
Modeline "800x600" 38.22 800 832 912 1024 600 601 604 622
Modeline "768x576" 45.51 768 808 888 1008 576 577 580 602
Modeline "768x576" 41.66 768 800 880 992 576 577 580 600
Modeline "768x576" 40.75 768 816 848 928 576 579 583 597 +HSync -VSync
Modeline "768x576" 38.56 768 800 880 992 576 577 580 598
Modeline "768x576" 34.96 768 792 872 976 576 577 580 597
Modeline "640x480" 30.72 640 664 728 816 480 481 484 502
Modeline "640x480" 29.25 640 688 720 800 480 483 487 497 +HSync -VSync
Modeline "640x480" 28.56 640 664 728 816 480 481 484 500
Modeline "640x480" 25.95 640 656 720 800 480 481 484 499
Modeline "640x480" 23.86 640 656 720 800 480 481 484 497
Modeline "1280x1024" 108.00 1280 1328 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +HSync +VSync
EndSection
Section "Screen"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x800" "1152x864" "1280x768" "1280x720" "1024x768" "1280x600" "1024x600" "800x600" "768x576" "640x480"
Virtual 2048 1200
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x800" "1152x864" "1280x768" "1280x720" "1024x768" "1280x600" "1024x600" "800x600" "768x576" "640x480"
Virtual 2048 1200
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x800" "1152x864" "1280x768" "1280x720" "1024x768" "1280x600" "1024x600" "800x600" "768x576" "640x480"
Virtual 2048 1200
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1280x800" "1152x864" "1280x768" "1280x720" "1024x768" "1280x600" "1024x600" "800x600" "768x576" "640x480"
Virtual 2048 1200
EndSubSection
Device "Device[0]"
Identifier "Screen[0]"
Monitor "Monitor[0]"
EndSection
Section "Device"
BoardName "945 GM"
Driver "intel"
Identifier "Device[0]"
Option "monitor-VGA" "Monitor[0]"
VendorName "Intel"
EndSection
Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Layout[all]"
InputDevice "Keyboard[0]" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "Mouse[1]" "CorePointer"
Option "Clone" "off"
Option "Xinerama" "off"
Screen "Screen[0]"
EndSection
Section "DRI"
Group "video"
Mode 0660
EndSection
Section "Extensions"
Option "Composite" "on"
EndSection
I don’t have access to my other Thinkpad with 11.3 on it so cannot paste that xorg.conf. I know the format was slightly different. Let me know if the one I pasted doesn’t work and I’ll paste the one from the 11.3 laptop up later tonight.
Thanks a lot.
the xrandr function does work very well. However it does not really do what I wish. Several problems:
1- I did not manage to make this start automatically when I get the Xserver started. I tried Autostart (bash script in .kde4/Autostart) or .xprofile but this does not anything. I tried to add the script in the Autostart setting too. No luck.
2- when I take out the laptop from the docking station it DOES ask me automatically if I wish to change the display set up, but does reconfigure my 1280x800 res desktop (as it was the case in opensuse 11.2) WITH the panel at the bottom anymore. So hard to work then…
3- when I put the laptop again back on the docking station, it asks me again for configuration but in fact does not do the right thing…
a nightmare…
any input welcome
I tried Autostart (bash script in .kde4/Autostart) or .xprofile but this does not anything. I tried to add the script in the Autostart setting too. No luck.
Its not ‘.xprofile’, but ‘.profile’ in the relevant user directory. If you tried the script (in Autostart), you need to make sure its executable first:
HowTo Autostart application in KDE4 | Linux Poison
An alternative approach is to have the xrandr lines within a simple bash script, and make a link to them,so that you can configure the displays manually by clicking on an icon.
3- when I put the laptop again back on the docking station, it asks me again for configuration but in fact does not do the right thing…
a nightmare…
I’d search for and/or file a bug report on this. Its the only way to get these problems resolved.
Thanks
the bash script was of course executable but it didn’t work. I’ll try again starting from scratch.
I also tried .profile without luck neither (in fact the xserver got stuck then)
As for the docking station issue I’ll post something. I need to see how I can write a useful bug report because the issue seems complex: basically the management of 2 screens, docking stations, lid closing etc fails completely (with me) and I did a new install of OpenSuse 11.3 after an upgrade which was even worse. Seems to me that OpenSuse 11.3 was NOT ready for a release regarding Xorg issues. Things were working fine with 11.2… Sigh…
As for you suggestion of using icons, it is a good escape option. I’ll do that indeed, it will come handy in case I cannot solve the issue.
thanks a lot
Xorg creates a log of messages and errors at /var/log/Xorg.0.log. So, any bug report submitted, should provide a clear description of the prroblem (or incorrect behaviour occuring), details about your graphics hardware chipset, display devices, and configurations, and the /var/log/Xorg.0.log contents.
A useful guide
openSUSE:Submitting bug reports - openSUSE
which includes a link to
openSUSE:Bugreport X - openSUSE