Dual Display on Ubuntu with Nvidia Graphics Adapter
Saturday, 17 January 2009 08:52
In this tutorial we explain how Nvidia graphics cards support dual displays both as mirrors and extended desktop. Setting this up on Windows is relatively straightforward. However, setting this up on Ubuntu Linux requires a little more work.

Thanks go out to my colleges at work for this one:

First, take a backup copy of X configuration file. You may have to revert to the backup configuration if anything goes wrong. Note that X may not even start if you get the configuration wrong:-

sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup

Download and install Nvida GLX driver:-

sudo apt-get install nvidia-glx

Ensure the GLX driver is active:-
  • Go to System->Administration->Hardware Drivers
  • Make sure the Nvida Accelerated Graphics Driver is In Use
  • If you can't see the driver here then there's something wrong with the installation
  • Tick the box if the driver is not enabled. If this doesn't work, then have a look at https://help.ubuntu.com/BinaryDriverHowto/Nvidia


Reconfigure system to use Nvidia GLX driver:-

sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Inspect /etc/X11/xorg.conf and check that the Nvidia GLX driver is used:-
  • Under the "Device" section, Driver should be set to "nvidia"
  • Under the "Module" section, there should be a line saying Load "glx"
  • You may also have to manually add Option "RenderAccel" "true" under section "Screen"


Restart X to make sure everything still works:-
  • Press CTRL-ALT-BACKSPACE to restart X. Please note that this will close all applications and require you to log back on.


Now configure the system for dual displays:-
  • Under section "Screen" add Option "TwinView" and Option "MetaModes" "1280x1024 1280x1024"
  • Now restart X again using CTRL-ALT-BACKSPACE


If the screen orientation is wrong, you can change it using Option "TwinViewOrientation" "LeftOf". Legal values for this option are LeftOf, RightOf, Below, Above and Clone. Having trouble using linux?
Last Updated ( Thursday, 15 October 2009 22:18 )
 
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