BrainStorm Cool Tip: Configuring Dual Monitors in SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10

Novell Cool Solutions: Tip
By BrainStorm, Inc.

Digg This - Slashdot This Posted: 12 Oct 2006

Welcome to BrainStorm Cool Tips. New tips will be posted regularly to help you more effectively use SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop. If you have any suggestions for tips, please feel free to let us know by emailing tips@brainstorminc.com.

Configuring Dual Monitors in SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10

SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 supports dual monitors. To learn how to configure this multiple display and give yourself a little more room, follow the steps below.

1. Click My Computer.
2. Select Control Center.
3. Select Graphics and Card Monitor.
4. Enter the root password, when prompted.
5. Click Continue.
6. In the Dual Head Mode section, check Activate Dual Head Mode.
7. Click Configure.
8. Click Change to specify the vendor and model of your secondary monitor.
9. Click OK.
10. Set the resolution for the monitor by selecting it from the Second Monitor Resolution pull down menu.
11. Select a dual monitor mode.
    1. Select Cloned Multihead to mirror the primary display.
    2. Select Xinerama Multihead to span the display across multiple screens.
12. Select an arrangement of monitors that matches your physical arrangement.
13. Click OK and then OK again.
14. Log off the computer and log back in again to see the new settings.

To see a flash demonstration of this tip, click the link below.

/coolsolutions/img/configuringdualhead.swf

For more easy to follow step-by-step instructions on how to use SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop features, check out the SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 Quick Start Card.

Reader Comments

• I do not get "Activate dual head mode" option in the dialog box. I have a Nvidia GeForce4 MX440. I need to know how to obtain the dual monitor option?
• I tried this on a Dell D820 laptop with NVIDIA card and couldn't get the machine to work with 2 monitors at once in clone mode. I tried with both monitors and projects, with and without the XGL enabled. I would get a desktop on one device only, I'd have to run sax to switch between them and restart my xserver each time.
• With NVidia binary drivers, you should not use Xinerama, but NVidia's own TwinView -extension. That should work right.

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