Re: Dual-screen configuration help needed

[Kent West <westk@acu.edu>]

Matthijs wrote:

> I'm basically in the process of upgrading from Windows-XP to Debian
> Sarge - which means that I'm first trying to get Sarge to behave a bit
> like Windows.
>
> I've got a dual-monitor setup, using an ATI Radeon 9500 with a 17 inch
> LCD and CRT connected to it. I've already got it working on Sarge:
> installed the ATI driver and configured XFree86, running both screens
> on 1280x1024.
>
> What I had on Windows: two screens, windows of programs opened on
> either the primary or secondary screen. The 'Start' bar was on the
> right (primary) display. I could drag windows from one screen to the
> other or expand them over both screens. Popup-windows appeared in the
> center of either display.
>
> Now I'm not yet sure what to choose in XFree86:
> I've tried two screens with separate drivers and framebuffers. This
> has disadvantages:
> 1) I cannot give the displays different backdrops; (cosmetic but I
> like different backdrops)
> 2) I cannot drag windows from one display to the other.
>  

I'm no expert, but here's what works for me (your #1 above is still a 
problem, but 2 works); it's the relevant sections of my XF86Config-4 file.


Section "Device"
       Identifier      "Diamond Stealth 64 S3"
       Driver          "s3virge"
       BusID           "PCI:0:11:0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
       Identifier      "Compudata"
       HorizSync       28-49
       VertRefresh     43-72
       Option          "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
       Identifier      "Right Screen"
       Device          "Diamond Stealth 64 S3"
       Monitor         "CompuData"
       DefaultDepth    24
       SubSection "Display"
               Depth           16
               Modes           "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
       EndSubSection
       SubSection "Display"
               Depth           24
               Modes           "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
       EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Device"
       Identifier      "ATI Rage 128"
       Driver          "ati"
       BusID           "PCI:01:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
       Identifier      "VX720"
       HorizSync       30-92
       VertRefresh     50-85
       Option          "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
       Identifier      "Left Screen"
       Device          "ATI Rage 128"
       Monitor         "VX720"
       DefaultDepth    24
       SubSection "Display"
               Depth           16
               Modes           "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
       EndSubSection
       SubSection "Display"
               Depth           24
               Modes           "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
       EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
       Identifier      "Two-Headed Beastie"
       Screen          "Left Screen" Leftof "Right Screen"
       Screen          "Right Screen"
       Option          "Xinerama"
       InputDevice     "Generic Keyboard"
       InputDevice     "Configured Mouse"
EndSection