External monitor can only "copy" laptop's built-in

[Dotan Cohen]

On 21 May 2010 19:42, Aviram Jenik <aviram at jenik.com> wrote:
> Things to note: change the resolution/refresh rate of each screen to their
> maximum (start with xrandr -q to see where you stand, and then
> xrandr --output LVDS --mode YYYxZZZ). It also has switches to put one screen
> on the right or left of the other, and it all happens immediately. Of course,
> as Omer mentioned, make sure the virtual display settings are big enough for
> (1680+1680)x1050.
>

This seems to be my problem: setting the virtual display size:
✈dcl:~$ xrandr --fb 3360x1050
xrandr: screen cannot be larger than 1680x1680 (desired size 3360x1050)
✈dcl:~$ xrandr --fb 1680x2100
xrandr: screen cannot be larger than 1680x1680 (desired size 1680x2100)

Might the problem be that I need to create another "virtual" display
as opposed to setting the current display? I don't see how to do that,
in fact from the examples in the xrandr manpage it doesn't look
necessary.


> Also check out the 'addmode' switches that allow you to set a very specific
> configuration (refresh rate, etc) on each of the monitors to really make sure
> you are taking advantage of it.
>
> The downside of xrandr is that you have to manually do it., and you lose the
> wonderful auto-detect features of xorg. Then again you can map it to a
> hot-key and make it work with a single click of a button.
>

I have no problem with doing it manually, actually, I'd prefer that.

Thanks.


-- 
Dotan Cohen

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