At startup, can't drag windows between dual monitors

[David Brewer]

Ubuntu 8.10, Gnome 2.24.1, 2.6.27-11-generic, 64-bit.

I have a Lenovo T61 laptop with a 1680x1050 LCD screen and Intel X3100 graphics adapter. I have an external DVI monitor plugged in via a docking station, also running at 1680x1050. My system is configured to use these two monitors simultaneously in a dual-head configuration, and I set this up entirely using the "Preferences -> Screen Resolution" tool.

My problem is that when I boot, I can't drag windows from the external monitor (on the left) to the laptop's LCD (on the right). I can drag them partially onto the laptop screen, but they seem to hit some kind of barrier which prevents me from dragging them all the way onto the screen.

I can "fix" this issue by going into "Preferences -> Screen Resolution", and dragging the external monitor so that it is on the right of the LCD, then clicking apply. Once this takes effect, I drag the external monitor back so that it is on the left of the LCD, then click apply again. After that everything works fine until I reboot again.

I've attached the output of "xrandr". It is exactly the same before and after I do the monitor-position shuffle to fix my issue.

Is there any other information (config files, log files) I can provide to make this an easier issue to track down?

[Michael Wilson (mwilsonemt)]

Thank you for taking the time to report this bug and helping to make Ubuntu better. Unfortunately, we can't fix it because your description didn't include enough information. You may find it helpful to read "How to report bugs effectively" http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/bugs.html. We'd be grateful if you would then provide a more complete description of the problem.

Specifically, what dual monitor setup are you using? Xinerama, Twin View, or MergedFB?
Thanks.

[HammerHead66 (hollycowbatman23)]

I have had this problem try minimize window and drag the minimized window into the monitor Icon on bottom right to the monitor you want it in it should fix that.

[Paul Bailey (paul-m-bailey)]

I have the same problem with Intel Corporation Mobile GM965/GL960 Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 0c). I have a Dell monitor and a lcd monitor. Attached is a screenshot of how I want to monitors to work and most of the time do work. But when I restart I can't drag windows to the Dell monitor without changing the screen resolution.

[DanielRoesler (diafygi)]

I still have this problem in Karmic beta. I have a nVideo Corporation Quadro NVS 135N (rev a1) that is running on the standard non-proprietary driver.

The original submitters workaround for moving the screens works for me.

[David Tombs (dgtombs)]

I am closing this bug report since there is not enough information given to fix the issue. If anyone is still experiencing the issue, please reopen and specify how you set up dual screens, whether you're using compiz or not, and the output of lspci -nn | grep VGA". Thanks!

[Francis De Brabandere (francisdb)]

I also have this issue.
Some more info:

After logging in in gdm I have a dual-monitor desktop set up as windows can be dragged (partially) over the second screen. Also the mouse cursor can go anywhere on both monitors. The problem is that somehow the window manager does not allow you to drag a window to the second screen completely. It actually responds as if there were only one screen available. So you are stuck where the dragging mouse cursor should pass over to the second screen.

The workaround I use is opening "configure display settings" enable mirror, apply, disable mirror, apply. But I have to do this after every login. Somehow the correct configuration is not saved.

lspci -nn | grep VGA
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: ATI Technologies Inc RV610 [Radeon HD 2400 XT] [1002:94c1]

Using the fglrx driver as provided with 9.10
Appearance preferences - visual effects set to None
Setting up dual monitor using the "configure display settings" tray icon

[Francis De Brabandere (francisdb)]

Correction on that last comment, the mouse is stuck to the first monitor! Also the "Workspace switcher" shows non-wide workspaces and wide workspaces after using the "fix"

[David Tombs (dgtombs)]

Francis, thanks for reporting your issue. As yours seems to be significantly different from the original reporter's problem, could you please open a new bug report with "ubuntu-bug fglrx-kernel-source"? Thank you!

[Francis De Brabandere (francisdb)]

In fact this is exactly the same problem I think it has nothing to do with the graphics driver but somehow with the window manager or the "configure display settings" app.

in fact this newer bug is a duplicate:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/538346

[Francis De Brabandere (francisdb)]

I'll reopen this bug if I still have the issue in 10.04

[David Tombs (dgtombs)]

Francis, you cannot be sure this is /exactly/ the same bug, as different underlying issues can cause identical symptoms, especially when dealing with X. However, I will reopen this issue for now, and assign it to xorg. (It is very unlikely that this is an issue with gnome-display-properties.)

Anyone experiencing the issue, please execute the following command in a terminal:

apport-collect 322921

This will help us to find and resolve the problem. Bear in mind that you may need to install the python-launchpadlib package from the universe repository. Additionally, when prompted to give apport-collect permissions for Launchpad you will need to give it at least the ability to "Change Non-Private" data as it will be adding information to your bug report. Thanks in advance.

[Francis De Brabandere (francisdb)]

Architecture: i386
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.10
MachineType: Dell Inc. OptiPlex 755
NonfreeKernelModules: fglrx
Package: xorg 1:7.4+3ubuntu10
PackageArchitecture: i386
ProcCmdLine: root=UUID=371deddb-525a-40e8-bf77-b2b13a8191b4 ro quiet splash
ProcEnviron:
 PATH=(custom, user)
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.31-20.58-generic
RelatedPackageVersions:
 xserver-xorg 1:7.4+3ubuntu10
 libgl1-mesa-glx 7.6.0-1ubuntu4
 libdrm2 2.4.14-1ubuntu1
 xserver-xorg-video-intel 2:2.9.0-1ubuntu2.1
 xserver-xorg-video-ati 1:6.12.99+git20090929.7968e1fb-0ubuntu1
Uname: Linux 2.6.31-20-generic i686
UserGroups: adm admin cdrom dialout lpadmin plugdev sambashare
XsessionErrors:
 (gnome-settings-daemon:5711): GLib-CRITICAL **: g_propagate_error: assertion `src != NULL' failed
 (polkit-gnome-authentication-agent-1:5755): GLib-CRITICAL **: g_once_init_leave: assertion `initialization_value != 0' failed
 (nautilus:5737): Eel-CRITICAL **: eel_preferences_get_boolean: assertion `preferences_is_initialized ()' failed
 (gnome-panel:5734): Gdk-WARNING **: /build/buildd/gtk+2.0-2.18.3/gdk/x11/gdkdrawable-x11.c:952 drawable is not a pixmap or window
 (firefox:6498): GLib-WARNING **: g_set_prgname() called multiple times
dmi.bios.date: 04/30/2008
dmi.bios.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.bios.version: A10
dmi.board.name: 0GM819
dmi.board.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.chassis.type: 6
dmi.chassis.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnDellInc.:bvrA10:bd04/30/2008:svnDellInc.:pnOptiPlex755:pvr:rvnDellInc.:rn0GM819:rvr:cvnDellInc.:ct6:cvr:
dmi.product.name: OptiPlex 755
dmi.sys.vendor: Dell Inc.
system:
 distro: Ubuntu
 architecture: i686kernel: 2.6.31-20-generic

[Francis De Brabandere (francisdb)]

Report generated after initial login to gnome. So before using "Configure display settings" to fix this problem

[David Tombs (dgtombs)]

Thanks a lot for running apport-collect.

Can you reproduce the issue using the open-source -ati driver (without xorg.conf)? Thanks.

[Francis De Brabandere (francisdb)]

Removed xorg.conf and restarted. It seems this also causes a fallback to the oss ati driver and my screens set to mirror.
Using the "configure display settings" tool I disabled mirror and the tool asked to change the virtual resolution in my xorg.conf. I was asked to log out and log in and now everything works correctly without using the "fix".

xorg.conf contents:

Section "Screen"
 Identifier "Configured Screen Device"
 Device "Configured Video Device"
 SubSection "Display"
  Virtual 2560 1024
 EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Device"
 Identifier "Configured Video Device"
EndSection

[David Tombs (dgtombs)]

Interesting. Your reply seems to indicate that this is could be related to fglrx, especially since people have problems with it and dual monitors[1]. Could you go ahead and open a new bug for yourself with "ubuntu-bug fglrx-installer"? Make sure fglrx is activated when you do so! Please post a link to the report in a comment here when you do so I can see it. Thanks!

@David Brewer: Since you did not attach an xorg.conf to this bug report, I'm going to leave this as Incomplete for now. If you get the chance, please run "apport-collect 322921" yourself.

[1] http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1112250

[Francis De Brabandere (francisdb)]

Will do but what about the bug I marked as duplicate: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/538346

It describes exactly the same issue but then for the nv driver, should I unmark it as duplicate?
To me it sounds like 3 similar issues with different drivers

[Francis De Brabandere (francisdb)]

I get "fglrx-installer package does not exist" when running "ubuntu-bug fglrx-installer"
Further I found out that opening the popup menu of the "Configure Display Settings" tool by clicking on the icon in the top panel is enough to fix the problem!

[Francis De Brabandere (francisdb)]

Actually, clicking the icon fixes the mouse cursor barrier between the screens but not the application window move barrier.

[Simon Cropper (scropper)]

Tried what Francis De Brabandere suggested but it made no difference. Problem still occurs.

************ The xorg.conf changed as described to...

Section "Screen"
 Identifier "Configured Screen Device"
 Device "Configured Video Device"
 SubSection "Display"
  Virtual 3360 1050
 EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Device"
 Identifier "Configured Video Device"
EndSection

************ was originally...

Section "Monitor"
 Identifier "Monitor0"
 VendorName "Monitor Vendor"
 ModelName "Monitor Model"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
 Identifier "Screen0"
 Device "Card0"
 Monitor "Monitor0"
 SubSection "Display"
  Viewport 0 0
  Depth 1
  Virtual 3360 1050
 EndSubSection
 SubSection "Display"
  Viewport 0 0
  Depth 4
  Virtual 3360 1050
 EndSubSection
 SubSection "Display"
  Viewport 0 0
  Depth 8
  Virtual 3360 1050
 EndSubSection
 SubSection "Display"
  Viewport 0 0
  Depth 15
  Virtual 3360 1050
 EndSubSection
 SubSection "Display"
  Viewport 0 0
  Depth 16
  Virtual 3360 1050
 EndSubSection
 SubSection "Display"
  Viewport 0 0
  Depth 24
  Virtual 3360 1050
 EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Module"
 Load "dri"
 Load "glx"
 Load "record"
 Load "dri2"
 Load "extmod"
 Load "dbe"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
 Identifier "Keyboard0"
 Driver "kbd"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
 Identifier "Mouse0"
 Driver "mouse"
 Option "Protocol" "auto"
 Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
 Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5 6 7"
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
 Identifier "X.org Configured"
 Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0
 InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
 InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
EndSection

Section "Device"
 Identifier "Card0"
 Driver "nv"
 VendorName "nVidia Corporation"
 BoardName "G84 [GeForce 8600 GT]"
 BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
 ### Available Driver options are:-
 ### Values: <i>: integer, <f>: float, <bool>: "True"/"False",
 ### <string>: "String", <freq>: "<f> Hz/kHz/MHz"
 ### [arg]: arg optional
 #Option "SWcursor" # [<bool>]
 #Option "HWcursor" # [<bool>]
 #Option "NoAccel" # [<bool>]
 #Option "ShadowFB" # [<bool>]
 #Option "UseFBDev" # [<bool>]
 #Option "Rotate" # [<str>]
 #Option "VideoKey" # <i>
 #Option "FlatPanel" # [<bool>]
 #Option "FPDither" # [<bool>]
 #Option "CrtcNumber" # <i>
 #Option "FPScale" # [<bool>]
 #Option "FPTweak" # <i>
 #Option "DualHead" # [<bool>]
EndSection

[Simon Cropper (scropper)]

Architecture: i386
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.10
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 9.10 "Karmic Koala" - Release i386 (20091028.5)
Package: xorg 1:7.4+3ubuntu10
PackageArchitecture: i386
ProcCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-20-generic-pae root=UUID=696928bb-2b70-4582-bafb-67d8553a1f22 ro quiet splash
ProcEnviron:
 SHELL=/bin/bash
 PATH=(custom, user)
 LANG=en_AU.UTF-8
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.31-20.58-generic-pae
RelatedPackageVersions:
 xserver-xorg 1:7.4+3ubuntu10
 libgl1-mesa-glx 7.6.0-1ubuntu4
 libdrm2 2.4.14-1ubuntu1
 xserver-xorg-video-intel 2:2.9.0-1ubuntu2.1
 xserver-xorg-video-ati 1:6.12.99+git20090929.7968e1fb-0ubuntu1
Uname: Linux 2.6.31-20-generic-pae i686
UserGroups: adm admin cdrom dialout lp lpadmin plugdev sambashare
dmi.bios.date: 05/02/2007
dmi.bios.vendor: Intel Corp.
dmi.bios.version: DPP3510J.86A.0216.2007.0502.1916
dmi.board.asset.tag: Base Board Asset Tag
dmi.board.name: DG33FB
dmi.board.vendor: Intel Corporation
dmi.board.version: AAD81072-305
dmi.chassis.type: 2
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnIntelCorp.:bvrDPP3510J.86A.0216.2007.0502.1916:bd05/02/2007:svn:pn:pvr:rvnIntelCorporation:rnDG33FB:rvrAAD81072-305:cvn:ct2:cvr:
fglrx: Not loaded
system:
 distro: Ubuntu
 architecture: i686kernel: 2.6.31-20-generic-pae

[Francis De Brabandere (francisdb)]

Simon, I started with an no xorg.conf (deleted it) and rebooted, after that the display tool created it as I posted it (after disabling mirror in the tool)

[Simon Cropper (scropper)]

Francis,

I followed your steps by renaming my xorg.conf file. Then doing everything you said. It asked if I would like to change the xorg.conf when removing the mirror check in the display setting dialog box. The resulting xorg.conf did not solve the problem and did not differ considerably from my original xorg.conf.

Consequently, I replaced the original xorg.conf and used apport-collect to augment your bug.

I note however, you are migrating this bug to another bug (RE post by David Tombs), after my original bug report was highjacked (Bug #538346). What was Davids response to what was to become of the duplicate link? If the two bugs are to be split again then then I should apport-collect to the original bug.

Simon

[David Tombs (dgtombs)]

Sorry about the delay in replying. I'm going to try to reproduce this on my own machine, but haven't gotten the chance yet.

How did you both configure our dual-monitor setup? Using the proprietary control panels?

[Francis De Brabandere (francisdb)]

I did not use any proprietary control panel. When you have 2 monitors there is a extra icon in the system tray, the "Configure Display Settings" I 'm always talking about.

[Simon Cropper (scropper)]

Dual monitor setup confirmed the same way as Francis, through the "Configure Display Settings" system tray tool.

[Francis De Brabandere (francisdb)]

Just a reply that this issue is still there in Ubuntu 10.04

[David Tombs (dgtombs)]

Just to update, I still plan on testing this myself but am having issues with the nvidia driver on Lucid so I'm going to wait until that's resolved.

[David Tombs (dgtombs)]

Unfortunately, I could not reproduce this using the default "nouveau" driver in Lucid, so this really seems to be driver-dependent. I'm going to split this into separate reports. Simon, I'm going to un-dupe yours. Francis, please file a report from lucid using "ubuntu-bug fglrx".

Thank you both for your patience.

[David Tombs (dgtombs)]

Oh, and Francis, please post a link to your new report in here. Thanks!

[Francis De Brabandere (francisdb)]

If I read the description of this bug this actually is the same issue as mine so I don't see why I should make an other bug report just because I use a different driver. Why is this one invalid?

[David Tombs (dgtombs)]

Driver is important because most xorg bugs are actually bugs in the drivers. Yes, it's possible the underlying issue is the same, but it's also possible the underlying issue is different, and it's much less confusing the treat the reports separately if there's any chance that they might in reality be separate.

It's not like separate reports are going to hinder fixing this bug. I'm not sure why you're so against it. This is standard operating procedure here, to avoid fiascoes like bug 197762.