Missing desktop scaling slider in system settings

[Jack Peterson]

When upgrading from ubuntu 17.04 to 17.10 (obviously new window manager) ... there is no longer the ability to configure the HiDPI scaling within the window manager. This may be an intentional regression or simply something that got passed by. But I find this configuration option to be very useful when working on a Lenovo P70 w/ 17" 4k monitor (which neds 2x DPI scaling) and also when switching back to my multiple-monitor configuration (which doesn't need any scaling). This is a piece of functionality I use on a regular basis that is now lost.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 17.10
Package: xorg 1:7.7+19ubuntu1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.11.0-10.15-generic 4.11.8
Uname: Linux 4.11.0-10-generic x86_64
.tmp.unity_support_test.0:

ApportVersion: 2.20.6-0ubuntu4
Architecture: amd64
CompizPlugins: No value set for `/apps/compiz-1/general/screen0/options/active_plugins'
CompositorRunning: None
CurrentDesktop: GNOME
Date: Wed Aug 9 09:24:28 2017
DistUpgraded: 2017-08-07 09:44:27,630 DEBUG Running PostInstallScript: './xorg_fix_proprietary.py'
DistroCodename: artful
DistroVariant: ubuntu
DkmsStatus: virtualbox, 5.1.26, 4.11.0-10-generic, x86_64: installed
ExtraDebuggingInterest: Yes
GraphicsCard:
 VMware SVGA II Adapter [15ad:0405] (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
   Subsystem: VMware SVGA II Adapter [15ad:0405]
InstallationDate: Installed on 2016-11-30 (251 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 16.10 "Yakkety Yak" - Release amd64 (20161012.2)
Lsusb: Error: command ['lsusb'] failed with exit code 1:
MachineType: VMware, Inc. VMware Virtual Platform
ProcEnviron:
 TERM=xterm-256color
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=<set>
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-4.11.0-10-generic root=UUID=dd284488-2aa1-430d-a510-0527b909f561 ro find_preseed=/preseed.cfg auto noprompt priority=critical locale=en_US quiet
SourcePackage: xorg
Symptom: display
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to artful on 2017-08-07 (1 days ago)
dmi.bios.date: 07/02/2015
dmi.bios.vendor: Phoenix Technologies LTD
dmi.bios.version: 6.00
dmi.board.name: 440BX Desktop Reference Platform
dmi.board.vendor: Intel Corporation
dmi.board.version: None
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: No Asset Tag
dmi.chassis.type: 1
dmi.chassis.vendor: No Enclosure
dmi.chassis.version: N/A
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnPhoenixTechnologiesLTD:bvr6.00:bd07/02/2015:svnVMware,Inc.:pnVMwareVirtualPlatform:pvrNone:rvnIntelCorporation:rn440BXDesktopReferencePlatform:rvrNone:cvnNoEnclosure:ct1:cvrN/A:
dmi.product.name: VMware Virtual Platform
dmi.product.version: None
dmi.sys.vendor: VMware, Inc.
version.compiz: compiz 1:0.9.13.1+17.10.20170720-0ubuntu1
version.ia32-libs: ia32-libs N/A
version.libdrm2: libdrm2 2.4.82-1
version.libgl1-mesa-dri: libgl1-mesa-dri 17.1.4-1ubuntu1
version.libgl1-mesa-dri-experimental: libgl1-mesa-dri-experimental N/A
version.libgl1-mesa-glx: libgl1-mesa-glx 17.1.4-1ubuntu1
version.xserver-xorg-core: xserver-xorg-core 2:1.19.3-1ubuntu2
version.xserver-xorg-input-evdev: xserver-xorg-input-evdev 1:2.10.5-1ubuntu1
version.xserver-xorg-video-ati: xserver-xorg-video-ati 1:7.9.0-1
version.xserver-xorg-video-intel: xserver-xorg-video-intel 2:2.99.917+git20170309-0ubuntu1
version.xserver-xorg-video-nouveau: xserver-xorg-video-nouveau 1:1.0.15-2
xserver.bootTime: Mon Aug 7 08:59:11 2017
xserver.configfile: default
xserver.errors:

xserver.logfile: /var/log/Xorg.0.log
xserver.outputs: Output Virtual2 Virtual3 Virtual4 Virtual5 Virtual6 Virtual7 Virtual8
xserver.version: 2:1.19.3-1ubuntu1.1
xserver.video_driver: vmware

[Jack Peterson (jack-peterson)]

The workaround here is to manually execute

```gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface scaling-factor 2```

and then restart the system to be into a scaled (2x) mode.

[Timo Aaltonen (tjaalton)]

bug in gnome, not sure which component though but is being worked on

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

To clarify, this is a regression in the Ubuntu desktop experience caused by switching from Unity to Gnome Shell.

It is not a regression in Unity, or a regression in Gnome Shell.

[Jeremy Bícha (jbicha)]

Please check whether this is fixed for you with the latest gnome-control-center in Ubuntu 17.10 Beta. It has a different layout than previous versions.

https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gnome-control-center/1:3.25.92.1-0ubuntu1

[Jack Peterson (jack-peterson)]

The new implementation does work for updating the settings; however, it's glitchy.

What I mean by that is when one has the settings set for 200% scaling, reboots the VM and then logs back in (at least in VMWare -- haven't tested elsewhere) the scaling for text is at 100%; however, icons appear to be scaled. In order to get the whole desktop experience working correctly the following sequence needs to be followed:

1. set scaling for the display to 100%. click apply. Click keep settings.
1.a. Repeat #1 because you need to do it with more feeling.

2. set the desktop to 200%.
2.a. Repeat #2 because, once again, more feeling is required to get the setting to stick than the initial click of 'keep settings'.

3. Close and re-open any applications that utilize the DPI scaling functionality.

[Jack Peterson (jack-peterson)]

With a bit more testing I have one other issue related to the enhancement -- when I add a secondary monitory and I adjust the scaling from one of the two options on a 2560x1550 monitor (100% or 200%) the apply button is not visible anywhere to actually set the setting.

[Ernst Persson (ernstp)]

2x scaling used to be configured automatically for 4k screens, wasn't it?

Also, the new control center panel for monitors has a monitor scale that you can set to 200% but that doesn't seem to do anything.

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

[Expired for gnome-control-center (Ubuntu) because there has been no activity for 60 days.]