Problem with Dual Monitors and Ubuntu 11.04

[Chris Rippe]

When I start my computer with the monitors attached it starts ubuntu and lets me log in but never renders the menus so all I have is the desktop background picture on both monitors. Below is the x configuration file.

# nvidia-settings: X configuration file generated by nvidia-settings
# nvidia-settings: version 260.19.44 (<email address hidden>) Sun Feb 27 22:59:44 PST 2011

# nvidia-xconfig: X configuration file generated by nvidia-xconfig
# nvidia-xconfig: version 260.19.44 (<email address hidden>) Sun Feb 27 22:59:57 PST 2011

Section "ServerLayout"

# Removed Option "Xinerama" "0"
    Identifier "Layout0"
    Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0
    Screen 1 "Screen1" RightOf "Screen0"
# commented out by update-manager, HAL is now used and auto-detects devices
# Keyboard settings are now read from /etc/default/console-setup
# InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
# commented out by update-manager, HAL is now used and auto-detects devices
# Keyboard settings are now read from /etc/default/console-setup
# InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
    Option "Xinerama" "1"
EndSection

Section "Files"
EndSection

# commented out by update-manager, HAL is now used and auto-detects devices
# Keyboard settings are now read from /etc/default/console-setup
#Section "InputDevice"
#
# # generated from default
# Identifier "Mouse0"
# Driver "mouse"
# Option "Protocol" "auto"
# Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
# Option "Emulate3Buttons" "no"
# Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
#EndSection

# commented out by update-manager, HAL is now used and auto-detects devices
# Keyboard settings are now read from /etc/default/console-setup
#Section "InputDevice"
#
# # generated from default
# Identifier "Keyboard0"
# Driver "kbd"
#EndSection

Section "Monitor"

    # HorizSync source: edid, VertRefresh source: edid
    Identifier "Monitor0"
    VendorName "Unknown"
    ModelName "cPATH"
    HorizSync 30.0 - 75.0
    VertRefresh 60.0
    Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"

    # HorizSync source: edid, VertRefresh source: edid
    Identifier "Monitor1"
    VendorName "Unknown"
    ModelName "DELL P2411H"
    HorizSync 30.0 - 83.0
    VertRefresh 56.0 - 76.0
    Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier "Device0"
    Driver "nvidia"
    VendorName "NVIDIA Corporation"
    BoardName "NVS 3100M"
    BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
    Screen 0
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier "Device1"
    Driver "nvidia"
    VendorName "NVIDIA Corporation"
    BoardName "NVS 3100M"
    BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
    Screen 1
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier "Screen0"
    Device "Device0"
    Monitor "Monitor0"
    DefaultDepth 24
    Option "TwinView" "0"
    Option "metamodes" "DFP-3: nvidia-auto-select +0+0"
    SubSection "Display"
        Depth 24
    EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier "Screen1"
    Device "Device1"
    Monitor "Monitor1"
    DefaultDepth 24
    Option "TwinView" "0"
    Option "metamodes" "DFP-0: nvidia-auto-select +0+0"
    SubSection "Display"
        Depth 24
    EndSubSection
EndSection

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 11.04
Package: gnome-terminal 2.32.1-0ubuntu3
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.38-8.42-generic 2.6.38.2
Uname: Linux 2.6.38-8-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: wl nvidia
Architecture: amd64
Date: Wed Apr 27 10:50:49 2011
ExecutablePath: /usr/bin/gnome-terminal
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 10.10 "Maverick Meerkat" - Release amd64 (20101007)
ProcEnviron:
 LANGUAGE=en_US:en
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
SourcePackage: gnome-terminal
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to natty on 2011-04-27 (0 days ago)
XsessionErrors:
 (<unknown>:1672): dee-WARNING **: Transaction from com.canonical.Unity.ApplicationsPlace.SectionsModel is in the past. Ignoring transaction.
 (<unknown>:1672): dee-WARNING **: Transaction from com.canonical.Unity.ApplicationsPlace.GroupsModel is in the past. Ignoring transaction.
 (unity-window-decorator:1785): Gdk-WARNING **: GdkWindow 0x2c00521 unexpectedly destroyed

[Fabio Marconi (fabiomarconi)]

Hello
Can you tell me if this issue is reproducible also in classical desktop ?
Can you please reproduce the issue and attach here, using below button 'Add attachment or patch' the files:
/var/log/Xorg.0.log
/var/log/Xorg.0.log.old
/var/log/syslog
/var/log/kern.log
Thanks
Fabio

[Chris Rippe (chrisrippe)]

I can reproduce still. In classic mode I get the screen rendering where both x-screens try and render on the same monitor, see attachment. In classic with no effects I am currently running without any issues.

[Chris Rippe (chrisrippe)]

/var/log/syslog

[Fabio Marconi (fabiomarconi)]

Hello Chris

From Xorg.0.log:
[ 28.540] (WW) NVIDIA: The Composite and Xinerama extensions are both enabled, which
[ 28.540] (WW) NVIDIA: is an unsupported configuration. The driver will continue
[ 28.540] (WW) NVIDIA: to load, but may behave strangely.

Can you please remove the proprietary NVidia driver and install the Experimental version and report how it works?

Also I can see, in kern.log, many errors, can you please run in a terminal
ubuntu-bug linux
and in the summary paste:
ACPI Error (psparse-0537): Method parse/execution failed
Thanks
Fabio

[Chris Rippe (chrisrippe)]

I am trying to add the experimental drivers and keep getting an error on apt-get updateFollowing exmaple on http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?t=10812deb http://ftp.de.debian.org/debian experimental main contrib non-freedeb-src http://ftp.de.debian.org/debian experimental main contrib non-free
GPG error: http://debian.oregonstate.edu experimental InRelease: The following signatures couldn't be verified because the public key is not available: NO_PUBKEY AED4B06F473041FA

> Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2011 18:46:21 +0000
> From: <email address hidden>
> To: <email address hidden>
> Subject: [Bug 771915] Re: Problem with Duel Monitors and Ubuntu 11.04
>
> Hello Chris
>
> >From Xorg.0.log:
> [ 28.540] (WW) NVIDIA: The Composite and Xinerama extensions are both enabled, which
> [ 28.540] (WW) NVIDIA: is an unsupported configuration. The driver will continue
> [ 28.540] (WW) NVIDIA: to load, but may behave strangely.
>
> Can you please remove the proprietary NVidia driver and install the
> Experimental version and report how it works?
>
> Also I can see, in kern.log, many errors, can you please run in a terminal
> ubuntu-bug linux
> and in the summary paste:
> ACPI Error (psparse-0537): Method parse/execution failed
> Thanks
> Fabio
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/771915
>
> Title:
> Problem with Duel Monitors and Ubuntu 11.04
>
> Status in Ubuntu:
> Incomplete
>
> Bug description:
> When I start my computer with the monitors attached it starts ubuntu
> and lets me log in but never renders the menus so all I have is the
> desktop background picture on both monitors. Below is the x
> configuration file.
>
> # nvidia-settings: X configuration file generated by nvidia-settings
> # nvidia-settings: version 260.19.44 (<email address hidden>) Sun Feb 27 22:59:44 PST 2011
>
> # nvidia-xconfig: X configuration file generated by nvidia-xconfig
> # nvidia-xconfig: version 260.19.44 (<email address hidden>) Sun Feb 27 22:59:57 PST 2011
>
> Section "ServerLayout"
>
> # Removed Option "Xinerama" "0"
> Identifier "Layout0"
> Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0
> Screen 1 "Screen1" RightOf "Screen0"
> # commented out by update-manager, HAL is now used and auto-detects devices
> # Keyboard settings are now read from /etc/default/console-setup
> # InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
> # commented out by update-manager, HAL is now used and auto-detects devices
> # Keyboard settings are now read from /etc/default/console-setup
> # InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
> Option "Xinerama" "1"
> EndSection
>
> Section "Files"
> EndSection
>
> # commented out by update-manager, HAL is now used and auto-detects devices
> # Keyboard settings are now read from /etc/default/console-setup
> #Section "InputDevice"
> #
> # # generated from default
> # Identifier "Mouse0"
> # Driver "mouse"
> # Option "Protocol" "auto"
> # Option "Device" "/de...

[Joseph S (supermariolinux)]

ugh i have a similar problem! on the final release of 11.04, the nivida driver worked perfect on 10.10 but now if i enable it, it renders the desktop useless on both unity and classic mode, it logs me in but clicking on anything does nothing at all and the only way to get out is to pull the plug. i had to reinstall 11.04 so i could actually use my computer :( somethings really wrong with the driver and i have no idea what to do. now my PC feels old :( i wanted to use unity so badly... *sigh*

can someone please help, this is very frustrating! i feel like i am one of the only people who experience's this...

it also leaves my 2nd monitor blank with it enabled.

[Chris Rippe (chrisrippe)]

So I think I solved the issue, just now. I was using the Nvidia drivers. Previously I had done an live online upgrade from Ubuntu 10.10. The 3D experimental drivers were not showing up as an option. . I decided to download the install cd and chose the option to upgrade from 11.04 to 11.04 (No that is not a mistake). Then the 3D experimental drivers showed as an option and my duel screen seems to work properly.

As an FYI the experimental drivers should just show up as an option in the additional drivers app, you do not need to allow the experimental package (thats for other things). Thanks Fabio for the tip to look for the experimental drivers.

[William Carl Hewlett (carl-olivetreeenergy)]

I too am having the exact same problem. Please keep me informed when a fix is made available.

[William Carl Hewlett (carl-olivetreeenergy)]

BTW I have the Experimental drivers installed from the online upgrade from 10.01 to 11.04. I was wondering if removing them and doing a reinstall would be a safe option to try. I am running on a ACER 4720Z laptop box.

[Fabio Marconi (fabiomarconi)]

Hello
@ Joseph
open a terminal and type
jockey-gtk
when available drivers are showed select the Experimental
@William
NP, remove it, reboot, reinstall, reboot

[Chris Rippe (chrisrippe)]

I actually had to reinstall ubuntu without enabling proprietary software in order to get the 3d Experimental Nvidia drivers to show up as an option. It is really annoying that I had to wipe my system to get the additional drivers app to all me to enable that driver.

[Fabio Marconi (fabiomarconi)]

Hello Chris
are you telling that they aren't proposed?
I can change them when i want just disabling or enabling them from jockey (hardware drivers), choosing between 173, 270, experimental.
Can you please explain better, thanks.
Fabio

[Chris Rippe (chrisrippe)]

If I do an install with the option chosen for enabling proprietary software. In Jockey the the Broadcom wireless driver and nvidia driver are automatically installed. Then there is no option available to select the Experimental 3d support for Nvidia driver in jockey. The only way I could get that option was to reinstall Ubuntu from scratch with proprietary drivers software disabled. I reproduced this issue on 2 different laptops.

[sawtoothx (sawtoothx)]

Hello,

I have the same problem on my X61 Tablet when using an external monitor (Dell 2009W 1680x1050@60Hz) together with my laptop screen (1024x768@60Hz).

I do not have an nvidia card, but instead:

00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Mobile GM965/GL960 Integrated Graphics Controller (primary) (rev 0c)

I am reporting this here in case this turns out to be a more general problem.

I am setting them up in an "extend" configuration, so the large screen extends the desktop to the right.

This problem appeared a few weeks after the upgrade to 11.04 which is strange. It worked fine in the beginning (even though the icons where cropped on the top of the laptop screen (smaller height compared to the large screen).

In my case it affects both Ubuntu and Ubuntu Classic Sessions (with or without effects).

In ubuntu classic, I just get the desktop, initialy empty. I can pull a terminal up (ctrl-alt-T) and type "gnome-panel" to get the panel and work. Then the desktop icons also appear.

I do not know if this is helpful to this forum.

[Fabio Marconi (fabiomarconi)]

Hello Nikiforos,
Same sympthoms don't mean same cause, so please open a new bug report:
reproduce the bug then run in a terminal:
ubuntu-bug xorg
thanks
Fabio

[dino99 (9d9)]

That version is no more supported; please open a new bug report if the actual archive found version also has the same issue.