Ubuntu 12.04 LTS and NVIDIA with Separate X Screens

[Einder]

I've been running 12.04 LTS for a few days now with no issues. I have a secondary Monitor and wanted to run a separate x screen for watching videos and other miscellaneous stuff. The problem I'm having, isn't so much that it's not working, because I do get the secondary screen using the NVIDIA-Settings. However, my mouse is an X instead of the pointer and I can't do anything on the second screen. It also breaks compiz and I would prefer to have it working as I use the cube, which breaks on both screens. Twinview unfortunately isn't able to do what I would like, is there anyway to get the separate x screens fully working?

[papibe]

Hi Einder.

It look like you have conflicts between Unity and Compiz.

Take a look at this tutorial. Although I don't see a section for 12.04, all 11.10 tips should work.

If you have any problem with the tutorial, post a question in this support thread.

Regards.

[Einder]

Hi Einder.

It look like you have conflicts between Unity and Compiz.

Take a look at this tutorial. Although I don't see a section for 12.04, all 11.10 tips should work.

If you have any problem with the tutorial, post a question in this support thread.

Regards.

The problem isn't compiz itself. That I know how to use. The problem I'm having is with setting up the separate x screens. I use nvidia-settings and get two screens like I want, however I can't do anything at all on the second screen. All I get is the default background on both screens and one working screen.

[papibe]

I see.

Could you post the content of these 2 files?

/var/log/Xorg.0.log

/etc/X11/xorg.conf

Please paste them separately here: http://paste.ubuntu.com/, and then post back the links here.

Regards.

[Einder]

I see.

Could you post the content of these 2 files?

/var/log/Xorg.0.log

/etc/X11/xorg.conf

Please paste them separately here: http://paste.ubuntu.com/, and then post back the links here.

Regards.

http://paste.ubuntu.com/966850/
http://paste.ubuntu.com/966854/

The first one is the log, the second one is the .conf, though it's not currently set up for dual screens because I couldn't get it working.

[papibe]

Thanks.

Everything look OK, since it's just one monitor.

Are you able to set up separate screens with no Xinerama? (that's the way I use it, btw). I would start by taking Xinerama out of the equation.

To do that, first backup your conf file:

sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.bak

Then run 'Nvidia X Server Settings' as root:

gksudo nvidia-settings

Set up the other monitor as a separate X screen, and then press 'Save to X Configuration File'.

Restart.

BTW, maybe you are looking for Xinerama and Twinview (if so take a look at this)

Regards.

[*M*]

If that doesn't work try following this thread:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1967980

[Einder]

Thanks.

Everything look OK, since it's just one monitor.

Are you able to set up separate screens with no Xinerama? (that's the way I use it, btw). I would start by taking Xinerama out of the equation.

To do that, first backup your conf file:

sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.bak

Then run 'Nvidia X Server Settings' as root:

gksudo nvidia-settings

Set up the other monitor as a separate X screen, and then press 'Save to X Configuration File'.

Restart.

BTW, maybe you are looking for Xinerama and Twinview (if so take a look at this)

Regards.

That unfortunately, didn't work. Instead I'm still receiving the problem I had before where I get a screen with the default background that is unusable.

[Einder]

If that doesn't work try following this thread:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1967980

I tried these steps and though I could use terminal to force things onto the other screen, I can't grab an appropriate resolution and I don't have the top panel or anything. I'm wondering know if it's just a bug that I have to wait on.

[carranty]

Hi Einder,

I was just wondering if you managed to resolve this issue? I'm also unable to use two x screens in 12.04 (i could in 10.04), I'm having the exact same issue as you. I gave up trying to fix it a week or two ago and am using twinview, but I prefer seperate x screens.