Originally Posted by
TheFu
Interesting problem.
From what I've seen, ATI assumes it is the only video card(s) in the system, so when you tell it to initialize using the ATI utility, xorg gets overwritten.
Similarly,
From what I've seen, nVidia assumes it is the only video card(s) in the system, so when you tell it to initialize using the nVidia utility, xorg gets overwritten.
So, I see 3 reboots involved.
# use only the ATI card - initialize xorg. Save that file somewhere.
# use only the nvidia card - initialize xorg. Save that file somewhere.
# Manually merge those saved files into the final /etc/X11/xorg.conf, carefully creatnig new stanzas for each display and card and for how you want the desktop extended (or not). I doubt you can get X to run across different cards - you'll be running 2 instances of X11 - 1 per card, if this even works.
Honestly, I'd go out an purchase the cheapest, driver compatible card for the vendor that you are happiest with. 100% ATI or 100% nVidia. Their drivers will recognize that setup and probably do the right thing. For $60, all these issues can go away, perhaps less. I have an nvidia 430GT that handles dual outputs nicely. I think those cards are about $60 now.
If you do ever get the mixed card setup working - backup that X11 config file in like 10 different places so you never lose it again. While it isn't hard, getting all the details in a manually created X11 conf file correct is non-trivial.
Good luck!
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