Mageia forum

I am using a freshly installed 64b Mageia 4.1 for about 1 month. Gigabyte 97H motherboard with dual - not mirrored - displays.
Trying to set the primary display resolution to 1280x1024 I get the following error:

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Failed to apply configuration: %s
GDBus.Error:org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.ServiceUnknown: The name org.cinnamon.SettingsDaemon was not provided by any .service files

The 2 displays are functioning OK, with the primery (phillips 170s flat screen) set to 1024x768 and the secondary (daewoo 19") set to 1280x1024.

Both connected to the motherboard: the primary display via VGA and the secondary via hdmi cable.

This setup meets my need aside from the primary display resolution

Please advise
JJF

JJF wrote:Trying to set the primary display resolution to 1280x1024 I get the following error:

Failed to apply configuration: %s
GDBus.Error:org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.ServiceUnknown: The name org.cinnamon.SettingsDaemon was not provided by any .service files[/color]

You miss the most important fact - HOW exactly do you try to set the display resolution?
Also, what desktop environment do you use? From the error message it seems like Cinnamon, can you confiirm that?

Please also post the exact motherboard model, there's no model "97H" from Gigabyte.
Additionally, please show the output of

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grep -i driver /var/log/Xorg.0.log
lspcidrake -v | grep VGA

Apart from that, searching for the error message yields quite some relevant results:
http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.p ... 8&t=169988
https://github.com/linuxmint/Cinnamon/issues/515
https://github.com/linuxmint/cinnamon-s ... n/issues/9

I tried "System settings" where the 2 displays are shown, to change the primary display resolusion.
Yes, indeed the desktop environment is cinnamon.
Motherboard model: Gigabyte GA-H97M-D3H

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jacob@localhost ~]$ grep -i driver /var/log/Xorg.0.log
[    40.008]    X.Org Video Driver: 14.1
[    40.008]    X.Org XInput driver : 19.1
[    40.055] (II) Loading /usr/lib64/xorg/modules/drivers/v4l_drv.so
[    40.055]    ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 14.1
[    40.059] (II) Loading /usr/lib64/xorg/modules/drivers/intel_drv.so
[    40.060]    Module class: X.Org Video Driver
[    40.060]    ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 14.1
[    40.060] (II) v4l driver for Video4Linux
[    40.060] (II) intel: Driver for Intel(R) Integrated Graphics Chipsets:
[    40.060] (II) intel: Driver for Intel(R) HD Graphics: 2000-5000
[    40.060] (II) intel: Driver for Intel(R) Iris(TM) Graphics: 5100
[    40.060] (II) intel: Driver for Intel(R) Iris(TM) Pro Graphics: 5200
[    40.061] (II) intel(0): [DRI2]   DRI driver: i965
[    40.061] (II) intel(0): [DRI2]   VDPAU driver: i965
[    40.404]    Module class: X.Org XInput Driver
[    40.404]    ABI class: X.Org XInput driver, version 19.1
[    40.404] (II) Using input driver 'evdev' for 'Power Button'
[    40.415] (II) Using input driver 'evdev' for 'Video Bus'
[    40.415] (II) Using input driver 'evdev' for 'Power Button'
[    40.415] (II) Using input driver 'evdev' for 'Sleep Button'
[    40.416] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.
[    40.416] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.
[    40.416] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.
[    40.416] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.
[    40.416] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.
[    40.416] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.
[    40.416] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.
[    40.416] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.
[    40.416] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.
[    40.416] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.
[    40.416] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.
[    40.417] (II) Using input driver 'evdev' for 'ov519'
[    40.417] (II) Using input driver 'evdev' for 'Logitech USB Receiver'
[    40.417] (II) Using input driver 'evdev' for 'Logitech USB Receiver'
[    40.418] (II) No input driver specified, ignoring this device.

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jacob@localhost ~]$ lspcidrake -v | grep VGA
Card:Intel 810 and later: Intel Corporation|Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core Processor Integrated Graphics Controller [DISPLAY_VGA] (vendor:8086 device:0412 subv:1458 subd:d000) (rev: 06)

Thanks
JJF

Please next time use code tags as explained in ftp://ftp5.gwdg.de/pub/linux/mandriva/m ... e_tags.ogv

Okay, so you're using the Intel driver, and you want to change the resolution of the primary display, which is connected via VGA, correct?
Please also show the output of

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xrandr -q
ps -ef | grep -v grep | grep cinnamon-settings

Yes. I am using Intel driver and I want to change the resolution of the primary display connected via vga.
I uploader the outup of xrandr : "xrndr.txt"

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Screen 0: minimum 320 x 200, current 2304 x 1024, maximum 32767 x 32767
VGA1 connected primary 1024x768+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 0mm x 0mm
   1280x1024_60   60.0 
   1280x960_60    60.0 
   1152x864_60    60.0 
   1024x768       60.0*
   1024x768_60    60.0 
   832x624_60     60.0 
   800x600        60.3     56.2 
   800x600_60     60.0 
   640x480        59.9 
HDMI1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
HDMI2 connected 1280x1024+1024+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 376mm x 301mm
   1280x1024      75.0*+   60.0 
   1280x960       60.0 
   1280x800       74.9     59.9 
   1152x864       75.0     60.0 
   1280x768       74.9     60.0 
   1280x720       60.0 
   1024x768       75.1     70.1     60.0 
   1024x576       60.0 
   800x600        72.2     75.0     60.3     56.2 
   848x480        60.0 
   640x480        75.0     72.8     60.0 
   720x400        70.1 
VIRTUAL1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)

I could not find traces of:
ps -ef | grep -v grep | grep cinnamon-settings.
Where should I look?
Tks
JJF

FWIW, for small outputs like that from xrandr, please post them directly using code tags as explained in ftp://ftp5.gwdg.de/pub/linux/mandriva/m ... e_tags.ogv
There's no need to attach them


Okay, the settings daemon is not running, that would explain your errors. Try to run it manually as your user in a terminal, and post it's output here:

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/usr/libexec/cinnamon-settings-daemon &

Then keep that terminal open, and try to set resolution again - does it still fail?

Question would be, why isn't that automatically run in your case, as it is here ...
So what login manager do you use? You can have a look in the wiki for reference screenshots for comparison:
https://wiki.mageia.org/en/Display_Managers

Yes, it still fails after applying :
/usr/libexec/cinnamon-settings-daemon &
and trying to change the primary display resolution.

I thaght it might be of help if I quote the terminal response:

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[jacob@localhost ~]$ /usr/libexec/cinnamon-settings-daemon &
[1] 5829
[jacob@localhost ~]$
(cinnamon-settings-daemon:5829): color-plugin-WARNING **: failed to get edid: unable to get EDID for output
[1418184185,000,xklavier.c:xkl_engine_start_listen/]    The backend does not require manual layout management - but it is provided by the application

any clue?

JJF

Resolution change after applying the attached code failed too

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[jacob@localhost ~]$ /usr/libexec/cinnamon-settings-daemon &
[1] 5829
[jacob@localhost ~]$
(cinnamon-settings-daemon:5829): color-plugin-WARNING **: failed to get edid: unable to get EDID for output
[1418184185,000,xklavier.c:xkl_engine_start_listen/]    The backend does not require manual layout management - but it is provided by the application


[This reply was postet without proper tags]

Tks
JJF

Please show the output of

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grep -i randr /var/log/Xorg.0.log

and as root of

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monitor-edid -v

You may need to install the package monitor-edid for the latter command.

And please try to change the resolution directly as normal user via the following commands:

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xrandr --size 1280x1024
xrandr --output VGA1 --mode 1280x1024_60
xrandr --output VGA1 --mode 1280x1024_60 --rate 60

and please show the output and describe the result for each, if something changes.

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[jacob@localhost ~]$ grep -i randr /var/log/Xorg.0.log
[ 76197.761] Initializing built-in extension RANDR
[ 76198.008] (II) intel(0): RandR 1.2 enabled, ignore the following RandR disabled message.
[ 76198.025] (--) RandR disabled


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[root@localhost jacob]# monitor-edid -v
probing EDID using VBE (port 0)
VBE version: 3.0, oem version = 0.0
Memory: 65472k
OEM name:
Vendor name:
Product name:
Product revision:
Port 0:
  DDC1 not supported
  DDC2 supported
  Screen not blanked during data transfer
  Time to transfer one EDID block: 1 sec (rounded up)
EDID: Error (0x4f15:01): 0x014f
probing EDID using VBE (port 1)
Port 1:
  DDC1 not supported
  DDC2 supported
  Screen not blanked during data transfer
  Time to transfer one EDID block: 1 sec (rounded up)
EDID: Error (0x4f15:01): 0x014f
probing EDID using VBE (port 2)
Port 2:
  DDC1 not supported
  DDC2 supported
  Screen not blanked during data transfer
  Time to transfer one EDID block: 1 sec (rounded up)
EDID: Error (0x4f15:01): 0x014f
parsing EDID from /sys/class/drm/card0-HDMI-A-2/edid
Name: LM1910(DVI)
EISA ID: DWE1910
EDID version: 1.3
EDID extension blocks: 0
Screen size: 37.0 cm x 30.0 cm (18.75 inches, aspect ratio 5/4 = 1.25)
Gamma: 2.2
Digital signal
Standard resolution: 640x480 @ 60 Hz (established timing)
Standard resolution: 640x480 @ 72 Hz (established timing)
Standard resolution: 640x480 @ 75 Hz (established timing)
Standard resolution: 720x400 @ 70 Hz (established timing)
Standard resolution: 800x600 @ 56 Hz (established timing)
Standard resolution: 800x600 @ 60 Hz (established timing)
Standard resolution: 800x600 @ 72 Hz (established timing)
Standard resolution: 800x600 @ 75 Hz (established timing)
Standard resolution: 1024x768 @ 60 Hz (established timing)
Standard resolution: 1024x768 @ 70 Hz (established timing)
Standard resolution: 1024x768 @ 75 Hz (established timing)
Standard resolution: 1280x1024 @ 75 Hz (established timing)
Standard resolution: 1280x1024 @ 60 Hz, ratio 5/4
Standard resolution: 1152x864 @ 60 Hz, ratio 4/3 (!)
Standard resolution: 1280x960 @ 60 Hz, ratio 4/3 (!)
Standard resolution: 1280x800 @ 60 Hz, ratio 16/10 (!)
Standard resolution: 1280x720 @ 60 Hz, ratio 16/9 (!)
Max video bandwidth: 140 MHz

        HorizSync 30-81
        VertRefresh 56-75

        # Monitor preferred modeline (75.0 Hz vsync, 80.0 kHz hsync, ratio 5/4, 87 dpi)
        ModeLine "1280x1024" 135 1280 1296 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +hsync +vsync
[root@localhost jacob]#


I executed the code manually. After the 1st line, the secondary display blanked out while the resolution of the primary display was adjusted to 1280x1024.
nothing has changed after executing 2 more lcommands.

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[root@localhost jacob]# xrandr --size 1280x1024
[root@localhost jacob]# xrandr --output VGA1 --mode 1280x1024_60
[root@localhost jacob]# xrandr --output VGA1 --mode 1280x1024_60 --rate 60



Will it stay with only 1 display after I reboot??

thanks JJF

JJF wrote:while the resolution of the primary display was adjusted to 1280x1024.

Isn't that what you wanted to achieve (apart from the second display blanking out) ?
Also, no need to reboot - simply restart X server by logging out and logging in again or Ctrl+Alt+Backspace.

It was really wonderfull to see that the resolution of the primary display was adjusted as required.
I was very happy, shut down the box as I had to leave home for a while.
I rebooted to enjoy the miracle.
Both displays presented the login screen, but after I enterred the user name and password, the secondary display was blanked.
I still need help.
Tks
JJF

Can you try

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xrandr --output VGA1 --mode 1280x1024_60 --output HDMI2 --mode 1280x1024 --rate 75


or if the second screen stays off

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xrandr --output VGA1 --mode 1280x1024_60 --output HDMI2 --auto

After executioe of

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xrandr --output VGA1 --mode 1280x1024_60 --output HDMI2 --mode 1280x1024 --rate 75

the 2 displays are mirrored.
I wnated them "extended"

Trying to setup as I want using the "system settings", it was marked as "mirror"
Tried to remove the mark from the checkbox "mirror" , I get the error which started this discussion

Please advice
JJF

I took the liberty to modify your code.

I added

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--pos 1280x0

like this

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xrandr --output VGA1 --mode 1280x1024_60 --output HDMI2 --mode 1280x1024 --rate 75 --pos 1280x0

and it came out as I wanted - 2 monitors, with the secondary is "expanded" and the mouse can move between the 2 monitors.

Many thanks to doktor5000!

Question: will this configuration "survive" reboot? Future updates?

Tks
JJF

This is my 3rd response to doktor5000

The "correct" displays' configuration does not hold after reboot.
I don't know how to maintain it to survive the next boot

Reminder: The folllowing is the code the does work

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xrandr --output VGA1 --mode 1280x1024_60 --output HDMI2 --mode 1280x1024 --rate 75 --pos 1280x0

Thanks JJF

JJF wrote:The "correct" displays' configuration does not hold after reboot.
I don't know how to maintain it to survive the next boot

xrandr uses the rotation&resize extension (hence the name - RandR) and changes will only last for the active session.
Purpose was to get a working configuration, as editing X configuration can be trickier.

I'll get back to you for the X configuration on the weekend, please ping me here if I forget.

Can you show your current /etc/X11/xorg.conf for reference?

Basically you need to define the two screens in xorg.conf manually, like you did with xrandr dynamically.
Have a look at https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/multihead and especially https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/mu ... oordinates

You should also report a bug upstream at https://github.com/linuxmint/cinnamon-c ... ter/issues as it's obviously working with xrandr manually.

With your help and patiance, I'll try to make progress in small steps.
Attached below is the content of xorg.conf.

The first thing that I have to know is at which section the 2nd screen should be added: The "Monitor" section or the "Screen" section.
Waiting for your reply , in the meantime, I'll look at the links you pointed, trying to learn the secrets of Linux and the xorg.conf (which I consider myself as a lamen)

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# File generated by XFdrake (rev 262502)

# **********************************************************************
# Refer to the xorg.conf man page for details about the format of
# this file.
# **********************************************************************

Section "ServerFlags"
    AllowMouseOpenFail # allows the server to start up even if the mouse does not work
    Option "DontZap" "False" # disable <Ctrl><Alt><BS> (server abort)
    #DontZoom # disable <Ctrl><Alt><KP_+>/<KP_-> (resolution switching)
EndSection

Section "Module"
    Load "v4l" # Video for Linux
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier "monitor1"
    VendorName "Generic"
    ModelName "Flat Panel 1280x1024"
    HorizSync 31.5-64.0
    VertRefresh 56.0-65.0
   
    # TV fullscreen mode or DVD fullscreen output.
    # 768x576 @ 79 Hz, 50 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "768x576"     50.00  768  832  846 1000   576  590  595  630
   
    # 768x576 @ 100 Hz, 61.6 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "768x576"     63.07  768  800  960 1024   576  578  590  616
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1400x1050_120"  262.44  1400 1520 1672 1944  1050 1051 1054 1125  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1400x1050_100"  214.39  1400 1512 1664 1928  1050 1051 1054 1112  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1400x1050_85"  179.26  1400 1504 1656 1912  1050 1051 1054 1103  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1400x1050_75"  155.85  1400 1496 1648 1896  1050 1051 1054 1096  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1400x1050_60"  122.61  1400 1488 1640 1880  1050 1051 1054 1087  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1400x1050_50"  99.88  1400 1480 1624 1848  1050 1051 1054 1081  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x1024_120"  233.79  1280 1384 1528 1776  1024 1025 1028 1097  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x1024_100"  190.96  1280 1376 1520 1760  1024 1025 1028 1085  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x1024_85"  159.36  1280 1376 1512 1744  1024 1025 1028 1075  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x1024_75"  138.54  1280 1368 1504 1728  1024 1025 1028 1069  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x1024_60"  108.88  1280 1360 1496 1712  1024 1025 1028 1060  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x1024_50"  89.38  1280 1352 1488 1696  1024 1025 1028 1054  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x960_120"  217.32  1280 1376 1520 1760  960 961 964 1029  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x960_100"  178.99  1280 1376 1520 1760  960 961 964 1017  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x960_85"  149.43  1280 1376 1512 1744  960 961 964 1008  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x960_75"  129.86  1280 1368 1504 1728  960 961 964 1002  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x960_60"  102.10  1280 1360 1496 1712  960 961 964 994  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x960_50"  82.99  1280 1344 1480 1680  960 961 964 988  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1152x864_120"  176.01  1152 1240 1368 1584  864 865 868 926  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1152x864_100"  143.47  1152 1232 1360 1568  864 865 868 915  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1152x864_85"  119.65  1152 1224 1352 1552  864 865 868 907  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1152x864_75"  104.99  1152 1224 1352 1552  864 865 868 902  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1152x864_60"  81.62  1152 1216 1336 1520  864 865 868 895  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1152x864_50"  66.85  1152 1208 1328 1504  864 865 868 889  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1024x768_120"  139.05  1024 1104 1216 1408  768 769 772 823  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1024x768_100"  113.31  1024 1096 1208 1392  768 769 772 814  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1024x768_85"  94.39  1024 1088 1200 1376  768 769 772 807  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1024x768_75"  81.80  1024 1080 1192 1360  768 769 772 802  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1024x768_60"  64.11  1024 1080 1184 1344  768 769 772 795  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1024x768_50"  51.89  1024 1064 1168 1312  768 769 772 791  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "832x624_120"  91.20  832 896 984 1136  624 625 628 669  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "832x624_100"  74.03  832 888 976 1120  624 625 628 661  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "832x624_85"  61.56  832 880 968 1104  624 625 628 656  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "832x624_75"  53.20  832 872 960 1088  624 625 628 652  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "832x624_60"  41.55  832 864 952 1072  624 625 628 646  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "832x624_50"  33.95  832 856 944 1056  624 625 628 643  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "800x600_120"  83.95  800 856 944 1088  600 601 604 643  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "800x600_100"  68.18  800 848 936 1072  600 601 604 636  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "800x600_85"  56.55  800 840 928 1056  600 601 604 630  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "800x600_75"  48.91  800 840 920 1040  600 601 604 627  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "800x600_60"  38.22  800 832 912 1024  600 601 604 622  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "800x600_50"  31.15  800 824 904 1008  600 601 604 618  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "640x480_120"  52.41  640 680 744 848  480 481 484 515  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "640x480_100"  43.16  640 680 744 848  480 481 484 509  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "640x480_85"  35.71  640 672 736 832  480 481 484 505  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "640x480_75"  30.72  640 664 728 816  480 481 484 502  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "640x480_60"  23.86  640 656 720 800  480 481 484 497  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "640x480_50"  19.40  640 648 712 784  480 481 484 495  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "480x360_120"  28.98  480 504 552 624  360 361 364 387  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "480x360_100"  23.84  480 504 552 624  360 361 364 382  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "480x360_85"  19.59  480 496 544 608  360 361 364 379  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "480x360_75"  16.74  480 488 536 592  360 361 364 377  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "480x360_60"  12.89  480 480 528 576  360 361 364 373  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "480x360_50"  10.39  480 472 520 560  360 361 364 371  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "320x240_120"  12.38  320 328 360 400  240 241 244 258  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "320x240_100"  9.79  320 320 352 384  240 241 244 255  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "320x240_85"  8.26  320 320 352 384  240 241 244 253  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "320x240_75"  6.93  320 312 344 368  240 241 244 251  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "320x240_60"  5.26  320 304 336 352  240 241 244 249  -HSync +Vsync
   
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "320x240_50"  4.17  320 304 328 336  240 241 244 248  -HSync +Vsync
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier "device1"
    VendorName "Intel Corporation"
    BoardName "Intel 810 and later"
    Driver "intel"
    Option "DPMS"
    Option "MonitorLayout" "NONE,CRT+LFP"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier "screen1"
    Device "device1"
    Monitor "monitor1"
    DefaultColorDepth 16
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
    Identifier "layout1"
    Screen "screen1"
EndSection


JJF

Okay, so some basic terms. The monitor section defines your physical displays, including horizontal and vertical refresh rates.
The modelines below are to define combinations of refresh rates and resolutions, in case the monitor does not advertise that to your box.
Then comes the device section, which defines your graphics cards and the drivers used for them.

The Screen section defines X screens where content will be displayed. The Serverlayout section defines how the Screens are displayed if there are multiple ones.

Terms in xorg-speak could be confusing a little¹, but you get used to it. Maybe check http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_Window_S ... menclature and also the headings in

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man xorg.conf

which explain the sections.


There are also Viewports and Virtuals, but best forget about them.

For something more practical, as you want to use to monitors, my suggestion would be as follows: Move away/rename xorg.conf and see if something changes so that you can change resolution and layout on the fly.
The modelines you have for your primary monitor may be conflicting with xrandr usage of cinnamon. Hence as root

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mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.orig

Then Ctrl+Alt+Backspace when all other applications are closed to restart X. If the X server doesn't come back, then Ctrl+Alt+F2 and login as root and move it back.

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mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf.orig /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Hi
I made several experiments, which do not worth mentioning. I'll report what I beleive is meaningfull.
I moved xorg.conf to xorg.conf.orig as suggested and it did nor affect the performance.
When rebooted and logged in, I received the attached display.
Closed it and the resolution of the primary display went back to lower resolution
xrander did not help as shown here

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[root@localhost jacob]# xrandr --output VGA1 --mode 1280x1024_60 --output HDMI2 --mode 1280x1024 --rate 75 --pos 1280x0
xrandr: cannot find mode 1280x1024_60

But, when xorg.conf was restored, I could use xrander after reboot to get the higher resolution on the primary screen.

(1st trial to modify xorg.conf to allow dual head failed. Would you mind if I send the modified file so that you can have a look at it?)
jjf

Okay, so it seems the monitors do not send correct EDID information hence the supported resolutions cannot be determined automatically.

Also the modes offered to xrandr may be different. You would need to run xrandr -q without an xorg.conf and see what modes it offers, you can only use xrandr to switch to those modes.

The other way would be to create modelines (as in your original xorg.conf, automatically created for your primary monitor by drakx11) for both monitors for all modes you want to use. Can be done like this:

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┌─[doktor5000@Mageia5]─[20:42:17]─[~]
└──╼ cvt 1280 1024 60
# 1280x1024 59.89 Hz (CVT 1.31M4) hsync: 63.67 kHz; pclk: 109.00 MHz
Modeline "1280x1024_60.00"  109.00  1280 1368 1496 1712  1024 1027 1034 1063 -hsync +vsync

The modeline is what should be copied into xorg.conf for the relevant monitor.


So in short, restart X without xorg.conf, and show the output of xrandr -q then, and also post your changed xorg.conf

Thanks.
Indeed I saw detailed info about the possible resolutions for both monitors when running xrandr . I will send it when I am back at the box.
I can live with thr minor inconvenience of running xrandr to get the proper resolution after I log in.
Is there a way to run xrandr automativally without my intervention each time I log in? (Thus I will skip the hassle of modifying parts of the current environment).
JJF