2

I was able to rotate one out of two monitors while using the latest nVidia driver (290.10 for Linux-x86_64), but the guide calls for using Xinerama which according to some is not compatible with Compiz. True enough, after restarting the rotation works (even in the login screen), but I can't start compiz anymore:

$ compiz --replace --display :0.0 --sm-disable &
compiz (core) - Fatal: No composite extension
Launching fallback window manager
Xlib:  extension "RANDR" missing on display ":0.0".

Is there any way to have all of the following:

  • Compiz effects
  • One rotated monitor
  • Drag windows between monitors
1
  • For my AMD display card, I have the option in the "System Settings", "Displays" to choose Resolution and Rotation for each individual monitor using the default display driver with Compiz (no Xinerama). Do you not have this ability? Or do you lose it when using the proprietary driver? I personally don't install the proprietary drivers because for my use, there is no discernible difference. But I don't play games, except simple 2D ones like Freecell. I have always found the proprietary drivers to be a constant source of amusement, not the good kind. :) Mar 7, 2012 at 1:06

5 Answers 5

1

Try xrandr. There is my rotate script for EeePC with external monitor

#!/bin/bash
# usage:
# ./rotate VGA1 right
s=${1:-'LVDS1'}
r=${2:-'left'}
echo $s;

# see `xrandr` for output modes for all screens
case $s in
'LVDS1')
  m='1024x600' #default resolution of EeePC 1005ha
;;
'VGA1')
  m='1024x768' #best resolution for LG FLATRON 795FT Plus which plugged to EeePC
;;
esac

case `xrandr | grep $s | sed 's/^\(.*\+0 \)\(.*\) (.*/\2/g'` in
'left')
  echo 'returning from left to the normal state on screen '$s' with the '$m' mode'
  xrandr --output $s --mode $m --rotate normal
;;
'right')
  echo 'returning from right to the normal state on screen '$s' with the '$m' mode'
  xrandr --output $s --mode $m --rotate normal
;;
*)
  echo 'rotating to the '$r' on screen '$s' with the '$m' mode'
  xrandr --output $s --mode $m --rotate $r
;;
esac
3
  • It just reports RandR extension missing here...
    – l0b0
    Mar 12, 2012 at 16:58
  • "Package xrandr is not available ... the following packages replace it: x11-xserver-utils:i386 x11-xserver-utils" Then sudo apt-get install x11-xserver-utils -> "x11-xserver-utils is already the newest version."
    – l0b0
    Mar 13, 2012 at 7:52
  • 1. try disable Xinerama 2. try this: ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=6738677&postcount=14
    – iegik
    Mar 14, 2012 at 19:29
0

I'm not sure about this, but there is a gui tool that do those things you need,It's called grandr-gtk interface to xrandr and can be found in the synaptic package manager, simple one but i think it's useful (It does not work for me,Same nvidia drivers but single monitor)

1
  • Couldn't get it to work; it just reports "RandR extension missing".
    – l0b0
    Mar 12, 2012 at 17:14
0

One can't rotate just one screen xrandr in a dual head head setup with an nvidia driver. Is my experience.

The reason seems to be that in ordinary nvidia "twinview" both screens are actually just one screen.

Installing a more modern NVIDIA driver (302.17) allowed me to rotate a single screen. Once installed it can be done from within the display app in Ubuntu 12.04

there is a link to the the fixing needed to be done after installing the nvidia beta driver.If you plan to use your computer in other resolutions than the screens native resolution.

1
0

Here's how I got my 3D+compiz dualscreen with one screen rotated working on nvidia on ubuntu lucid lynx 10.04:

1) Installed Ubuntu-x-swat PPA to get nvidia-current binary driver as new as possible (and to support xrandr 1.2) http://www.ubuntuupdates.org/ppa/ubuntu-x-swat

2) removed /etc/X11/xorg.conf to reset defaults

3) ran nvidia-xconfig after logout/login to generate a basic xorg.conf

4) Logout/login again, used nvidia GUI tool in system/administration to roughly place screens, saved settings to xorg.conf.

5) Identified screens from the terminal: xrandr

6) Ran the rotate command from the terminal: xrandr --output VGA-0 --mode 1280x1024 --rotate left

7) Modified xorg.conf to have proper fine placement based on nvidia GUI-tool: Option "metamodes" "DFP: nvidia-auto-select +0+230, CRT: nvidia-auto-select +1400+0"

8) Made the rotation permanent by adding these lines to /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc

# Rotate right monitor CCW
xrandr --output VGA-0 --mode 1280x1024 --rotate left
-1

I found this article which does not include turning Xinerama on (Xinerama = bad from my experience!)

http://tuxtweaks.com/2010/05/ubuntu-enable-rotation-nvidia/

it needs to be adjusted for 2 screens tho. Hope it helps.

2
  • Tried it; didn't work. I got one screen which I couldn't use for anything except move the mouse there.
    – l0b0
    Mar 12, 2012 at 17:15
  • It only works for single head setup. Not for a dual head setup
    – tomodachi
    Aug 1, 2012 at 2:35

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