How to setup Dual Monitors on Ubuntu (NVIDIA)?

These instructions worked for me using Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon with my NVIDIA card. This will not work with an ATI card. Enter the Italic commands into your terminal/console.

1. Enter the following command in a terminal (Applications > Accessories > Terminal): gksudo nvidia-settings

2. Select X Server Display Configuration from the left hand menu.

3. Check that both of your monitors are connected properly, and they are recognized in the NVIDIA Settings dialogue.

4. I set my configuration to TwinView, but feel free to play with Separate X Screen if you need that.

5. I am set my monitors to 1280x1024 pixels resolution.

6. The position should be automatically set, but in case the left monitor should be set to Absolute+0+0, and the right monitor should be set to Absolute+1280+0. If you are running at a different resolution to mine you will need to change this value. E.g. If you are using 1024x768 resolution, the right monitor position should be set to Absolute+1024+0.

7. Click Save to X Configuration.

8. If it is not already filled in, save as the file /etc/X11/xorg.conf

9. Click Save.

10. You can try clicking Apply to make changes, but in most cases you will need to restart your Ubuntu graphical interface (as the popup message will explain further). You can do so by pressing Ctrl + Alt + F1.

11. This will take you to a fullscreen console type window. You may need to login again using your normal username/password combination.

12. Then type: sudo /etc/init.d/gdm restart

13. This will boot up Ubuntu again and hopefully you should be seeing your new dual monitors in action!

Troubleshooting Tips
- Each time you make a change, you should repeat steps 7-13 again to allow it to fully reload itself.
- If you are having problems with TwinView, try Separate X Screen, or vice versa.

Comments