OQO Display issues and possible nasty workaround (multiple options)

[Guest]

[fordero]

Not sure if anyone has any better suggestions but heres a quick idea that might help others get on with running a flat panel monitor and the oqo panel.

My problem is that when I use the docking station I am not interested in looking at the oqo panel. I have a flat panel capable of 1280x1024 so to permanently be stuck with 800x480 seemed a waste.

I therefore created an xorg.conf for both the flat panel (1280x1024) and for the oqo panel. When I run the flat panel version the oqo screen is all messed up since the refresh rate and res is way too high. using the fn + br down button combo you can switch off the back light.

I'm sure there must be a way to turn off the oqo screen and leave the monitor on?

"xset dpms force off" - turns of both screens (slightly annoying)

My linux programming skills are lame and therefore I could think of a way to script a prompt to load a config based on what screen you want to use. Instead I did create two scripts to copy the xorg.conf script based on what screen I want to use e.g. select_panel (script in /sbin/) would copy over the xorg.conf for the oqo panel and then restart gdm (applying the new conf file). select_lcd did the same but with the external monitor active.

I then changed the name of shutdown to sshutdown and create a script "shutdown" in /sbin to copy the oqo panel settings to xorg.conf and then shutdown the machine. This ensured that it always booted in "panel mode".

Its all pretty much cludge  but at least I can change between screens pretty easily. Of course if via have released drivers that would allow for two screens that would be even perfect LOL.

Interested to know if RandR works or if anyone else has a better method? Ideally without having to restart x each time you change the setting.

Any ideas?

O.

[psych787]

Run two Xservers, one for each monitor. On most dual-monitor cards this is be possible.

FYI RandR has always been extremely flaky at best. Last time I tested it on my GeForce 8800GT (which has otherwise decent drivers), my Xsession reset. You could always try it though, and if it fails, try bleeding edge Xorg.

Although I'm sure you know this, its worth mentioning: be careful. In the past, old monitors could be fouled up by incorrect settings. The OQO hardware is custom enough it just might be vulnerable. Certainly avoid running broken configs for an extended period of time.

[lentinj]

Yes RandR support does depend on the driver (the nvidia binary drivers still have none), but most now have RandR 1.2 support to let you set up all monitors on the fly.

Have a go with this and see how far you get, the most interesting bit being section 2:-

http://wiki.debian.org/XStrikeForce/HowToRandR12

I'm guessing you have an 02, but my 01+ config might prove a useful example:-

http://jamie.lentin.co.uk/hardware/oqo_01plus/xorg.conf.txt

[fordero]

Thanks for the advice!!

I'll try RandR but when I run xrandr it only reports one output??

Screen 0: minimum 640 x 400, current 1280 x 1024, maximum 1280 x 1024
default connected 1280x1024+0+0 0mm x 0mm
   1280x1024      60.0*    75.0 
   1280x960       60.0 
   1152x864       75.0     70.0     60.0 
   1024x768       75.0     70.0     60.0 
   832x624        75.0 
   800x600        75.0     72.0     60.0     56.0 
   640x480        75.0     73.0     67.0     60.0 
   720x400        70.0 

Is there a way to tell it to pick up the screens? I've tried xrandr --auto but nothing changed in the output above.

Strange?

Lentinj - Thanks for the settings for the 01+, you're right I have an 02 using the openchrome driver.

Psych787 - If you have a sec I'd appreciate any tips on how to set up multiple x server please?

Either way ubuntu on the OQO blazes Vista and XP!! If the monitor bit can be sorted I'll be chuffed!

Cheers guys!!
O.

[psych787]

"Psych787 - If you have a sec I'd appreciate any tips on how to set up multiple x server please?"
http://wpkg.org/Configuring_multiseat_X_workstation
Note that in this case separate display adapters are being used. However, the basic principle should be the same when just defining two separate screens.

If you can't get onboard VGA out working, consider using a USB to VGA adapter. Not ideal, but workable. For example, look at the following:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/add-a-monitor-usb,1054-2.html
Apparently at least some of these work under linux:
http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-260863.html

[fordero]

Tried this for days now and unfortunately I can't get this working!

RandR only detects one output and the other also don't seem to work. One thing that is apparent is that the VGA out on the docking station is a mirror of the internal display. There is no seperate /dev/video to be able to co-ordinate the displays.

I did try the standard VIA driver for 8.10 but that couldn't detect the /dev/screen1 which I think is something to do with not running the via_agp driver. Oh and unblacking that puppy just resulted in a complete failure.

If anyone has any advice on how they successfully managed to either split the screens or switch off the OQO LCD when using an external monitor I would be super appreciative!!

This is the only thing that is stopping me using this as my main machine!!

O.

[psych787]

Well if /dev/screen1 isn't available, there isn't much more to try. The USB to VGA adapter is probably your best option.