Dual Screens in Linux

While it is true that installing a second screen and getting it to span the desktop isn't as easy in Linux as it is in Windows or Mac Os, it isn't terrible to set up if you are willing to break out vim and edit /etc/X11/xorg.conf. A major note is that using the system tools in GNOME (sytem-config-display) to set up the dual screens fails as it does not edit the xorg.conf correctly.

I used this guide to assist in setting my dual screens up. I have two AOC LM742 17" flat panel moniters (ranging in price anywhere from $130-$189). I have a EVGA 7600GS and XOrg 7.1.

Here is my xorg.conf for dual screens in FC6 using the Nvidia drivers


Section "ServerLayout"
   Identifier "single head configuration"
   Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0
   InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
EndSection

Section "Files"
   ModulePath "/usr/lib64/xorg/modules/extensions/nvidia"
   ModulePath "/usr/lib64/xorg/modules"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
   Identifier "Keyboard0"
   Driver "kbd"
   Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
   Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"

### Comment all HorizSync and VertSync values to use DDC:
   Identifier "Monitor0"
   VendorName "Monitor Vendor"
   ModelName "LCD Panel 1280x1024"
### Comment all HorizSync and VertSync values to use DDC:
   HorizSync 31.5 - 67.0
   VertRefresh 50.0 - 75.0
   Option "dpms"
EndSection

Section "Device"
   Identifier "Videocard0"
   Driver "nvidia"
   BoardName "geForce 7600 GS"
   BusID "PCI:2:0:0"
   Option "AddARGBGLXVisuals" "True"
   Option "TwinView"
   Option "MetaModes" "1280x1024,1280x1024; 1280x1024; 1024x768,1024x768; 1024x768; 800x600,800x600; 800x600"
   Option "TwinViewOrientation" "RightOf"
   Option "SecondMonitorHorizSync" "UseEdidFreqs"
   Option "SecondMonitorVertRefresh" "UseEdidFreqs"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
   Identifier "Screen0"
   Device "Videocard0"
   Monitor "Monitor0"
   DefaultDepth 24
   SubSection "Display"
     Viewport 0 0
     Depth 24
   EndSubSection
EndSection



Enjoy and good luck!