Dual Monitor Issues

[rajnisheu]

Hi,

Looking at how nice the UI is, I would be happy to buy the pro version and ditch win 10 for my developer needs. However, like the never ending list of distros I tried, there is always a glitch. Greatly appreciate if anyone can help solve the following, without any major terminal hacks if possible. Am not from the brave bandwagon unfortunately.

1. Using a Dell G7 (has Nvidia discrete and Intel onboard), usb live cd mode for testing, external viewsonic hdmi is black and only the cursor shows. Windows can be dragged over, but nothing shows.

2. Switched to a usb c extender. HDMI does not work. (Though VGA works, this is not a possible permanent solution for me.)

3. Testing setting up the second display on vga, can not see anything to get a status bar on the second monitor. Would be great if could also get tips on how to show application on the status bar where the application is open.

Really sick with win 10, auto update (has broken vbox and vm virtualisation in the latest update), and freezes, but really would be keen to make transition to new os as less a struggle as possible. (Really hate the idea of getting sucked into the mac world, but seems that I’m slowly sliding to it )

Many thanks

[Aravisian]

I do not know what classifies as a major terminal hack, but the terminal truly is a very powerful tool. I do not know of any easy GUI method.
Could you please run

xrandr -q

In terminal and paste the results here?

[rajnisheu]

Wow @Aravisian, that was a very quick reply! Impressed man!
Allow me few minutes to switch to the live cd, and paste the results

[Aravisian]

Hmm… you are using hybrid Nvidia and Intel. I suspect you won’t get too far on just the LiveCD as that is a bit like a demonstration, the proprietary drivers are not actually installed.
Using the LiveCD without that (On my machine for example), the two monitors will show up and work just fine. But with Nvidia needing to be #modesetting=0, I suspect the Demo Disk will have a chance of not registering the HDMI port.
I could be wrong.

[swarfendor437]

Does the G7 have any Optimus settings in the BIOS?

https://www.dell.com/community/Laptops-General-Read-Only/Intel-HD-Graphics-Does-Not-Recognize-Multiple-Displays/m-p/4590346/highlight/true#M845209

[rajnisheu]

here comes: xrandr-q
Screen 0: minimum 320 x 200, current 3840 x 1080, maximum 16384 x 16384
eDP-1 connected primary 1920x1080+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 344mm x 194mm
1920x1080 60.05*+ 60.01 59.97 59.96 59.93 48.04
1680x1050 59.95 59.88
1600x1024 60.17
1400x1050 59.98
1600x900 59.99 59.94 59.95 59.82
1280x1024 60.02
1440x900 59.89
1400x900 59.96 59.88
1280x960 60.00
1440x810 60.00 59.97
1368x768 59.88 59.85
1360x768 59.80 59.96
1280x800 59.99 59.97 59.81 59.91
1152x864 60.00
1280x720 60.00 59.99 59.86 59.74
1024x768 60.04 60.00
960x720 60.00
928x696 60.05
896x672 60.01
1024x576 59.95 59.96 59.90 59.82
960x600 59.93 60.00
960x540 59.96 59.99 59.63 59.82
800x600 60.00 60.32 56.25
840x525 60.01 59.88
864x486 59.92 59.57
800x512 60.17
700x525 59.98
800x450 59.95 59.82
640x512 60.02
720x450 59.89
700x450 59.96 59.88
640x480 60.00 59.94
720x405 59.51 58.99
684x384 59.88 59.85
680x384 59.80 59.96
640x400 59.88 59.98
576x432 60.06
640x360 59.86 59.83 59.84 59.32
512x384 60.00
512x288 60.00 59.92
480x270 59.63 59.82
400x300 60.32 56.34
432x243 59.92 59.57
320x240 60.05
360x202 59.51 59.13
320x180 59.84 59.32
DP-1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
HDMI-1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
HDMI-1-2 connected 1920x1080+1920+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 520mm x 290mm
1920x1080 60.00*+ 59.96 50.00 59.94 59.93
1920x1200 59.95
1920x1080i 60.00 50.00 59.94
1600x1200 65.00 60.00
1680x1050 69.88 59.95 59.88
1600x1024 60.17
1400x1050 74.76 70.00 59.98 59.95
1600x900 59.94 59.95 59.82
1280x1024 75.02 60.02
1440x900 59.89 59.90
1400x900 59.96 59.88
1280x960 60.00
1440x810 59.97
1368x768 59.88 59.85
1360x768 59.80 59.96
1280x800 59.99 59.97 59.81 59.91
1152x864 75.00 75.00 70.00 60.00
1280x720 60.00 59.99 59.86 60.00 50.00 59.94 59.74
1440x576 50.00
1024x768 75.05 60.04 75.03 70.07 60.00
960x720 75.00 60.00
1440x480 60.00 59.94
928x696 75.00 60.05
896x672 75.05 60.01
1024x576 59.95 59.96 59.90 59.82
960x600 59.93 60.00
832x624 74.55
960x540 59.96 59.99 59.63 59.82
800x600 75.00 70.00 65.00 60.00 72.19 75.00 60.32 56.25
840x525 74.96 69.88 60.01 59.88
864x486 59.92 59.57
720x576 50.00
800x512 60.17
700x525 74.76 70.06 59.98
800x450 59.95 59.82
720x480 60.00 59.94
640x512 75.02 60.02
720x450 59.89
700x450 59.96 59.88
640x480 60.00 75.00 72.81 75.00 66.67 60.00 59.94
720x405 59.51 58.99
720x400 70.08
684x384 59.88 59.85
680x384 59.80 59.96
640x400 59.88 59.98
576x432 75.00 75.00 70.00 60.06
640x360 59.86 59.83 59.84 59.32
512x384 75.03 70.07 60.00
512x288 60.00 59.92
416x312 74.66
480x270 59.63 59.82
400x300 72.19 75.12 60.32 56.34
432x243 59.92 59.57
320x240 72.81 75.00 60.05
360x202 59.51 59.13
320x180 59.84 59.32
1920x1080 (0x49) 173.000MHz -HSync +VSync
h: width 1920 start 2048 end 2248 total 2576 skew 0 clock 67.16KHz
v: height 1080 start 1083 end 1088 total 1120 clock 59.96Hz
1920x1080 (0x4a) 138.500MHz +HSync -VSync
h: width 1920 start 1968 end 2000 total 2080 skew 0 clock 66.59KHz
v: height 1080 start 1083 end 1088 total 1111 clock 59.93Hz
1680x1050 (0x4c) 146.250MHz -HSync +VSync
h: width 1680 start 1784 end 1960 total 2240 skew 0 clock 65.29KHz
v: height 1050 start 1053 end 1059 total 1089 clock 59.95Hz
1680x1050 (0x4d) 119.000MHz +HSync -VSync
h: width 1680 start 1728 end 1760 total 1840 skew 0 clock 64.67KHz
v: height 1050 start 1053 end 1059 total 1080 clock 59.88Hz
1600x1024 (0x4e) 103.125MHz +HSync +VSync
h: width 1600 start 1600 end 1656 total 1664 skew 0 clock 61.97KHz
v: height 1024 start 1024 end 1029 total 1030 clock 60.17Hz
1400x1050 (0x4f) 122.000MHz +HSync +VSync
h: width 1400 start 1488 end 1640 total 1880 skew 0 clock 64.89KHz
v: height 1050 start 1052 end 1064 total 1082 clock 59.98Hz
1600x900 (0x51) 186.500MHz +HSync -VSync DoubleScan
h: width 1600 start 1624 end 1640 total 1680 skew 0 clock 111.01KHz
v: height 900 start 901 end 904 total 926 clock 59.94Hz
1600x900 (0x52) 118.250MHz -HSync +VSync
h: width 1600 start 1696 end 1856 total 2112 skew 0 clock 55.99KHz
v: height 900 start 903 end 908 total 934 clock 59.95Hz
1600x900 (0x53) 97.500MHz +HSync -VSync
h: width 1600 start 1648 end 1680 total 1760 skew 0 clock 55.40KHz
v: height 900 start 903 end 908 total 926 clock 59.82Hz
1280x1024 (0x54) 108.000MHz +HSync +VSync
h: width 1280 start 1328 end 1440 total 1688 skew 0 clock 63.98KHz
v: height 1024 start 1025 end 1028 total 1066 clock 60.02Hz
1440x900 (0x55) 106.500MHz -HSync +VSync
h: width 1440 start 1520 end 1672 total 1904 skew 0 clock 55.93KHz
v: height 900 start 903 end 909 total 934 clock 59.89Hz
1400x900 (0x56) 103.500MHz -HSync +VSync
h: width 1400 start 1480 end 1624 total 1848 skew 0 clock 56.01KHz
v: height 900 start 903 end 913 total 934 clock 59.96Hz
1400x900 (0x57) 86.500MHz +HSync -VSync
h: width 1400 start 1448 end 1480 total 1560 skew 0 clock 55.45KHz
v: height 900 start 903 end 913 total 926 clock 59.88Hz
1280x960 (0x58) 108.000MHz +HSync +VSync
h: width 1280 start 1376 end 1488 total 1800 skew 0 clock 60.00KHz
v: height 960 start 961 end 964 total 1000 clock 60.00Hz
1440x810 (0x5a) 151.875MHz +HSync -VSync DoubleScan
h: width 1440 start 1464 end 1480 total 1520 skew 0 clock 99.92KHz
v: height 810 start 811 end 814 total 833 clock 59.97Hz
1368x768 (0x5b) 85.250MHz -HSync +VSync
h: width 1368 start 1440 end 1576 total 1784 skew 0 clock 47.79KHz
v: height 768 start 771 end 781 total 798 clock 59.88Hz
1368x768 (0x5c) 72.250MHz +HSync -VSync
h: width 1368 start 1416 end 1448 total 1528 skew 0 clock 47.28KHz
v: height 768 start 771 end 781 total 790 clock 59.85Hz
1360x768 (0x5d) 84.750MHz -HSync +VSync
h: width 1360 start 1432 end 1568 total 1776 skew 0 clock 47.72KHz
v: height 768 start 771 end 781 total 798 clock 59.80Hz
1360x768 (0x5e) 72.000MHz +HSync -VSync
h: width 1360 start 1408 end 1440 total 1520 skew 0 clock 47.37KHz
v: height 768 start 771 end 781 total 790 clock 59.96Hz
1280x800 (0x5f) 174.250MHz -HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 1280 start 1380 end 1516 total 1752 skew 0 clock 99.46KHz
v: height 800 start 801 end 804 total 829 clock 59.99Hz
1280x800 (0x60) 134.250MHz +HSync -VSync DoubleScan
h: width 1280 start 1304 end 1320 total 1360 skew 0 clock 98.71KHz
v: height 800 start 801 end 804 total 823 clock 59.97Hz
1280x800 (0x61) 83.500MHz -HSync +VSync
h: width 1280 start 1352 end 1480 total 1680 skew 0 clock 49.70KHz
v: height 800 start 803 end 809 total 831 clock 59.81Hz
1280x800 (0x62) 71.000MHz +HSync -VSync
h: width 1280 start 1328 end 1360 total 1440 skew 0 clock 49.31KHz
v: height 800 start 803 end 809 total 823 clock 59.91Hz
1152x864 (0x63) 81.620MHz -HSync +VSync
h: width 1152 start 1216 end 1336 total 1520 skew 0 clock 53.70KHz
v: height 864 start 865 end 868 total 895 clock 60.00Hz
1280x720 (0x64) 156.125MHz -HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 1280 start 1376 end 1512 total 1744 skew 0 clock 89.52KHz
v: height 720 start 721 end 724 total 746 clock 60.00Hz
1280x720 (0x65) 120.750MHz +HSync -VSync DoubleScan
h: width 1280 start 1304 end 1320 total 1360 skew 0 clock 88.79KHz
v: height 720 start 721 end 724 total 740 clock 59.99Hz
1280x720 (0x66) 74.500MHz -HSync +VSync
h: width 1280 start 1344 end 1472 total 1664 skew 0 clock 44.77KHz
v: height 720 start 723 end 728 total 748 clock 59.86Hz
1280x720 (0x67) 63.750MHz +HSync -VSync
h: width 1280 start 1328 end 1360 total 1440 skew 0 clock 44.27KHz
v: height 720 start 723 end 728 total 741 clock 59.74Hz
1024x768 (0x68) 133.475MHz -HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 1024 start 1100 end 1212 total 1400 skew 0 clock 95.34KHz
v: height 768 start 768 end 770 total 794 clock 60.04Hz
1024x768 (0x69) 65.000MHz -HSync -VSync
h: width 1024 start 1048 end 1184 total 1344 skew 0 clock 48.36KHz
v: height 768 start 771 end 777 total 806 clock 60.00Hz
960x720 (0x6a) 117.000MHz -HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 960 start 1024 end 1128 total 1300 skew 0 clock 90.00KHz
v: height 720 start 720 end 722 total 750 clock 60.00Hz
928x696 (0x6b) 109.150MHz -HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 928 start 976 end 1088 total 1264 skew 0 clock 86.35KHz
v: height 696 start 696 end 698 total 719 clock 60.05Hz
896x672 (0x6c) 102.400MHz -HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 896 start 960 end 1060 total 1224 skew 0 clock 83.66KHz
v: height 672 start 672 end 674 total 697 clock 60.01Hz
1024x576 (0x6d) 98.500MHz -HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 1024 start 1092 end 1200 total 1376 skew 0 clock 71.58KHz
v: height 576 start 577 end 580 total 597 clock 59.95Hz
1024x576 (0x6e) 78.375MHz +HSync -VSync DoubleScan
h: width 1024 start 1048 end 1064 total 1104 skew 0 clock 70.99KHz
v: height 576 start 577 end 580 total 592 clock 59.96Hz
1024x576 (0x6f) 46.500MHz -HSync +VSync
h: width 1024 start 1064 end 1160 total 1296 skew 0 clock 35.88KHz
v: height 576 start 579 end 584 total 599 clock 59.90Hz
1024x576 (0x70) 42.000MHz +HSync -VSync
h: width 1024 start 1072 end 1104 total 1184 skew 0 clock 35.47KHz
v: height 576 start 579 end 584 total 593 clock 59.82Hz
960x600 (0x71) 96.625MHz -HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 960 start 1028 end 1128 total 1296 skew 0 clock 74.56KHz
v: height 600 start 601 end 604 total 622 clock 59.93Hz
960x600 (0x72) 77.000MHz +HSync -VSync DoubleScan
h: width 960 start 984 end 1000 total 1040 skew 0 clock 74.04KHz
v: height 600 start 601 end 604 total 617 clock 60.00Hz
960x540 (0x73) 86.500MHz -HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 960 start 1024 end 1124 total 1288 skew 0 clock 67.16KHz
v: height 540 start 541 end 544 total 560 clock 59.96Hz
960x540 (0x74) 69.250MHz +HSync -VSync DoubleScan
h: width 960 start 984 end 1000 total 1040 skew 0 clock 66.59KHz
v: height 540 start 541 end 544 total 555 clock 59.99Hz
960x540 (0x75) 40.750MHz -HSync +VSync
h: width 960 start 992 end 1088 total 1216 skew 0 clock 33.51KHz
v: height 540 start 543 end 548 total 562 clock 59.63Hz
960x540 (0x76) 37.250MHz +HSync -VSync
h: width 960 start 1008 end 1040 total 1120 skew 0 clock 33.26KHz
v: height 540 start 543 end 548 total 556 clock 59.82Hz
800x600 (0x77) 81.000MHz +HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 800 start 832 end 928 total 1080 skew 0 clock 75.00KHz
v: height 600 start 600 end 602 total 625 clock 60.00Hz
800x600 (0x78) 40.000MHz +HSync +VSync
h: width 800 start 840 end 968 total 1056 skew 0 clock 37.88KHz
v: height 600 start 601 end 605 total 628 clock 60.32Hz
800x600 (0x79) 36.000MHz +HSync +VSync
h: width 800 start 824 end 896 total 1024 skew 0 clock 35.16KHz
v: height 600 start 601 end 603 total 625 clock 56.25Hz
840x525 (0x7a) 73.125MHz -HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 840 start 892 end 980 total 1120 skew 0 clock 65.29KHz
v: height 525 start 526 end 529 total 544 clock 60.01Hz
840x525 (0x7b) 59.500MHz +HSync -VSync DoubleScan
h: width 840 start 864 end 880 total 920 skew 0 clock 64.67KHz
v: height 525 start 526 end 529 total 540 clock 59.88Hz
864x486 (0x7c) 32.500MHz -HSync +VSync
h: width 864 start 888 end 968 total 1072 skew 0 clock 30.32KHz
v: height 486 start 489 end 494 total 506 clock 59.92Hz
864x486 (0x7d) 30.500MHz +HSync -VSync
h: width 864 start 912 end 944 total 1024 skew 0 clock 29.79KHz
v: height 486 start 489 end 494 total 500 clock 59.57Hz
800x512 (0x7e) 51.562MHz +HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 800 start 800 end 828 total 832 skew 0 clock 61.97KHz
v: height 512 start 512 end 514 total 515 clock 60.17Hz
700x525 (0x7f) 61.000MHz +HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 700 start 744 end 820 total 940 skew 0 clock 64.89KHz
v: height 525 start 526 end 532 total 541 clock 59.98Hz
800x450 (0x80) 59.125MHz -HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 800 start 848 end 928 total 1056 skew 0 clock 55.99KHz
v: height 450 start 451 end 454 total 467 clock 59.95Hz
800x450 (0x81) 48.750MHz +HSync -VSync DoubleScan
h: width 800 start 824 end 840 total 880 skew 0 clock 55.40KHz
v: height 450 start 451 end 454 total 463 clock 59.82Hz
640x512 (0x82) 54.000MHz +HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 640 start 664 end 720 total 844 skew 0 clock 63.98KHz
v: height 512 start 512 end 514 total 533 clock 60.02Hz
720x450 (0x83) 53.250MHz -HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 720 start 760 end 836 total 952 skew 0 clock 55.93KHz
v: height 450 start 451 end 454 total 467 clock 59.89Hz
700x450 (0x84) 51.750MHz -HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 700 start 740 end 812 total 924 skew 0 clock 56.01KHz
v: height 450 start 451 end 456 total 467 clock 59.96Hz
700x450 (0x85) 43.250MHz +HSync -VSync DoubleScan
h: width 700 start 724 end 740 total 780 skew 0 clock 55.45KHz
v: height 450 start 451 end 456 total 463 clock 59.88Hz
640x480 (0x86) 54.000MHz +HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 640 start 688 end 744 total 900 skew 0 clock 60.00KHz
v: height 480 start 480 end 482 total 500 clock 60.00Hz
640x480 (0x87) 25.175MHz -HSync -VSync
h: width 640 start 656 end 752 total 800 skew 0 clock 31.47KHz
v: height 480 start 490 end 492 total 525 clock 59.94Hz
720x405 (0x88) 22.500MHz -HSync +VSync
h: width 720 start 744 end 808 total 896 skew 0 clock 25.11KHz
v: height 405 start 408 end 413 total 422 clock 59.51Hz
720x405 (0x89) 21.750MHz +HSync -VSync
h: width 720 start 768 end 800 total 880 skew 0 clock 24.72KHz
v: height 405 start 408 end 413 total 419 clock 58.99Hz
684x384 (0x8a) 42.625MHz -HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 684 start 720 end 788 total 892 skew 0 clock 47.79KHz
v: height 384 start 385 end 390 total 399 clock 59.88Hz
684x384 (0x8b) 36.125MHz +HSync -VSync DoubleScan
h: width 684 start 708 end 724 total 764 skew 0 clock 47.28KHz
v: height 384 start 385 end 390 total 395 clock 59.85Hz
680x384 (0x8c) 42.375MHz -HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 680 start 716 end 784 total 888 skew 0 clock 47.72KHz
v: height 384 start 385 end 390 total 399 clock 59.80Hz
680x384 (0x8d) 36.000MHz +HSync -VSync DoubleScan
h: width 680 start 704 end 720 total 760 skew 0 clock 47.37KHz
v: height 384 start 385 end 390 total 395 clock 59.96Hz
640x400 (0x8e) 41.750MHz -HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 640 start 676 end 740 total 840 skew 0 clock 49.70KHz
v: height 400 start 401 end 404 total 415 clock 59.88Hz
640x400 (0x8f) 35.500MHz +HSync -VSync DoubleScan
h: width 640 start 664 end 680 total 720 skew 0 clock 49.31KHz
v: height 400 start 401 end 404 total 411 clock 59.98Hz
576x432 (0x90) 40.810MHz -HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 576 start 608 end 668 total 760 skew 0 clock 53.70KHz
v: height 432 start 432 end 434 total 447 clock 60.06Hz
640x360 (0x91) 37.250MHz -HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 640 start 672 end 736 total 832 skew 0 clock 44.77KHz
v: height 360 start 361 end 364 total 374 clock 59.86Hz
640x360 (0x92) 31.875MHz +HSync -VSync DoubleScan
h: width 640 start 664 end 680 total 720 skew 0 clock 44.27KHz
v: height 360 start 361 end 364 total 370 clock 59.83Hz
640x360 (0x93) 18.000MHz -HSync +VSync
h: width 640 start 664 end 720 total 800 skew 0 clock 22.50KHz
v: height 360 start 363 end 368 total 376 clock 59.84Hz
640x360 (0x94) 17.750MHz +HSync -VSync
h: width 640 start 688 end 720 total 800 skew 0 clock 22.19KHz
v: height 360 start 363 end 368 total 374 clock 59.32Hz
512x384 (0x95) 32.500MHz -HSync -VSync DoubleScan
h: width 512 start 524 end 592 total 672 skew 0 clock 48.36KHz
v: height 384 start 385 end 388 total 403 clock 60.00Hz
512x288 (0x96) 23.250MHz -HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 512 start 532 end 580 total 648 skew 0 clock 35.88KHz
v: height 288 start 289 end 292 total 299 clock 60.00Hz
512x288 (0x97) 21.000MHz +HSync -VSync DoubleScan
h: width 512 start 536 end 552 total 592 skew 0 clock 35.47KHz
v: height 288 start 289 end 292 total 296 clock 59.92Hz
480x270 (0x98) 20.375MHz -HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 480 start 496 end 544 total 608 skew 0 clock 33.51KHz
v: height 270 start 271 end 274 total 281 clock 59.63Hz
480x270 (0x99) 18.625MHz +HSync -VSync DoubleScan
h: width 480 start 504 end 520 total 560 skew 0 clock 33.26KHz
v: height 270 start 271 end 274 total 278 clock 59.82Hz
400x300 (0x9a) 20.000MHz +HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 400 start 420 end 484 total 528 skew 0 clock 37.88KHz
v: height 300 start 300 end 302 total 314 clock 60.32Hz
400x300 (0x9b) 18.000MHz +HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 400 start 412 end 448 total 512 skew 0 clock 35.16KHz
v: height 300 start 300 end 301 total 312 clock 56.34Hz
432x243 (0x9c) 16.250MHz -HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 432 start 444 end 484 total 536 skew 0 clock 30.32KHz
v: height 243 start 244 end 247 total 253 clock 59.92Hz
432x243 (0x9d) 15.250MHz +HSync -VSync DoubleScan
h: width 432 start 456 end 472 total 512 skew 0 clock 29.79KHz
v: height 243 start 244 end 247 total 250 clock 59.57Hz
320x240 (0x9e) 12.587MHz -HSync -VSync DoubleScan
h: width 320 start 328 end 376 total 400 skew 0 clock 31.47KHz
v: height 240 start 245 end 246 total 262 clock 60.05Hz
360x202 (0x9f) 11.250MHz -HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 360 start 372 end 404 total 448 skew 0 clock 25.11KHz
v: height 202 start 204 end 206 total 211 clock 59.51Hz
360x202 (0xa0) 10.875MHz +HSync -VSync DoubleScan
h: width 360 start 384 end 400 total 440 skew 0 clock 24.72KHz
v: height 202 start 204 end 206 total 209 clock 59.13Hz
320x180 (0xa1) 9.000MHz -HSync +VSync DoubleScan
h: width 320 start 332 end 360 total 400 skew 0 clock 22.50KHz
v: height 180 start 181 end 184 total 188 clock 59.84Hz
320x180 (0xa2) 8.875MHz +HSync -VSync DoubleScan
h: width 320 start 344 end 360 total 400 skew 0 clock 22.19KHz
v: height 180 start 181 end 184 total 187 clock 59.32Hz

[rajnisheu]

Thanks @swarfendor437, nothing in bios of that kind

[rajnisheu]

interestingly the os can “see” the external monitor

looks like an old issue, and seemingly still persists: https://askubuntu.com/questions/1203321/external-monitor-is-black-with-only-cursor-visible-and-responsive-connected-a

[Aravisian]

Yes, which is part of why I mentioned Proprietary drivers above.

[rajnisheu]

so can i try anything on live cd? or is not possible?

[Aravisian]

Not easily because a reboot would be necessary for many changes. You would need to try it in persistence.
However, Log out and In may be sufficient for some. To log in, the user is “zorin” and the password is just left blank. In which case, that is a good question. I’d say, Go For it. Why not?

Try

sudo nano /lib/modprobe.d/nvidia-kms.conf

Look for the line:
options nvidia-drm modeset=0
And add a hashtag in front like this
#options nvidia-drm modeset=0

ctrl+x to exit, ‘y’ to save and enter key to finalize
Then log out using the Zorin Menu

Then log in to check effect.

[rajnisheu]

No such file there:
ls -la /lib/modprobe.d/
total 5
drwxr-xr-x 1 root root 40 Oct 4 13:11 .
drwxr-xr-x 1 root root 80 Sep 8 01:24 …
-rw-r–r-- 1 root root 655 Jul 28 15:46 aliases.conf
-rw-r–r-- 1 root root 1550 Sep 5 05:15 blacklist_linux-hwe-5.4_5.4.0-47-generic.conf
-rw-r–r-- 1 root root 390 Jul 8 18:43 fbdev-blacklist.conf
-rw-r–r-- 1 root root 765 Jan 28 2018 systemd.conf

[Aravisian]

Hmm… my confidence levels have plummeted

Well… If I might be bold… You are looking for a distro to install?
If so why not install Zorin Core as a test- perhaps as Alongside of your current Operating System (If it is Windows, be sure to disable Fast Boot in Windows and Secure Boot in BIOS)?
It sounds tedious… But it is something that would happen anyway. The only difference is that you would end up replacing that install of Zorin with something else, unless you choose to stick with Zorin Core.

[rajnisheu]

haha! dont give up so soon @Aravisian!
Tbh, I am happy to rid of win completely. Just wanna make sure I can get my every day stuff done b4 I can commit. If all goes well, my plan is to buy zorin pro and install on a new ssd

[Aravisian]

I am rid of win - I do not even use WINE on my daily machine.

You are wise to check everything first. My only point is that the above suggestion may produce more accurate results.

Have a look here:

Bug #1871721 “Second Monitor on HDMI blank screen/blink screen w...” : Bugs :...

A lot of good suggestions, but I notice that posts around 117 are worth paying attention to.

[rajnisheu]

Thanks for that article. I’m afraid, I don’t have the intent to go down that long winded route. that article suggests its probably a kernel topic. so looks like tis the end of the road for me.
Appreciate your help

[Aravisian]

Don’t give up so soon.
That portion of the Bug Report is outdated.
The kernel it says resolved the issue is now several versions behind us. We are using the 5.4 kernel on Zorin.

[rajnisheu]

Ah ok
please do ping back if you think of anything else…