I'm using Debian Sid and KDE 3.5.10. I like to work with dual monitor configuration.

So far, whenever I maximized a window it just maximized to the current monitor. However, after I updated my system recently (safe-upgrade and new kernel) this behavior seems to be changed. Now windows are maximized to both monitors and it is really annoying me.

I have checked the xorg.conf file and it hasn't been touched. I have also checked the KDE Display options and everything seems to be ok. What's more, when I am logged as root user windows maximize just to one monitor, so I am sure that it has to do with KDE configuration and not with the xorg.conf file. To be really sure, I also installed XFCE4 and using this system windows are maximized to the current monitor and not to both.

Anyone can help me with this issue?

Thanks in advance,

Can you reproduce under a new ( standard ) user?

bcooksley wrote:Can you reproduce under a new ( standard ) user?

I have just checked it and it also fails under a new, standard user.

Any idea?

It would be helpful if you could tell us which window manager you use (I guess KWin?) and how the dual monitor is set up (Twinview, Xinerama etc.).

Hans wrote:It would be helpful if you could tell us which window manager you use (I guess KWin?) and how the dual monitor is set up (Twinview, Xinerama etc.).

You are right. Here is some information about my configuration:

- KWin
- TwinView (Xinerama - off)
- Nvidia non-free drivers

Thank you for your comments

xorg.conf
----------

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Layout0"
Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0
Option "Xinerama" "0"
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
EndSection

Section "Files"
RgbPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/rgb"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "dbe"
Load "extmod"
Load "glx"
Load "record"
Load "freetype"
# Load "type1"
Load "synaptics"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
Option "Xinerama" "0"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "kbd"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "inspiron"
Option "XkbLayout" "es"
Option "XkbVariant" "es"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Mouse0"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Protocol" "auto"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Touchpad"
Driver "synaptics"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mouse0"
Option "Protocol" "auto-dev"
Option "SHMConfig" "on"
Option "HorizScrollDelta" "0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
VendorName "Unknown"
ModelName "CPT"
HorizSync 30.0 - 75.0
VertRefresh 60.0
Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Videocard0"
Driver "nvidia"
VendorName "NVIDIA Corporation"
BoardName "GeForce 8600M GT"
Option "NoLogo" "True"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Videocard0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 24
Option "TwinView" "1"
Option "TwinViewXineramaInfoOrder" "DFP-0"
Option "metamodes" "DFP-0: nvidia-auto-select +0+0, DFP-1: 1280x1024 +1280+0"
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection

intra wrote: - TwinView (Xinerama - off)

Well there's your problem. You need the Xinerama protocol enabled.

I have read in other posts that the nvidia driver includes its own xinerama software. I had tried it but when I turn on the xinerama option all monitors behave if they were only one. If I enable it I get a big screen and even the option "Multiple Monitor" disappear from the "Display Menu".

Now, I have also tried to add the options "Virtual" and "Modes" to my "Screen" section but it doesn't work either.

At last, I have read something about the software has to be compiled with the flag "xinerama" enabled. Do you know if KDE is always compiled with this option enabled?

Anyway, *a lot of thanks for your comments* (really)

According to the following post, it seems to be a bug related to the latest kwin package:

http://lists.debian.org/debian-qt-kde/2 ... 00139.html

There is something broken with xinerama.

Regards,

intra wrote:I have read in other posts that the nvidia driver includes its own xinerama software. I had tried it but when I turn on the xinerama option all monitors behave if they were only one. If I enable it I get a big screen and even the option "Multiple Monitor" disappear from the "Display Menu".

Xinerama is a confusing subject as there are several technologies that use the same name:

1) The Xinerama server layout,
2) The Xinerama protocol/extension, and
3) Xinerama implementations in graphics drivers.

The first one is where you add something along the lines of the following to your xorg.conf:

Screen 0 "xScreen0" 0 0
Screen 1 "xScreen1" LeftOf "xScreen0"

The Xinerama protocol/extension is used by X to tell applications about the monitor layout on a particular X "screen" (Where a "screen" can actually be multiple monitors). It is possible to disable this extension at compile time and is the most likely cause of why you are getting the problem you are facing. This protocol is also used when using XRandR to keep backwards compatibility.

Lastly there are the driver implementations of Xinerama. These are configured differently to how the Xinerama server layout is and goes by many different names (TwinView, Big Desktop, MergedFB, etc.). Some of these are actually XRandR implementations but due to the use of the Xinerama protocol this is invisible to applications.

*Thank you* for the information. I had doubts because, as you have pointed out, I have read about Xinerama in a lot of different contexts.

Xinerama is a confusing subject as there are several technologies that use the same name:

1) The Xinerama server layout,
2) The Xinerama protocol/extension, and
3) Xinerama implementations in graphics drivers.

Thank you, that explains some of the confusion!

The question for me becomes which way to go to get things working "properly".
I have (KDE4 under F10) four monitors (and nVidia non-free driver) used as three desktops. On the the dual monitor desktop I only want the left monitor to be used for "fullscreen" mode.

I use a thin panel at the top, when I open a new window it usually places it partly under the panel, requiring me to move it so that I can reach the top of the window.

Default location for new windows should be centered on the left monitor, but there's no easy option for that.

Many windows and utility windows open up covering one and 1/2 monitors, and does not remember the new sizes. I guess that might be a problem with the app.

One could use Special Windows settings but that does not seem to be all reliable as some of them appear to stop working, and is a lot of additional work to do for all. A blanket setting does not work as many apps remember what you tell it, and there is no "one size fits all".

Do you know how to achieve the above functionality? If so you will be my hero for ever and I will legally change the names on my kids after you. Give or take a lie or two.

One of the factors for placing the window under the panel might come from how the two monitors desktop is used.

On the left monitor I have the standard menu at the bottom with a thin panel at the top. On the right half (2nd monitor) I have neither. That creates a "taller" desktop area.

As soon as I make the top panel extend across the desktop (and onto the 2nd monitor), new windows form up properly under the panel. Without that change each window tend to be drawn on the right monitor.

What appear clear is that the placement logic simply does not have a very flexible method for controlling the placement, and it prefers larger spaces.