Different (frequent) How Tos

How to use the external monitor on your linux laptop

A command-line approach for newbies (I'm running debian):

1) run the command

•  xrandr 

• and you'll see some information on your currently connected monitor. Note its resolution.

2) The Screen Section of your /etc/X11/xorg.conf file must declare a Virtual screen:

•    Section "Screen"
       Identifier   "Default Screen"
        Monitor     "Configured Monitor"
        ...
     ->>    SubSection  "Display"
     ->>        Virtual x y
     ->>  EndSubSection
     EndSection

  • The values of x and y give the resolution of the virtual screen - in the simplest case, the resolution of your laptop.

3) Unplug the external monitor, restart X, and plug the monitor in again.

4) Again run the command

•  xrandr 

• and you should see a listing of all monitors. For me, the external monitor is listed as VGA, and my own monitor is listed as LVDS.

5) start the external monitor with the command

• xrandr --output LVDS --output VGA

• (change VGA to the name of the external monitor)

• Should see your display on both monitors now.