Linux Monitor Resolution and Positioning that Never Resets

Linux Monitor Resolution and Positioning that Never Resets
In this video, I go over hard-coding resolution fixes in Linux. This will force monitors into resolutions and positions that you need so you never have to do calibration again!

xrandr = terminal - sudo apt-get install x11-xserver-utils
arandr = gui -sudo apt-get install arandr - depends on xrandr

Section "Monitor"
### Monitor Identity - Typically HDMI-0 or DisplayPort-0
Identifier "HDMI1"

### Setting Resolution and Modes
## Modeline is usually not required, but you can force resolution with it
Modeline "1920x1080" 172.80 1920 2040 2248 2576 1080 1081 1084 1118
Option "PreferredMode" "1920x1080"
Option "TargetRefresh" "60"

### Positioning the Monitor
## Basic
Option "LeftOf or RightOf or Above or Below" "DisplayPort-0"
## Advanced
Option "Position" "1680 0"

## Disable a Monitor
Option "Disable" "true"
EndSection .

[JessicaFEREM]

You're a life saver! You make complex linux configs easy to understand. that's a hard thing in the linux world

[conceptrat]

Thanks for the informative video. I'd just like to point out that the numbering scheme used in the configuration directory should be zero filled so 9 would be 09- not 9-. If you use the latter then 9- will run after 89-, if it exists and not before 10-

[s]

I thought you were going to calibrate the color and contrast, it is important especially for a wide gamut display.

[spaceiswater]

I always wanted to know how to do this, but I did find it rather complex from where I am in Linux but Im sure I will be also be able to do this in the future. Thank you so much Chris I love all your work.

[psfgtech]

I have ubuntu 20.04, I use 1 VGA and one USB connector, it works on start, but if system goes into hibernation, then monitor 2 goes down, so I have to reboot. But I will continue researching, you have best explanation so far

[Doing_Time]

I have 3 to 7 additional monitors plugged in to my laptop when it is docked, depending on where I'm docking and what I'm working on--monitor hotswapping has always been a real pain in X. Relative monitor placements and resolutions should be remembered whenever a monitor is added or removed. Further, different relative placements for each different combination of monitors plugged in should also be remembered and automatically implemented whenever a monitor is added or removed.

[gimcrack]

I never added another monitor. Never had the need for one. This is excellent video on a subject that has dual monitors. I'll already put a mental note in my head. If I ever go using a second monitor. Thanks for all your material. I enjoy all of it. I'm a very powerful Linux user. But again I learn something new here. Keep up the good work.

[hewfrebie]

I installed Manjaro with a DE called XFCE and removed Windows 10 a couple days ago. And I'm happy with it with apps I needed to do my work as a programmer and a gamer using proton provided by valve to make things easier. I already have enough experience through GNU+Linux and everything is ok. Thanks Chris for all the helpful videos and all that tough experience you have been through for letting me install Manjaro without fear.

[AnzanHoshinRoshi]

Thank you, Chris. I haven't had any problems with calibration since 2008, even switching DEs such as Xfce to Gnome or WMs like Fluxbox. But good to know. I will save this.

[BruceBigby]

Your title should read, "Linux Monitor Configuration that Never Resets".

[tpflowspecialist]

I wrestled with it on a laptop with a new external monitor running Manjaro/Windows installed on separate internal hard drives. I had made the mistake of not putting the config of each monitor in its own block and that was giving me a blank screen on reboot, no way to access the terminal even. All was fixed by enclosing each monitor configuration details in its own block starting and ending with Section "Monitor" and EndSection respectively. After that was fixed it worked smoothly and now I feel the excitement of understanding how the display coordinates work in X for multiple displays. Thanks for the video.

[davidschroeder]

Awesome! I am learning and this fixed my issue. Namely: I recently installed Armbian on an Android TV Box (Tanix TX 6). My problem was that after changing resolution in my settings menu - if I changed my TV input back to regular tv or some other input then back to the box the displaay would default back to 4K and my desktop was, therefore, to small to read. I followed this tutorial and simply removed all of the stuff for multiple monitors, leaving only the resolution settings. Now when I switch inputs and return to the box, it is at 1920x1080 as preferred! Awesome. I have subscribed to your channel and appreciate your time.

[teamvigod]

Good explainer on monitor config. Also congrats on your 50k. On your way to 100k. Keep up good work

[FodrMichalych]

I have Majaro and bad resolution on my monitor. I failed in adding an xrandr commands sh file to autorun. Then I used this guide. Amazing! Thank you!

[andrensimoes]

A cool thing is use arandr to create/save patterns of layouts. I use then to alternate between configurations. For example I have a LG Monitor 2560x1080, Samsung TV 1080x1920 and a Sony TV 1920x1080. I use 5 different configurations like LG(single); LG+SG; Sony (single); LG+Sony and all of them together. I switch between saved layouts with key shortcuts.

[chromerims]

Nice vid 👍 An oldie but a goodie.
Dealing with s2disk/s2ram resume of my monitors. And happened across your video.
In late 2022 with systemd, also am starting to peak at how xrandr config works in that context.
Kindest regards, neighbours and friends.

Edit:
P.s. per Arch Wiki . . .
*The files are read in ASCII order, and by convention their names start with XX- (two digits and a hyphen, so that for example 10 is read before 20). These files are parsed by the X server upon startup and are treated like part of the traditional xorg.conf configuration file. Note that on conflicting configuration, the file read last will be processed. For this reason, the most generic configuration files should be ordered first by name.*

4:34 --- so rather than going lower than 10 (e.g., "9 dash"), one has to go higher (e.g., 20).

[patrickmclaughlin]

looks like on fedora it would be
sudo dnf install xorg-x11-server-utils


good stuff, Thank You Chris for sharing

[debeeriz]

i like the way linux handles multimonitors, much better than windows, i use the display app in mint, if i do use xorg can you still use the app to go back to a single monitor, as sometimes dual montors can be a pain if the other monitor is being used by something else

[BrianJurkowski]

Chris, this was VERY useful. Unfortunately now it's a bit dated as multiple distro's have defaulted to Wayland. Would you please consider addressing this same topic on Wayland?

[johnwebster]

I will keep this video in mind. I have my larger monitor on the right and this is my primary monitor. Still, I need the cursor to move from left to right across the screens.