Does Linux support Dual Monitors yet?

[y2kc]

Last time I gave linux a try I was kind of dissapointed. It didn't recognize both of my CPUs, hardly any of my RAM and had no dual monitor support. I understand that the OS needs a bit of tweaking after the install but,for me, Linux will not be a viable alternative until simple things such as Ram count and CPU detection are accurately detected during install. Please don't misunderstand, I do not want to "dumb-down" linux. I know the leaning curve can be steep and requires some tweaking to reach the OSs full potential. I'm just wondering what progress is being made. My last try was with Mandrake 7.0.

 

[Damaged]

No, but XFree86 4.X does.

 

[Lord Evermore]

Any OS that can't automatically tell how much memory is installed is seriously F'd up. We haven't had to specify memory count in the BIOS or OS for a decade almost.

 

[Damaged]

Actually I've found all the latest versions of Linux to be pretty good about recognizing the proper amount of installed RAM. This problem certainly isn't limited to Linux. I read enough posts where people can't get all their RAM recognized in Windows. At least in Linux it's typically easy enough to add the line to LILO and get that fixed. Good luck with Windows on that one. I'm not saying it's a widespread problem, but it still occurs, even in Windows.

As far as multiple CPUs, you typically have to recompile the kernel with SMP to get both CPUs recognized and used. Not that hard these days with tools like menuconfig and xconfig.

As far as the dual monitor thing goes I wouldn't know anything other than you need to get XFree86 v.4 to make it work. If I recall suorangeman got that working successfully.

Yes, it takes a little more work sometimes, but some happen to feel it's worth the effort. Many don't believe that Linux is a viable desktop. As it currrently stands I tend to agree. I don't think it will be that way forever, but some distros just are not aiming at that segment. Nothing wrong with that either. Just may not be the right OS for what you want to do.

 

[SUOrangeman]

Mandrake 7.2 may be the antedote.

Default X11 driver is XFree86 4.0.1. The 4.x series allows for multi-headed displays. Obviously, both/all of your video cards need to be supported in XF86 4.x. For more info, read the Xinerama HOWTO.

This release also includes an SMP kernel precompiled. I don't have such a system, so I don't know how well it works.

As far as RAM counts go, we have to remember that some items like onboard video and audio have the capability to eat at your RAM. If you know you have a good 128MB in you system, I doubt you'll have a problem no matter what Linux thinks it sees.

-SUO

 

[Schola]

Don't the Matrox Linux Drivers support Dual Monitor if you have a Dual Head Card from Matrox?
Schola

 

[y2kc]

SuOrangeman,
Thanks for the info, I coincidentally downloaded that ISO yesterday. I hope the RAM issue is resolved, last time I played with linux I tried to edit the line in LILO (several times) to no avail. I have over 300megs of ram and to have linux only recognize 64 was frustrating. My two cards are the Geforce2 (Annihilator2)n and an old TNT (Viper 550). I know the viper will be ok, I'll do a little research and see what gives with the GF2.

 

[Zach]

append="mem=128M"

can't foget the M.

 

[y2kc]

Thanks Zach.