[ SOLVED ] E/Port, 130W Simple Port Replicator for Latitude E-Family

[firenice03]

We've poked around this thing, gotta be close

Reply #3 (last) modify screen res in displays.xml (if it doesn't match)
https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2221038

-- It may, similar to the post your res looks to be set to 1366x768

Fingers Crossed

[torreydale]

@firenice03 ,


I think you were on to something.  When using nomodeset, I was able to get to the Linux Lite login screen.  So using a tip from here https://askubuntu.com/questions/38780/how-do-i-set-nomodeset-after-ive-already-installed-ubuntu, I made nomodeset persistent in the grub.  But doing that only allows one monitor to be seen in the display settings, and that one monitor is either one of the docking station monitors when the laptop is connected to the docking station, or the monitor of the laptop itself when the laptop is not connected to the docking station.

[firenice03]

@firenice03 ,
My results are the same.  Dark screen after GRUB.

Wonder... out on a limb if adding nomodeset to grub (in place of quietsplash)?

Good Luck!!

 

[torreydale]

I've also now posted the same question on the following forums:

Dell Community
Ask Ubuntu
Linux.com

[torreydale]

@firenice03 ,


Felt like this was the answer.  The challenge in comparing my situation with yours is when I reboot leaving the laptop hooked up to the docking station, I can't get to the Display settings.  With me it isn't a matter of just saving the display settings, it's getting a display at all on boot.  When connected to the docking station, after GRUB, the screen goes dark.


For the record, I did try booting disconnected from the docking station, getting to the LL desktop, attaching to the docking station, renaming the displays.xml file to displays_old.xml, adding the screens connected to the docking station and disabling the laptop screen using the Advanced Display settings, clicking Apply, and then rebooting.


My results are the same.  Dark screen after GRUB.

[firenice03]

So I renamed displays.xml and rebooted leaving 2nd hooked up. Everything started cloned using a single resolution (larger - mini offset) no new displays file was created until I opened "display", adjusted settings and clicked apply. New displays.xml was created..

I think this might be what you looking for..??..

Rebooted and setting held..

[firenice03]

@torreydale
I can reboot = I was patiently awaiting updates to finish (1st line)  it had been 9 days LOL..
I updated my previous post - probably at the same time you posted...

I haven't deleted anything although thus far settings are keeping after making changing and rebooting.
I also tried pulling the cable everything bounced back to mini screen, reinsertion didn't automatically restore (or wake 2nd monitor - assuming using display would initialize).

Boot up and log in screens are cloned - its not until the desktop loads does the settings initialize.

Perhaps renaming the displays xml?? -- I may attempt in meantime

[torreydale]

@firenice03


Thanks.  I'll revisit tomorrow.  At first glance, that looks like it might be the monitors.xml we were looking for.


On a different kernel, Manjaro was the only distro I tried with a kernel different than 4.4.  It had 4.9 if I recall correctly.


When you say you can reboot now, does that mean you can reboot and the settings stay saved?  If so, did you delete the displays.xml file like your link http://bernaerts.dyndns.org/linux/74-ubuntu/309-ubuntu-dual-display-monitor-position-lost suggested?

[firenice03]

Peeking around - waiting on updates  ~/.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/displays.xml
Looking at mine it calls out both the laptop screen and what I have used as a secondary..

- I can reboot now

UPDATE
So after reboot, got past grub.. LL feather splash screen was cloned across both using the secondary resolution (Mini was offset and off screen).
Login prompt was similar cloned and offset
Once desktop loaded display was extended with correct position (to right) and resolutions 1024x600 on mini and 1680x1050 on secondary; also background we set (I use different on each).. Widget was pushed to second screen.

I configured originally using "display" (type from menu) along with "desktop" for backgrounds...

Going to test with laptop moved to top and 2nd on bottom - clicked apply, close and reboot...

[firenice03]

@torreydale


Yeah I'm with you, you'd think it be "easier" ...
The 1st link did mention scripting and another at start up...


Wonder if a different kernel would help??


About to try on the mini with a external plugged in - I've used in the past I'll see if settings are there, make a few changes and see if they stick.
The mini is on kernel 4.4 and Intel graphics, similar...

[torreydale]

@firenice03

I've actually searched the entire disk (including hidden files/folders) for monitors.xml.  I don't see it.

I did boot to live USBs for Ubuntu 16.04, Mint 18.2 beta XFCE, Mint 18.1 XFCE, and Manjaro 17.0.1 XFCE. 

For Ubuntu, it got to the splash screen and then it settled on a blinking cursor.  For Mint 18.2 Beta, and 18.1, same result as with LL 3.4 (blank screen after GRUB).  For Manjaro, same result as Ubuntu 16.04--blinking cursor.

When I showed a coworker how I got both screens to display on a docking station (by booting to LL 3.4 off the docking station, adding the laptop to the docking station, and then using the Advanced Display options to add each monitor), he said "You basically need a way to create a script to load the way the display manager is sees your monitors at this moment, and have that script run during boot or just after you log on." 

But I don't know how to do that.  It also seems like something I wouldn't want to run if the laptop is not connected to the docking station.  I wonder if this has anything to do with going from upstart to systemd.  As I said, this worked smooth like butter on LL 2.x.  It's all Dell and Intel equipment.  I'm surprised I'm running into this.

[torreydale]

@firenice03

I don't have a problem connecting to an external monitor.  I've actually connected to a television as a second monitor and to run a DVD/movie on the television.  And I have an Intel integrated graphics card.  Not Nvidia.

The issue is with the laptop working with the docking station.  Coincidentally, I have the same docking station at work.  I connected my laptop to it, and the result is the same...it goes dark after the GRUB splash and the blue monitor lights turn amber.  There's something different in the LL 3.x series build from the LL 2.x build that is causing this.  Perhaps it's Ubuntu 16.04 related.  Like I mentioned earlier, no docking station issues with Ubuntu 14.04 or LL 2.x.

Later today, I'll try booting to an Ubuntu 16.04 series Live USB or Mint 18 Live USB to see if the issue remains.

[firenice03]

hhhmmm... I've only connected an external to the mini occasionally, I believe I have usually needed to reconfig the settings as well. I can check if mine created the xml but would assume the same as yours.



Perhaps LL/XFCE/XOrg saves the "monitors.xml" to another location??

Here's some additional info:
https://askubuntu.com/questions/6137/saving-monitor-settings
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xorg/+bug/1311399


Maybe worth a try??
- Have a SystemBack back up ready on the in case.

[torreydale]

@firenice03 ,


I was just about to start the procedure in the link you sent and I noticed I don't have the ~/.config/monitors.xml file.  It doesn't show on the PC in question running Lite 3.4, and it doesn't show in my desktop which is still running Lite 2.8.  So before I go and follow the remainder of the link, I was stopping here.  When my PC in question was able to run on the docking station without issue and handle two monitors, it was running Lite 2.8.  But as I mentioned earlier, even the desktop PC running Lite 2.8 doesn't have a monitors.xml file.

[firenice03]

@firenice03,
Thanks partner.  No wonder your posting to reputation ratio is better than mine.

No worries      [size=78%] [/size]

I can get things to display on my monitors via the docking station.  I just cannot get my settings to be persistent beyond a reboot.  I have to remove the laptop from the docking station, reboot, login to Linux Lite, connect to the docking station, and change the display settings to recognize the two monitors as if I'm doing it for the first time.

Give the following a look over - it may help or point ya in the right direction...
http://bernaerts.dyndns.org/linux/74-ubuntu/309-ubuntu-dual-display-monitor-position-lost