Second monitor not recognized - xorg.conf file [resolved]

Question

I'm trying to use this monitor Acer XB270H, with my Ubuntu laptop, but it is not recognized, appears cropped with incorrect resolution.

Note: I first was using the docking station with the monitor DP cable, and bought a mini DP to DP cable to be able to plug directly the computer to the monitor instead : but no change, it was not a hardware problem.

I tried to force a new configuration with xrandr :

cvt 1920 1080 :

# 1920x1080 59.96 Hz (CVT 2.07M9) hsync: 67.16 kHz; pclk: 173.00 MHz
Modeline "1920x1080_60.00"  173.00  1920 2048 2248 2576  1080 1083 1088 1120 -hsync +vsync

xrandr --newmode "1920x1080_60.00"  173.00  1920 2048 2248 2576  1080 1083 1088 1120 -hsync +vsync
xrandr --addmode DP1 "1920x1080_60.00"

Here what shows up :

gsd-color[2315]: unable to get EDID for xrandr-DP1: unable to get EDID for output

So, following command turns the second monitor black showing 'no signal' :

xrandr --output DP1 --mode 1920x1080_60.00

---

SPECS

Linux 4.18.0-13-generic #14-Ubuntu SMP x86_64 GNU/Linux

lspci -v | grep VGA :

00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation 3rd Gen Core processor Graphics Controller (rev 09) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])```

inxi -Gxx :

Graphics:  Device-1: Intel 3rd Gen Core processor Graphics driver: i915 v: kernel bus ID: 00:02.0 
           chip ID: 8086:0166 
           Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.1 driver: i915 compositor: gnome-shell 
           resolution: 1366x768~60Hz, 1024x768~60Hz 
           OpenGL: renderer: Mesa DRI Intel Ivybridge Mobile v: 4.2 Mesa 18.2.2 compat-v: 3.0 
           direct render: Yes

---

UPDATE :

I'm now trying to use a xorg.conf file as proposed.

To get the EDID I could not use read-edid, parse-edid : /sys/class/drm/card0-DP1/edid : Partial Read... Try again..., and could not find it on Internet.

I finally managed to get the EDID (256-bits) file from Windows with moninfo.exe tool :

ls -al /etc/X11/edid.bin
-rwxr----- 1 root root 256 Feb  3 14:00 /etc/X11/edid.bin

I tried to follow some Xorg guides, but this error came up too many times :

gsd-color[2995]: failed to get edid: unable to get EDID for output

I finally found the solution following the idea of to the answer below. I have to tell that I had a hard time to know what to specify in this xorg.conf file to finally make it work.

Examples, guides and documentation are not very precise about what is mandatory, what is not and the right values.

---

• Problem 1: retrieve the Monitor EDID
• Solution : use Windows with moninfo.exe tool.

---

• Problem 2: configure a proper xorg.conf file
• Solution : do not generate a complicated one, but just fill the necessary, with multiple tests... (i.e: xorg was crashing on moving certain program windows, or opening a second app...)

/etc/X11/xorg.conf :

Section "Monitor"
   Identifier  "MonitorLVDS1"
   VendorName  "Monitor Vendor"
   ModelName   "Monitor Model"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
   Identifier  "MonitorDP1"
   VendorName  "Acer"
   ModelName   "XB270H"
   Option  "Right Of" "MonitorLVDS1"
EndSection

Section "Device"
   Identifier  "Device0"
   BusID       "PCI:00:02:0"
   Option      "LVDS-1" "MonitorLVDS1"
   Option      "DP-1"   "MonitorDP1"
   Driver      "intel"
   Option      "CustomEDID" "DP1:/etc/X11/edid.bin"
   Option      "UseEDID" "true"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
   Identifier      "Screen0"
   Device          "Device0"
   DefaultDepth    24
   SubSection "Display"
       Depth           24
       Virtual   3286 1200
   EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
   Identifier      "Default Layout"
   Screen          "Screen0"
EndSection

Solution

Your log says it is not able to read EDID for your display port, I assume to your external monitor. Intel requires you to supply EDID config via xorg.conf, at least that is what I can pull up from my memory.

May I recommend you to try the old school way of having your xorg.conf.

Try creating a xorg.conf, if one does not exists you can create one under /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d

Section "ServerLayout"
    Identifier     "Layout0"
    Screen      0  "Screen0" 
    Screen      1  "Screen1" RightOf "Screen 0"
    InputDevice    "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
    InputDevice    "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
    InputDevice    "Touchpad0" "SendCoreEvents"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier     "Monitor0"
    VendorName     "Unknown"
    ModelName      "Unknown"
#    ModeLine       "1600x900_60.00"  118.25  1600 1696 1856 2112  900 903 908 934 -hsync +vsync"
    HorizSync       30.0 - 75.0
    VertRefresh     60.0
    Option         "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Monitor1"
    Identifier     "Monitor1"
    VendorName     "<Vendor_Name>"
    ModelName      "<Model_Name>"
#    ModeLine       "1920x1080_60.00"  173.00  1920 2048 2248 2576  1080 1083 1088 1120 -hsync +vsync"
    HorizSync       30.0 - 75.0
    VertRefresh     60.0
    Option         "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier     "<Device_Identifier>"
    Driver         "<i915!?>"
    VendorName     "Intel Corporation"

    Option         "UseEdidDpi" "FALSE" # Make it TRUE and in the next line supply that
    Option         "CustomEDID" "DFP-2:/etc/X11/<EDID_config_from_Screen_Manufacturer>.bin"
    Option         "DPI"    "150x155"

Section "Screen0"
    Identifier     "Screen0"
    Monitor        "Monitor0"
    DefaultDepth    24
    Option         "Stereo" "0"
    Option         "metamodes" "1600x900 +0+0"
    Option         "SLI" "Off"
    Option         "MultiGPU" "Off"
    Option         "BaseMosaic" "off"
    SubSection     "Display"
        Depth       24
#        Mode        "1600x900_60.00"
    EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen0"
    Identifier     "Screen1"
    Monitor        "Monitor1"
    DefaultDepth    24
    Option         "Stereo" "0"
    Option         "metamodes" "1920x1080 +0+0"
    SubSection     "Display"
        Depth       24
#        Mode        "1920x1080_60.00"
    EndSubSection
EndSection

I am sure you might need to edit the above file, however it would give you an start. Try and post back your success/hurdles.

FOLLOW-UP

As to the line-51: I understand it as you're trying to map your monitor to the display. If so, create a Device section and specify the monitor and the video card. Like the below:

Section "Device"
    Identifier  "Device0"
    Option      "Monitor0" "DVI" # Use your settings
    Option      "Monitor1" "DP2"
    Driver      "intel"
EndSection

What are the other line numbers, you have trouble with? Are you able to login through X?

EDID

You can read this link

How to tell intel graphics to use my custom EDID file?

Comments

[Bussller]

Could you please post your xorg.conf?

[Bussller]

Could you pls elaborate on your last problem? Are you trying to move an window from one display to another(Do you have a desktop for each monitor or single desktop spanning monitors? I don't see any accepted answer yet?!

[DependencyHell]

Using some programs such as chrome, thunderbird, if I try to move the window, on the same monitor, for just a pixel, it crashes (I assume server x), and get back to login screen.

[Roman Riabenko]

Thank you for taking time to share a solution. When you want to provide a solution to your own question, please, don't edit your question post, but post your solution in a separate answer post below to maintain the Q&A format of this site.

[Bussller]

Honestly I have not tried connecting through a docking station before. I am sorry I can't help you on this.