[gentoo-user] changing nvidia settings dynamically

[gentoo-user] changing nvidia settings dynamically

[Iain Buchanan]

Hi all,

For a long time I've been using nvidia's twinview for two 1920x1200
displays (laptop and external LCD).

Whenever I dock / undock I have to run nvidia-settings to change the
resolution from the virtual 3840x1200 to 1920x1200 or vice versa.  Also
since two screens is the "Default" I have to do this when I log in with
only the laptop.

I am looking for a way to use the command line nvidia-settings (as much
as I've studied the help I can't find out how to do it - all attributes
seem read-only to the command line nvidia-settings) 

Then I can call nvidia-settings --some-options on a dock / undock event.

Alternatively, I read in the nvidia-drivers README that you can use
metamodes and then use the FN-F8 (CRT/LCD switch key) to switch between
them.  However, when I use metamodes I always get a 3840 wide screen,
and I can "scroll" left and right to the unseen space.

These are the metamodes I've tried:
1. The two-screen only metamode:
    Option         "metamodes" "DFP-0: 1920x1200 +1920+0, DFP-2: 1920x1200 +0+0"
2. attempt to use a 1920 metamode as well:
    Option         "metamodes" "DFP-0: 1920x1200; DFP-0: 1920x1200 +1920+0, DFP-2: 1920x1200 +0+0"
3. attempt 2:
    Option         "metamodes" "DFP-0: 1920x1200 +1920+0, DFP-2: 1920x1200 +0+0; DFP-0: 1920x1200 +0+0,"

Here's my screen section (all other sections are basic):
Section "Screen"
    Identifier     "Screen0"
    Device         "Device0"
    Monitor        "Monitor0"
    DefaultDepth    24
    Option         "TwinView" "1"
    Option         "TwinViewXineramaInfoOrder" "DFP-2"
    Option         "metamodes" "DFP-0: 1920x1200 +1920+0, DFP-2: 1920x1200 +0+0"
    SubSection     "Display"
        Depth       24
    EndSubSection
EndSection

Has anyone done a dynamic mode change with nvidia xinerama?

thanks,
-- 
Iain Buchanan <iaindb at netspace dot net dot au>

If you have nothing to do, don't do it here.

Re: [gentoo-user] changing nvidia settings dynamically

[Neil Bothwick]

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On Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:55:33 +0930, Iain Buchanan wrote:

> Whenever I dock / undock I have to run nvidia-settings to change the
> resolution from the virtual 3840x1200 to 1920x1200 or vice versa.  Also
> since two screens is the "Default" I have to do this when I log in with
> only the laptop.
> 
> I am looking for a way to use the command line nvidia-settings (as much
> as I've studied the help I can't find out how to do it - all attributes
> seem read-only to the command line nvidia-settings) 

Can you do this with the --config and --load-settings options?


-- 
Neil Bothwick

I am in total control, but don't tell my wife.

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Re: [gentoo-user] changing nvidia settings dynamically

[Iain Buchanan]

On Sat, 2010-01-16 at 12:52 +0000, Neil Bothwick wrote:
> On Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:55:33 +0930, Iain Buchanan wrote:
> 
> > Whenever I dock / undock I have to run nvidia-settings to change the
> > resolution from the virtual 3840x1200 to 1920x1200 or vice versa.  Also
> > since two screens is the "Default" I have to do this when I log in with
> > only the laptop.
> > 
> > I am looking for a way to use the command line nvidia-settings (as much
> > as I've studied the help I can't find out how to do it - all attributes
> > seem read-only to the command line nvidia-settings) 
> 
> Can you do this with the --config and --load-settings options?

OK, I finally got around to trying this, but no it doesn't work.  When
trying to switch from laptop-only to laptop and LCD I just get:

ERROR: Invalid display device DFP-2 specified on line 40 of configuration file
       '.nvidia-settings-rc-twin' (the currently enabled display devices are
       DFP-0 on orpheus:0.0).

ERROR: Invalid display device DFP-2 specified on line 42 of configuration file
       '.nvidia-settings-rc-twin' (the currently enabled display devices are
       DFP-0 on orpheus:0.0).

And this is when using the config file I saved with two screens working.
I have to run nvidia-settings by hand and select "detect displays"
before DFP-2 appears.

ideas? thanks,
-- 
Iain Buchanan <iaindb at netspace dot net dot au>

Better by far you should forget and smile than that you should remember
and be sad.
		-- Christina Rossetti

Re: [gentoo-user] changing nvidia settings dynamically

[YoYo siska]

On Fri, Jan 22, 2010 at 08:59:43AM +0930, Iain Buchanan wrote:
> On Sat, 2010-01-16 at 12:52 +0000, Neil Bothwick wrote:
> > On Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:55:33 +0930, Iain Buchanan wrote:
> > 
> > > Whenever I dock / undock I have to run nvidia-settings to change the
> > > resolution from the virtual 3840x1200 to 1920x1200 or vice versa.  Also
> > > since two screens is the "Default" I have to do this when I log in with
> > > only the laptop.
> > > 
> > > I am looking for a way to use the command line nvidia-settings (as much
> > > as I've studied the help I can't find out how to do it - all attributes
> > > seem read-only to the command line nvidia-settings) 
> > 
> > Can you do this with the --config and --load-settings options?
> 
> OK, I finally got around to trying this, but no it doesn't work.  When
> trying to switch from laptop-only to laptop and LCD I just get:
> 
> ERROR: Invalid display device DFP-2 specified on line 40 of configuration file
>        '.nvidia-settings-rc-twin' (the currently enabled display devices are
>        DFP-0 on orpheus:0.0).
> 
> ERROR: Invalid display device DFP-2 specified on line 42 of configuration file
>        '.nvidia-settings-rc-twin' (the currently enabled display devices are
>        DFP-0 on orpheus:0.0).
> 
> And this is when using the config file I saved with two screens working.
> I have to run nvidia-settings by hand and select "detect displays"
> before DFP-2 appears.
> 
> ideas? thanks,

from time to time I tried to use the commandline options of
nvidia-settings to change between two sets of outputs (main+tv and
main+second monitor) but it seems, that nvidia-settings just can't
enable/disable outputs from commandline ... it wasn't very important for
me, so I didn't ask on any more nvidia specific forums...

but your mail made me look at the sorces of nvidia-settings, and there's
a "samples" directory with some examples, and it seems that nv-control-dpy can do that...
you should be able to enable the correct outputs with --set-associated-dpys and then 
load your configs as you tried... (I didn't try that, just checked in
the gui that the output changed to "off" insteadd of "disabled")

maybe it is even enough to run the --probe-dpys according to what you say about selecting
"detect displays" in the gui...

yoyo


btw, to get the program, just run (change the version/dirs...):

ebuild /usr/portage/media-video/nvidia-settings/nvidia-settings-190.53.ebuild unpack
cd /var/tmp/portage/media-video/nvidia-settings-190.53/work/nvidia-settings-1.0/samples/
make


yoyo@julka samples $ ./nv-control-dpy --probe-dpys

Using NV-CONTROL extension 1.18 on :0.0
Connected Display Devices:
  CRT-1 (0x00000002): Philips 200WS
  DFP-0 (0x00010000): Philips 200WS

Display Device Probed Information:

  number of GPUs: 1
  display devices on GPU-0 (GeForce 8600 GT):
    CRT-1 (0x00000002): Philips 200WS
    DFP-0 (0x00010000): Philips 200WS


yoyo@julka samples $ ./nv-control-dpy --get-associated-dpys

Using NV-CONTROL extension 1.18 on :0.0
Connected Display Devices:
  CRT-1 (0x00000002): Philips 200WS
  DFP-0 (0x00010000): Philips 200WS

associated display device mask: 0x00010000

yoyo@julka samples $ ./nv-control-dpy --set-associated-dpys 0x10002

Using NV-CONTROL extension 1.18 on :0.0
Connected Display Devices:
  CRT-1 (0x00000002): Philips 200WS
  DFP-0 (0x00010000): Philips 200WS

set the associated display device mask to 0x00010002

yoyo@julka samples $ ./nv-control-dpy --get-associated-dpys

Using NV-CONTROL extension 1.18 on :0.0
Connected Display Devices:
  CRT-1 (0x00000002): Philips 200WS
  DFP-0 (0x00010000): Philips 200WS

associated display device mask: 0x00010002

yoyo@julka samples $ ./nv-control-dpy --set-associated-dpys 0x10000

Using NV-CONTROL extension 1.18 on :0.0
Connected Display Devices:
  CRT-1 (0x00000002): Philips 200WS
  DFP-0 (0x00010000): Philips 200WS

set the associated display device mask to 0x00010000

Re: [gentoo-user] changing nvidia settings dynamically

[Iain Buchanan]

On Fri, 2010-01-22 at 13:11 +0100, YoYo siska wrote:

> maybe it is even enough to run the --probe-dpys according to what you
> say about selecting
> "detect displays" in the gui...

Thanks!  This is the closest I've got so far, but it still isn't quite
right.

I can run `./nv-control-dpy --probe-dpys` and see the two devices:
Using NV-CONTROL extension 1.20 on :0.0
Connected Display Devices:
  DFP-0 (0x00010000): Seiko
  DFP-2 (0x00040000): DELL 2408WFP

but running set-associated-displays to 0x50000 just returns:
Using NV-CONTROL extension 1.20 on :0.0
Connected Display Devices:
  DFP-0 (0x00010000): Seiko
  DFP-2 (0x00040000): DELL 2408WFP

set the associated display device mask to 0x00050000

and "nothing" happens.  I can use any combination of 0x10000 and 0x40000
but it doesn't actually do anything to my displays.

The only way I got nv-control-dpy to do anything was to use
--dynamic-twinview and then xrandr to try and change to the new mode,
however it didn't quite work, leaving one screen black (except for the
cursor).  In the end I still had to run nvidia-settings to fix it...

I'm getting closer!  Maybe I should just look at the nvidia-settings
source...

Does anyone know if the nvnews forums are good with this kind of thing?

thanks,
-- 
Iain Buchanan <iaindb at netspace dot net dot au>

I always wake up at the crack of ice.
		-- Joe E. Lewis

Re: [gentoo-user] changing nvidia settings dynamically

[Iain Buchanan]

On Mon, 2010-01-25 at 09:07 +0930, Iain Buchanan wrote:

> The only way I got nv-control-dpy to do anything was to use
> --dynamic-twinview and then xrandr to try and change to the new mode,
> however it didn't quite work, leaving one screen black (except for the
> cursor).  In the end I still had to run nvidia-settings to fix it...


even closer still - I can just use xrandr by itself to change the screen
size.  I thought I had to select a modeline by id using
$ xrandr -s 0 -r 51
or so the source says, but I can just do this:
$ xrandr -s 1920x1200
and voila!  That's enough to go to one screen without the panning.

Now I need to figure out how to probe the second monitor, and use xrandr
to get a dual-screen setup, on a dock event...

-- 
Iain Buchanan <iaindb at netspace dot net dot au>

A study showed the leading causes of death in the United States are: 
1:Heart disease 
2:Chuck Norris 
3:Cancer

Re: [gentoo-user] changing nvidia settings dynamically

[Iain Buchanan]

I'm still trying to figure this out!

Two screens -> one screen is easy.  When I undock, I just run:
$ xrandr -s 1920x1200
to set the resolution to that of my laptop LCD.  All good.

When I dock however, I have to run this sequence of commands:
$ ./nv-control-dpy --probe-dpys
$ ./nv-control-dpy --set-associated-dpys 0x50000
$ ./nv-control-dpy --add-metamode "DFP-2: nvidia-auto-select @1920x1200 +0+0, DFP-0: nvidia-auto-select @1920x1200 +1920+0"
$ xrandr -s 0 -r 118

The output of probe-dpys gives me the mask to use, and the output of
add-metamode gives me "118" which I pass on to xrandr.

This lays out the monitors in the right order, but now the external LCD
is black except for the cursor!  There's stuff on it (I can drag windows
to and from it, click on icons)...

Any more ideas?  Please?!
-- 
Iain Buchanan <iaindb at netspace dot net dot au>

"He expanded his chest to make it totally clear that here 
was the sort of man you only dared to cross if you had a 
team of Sherpas with you. "

Re: [gentoo-user] changing nvidia settings dynamically

[Hung Dang]

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I configure xorg.conf for the laptop screen only and use nvidia-setting to
setup twinview mode for the external screen (it does not require to restart
X). It works fine so far.

Hope this help
Hung

On Fri, Jan 15, 2010 at 12:25 AM, Iain Buchanan <iaindb@netspace.net.au>wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> For a long time I've been using nvidia's twinview for two 1920x1200
> displays (laptop and external LCD).
>
> Whenever I dock / undock I have to run nvidia-settings to change the
> resolution from the virtual 3840x1200 to 1920x1200 or vice versa.  Also
> since two screens is the "Default" I have to do this when I log in with
> only the laptop.
>
> I am looking for a way to use the command line nvidia-settings (as much
> as I've studied the help I can't find out how to do it - all attributes
> seem read-only to the command line nvidia-settings)
>
> Then I can call nvidia-settings --some-options on a dock / undock event.
>
> Alternatively, I read in the nvidia-drivers README that you can use
> metamodes and then use the FN-F8 (CRT/LCD switch key) to switch between
> them.  However, when I use metamodes I always get a 3840 wide screen,
> and I can "scroll" left and right to the unseen space.
>
> These are the metamodes I've tried:
> 1. The two-screen only metamode:
>    Option         "metamodes" "DFP-0: 1920x1200 +1920+0, DFP-2: 1920x1200
> +0+0"
> 2. attempt to use a 1920 metamode as well:
>    Option         "metamodes" "DFP-0: 1920x1200; DFP-0: 1920x1200 +1920+0,
> DFP-2: 1920x1200 +0+0"
> 3. attempt 2:
>    Option         "metamodes" "DFP-0: 1920x1200 +1920+0, DFP-2: 1920x1200
> +0+0; DFP-0: 1920x1200 +0+0,"
>
> Here's my screen section (all other sections are basic):
> Section "Screen"
>    Identifier     "Screen0"
>    Device         "Device0"
>    Monitor        "Monitor0"
>    DefaultDepth    24
>    Option         "TwinView" "1"
>    Option         "TwinViewXineramaInfoOrder" "DFP-2"
>    Option         "metamodes" "DFP-0: 1920x1200 +1920+0, DFP-2: 1920x1200
> +0+0"
>    SubSection     "Display"
>        Depth       24
>    EndSubSection
> EndSection
>
> Has anyone done a dynamic mode change with nvidia xinerama?
>
> thanks,
> --
> Iain Buchanan <iaindb at netspace dot net dot au>
>
> If you have nothing to do, don't do it here.
>
>
>
>


-- 
Hung Dang
New Mexico State University

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Re: [gentoo-user] changing nvidia settings dynamically

[Iain Buchanan]

On Tue, 2010-01-26 at 18:04 -0700, Hung Dang wrote:
> I configure xorg.conf for the laptop screen only and use
> nvidia-setting to setup twinview mode for the external screen (it does
> not require to restart X). It works fine so far. 
> 
> Hope this help
> Hung

thanks, but I wanted to get away from doing anything manually, and have
the screens appear correct regardless of how I have them plugged in :)

I'm almost there...
-- 
Iain Buchanan <iaindb at netspace dot net dot au>

Painting, n.:
	The art of protecting flat surfaces from the weather, and
	exposing them to the critic.
		-- Ambrose Bierce