xrandr: screen cannot be larger than 1680x1680 (desired size 3360x1050)

When executing this list of commands:

xrandr --output DFP3 --mode 1680x1050 --rate 60
xrandr --output CRT1 --mode 1680x1050 --rate 59
xrandr --output DFP3 --left-of CRT1 (error here)
xrandr --output CRT1 --primary

I have this output:

xrandr: screen cannot be larger than 1680x1680 (desired size 3360x1050)

I looked up and they recommended me to add a line in xorg.conf adding Virtual 3360x1050 to the Display subsection. I added it and made a reboot but I have the same error. Here is my xorg.conf:

Section "ServerLayout" Identifier "aticonfig Layout" Screen 0 "aticonfig-Screen[0]-0" 0 0
EndSection
Section "Module"
EndSection
Section "Monitor" Identifier "aticonfig-Monitor[0]-0" Option "VendorName" "ATI Proprietary Driver" Option "ModelName" "Generic Autodetecting Monitor" Option "DPMS" "true"
EndSection
Section "Device" Identifier "aticonfig-Device[0]-0" Driver "fglrx" BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection
Section "Screen" Identifier "aticonfig-Screen[0]-0" Device "aticonfig-Device[0]-0" Monitor "aticonfig-Monitor[0]-0" DefaultDepth 24 SubSection "Display" Virtual 3360 1050 Viewport 0 0 Depth 24 EndSubSection
EndSection

2 Answers

I had the same issue and discovered that I had to extend the height as well as the width to make it work (thanks to ThomasKl's edit to his answer for this question).

Try

Virtual 3360 3360

in the Display subsection.

Step 1: Check if you have xorg.conf file in /etc/X11. If yes, go to step 3. Otherwise go to step 2.

Step 2: Create xorg.conf:

1. Switch to console mode: Alt+Ctrl+F1
2. Kill the X server: sudo service lightdm stop
3. Generate new xorg.conf file: sudo X -configure

This will create xorg.conf.new in your current directory.

4. Rename and move: sudo mv xorg.conf.new /etc/X11/xorg.conf
5. Return to GUI: sudo start lightdm

Step 3: Open /etc/X11/xorg.conf and add Virtual 3200 1080 under subsection Display

1. vi /etc/X11/xorg.conf
2. Add Virtual 3200 1080 to ALL SubSection "Display"

FOR ALL SCREEN if you have more than one "Display" Subsection and more than 1 screen (replace 3200 1080 with your desired screen resolution)

For example:

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen1"
Device "Card1"
Monitor "Monitor1"
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 1
Virtual 3200 1080
EndSubSection
EndSection
Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen2"
Device "Card1"
Monitor "Monitor1"
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 1
Virtual 3200 1080
EndSubSection
EndSection

Step 4. Restart your computer/laptop

Step 5. Create a script (vi /etc/X11/dual_monitor.sh) and include following

xrandr --output DVI-0 --mode 1280x1024
xrandr --output DVI-1 --mode 1920x1080
xrandr --output DVI-0 --auto --right-of DVI-1 --pos 1920x0 

Change the file permission

sudo chmod 755 /etc/X11/dual_monitor.sh 

(note: my screen1 is DVI-1 and screen2 is DVI-0, and replace resolution as per need) Step 6. Execute the script and see if it works. (/etc/X11/dual_monirot.sh)

Step 7. If the script works, include the script to Auto Start

Menu > Settings > Session and Startup > Application Autostart

Add

• Name: Dual Monitor Xfce
• Description: Dual Monitor Xfce
• Command: /etc/X11/dual_monitor.sh

Step 8. Restart and enjoy

Step 9. Redo step 7 for all users logged in as the user