Automatically detecting an external monitor

I recently got an external monitor (with a nice 2048x1152 resolution ) to use it together with my laptop in a dual-head configuration. I can configure it with xrandr and everything works fine. What I would like now is that X automatically detects if the monitor is connected and adapts the resolution accordingly. The keyword here is dynamically, I do not want to hardcode it into xorg.conf, as I also use the laptop on the road.
This looks quite good http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Xorg_Rand … t_on_login, but arch doesn't seem to have the /etc/X11/Xsession.d/ directory. The most similar directory I found is /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc.d, but it doesn't seem to work (I put an echo command redirected to a file in the script to see if it was at least trying to do something, but no). Any idea where the script should be put?

This is more or less what I am doing, starting it manually. I could put it into .xinitrc, but I would prefer to have it working globally and automatically for all (well, the two ) users of the laptop. And the links in the RandR1.2 page all discuss either manually selecting the output of hardcoding it into xorg.conf.

Similar Messages

I have a late 2008 white macbook. I have a mini dvi to hdmi adapter, and a hdmi cord. My cannot get my MB to detect an external monitor. Nothing happens when plugged in. Also, my display settings does not have an option for mirroring or arrangment tab

I have a late 2008 white macbook. I have a mini dvi to hdmi adapter, and a hdmi cord. My cannot get my MB to detect an external monitor. Nothing happens when plugged in. Also, my display settings does not have an option for mirroring or arrangment tab

Yeah, I'm having the same exact problem - It seems that the thunderbolt minidisplay port is only able to output the analog VGA signal, not the digital signal to support DVI and HDMI. This is a bug that came up after installing 10.7.1. I bought my macbook air with 10.7 on it, upgraded it to 10.7.1 as soon as I got it, so I have never been able to use hdmi or dvi with my macbook air. This is an extremely frustrating problem for me, I used HDMI on a daily basis with my PC. I have spent many hours at the genius bar running diagnostic tests so Apple can get as much information as possible to create a fix for this problem. I have been emailing tech support for 3 or so weeks now, they keep saying that they are working on a fix and it should be out soon, but 10.7.2 has come and gone and I still have no HDMI functionality with my MacBook Air!

I have a PowerBook G4 with a non-functioning monitor. It used to work with an external monitor, but I reinstalled the OS, which cleared the display preferences and now when I restart it won't detect the external monitor. How do I fix?

I have a PowerBook G4 with a non-functioning monitor. It used to work with an external monitor, but I reinstalled the OS, which cleared the display preferences and now when I restart it won't detect the external monitor. This means I can't use the computer anymore. How do I fix? I tried using the Command+F2 keyboard shortcut, but it doesnt' work. It's possible that since I reinstalled the OS, it still needs to be set up, so there's only a welcome screen (but since I can't see it I'm not sure).

There is no limit to the number of times you can re-install Office on the same computer.
You can activate by telephone:
The last paragraph is the relevant bit

My macbook pro will not detect any external monitors

My macbook pro will not detect any external monitors, worked 'once' when connect to a TV.
Have read a lot of web comments, most not very usefull.

Hi a,
Check the setting in Sys Prefs > Displays.
Try a different adapter and/or cable.

HT1338 the Macbook Pro would not even detect the external monitor.

My Macbook pro will not connect to an external monitor after moving it. It has been running on this same monitor for 8 months. I switched to a new Desk last night, after hooking it up, the Macbook Pro would not even detect the external monitor. It was only showing the Macs monitor in Display. It did not even have where you could "Detect Display" available. Is there an update that I may have missed. I have tested all the Monitor connections with another laptop they all work.

finally I would like to know if my computer falls under
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377
If nothing displays but you hear normal startup sounds, then it's possible this is a video issue, and you should take it to an Apple store or AASP.

Macbook Pro Retina (late 2013) & 10.10.1 cannot detect the external monitor is turned off

I connect my MBPr (late 2013) to a 24" Dell monitor via HDMI using a high quality audioquest hdmi cable.
When I turn off my Dell monitor, the MBPr did not detect the monitor is being turned off.
Let's say I opened a chrome browser and I move it to the external monitor. If I turn off my Dell monitor now, the chrome browser will not automatically move back to the MBPr screen.
I have the same scenario if I just power on my MBPr now and not power on the Dell monitor. I will do this if I need to do some small stuff (like typing this post) int he middle of night and I don't want to turn on my Dell monitor.
I am not sure if this is a problem or this is a normal behaviour of the MBPr. I was like this when I was on Mavericks.
PS. If I connect my Lenovo laptop to the same monitor and I turn off my monitor, the opened applications will go back to the Lenovo screen.

The hardware supports DP1.2 and MST but unfortunately at present OS X Mavericks does not.

IMac always auto detects for external monitors after waking from sleep or from display off

I've got a Dell 24" monitor (2408WFP) plugged into my mid 2011 iMac via DVI cord and thunderbolt attachment. Things work fine.
When I need to leave my computer, I usually turn the displays off using the shortcut keys: CTRL + SHIFT + EJECT
This works perfectly and both displays go black. However, when I return to my computer and reactivate the iMac, the iMac display will turn blue as if I have just plugged in a new monitor even the external monitor is still plugged in. It usually flashes blue twice before displaying the password prompt. I can usually just log back in as normal. I've never had this happen before using Snow Leopard. It's annoying but strange.
However, even more strange is that sometimes when returning to the desktop, the iMac will do the auto detect display thing and then when I log back in, the external display just shows static as if there is no signal. I've checked the cable a million times and everything is as tight as tight can be and both ends are plugged in properly. Unplugging the displayport adapter from the iMac and then reattaching it restores the desktop on the secondary display although sometimes, it results in the secondary display showing a gray background picture instead of my normal picture. Replugging the secondary display seems to fix that too although sometimes it doesn't.
Why is this happening?
- Problem with the adapter?
- Problem with the DVI cable I'm using?
- Compatibility issues with my external monitor?
I need to stress the point that this has never happened before with Snow Leopard.
If I am the only one experiencing this then I suppose it may be an issue with the iMac or adapter or even the cable. But if anyone else can shed light on this problem, I'd really appreciate it.

Hi Micheal,
I've been experiencing the exact same issue with my new iMac I just bought. I bought it refurb so I wasn't sure if it was a defect with the hardware or not. Since I'm not the only one I will asume it's not for now.
Setup:
- iMac 27-inch 3.4GHz (Release May 2011)
- Dell 2709W external monitor
- Hooked in with mini display port to DVI adapter
- Lion 10.7.3 all up to date to this day
From what I've been able to gather the issue presents itself only when my Dell 2709W enters "Power Save Mode" after I do CTRL + SHIFT + EJECT or when the diplays simply goes to sleep by themselves.
Although if I hit that combination and the displays goes to sleep but I don't wait long enough for my Dell monitor to actually "Power Save Mode" (wait like 2 sec) then touch the keyboard then the 2 displays (iMac and Dell) resumes from sleep without the issue presenting itself.
I'm tempted to buy the mini-display port to HDMI just to see if the issue is still present with that adapter. If I do I'll update my post with the outcome.
If anyone else has any info to help with this issue it would be greatly appreciated. It's very annoying when you resume from sleep and you find all of your windows that where opened on the external display before sleep squeezed into your main display (iMac).
Thanks!

MBP Freezes upon display detection when external monitor plugged in

My new MBP (2.16GHz Core2Duo) will freeze up temporarily when I plug in an external monitor (I use a Compaq MV700). This monitor has served my two previous Powerbooks well, so this seems somewhat anomalous.

Is it just this display or all displays? You might want to try resetting PRAM and NVRAM…
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238

The Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter does not detect my external monitor.

Processor 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5
Memory 12 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
Graphics AMD Radeon HD 6750M 512 MB
Software Mac OS X Lion 10.7.4
I just purchased this dongle, and when I plug it into my thunderbolt port it doesnt do anything. It works for my MBP 2012 13'' which I just purchased today.
iMac 2011 21.5''

Hmmm, if once booting, you turn the Monitor OFF & back ON, does it see it?

Macbook Pro detects external monitor as TV

Hi,
I recently purchased a new MacBook Pro with Retina display. I plugged in an external monitor for the first time today and noticed that the screen looked blurry. I have seen on other forums that its a font smoothing issue but I ran that command in the terminal with no sucess. In my case its just not the font that is blurry, everything is blurry. I believe the problem is stemming from OS X detecting my external monitor as a television. Is there anything I can do to fix the issue or am I stuck waiting for Apple to update their video drivers. As a developer I like having as much screen space as possible but reading text on the secondary monitor is giving me a headache its so blurry.
My external monitor is a 24 inch Samsung with a max resolution of 1920x1080. I am connecting it via the Apple mini display port to DVI adapter.

It was set to 1080p, 1920x1080 did not show up as an option (even when holding the option key). 1080p should be equivlant. As as experiment I grabbed another monitor that was not being used. It is a 22 inch LG with a maximum display of 1920x1080, and its currently set to 1920x1080. The issue is a little different, was not detected as a TV this time, but the screen still looks blurry. There may be some improvement but not much.

External monitor not detected - Early 2015 MBA

I am the IT admin at my company here. Recently, one of the employees started having severe problems with his Mid-2012 MBA, which would only operate in Safe Mode. Because he needs his computer at all times, my initial "solution" was to give him a new MBA, then try to work on the old one. I gave him a brand new "Early 2015" MBA.
For one day, it worked without issue, but then this morning it stopped detecting the external monitor.
I have done the following:
1. Swapping hardware. I've tried this with a DVI to MDP cable, as well as an HDMI cable using an HDMI to MDP adapter and a DVI cable with a DVI to MDP adapter. I've also tries two different monitors, including a brand new one out of the box.
Note that ALL of these configurations work flawlessly with the 2012 MBA, but the 2015 one doesn't even detect that anything has been plugged in (it does not do the familiar "flash" on the laptop screen).
2. SMC Reset
3. "Detect Displays" from the Displays system preference panel.
4. Plugged another device (a hard drive) into the Thunderbolt/MDP. It works fine.
Both laptops have OS version 10.10.3
Any advice would be appreciated.

I am the IT admin at my company here. Recently, one of the employees started having severe problems with his Mid-2012 MBA, which would only operate in Safe Mode. Because he needs his computer at all times, my initial "solution" was to give him a new MBA, then try to work on the old one. I gave him a brand new "Early 2015" MBA.
For one day, it worked without issue, but then this morning it stopped detecting the external monitor.
I have done the following:
1. Swapping hardware. I've tried this with a DVI to MDP cable, as well as an HDMI cable using an HDMI to MDP adapter and a DVI cable with a DVI to MDP adapter. I've also tries two different monitors, including a brand new one out of the box.
Note that ALL of these configurations work flawlessly with the 2012 MBA, but the 2015 one doesn't even detect that anything has been plugged in (it does not do the familiar "flash" on the laptop screen).
2. SMC Reset
3. "Detect Displays" from the Displays system preference panel.
4. Plugged another device (a hard drive) into the Thunderbolt/MDP. It works fine.
Both laptops have OS version 10.10.3
Any advice would be appreciated.

T61 and the Intel Graphics Card error - external monitor not detected

T61 with Vista 32 bit, Mobile Intel® GM965 Express Chipset and an Advanced Mini Dock.
I am trying to use the DVI port and an external monitor. The driver does not detect the external monitor.
Uninstalling the Intel driver the Generic profile will work on the external monitor, but is overly fuzzy, how do I get the T61 to recognize my external monitor with the right drivers?
I am currently running the Intel Driver Ver. - 7.14.10.1329, which provides the message under Multiple Display:
Two displays must be connected to the computer before you can use this feature. Please connect another display.
Of course my 22" monitor is connected. That is the frustrating part. I have also uninstalled Presentation Director, just in case, but then re-installed after it seemed that wasn't the problem.
There is a newer driver from Intel but it is not Lenovo approved yet I guess. Though I highly doubt this is the problem. What can I do?
~~
I did post a thread on the thinkpads.com too, but so far haven't had any luck.

Well the new dock came but didn't fix the problem. Now my nice new T61 is packed up in a depot box, waiting for DHL to come pick it up.
dkaufman1 -- I guess we do have different problems. If I set my T61 to display to the DVI port in the bios I get a blank screens on both the DVI connectd monitor and the laptop screen until the OS boots when I have the laptop in the dock. The only way I can see the bios screen to set it back to the ThinkPad LCD setting is to boot it disconnected from the dock.
I really hope that this problem is resolved, as I really like the T61 otherwise. I was even using it with the VGA cable connected to my 22" monitor, but it was pretty hard to take. I'm now back to my old desktop hooked up to the same monitor via DVI and it is quite the relief, even if it isn't as zippy as the T61.

15" MacbookPro won't detect external monitor.

I have a MacbookPro and a Samsung external monitor. I have them set up and ready to roll but my MBP wont detect the external monitor, so I can't get the screens to share. Please help me with how to detect and configure this.

Try resetting the PRAM and the SMC, in that order:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

MacAir not detecting external monitor. 'check signal cable' error

Brand new MacAir OX 10.7.4 not detecting samsung external monitor. I keep getting 'check signal cable' error on a blank screen.

Hi Walter,
I'm not sure this'll fix your problem, & it's info from earlier OSX versions, but I'll toss it out...
Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions...
Trash these files...
/Users/YourUserName/Library/Preferences/ByHost /com.apple.windowserver.<12digitHex#>.plist
/Users/YourUserName/Library/Preferences/ByHost/.GlobalPreferences.<12digitHex#>. plist
There may be more than one of each of the above, then trash...
/Users/YourUserName/Library/Preferences/com.apple.systempreferences.plist
Reboot
You could test it by first, depending on OS version...
To find out if it's system wide or user specific, try this...
Open System Preferences>Accounts, unlock the lock, click on the little plus icon, make a new admin account, log out & into the new account.
Does it work in the new account?
To find out if it's system wide or user specific, try this...
Open System Preferences>Users & Groups, unlock the lock, click on the little plus icon, make a new admin account, log out & into the new account.
Does it work in the new account?

How to blank laptop screen when using external monitor/

Hi there
I need some help with figuring out how to configure my xorg.conf for my Arch Linux 64 bit installation on a HP Pavilion dv 5000 laptop so that I can automatically blank my laptop screen when using an external monitor. I have Arch Linux installed along with Ubuntu Feisty. In Ubuntu my external monitor (Viewsonic 1912WB) was not detected at the time of installation but with the native 1280X800 resolution that is good for the laptop takes effect for the external monitor automatically when the external monitor is plugged in. The laptop monitor goes blank when the external monitor is plugged in.
In my Arch Linux installation I have not been able to configure a dual head configuration using the ATI Radeon drivers (fglrx). I have the native 1280X800 resolution set up for the laptop monitor and this resolution takes effect for the external monitor also. However the laptop monitor also continues to function when the external monitor is plugged in. I would like to blank the laptop monitor when using the external monitor.
I am attaching my Arch Linux xorg.conf and the Ubuntu xorg.conf below. Thanks for anyone who can help, I am having a lot of difficulty in figuring out how to set up xorg.conf among all the things that I have had to learn so far in Linux and I am a relative newcomer to the whole thing. I have tried to compare the two xorg.conf files and edit my Arch xorg.conf in accordance with the Ubuntu one but it did not work and I keep getting errors!
I am using XFCE as my Desktop environment.
Arch Linux xorg.conf
# File generated by xorgconfig.
# Copyright 2004 The X.Org Foundation
# Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a
# copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"),
# to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation
# the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense,
# and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the
# Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
# The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in
# all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
# THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
# IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
# FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL
# The X.Org Foundation BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY,
# WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF
# OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
# SOFTWARE.
# Except as contained in this notice, the name of The X.Org Foundation shall
# not be used in advertising or otherwise to promote the sale, use or other
# dealings in this Software without prior written authorization from
# The X.Org Foundation.
# Refer to the xorg.conf(5) man page for details about the format of
# this file.
# Module section -- this section is used to specify
# which dynamically loadable modules to load.
# Files section. This allows default font and rgb paths to be set
# Server flags section.
# Input devices
# Core keyboard's InputDevice section
# Core Pointer's InputDevice section
# Other input device sections
# this is optional and is required only if you
# are using extended input devices. This is for example only. Refer
# to the xorg.conf man page for a description of the options.
# Section "InputDevice"
# Identifier "Mouse2"
# Driver "mouse"
# Option "Protocol" "MouseMan"
# Option "Device" "/dev/mouse2"
# EndSection
# Section "InputDevice"
# Identifier "spaceball"
# Driver "magellan"
# Option "Device" "/dev/cua0"
# EndSection
# Section "InputDevice"
# Identifier "spaceball2"
# Driver "spaceorb"
# Option "Device" "/dev/cua0"
# EndSection
# Section "InputDevice"
# Identifier "touchscreen0"
# Driver "microtouch"
# Option "Device" "/dev/ttyS0"
# Option "MinX" "1412"
# Option "MaxX" "15184"
# Option "MinY" "15372"
# Option "MaxY" "1230"
# Option "ScreenNumber" "0"
# Option "ReportingMode" "Scaled"
# Option "ButtonNumber" "1"
# Option "SendCoreEvents"
# EndSection
# Section "InputDevice"
# Identifier "touchscreen1"
# Driver "elo2300"
# Option "Device" "/dev/ttyS0"
# Option "MinX" "231"
# Option "MaxX" "3868"
# Option "MinY" "3858"
# Option "MaxY" "272"
# Option "ScreenNumber" "0"
# Option "ReportingMode" "Scaled"
# Option "ButtonThreshold" "17"
# Option "ButtonNumber" "1"
# Option "SendCoreEvents"
# EndSection
# Monitor section
# Any number of monitor sections may be present
# Graphics device section
# Any number of graphics device sections may be present
# Standard VGA Device:
# Device configured by xorgconfig:
# Screen sections
# Any number of screen sections may be present. Each describes
# the configuration of a single screen. A single specific screen section
# may be specified from the X server command line with the "-screen"
# option.
# ServerLayout sections.
# Any number of ServerLayout sections may be present. Each describes
# the way multiple screens are organised. A specific ServerLayout
# section may be specified from the X server command line with the
# "-layout" option. In the absence of this, the first section is used.
# When now ServerLayout section is present, the first Screen section
# is used alone.
# Section "DRI"
# Mode 0666
# EndSection
Section "ServerLayout"
# The Identifier line must be present
# Each Screen line specifies a Screen section name, and optionally
# the relative position of other screens. The four names after
# primary screen name are the screens to the top, bottom, left and right
# of the primary screen. In this example, screen 2 is located to the
# right of screen 1.
# Each InputDevice line specifies an InputDevice section name and
# optionally some options to specify the way the device is to be
# used. Those options include "CorePointer", "CoreKeyboard" and
# "SendCoreEvents".
Identifier "Simple Layout"
Screen 0 "aticonfig-Screen[0]" 0 0
InputDevice "Mouse1" "CorePointer"
InputDevice "Keyboard1" "CoreKeyboard"
EndSection
Section "Files"
# The location of the RGB database. Note, this is the name of the
# file minus the extension (like ".txt" or ".db"). There is normally
# no need to change the default.
# RgbPath "/usr/share/X11/rgb"
# Multiple FontPath entries are allowed (which are concatenated together),
# as well as specifying multiple comma-separated entries in one FontPath
# command (or a combination of both methods)
# FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/TTF"
# FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/Type1"
# FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/local/"
# FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/misc/"
# FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi/:unscaled"
# FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi/:unscaled"
# FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/Speedo/"
# FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/Type1/"
# FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/TrueType/"
# FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/freefont/"
# FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi/"
# FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi/"
# The module search path. The default path is shown here.
# ModulePath "/usr/lib/modules"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/misc"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/100dpi:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/75dpi:unscaled"
EndSection
Section "Module"
# This loads the DBE extension module.
# This loads the miscellaneous extensions module, and disables
# initialisation of the XFree86-DGA extension within that module.
# This loads the font modules
# Load "type1"
# This loads the GLX module
# Load "glx"
# This loads the DRI module
# Load "dri"
Load "dbe" # Double buffer extension
SubSection "extmod"
Option    "omit xfree86-dga" # don't initialise the DGA extension
EndSubSection
Load "freetype"
# Load "xtt"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
# For most OSs the protocol can be omitted (it defaults to "Standard").
# When using XQUEUE (only for SVR3 and SVR4, but not Solaris),
# uncomment the following line.
# Option "Protocol" "Xqueue"
# Option "Xleds" "1 2 3"
# Option "LeftAlt" "Meta"
# Option "RightAlt" "ModeShift"
# To customise the XKB settings to suit your keyboard, modify the
# lines below (which are the defaults). For example, for a non-U.S.
# keyboard, you will probably want to use:
# Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
# If you have a US Microsoft Natural keyboard, you can use:
# Option "XkbModel" "microsoft"
# Then to change the language, change the Layout setting.
# For example, a german layout can be obtained with:
# Option "XkbLayout" "de"
# or:
# Option "XkbLayout" "de"
# Option "XkbVariant" "nodeadkeys"
# If you'd like to switch the positions of your capslock and
# control keys, use:
# Option "XkbOptions" "ctrl:swapcaps"
# These are the default XKB settings for Xorg
# Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
# Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
# Option "XkbLayout" "us"
# Option "XkbVariant" ""
# Option "XkbOptions" ""
# Option "XkbDisable"
Identifier "Keyboard1"
Driver "kbd"
Option    "AutoRepeat" "500 30"
# Specify which keyboard LEDs can be user-controlled (eg, with xset(1))
Option    "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option    "XkbModel" "pc104"
Option    "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
# Identifier and driver
# the following line.
# Option "Protocol" "Xqueue"
# Mouse-speed setting for PS/2 mouse.
# Option "Resolution" "256"
# Baudrate and SampleRate are only for some Logitech mice. In
# almost every case these lines should be omitted.
# Option "BaudRate" "9600"
# Option "SampleRate" "150"
# Mouse wheel mapping. Default is to map vertical wheel to buttons 4 & 5,
# horizontal wheel to buttons 6 & 7. Change if your mouse has more than
# 3 buttons and you need to map the wheel to different button ids to avoid
# conflicts.
# Emulate3Timeout is the timeout in milliseconds (default is 50ms)
# Option "Emulate3Buttons"
# Option "Emulate3Timeout" "50"
# ChordMiddle is an option for some 3-button Logitech mice
# Option "ChordMiddle"
Identifier "Mouse1"
Driver "mouse"
Option    "Protocol" "Auto" # Auto detect
Option    "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
# When using XQUEUE, comment out the above two lines, and uncomment
Option    "ZAxisMapping" "4 5 6 7"
# Emulate3Buttons is an option for 2-button mice
EndSection
Section "Monitor"
# HorizSync is in kHz unless units are specified.
# HorizSync may be a comma separated list of discrete values, or a
# comma separated list of ranges of values.
# NOTE: THE VALUES HERE ARE EXAMPLES ONLY. REFER TO YOUR MONITOR'S
# USER MANUAL FOR THE CORRECT NUMBERS.
# HorizSync 30-64 # multisync
# HorizSync 31.5, 35.2 # multiple fixed sync frequencies
# HorizSync 15-25, 30-50 # multiple ranges of sync frequencies
# VertRefresh is in Hz unless units are specified.
# VertRefresh may be a comma separated list of discrete values, or a
# comma separated list of ranges of values.
# NOTE: THE VALUES HERE ARE EXAMPLES ONLY. REFER TO YOUR MONITOR'S
# USER MANUAL FOR THE CORRECT NUMBERS.
Identifier "My Monitor"
HorizSync 30.0 - 62.0
VertRefresh 50.0 - 70.0
EndSection
Section "Monitor"
Identifier "aticonfig-Monitor[0]"
Option    "VendorName" "ATI Proprietary Driver"
Option    "ModelName" "Generic Autodetecting Monitor"
Option    "DPMS" "true"
EndSection
Section "Device"
# The chipset line is optional in most cases. It can be used to override
# the driver's chipset detection, and should not normally be specified.
# Chipset "generic"
# The Driver line must be present. When using run-time loadable driver
# modules, this line instructs the server to load the specified driver
# module. Even when not using loadable driver modules, this line
# indicates which driver should interpret the information in this section.
# The BusID line is used to specify which of possibly multiple devices
# this section is intended for. When this line isn't present, a device
# section can only match up with the primary video device. For PCI
# devices a line like the following could be used. This line should not
# normally be included unless there is more than one video device
# intalled.
# BusID "PCI:0:10:0"
# VideoRam 256
# Clocks 25.2 28.3
Identifier "Standard VGA"
Driver "vga"
VendorName "Unknown"
BoardName "Unknown"
EndSection
Section "Device"
#VideoRam 131072
# Insert Clocks lines here if appropriate
Identifier "* Generic VESA compatible"
Driver "vesa"
EndSection
Section "Device"
Identifier "aticonfig-Device[0]"
Driver "fglrx"
EndSection
Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen 1"
Device "* Generic VESA compatible"
Monitor "My Monitor"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 8
Modes "1280x800" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 16
Modes "1280x800" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 24
Modes "1280x800" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection
Section "Screen"
Identifier "aticonfig-Screen[0]"
Device "aticonfig-Device[0]"
Monitor "aticonfig-Monitor[0]"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection
Ubuntu xorg.conf
# /etc/X11/xorg.conf (xorg X Window System server configuration file)
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
# Edit this file with caution, and see the xorg.conf(5) manual page.
# (Type "man xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg
Section "Files"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/misc"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/cyrillic"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi"
# path to defoma fonts
FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType"
EndSection
Section "Module"
Load "i2c"
Load "bitmap"
Load "ddc"
Load "dri"
Load "extmod"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx"
Load "int10"
Load "vbe"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "CoreKeyboard"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Protocol" "ImPS/2"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Synaptics Touchpad"
Driver "synaptics"
Option "SendCoreEvents" "true"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Protocol" "auto-dev"
Option "HorizScrollDelta" "0"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Driver "wacom"
Identifier "stylus"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
Option "Type" "stylus"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Driver "wacom"
Identifier "eraser"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
Option "Type" "eraser"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Driver "wacom"
Identifier "cursor"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
Option "Type" "cursor"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection
Section "Device"
Identifier "ATI Technologies Inc ATI Radeon XPRESS 200M 5955 (PCIE)"
Driver "ati"
BusID "PCI:1:5:0"
EndSection
Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Generic Monitor"
Option "DPMS"
EndSection
Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "ATI Technologies Inc ATI Radeon XPRESS 200M 5955 (PCIE)"
Monitor "Generic Monitor"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 1
Modes "1280x800"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4
Modes "1280x800"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1280x800"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "1280x800"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1280x800"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1280x800"
EndSubSection
EndSection
Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "Default Screen"
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
InputDevice "stylus" "SendCoreEvents"
InputDevice "cursor" "SendCoreEvents"
InputDevice "eraser" "SendCoreEvents"
InputDevice "Synaptics Touchpad"
EndSection
Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection

Xrandr 1.2 provides means for this. But today the only supported configuration is xorg-server-1.3 + xf86-video-intel-2.0. So for Radeon you'll have to wait for drivers that support Randr 1.2.
On my laptop (Thinkpad x60s) that would be:
xrandr --output VGA --auto
xrandr --output LVDS --off

Automatically detecting an external monitor

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