Can't view system settings with external monitor + laptop

3 replies [Last post]
iscutwo
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Joined: 09/05/2015

I'm on a Lenovo x220 running 7.0 with an external monitor plugged in. I'm having a problem again which I have had in the past and I don't recall how I resolved it. With the second monitor plugged in, if I open System Settings it goes to some other monitor or desktop and I can't access it. I've tried mousing around the edges, alt-tabbing, and so on, to no avail. This has never happened with any other program, but happens often (perhaps all the time, I can't recall, but it's 100% repeatable at the moment) with System Settings. It's especially difficult since the settings I need to change are the display settings with the second monitor plugged in.

Please let me know if I need to give you any additional information in order to help you help me, and thank you as always for your time.

loldier
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Joined: 02/17/2016

What if you just switch off the built-in display? You should see the taskbar and open programs. I have an HP Probook and an external display (displayport to HDMI). Trisquel works with this combination. You can add a workplace switcher applet to your taskbar.

The specs/graphics between yours and mine are similar.

Is it this you're using?

http://shop.lenovo.com/ISS_Static/ww/wci/us/ww/pdf/X220_datasheet.pdf

I realized that when using Gnome Shell in a dual display configuration, and letting Nautilus manage the desktop, while watching a movie full-screen on one screen and doing something with the mouse on the other screen, will minimize and hide the window on the second display. I had to disable the Gnome Shell Extension (Tweak Tool) that puts icons and the Trash bin on the desktop.

two_displays.png no_movie.png
iscutwo
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Joined: 09/05/2015

That did the trick, thanks. Worth posting this (System Settings opening in an undisplayable location with an external monitor plugged in, only visible by disabling a display) as a bug? If so, where? (Haven't done this before.) And, if not, and in any case: thanks again!

loldier
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Joined: 02/17/2016