according to this article: http://www.2030.tk/wiki/Dual_monitor_on_Ubuntu_7.10

run xrandr -q

to get info about the screens connected. If you have two screens at 1280×1024, you’ll want a virtual resolution of 2560×1024 ..

set the Virtual in Xorg.conf. I inserted the Virtual line into mine here:

Section “Screen”
Identifier    ”Default Screen”
Device        ”Configured Video Device”
Monitor        ”Configured Monitor”
Defaultdepth    24
SubSection “Display”
Depth    24
Virtual    2560    1024
Modes        ”640×480@60″
EndSubSection
EndSection

run

xrandr --output DVI-0 --auto --left-of VGA-0

Where DVI-0 and VGA-0 are the identifies for your screens as noted by xrandr -q

One option for having dual head mode at start up is to write the above command into a shell script and have it run by the session manager in gnome/kde at startup.

My xorg.conf file:

xorg.conf

After installing the restricted graphics card driver, there still isn’t a lot of options for fiddling with the desktop effects. You can change that by installing the packages:

• xserver-xgl , and
• compizconfig-settings-manager

through the synaptics package manager (system>adminstration>synaptic package manager).

Then all you need to do is go to system>preferences>advanced desktop effects settings and fiddle with all the fun but useless eye candy settings. Screenshot after about 2mins:

I finally managed to get my video card (Radeon x1950pro) driver working in Ubuntu gutsy! Me and drivers never seem to get along… but this was the worst case ever! I tried everything. Using both 32 and 64 bit versions of ubuntu, I tried ubuntu’s automatic restricted driver installation (which pops up on the top panel), I tried manually installing the drivers from the ati website, followed a couple different guides and no luck!! >_< I would always reboot after installation into a very very evil black screen…

But then I found a handy little program called Ubuntu envy, which automatically installs the appropriate drivers for your video card, either ati or nvidia. I was sure that it would stand bugger all chance at working, but after reboting, I have the correct resolution, desktop effects are crankin and ubuntu is reporting the restricted driver is finally in use! HOOOORAAAYYY. Now I can ubuntu too!!

And all I had to do was follow the installation faq:

sudo dpkg -i envy*.deb #<--- install the dependencies that it reports missing and re execute this
sudo apt-get install -f
then open her up in applications > system tools > envy , and basically tell it to do it for me automatically! It doesnt get any better than that!

Do you Ubuntu?