[SOLVED] Unable to save /etc/X11xorg.conf for writing
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I am using Ubuntu 21.10 with an XFCE desktop on two monitors. I have an ASUS TUF Z590 gfx card installed using nvidia drivers 'nvidia-driver-470 (proprietary tested) from the repository Additional Drivers. The card and drivers are working correctly.
I want to set up the two monitors and for this I use nvidia-settings. When I have completed the settings I select 'Save to X Configuration File' where I am required to authorise and get an error:
Unable to open X config file '/etc/X11/xorg.conf' for writing.
I notice that the is a 'Browse' button to allow me to select an alternative location but I have no idea where to put the settings file. I tried Desktop and again need to authorise, but again get the same error.
When these settings are saved I understand I also need to make sure XFCE settings match.
It seems strange that nvidia-settings allows you to change the settings but not be able to save them. There must be a reason for this so, can anyone enlighten me please?
The contents of the terminal are:
Code:
makem@makems-TUF:~$ nvidia-settings
(nvidia-settings:3600): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: 13:42:40.007: g_object_unref: assertion 'G_IS_OBJECT (object)' failed
** Message: 13:42:40.159: PRIME: No offloading required. Abort
** Message: 13:42:40.159: PRIME: is it supported? no
WARNING: Unable to parse X.Org version string.
WARNING: Unable to parse X.Org version string.
Package xorg-server was not found in the pkg-config search path.
Perhaps you should add the directory containing `xorg-server.pc'
to the PKG_CONFIG_PATH environment variable
No package 'xorg-server' found
Error executing /usr/share/screen-resolution-extra/nvidia-polkit: Permission denied
ERROR: Unable to open X config file '/etc/X11/xorg.conf' for writing.
WARNING: Unable to parse X.Org version string.
WARNING: Unable to parse X.Org version string.
Package xorg-server was not found in the pkg-config search path.
Perhaps you should add the directory containing `xorg-server.pc'
to the PKG_CONFIG_PATH environment variable
No package 'xorg-server' found
WARNING: Unable to parse X.Org version string.
Package xorg-server was not found in the pkg-config search path.
Perhaps you should add the directory containing `xorg-server.pc'
to the PKG_CONFIG_PATH environment variable
No package 'xorg-server' found
Error executing /usr/share/screen-resolution-extra/nvidia-polkit: Permission denied
ERROR: Unable to open X config file '/home/makem/Desktop/20-nvidia.conf' for writing.
makem@makems-TUF:~$
Distribution: Manjaro Linux, Ubuntu in Windows 11 WSL2
Posts: 35
Rep:
Quote:
Originally Posted by makem
I am using Ubuntu 21.10 with an XFCE desktop on two monitors. I have an ASUS TUF Z590 gfx card installed using nvidia drivers 'nvidia-driver-470 (proprietary tested) from the repository Additional Drivers. The card and drivers are working correctly.
I want to set up the two monitors and for this I use nvidia-settings. When I have completed the settings I select 'Save to X Configuration File' where I am required to authorise and get an error:
Unable to open X config file '/etc/X11/xorg.conf' for writing.
In most situations, NVIDIA users need to do the following:
1. sudo rm /etc/X11/xorg.conf
2. sudo nvidia-xconfig
3. run nvidia-settings, make their adjustments, and then quit. The settings are stored in ~/.nvidia-settings-rc automatically.
4. Create a start up entry, in your desktop environment, to run the command: nvidia-settings -l (that's a lowercase L) when you log in.
That's it.
Last edited by johnprogrammer; 01-12-2022 at 10:46 PM.
In most situations, NVIDIA users need to do the following:
1. sudo rm /etc/X11/xorg.conf
I think not "most". Xorg has gotten smart over the years. Automagic now works for the vast majority of users, main exception being NVidia users of non-FOSS graphics drivers. The only installations I've made in recent years on which /etc/X11/xorg.conf was created by default are Mageia, where I usually replace the original with one of zero bytes and make it immutable. Debian, Fedora, Mint, openSUSE & *buntu haven't created on here in well over a decade. I suspect Manjaro, Arch, Gentoo, most of the bazillion Debian/Ubuntu derivatives, and others, don't create one either.
This entry is dated 12th January 2022 but I have changed xorg.conf using nvidia-settings a number of times since that date. It seems to be an original entry. I don't see anything to do with dual monitors either other than DP and HDMI.
I removed xorg.conf and another wasn't made. It seems to have no effect which suggest the settings changes I made are saved somewhere else.
I am also wondering where the Ubuntu "Display" settings are saved to enable me to check them.
Distribution: Manjaro Linux, Ubuntu in Windows 11 WSL2
Posts: 35
Rep:
Quote:
Originally Posted by makem
This entry is dated 12th January 2022 but I have changed xorg.conf using nvidia-settings a number of times since that date. It seems to be an original entry. I don't see anything to do with dual monitors either other than DP and HDMI.
I removed xorg.conf and another wasn't made. It seems to have no effect which suggest the settings changes I made are saved somewhere else.
I am also wondering where the Ubuntu "Display" settings are saved to enable me to check them.
To create the xorg.conf file, you run:
sudo nvidia-xconfig
The settings of nvidia-settings, are saved to ~/.nvidia-settings-rc by default.
The settings of nvidia-settings, are saved to ~/.nvidia-settings-rc by default.
From what I have found so far there is no need to create an xorg.conf entry. I feel sure that the Ubuntu "Display" settings are the ones needed but I cannot find them.
~/.nvidia-settings-rc:
Code:
#
# /home/makem/.nvidia-settings-rc
#
# Configuration file for nvidia-settings - the NVIDIA X Server Settings utility
# Generated on Mon Jan 17 00:45:37 2022
#
# ConfigProperties:
RcFileLocale = C
DisplayStatusBar = Yes
SliderTextEntries = Yes
IncludeDisplayNameInConfigFile = No
ShowQuitDialog = Yes
UpdateRulesOnProfileNameChange = Yes
Timer = Memory_Used_(GPU_0),Yes,3000
Timer = Thermal_Monitor_(GPU_0),Yes,1000
Timer = PowerMizer_Monitor_(GPU_0),Yes,1000
# Attributes:
0/SyncToVBlank=1
0/LogAniso=0
0/FSAA=0
0/TextureClamping=1
0/FXAA=0
0/AllowFlipping=1
0/FSAAAppControlled=1
0/LogAnisoAppControlled=1
0/OpenGLImageSettings=1
0/FSAAAppEnhanced=0
0/ShowGraphicsVisualIndicator=0
[DPY:DP-0]/RedBrightness=0.000000
[DPY:DP-0]/GreenBrightness=0.000000
[DPY:DP-0]/BlueBrightness=0.000000
[DPY:DP-0]/RedContrast=0.000000
Nothing in there that is helpful or relevant it seems.
I am considering using the Nouveau drivers. Do you know if I deselect the Nvidia ones in Ubuntu "Additional Drivers" and select instead "Nouveau display driver from xserver-xorg-video-nouveay (open source) that I don't need to uninstall the Nvidia drivers and can swap between the two?
Edit:
I decided to give it a go having researched some. I used Software & Updates, chose Nouveau, applied the changes, rebooted and guess what?
The login appeared on the Primary monitor, success? No, because Ubuntu "Display" settings showed that only one monitor was recognised
I have been a LONG time windows user and although I know some linux, I never tried to make it my default. The X11org.conf save issue (on multiple distros/versions) was just another thing that made me not want to keep trying since I never found an answer in the past and it seemed like such a basic thing...
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