Multiscreen configuration issue (beginner on Pop!_OS - gone to Mint but did not solve it)

[Bryaxis]

Hi everyone,

While I've been on computers since I was a kid on my Commodore 64, I've never really used Linux based OS, but I've decided to change that given how much progress in compatibility has been achieved by the community.

I've chosen to go for Pop!_OS for my attempt (thought about Linux Mint too), made my usb boot key and started things up. While my Logitech MX Master 3 gave me some issues the googlefu was good with me, and I now have only one major issue remaining

Configuration :

Base :

• MSI GE66 Raider 10SF
• RAM increased to 64Go
• Original 500Go SSD complemented with a supplementary 2To SSD

The troublesome components :

• a sitecom cn-389 v1 002 multiport docking station ( https://sitecomlearningcentre.com/p...-multiport-pro-dock-with-usb-c-power-delivery )
• two MSI G27C4X screens

My two screens are connected on the docking station through HDMI, with the docking station connected through USB-C to the laptop, and under Windows 11 I could happily use both screebs alongside my laptop's built in screen. But currently I've only manager the following results :

• built in display alone : ok
• built in display + 1 HDMI directly connected to the laptop : ok
• built in display + 1 HDMI in the docking station : ok
• built in display + 2 HDMI in the docking station : no display on either screen
• built in display + 1 HDMI in the laptop + 1 HDMI in the docling station : no display on either sceen

With all those configurations I did attempt to switch through the various screen options (duplicate, extend) through the keyboard, to no avail.

Ecosia, Google and Youtube gave me no clue (except that it seems USB-C docking stations are a PITA)

Anyone got some pointers for the newbee ?
Thanks !

 

[Bryaxis]

A complement : I've also been asking to the bots, mainly Gemini, and it suggested the following commands with both screens connected:

xrandr --output <laptop_screen_name> --auto --primary
xrandr --output <msi_screen_1_name> --auto --right-of <laptop_screen_name>
xrandr --output <msi_screen_2_name> --auto --right-of <msi_screen_1_name>

Result :
line 1 : no change
line 2 : all screens in use but screen 2 and 3 are just copies of each other
line 3 : return to initial situation

I also note an issue at reboot, with the login screen not showing.

 

[theLegionWithin]

from what I could find, the MSI GE66 Raider 10SF's usb-c ports are 3.2 gen2 (and one is 3.2 gen2x2) - since the docking station/monitors worked fine in win11, we know it's not a hardware issue. the only thing I can really think of would be to try a different distro. Pop_OS is really only designed to work on System76's hardware

 

[Bryaxis]

from what I could find, the MSI GE66 Raider 10SF's usb-c ports are 3.2 gen2 (and one is 3.2 gen2x2) - since the docking station/monitors worked fine in win11, we know it's not a hardware issue. the only thing I can really think of would be to try a different distro. Pop_OS is really only designed to work on System76's hardware

I followed your suggestion to test something else, namely Linux Mint, but the same issues appears. All 3 displays (internal and 2 connected via the usb-c hub) are detected, but the 2 external won't work together. I've managed to get the system to actually use 1 external screen as primary, with the laptop screen also operational, but the second external screen not working. What's surprising me is that in this last configuration the systems put an overlay that seem to indicate that the system considers screen 2 and 3 to be the same physical device.

 

[Bryaxis]

Connecting the displays one directly in the HDMI port of the computer and the other (primary) in the USB-C dock gives signal to the non primary screen but not to the primary, and the system does not switch the primary screen to anywhere else so I don't have menus visible anymore in this setup...

 

[f33dm3bits]

I don't have much experience with docking stations on Linux except for one time I used one but it just worked then. But if I were you I would try a rolling release distribution as they have more recent kernels than PopOS and Linux Mint, you may have more luck with it then.

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CachyOS is a performance-optimized Arch Linux distribution with CPU-specific package builds, advanced kernel scheduling, and an effortless installation — delivering measurable speed gains without sacrificing simplicity.

cachyos.org

Home - EndeavourOS

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garudalinux.org

 

[Bryaxis]

I don't have much experience with docking stations on Linux except for one time I used one but it just worked then. But if I were you I would try a rolling release distribution as they have more recent kernels than PopOS and Linux Mint, you may have more luck with it then.

CachyOS — Blazingly Fast OS based on Arch Linux

CachyOS is a performance-optimized Arch Linux distribution with CPU-specific package builds, advanced kernel scheduling, and an effortless installation — delivering measurable speed gains without sacrificing simplicity.

cachyos.org

Home - EndeavourOS

Start your Endeavour with a lightweight Arch-based, terminal-centric system ready to personalise and a stellar community at your side Just...

endeavouros.com

Garuda Linux - your opinionated Linux distro

garudalinux.org

Thanks ! I've updated the Linux Mint kernel to the latest available (6.11.0-21) to try to offset this kind of issue, but given that the docking station and the laptop are not brand new models I would have expected that not to be an issue

 

[theLegionWithin]

hmm, I'm on 6.13.8-arch1-1 - Arch seems to be less popular, probably due to its arcane installer, but its kernel is a few months more recent - not sure if it'd make any difference (though it's cheaper than the next option).

it's not ideal but you could try using a usb-c to hdmi adapter to see if the docking station itself is the problem (since you mentioned that the system seems to be lumping two displays into each other when connected via the docking station). it'd be a cheaper test than getting a newer docking station - though that model of dock seems to have been on the market for the last 5 years or so.

some potentially relevant information on here -->

https://www.reddit.com/r/linuxhardware/comments/113j56n/did_not_realize_that_like_99_of_docking_stations

though I try to stay away from reddit

 

[Bryaxis]

hmm, I'm on 6.13.8-arch1-1 - Arch seems to be less popular, probably due to its arcane installer, but its kernel is a few months more recent - not sure if it'd make any difference (though it's cheaper than the next option).

it's not ideal but you could try using a usb-c to hdmi adapter to see if the docking station itself is the problem (since you mentioned that the system seems to be lumping two displays into each other when connected via the docking station). it'd be a cheaper test than getting a newer docking station - though that model of dock seems to have been on the market for the last 5 years or so.

some potentially relevant information on here -->

https://www.reddit.com/r/linuxhardware/comments/113j56n/did_not_realize_that_like_99_of_docking_stations

though I try to stay away from reddit

I'm no big user of Reddit I must say
I'm indeed thinking of buying an USB 3 to double HDMI adapter in the 30/50€ range to try, not too much of a financial hit if it does not work and I can reuse it on one of the work computers too...

 

[Bryaxis]

I'm back with some good news. Sunday late at night I tried playing with the drivers, following hints I'd found expending my search, and switched from Nvidia drivers to the open sources ones, with success in as much as all 3 screens are now working in expend mode, but I can't change their order as I'd like (although I can change the primary screen).
So I'd say case mostly closed, thanks to those who came with suggestions

 

[f33dm3bits]

I'm back with some good news. Sunday late at night I tried playing with the drivers, following hints I'd found expending my search, and switched from Nvidia drivers to the open sources ones, with success in as much as all 3 screens are now working in expend mode, but I can't change their order as I'd like (although I can change the primary screen).

Which Nvidia gpu do you have in your laptop, you didn't mentioned that in the OP?

 

[Bryaxis]

The main GPU is a GeForce RTX 2070 Mobile (and there is also the more basic Intel CometLake-H GT2 of course)

 

[theLegionWithin]

I'm back with some good news. Sunday late at night I tried playing with the drivers, following hints I'd found expending my search, and switched from Nvidia drivers to the open sources ones, with success in as much as all 3 screens are now working in expend mode, but I can't change their order as I'd like (although I can change the primary screen).
So I'd say case mostly closed, thanks to those who came with suggestions

nice! you should do a writeup on your resolution, theres been a few other docking station/display related threads recently

 

[dos2unix]

I use Linux on docking stations. (Dell and HP). There is an art to it.
Not all connectors support all devices. USB-c works for most things.
Then you have you have the whole HDMI vs display port thing, and getting
everything plugged in the right way. Some support Display port, some support HDMI,
and your monitor has to have the right connector.

My dell dock is weird deal. I have power that goes directly to my laptop, but I also have another power supply
that goes to the dock. I don't need it to power the laptop, but apparently the dock needs to run some things.

It took a few days of trying different things to get it sorted out, but it all works.