Cross-posted from http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1597898

Hi, I'm still coming to grips with Linux, Ubuntu, Gnome, Xorg and everything to do with using a non-Microsoft operating system. I have had some strange things happen with my system and just wanted to get some advice.

First, a little info about my setup. I am using an Acer Aspire One netbook, and when at home I have it plugged into an external monitor, an old Philips 15" TFT flat screen, which is better than using the netbook's 10.1" screen when I'm at home. However, I still make use of the 10.1" as a second screen while the 15" is plugged in. I have installed Docky for my docks, which apparently requires compositing, which I understand is a feature of the window manager. I'm still not sure what a window manager is, having come from MS Windows, I don't recall needing such a thing in the past. I'm using Grandr to manage my screen settings so that I can have the 15" screen positioned above the 10.1", and to set the resolutions independently for each. I don't think I am using Compiz, but I don't know what other window manager I might be using. Docky works fine with the transparency, so I gather that I have it configured properly for compositing. I have Ubuntu v10.04 installed, and I am using Gnome as my desktop interface. Here is a screenshot (http://i52.tinypic.com/6jeziu.png 1.6MB) of my dual desktop setup.

Now to the problems.

1. Whenever I get home and plug in the external monitor, I have to set up the screens again with Grandr, and tell it what resolution to use, etc. Isn't there some way that it can remember these settings?

2. Whenever I set it all up, some or all of my Docky docks move from the 10.1" up to the 15" screen, and I have to move them back down manually. If I don't, then when I unplug the external monitor the docks don't return to the 10.1" screen by themselves, and I cannot use them until I plug the external monitor in again.

3. Sometimes the window borders disappear completely, and I cannot move, resize, or minimize windows as I cannot see the window controls. This necessitates logging out and logging back in again.

4. When moving windows between the the 15" and 10.1" screens, the window will only move to the bottom of the 15" screen, with the window's title bar still showing at the bottom of that screen, and the rest of the window showing on the 10.1" screen. I cannot move a whole window down to the 10.1" screen when using the dual screens. Here is a screenshot (http://i56.tinypic.com/2monjiu.png 1.6MB) example.

Any help would be really appreciated. Please remember that I'm still quite new to Linux, so full explanations with examples would really help.