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I have two laptops and when I either install elementary OS Freya or run it off a USB. Every time I connect a monitor to the laptop the system responds very sluggishly. For eg: When I click on any of the dock icons it takes a good 12 seconds to respond. This is the case with all icons in fact after I connect the external monitor.

I have connected two different monitors to two different laptops and experiencing the same issue. I have also re-downloaded elementary OS Freya and done a update and an upgrade with no resolution yet.

Any advice would be appreciated.

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    We kind of need more information about your laptop - What GPU is it using, for example? – embik Jul 20 '15 at 9:48
  • Thanks. I didn't think that would be necessary considering it's happening on two separate laptops with two completely different monitors however I can and will provide you with the information you need when I get to my laptop later on today. Please also let me know any other information you might find helpful so I can get all the information at once to minimize the need to go back and forth unnecessarily. Thanks for your prompt response, and I will have the info shortly. – Christo Jul 20 '15 at 23:14
  • Sounds like your graphics card or graphics driver can't handle the amount of extra pixels. Make sure you are using the best driver for your card which will probably be the one made by the manufacturer. See if anything is maxing out your CPU with the top command. – kagronick Jul 21 '15 at 22:02
  • I occasionally get this problem due to gala, the window manager. Does running gala --replace (press alt+f2, type gala --replace, and press enter) work for you? – RolandiXor Jul 21 '15 at 23:01
  • Great suggestions, thanks I will try that. @embik - Here is the GPU information - Graphics Processor PCI Express - Intel GMA 950 - PROCESSOR / CHIPSET Full specs - cnet.com/products/… - Only difference is mine has 3GB of RAM – Christo Jul 22 '15 at 0:58
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Could you check these points:

  • OS dependent?
    • From the system monitor, is the OS working slowly after it is plugged into the current monitor?
  • Hardware
    • Try to switch a monitor to see if it happens.
  • Software
    • Try to use different drivers provided in Ubuntu/elementary OS repositories.
  • User Settings
    • Does the graphics refresh normally?
    • Is the frequency the right one? Try to switch it.

Not sure whether it is an elementary OS bug or not. Anyway, my Dell computer works really fine when working with an external monitor.

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  • Hi, as mentioned in my previous post. It seems to be an issue with "gala window manager" on this specific laptop. The moment I connect a external monitor to this laptop, and I connected two different monitors, a Benq and a HP, straight away "gala window manager" goes to over 100% CPU utilization. This does not occur with my newer laptop which I believe points investigation into the GPU driver and trolling gala window managers site for a fix. If I do come across a fix I will post it, meantime, I will also use it on a desktop this coming weekend with the same monitors and update. – Christo Jul 27 '15 at 21:32
  • Perhaps should let Elementary Team know this. – Life Jul 28 '15 at 1:17

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