Comment 51 for bug 661450

I have the same issue as described in #36. I managed a partial workaround, which works most, but not all the time.

I have a keyboard shortcut set up to open a terminal. From there, I open 'gnome-display-properties', which usually sets the resolution on both screens when it opens. If not, deselecting 'same image on both monitors' and setting the correct resolution for each sometimes works.
After setting the resolutions, the screen is still unusable, with the black sections, and incorrectly-offset viewport problems. These can usually be fixed with a 'compiz --replace &'.

I have had an issue with the screens going black after starting 'gnome-display-properties'.
Sometimes, but not often, I can run 'DISPLAY=0.0 metacity --replace' from a VTY (Ctrl-Alt-F1..6), which will get metacity running. From there, I can run 'compiz --replace', at which point Unity and Compiz appear to behave.
I usually need to reboot if my screens go black. Sometimes the reboot fails, at which point I need to force the power off.

I have an HP 6730b Laptop with an Intel Intel Mobile 4 Series card (GM45 Chipset, 512MB RAM), running 11.04 64-bit.