On Alberto's advice on IRC, I tried moving ~/.config/monitors.xml out of the way, and that has resolved the problem.
I'm attaching a copy of the old monitors.xml here ** Attachment added: "monitors.xml" https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-video-intel/+bug/747205/+attachment/2068291/+files/monitors.xml -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/747205 Title: [arrandale] Black screen on all outputs when external VGA is connected -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs