Dual Monitors

[Akuryou13]

well, I know it's not Team17 related, but I can't think of anywhere other than a group of tech geeks to ask the question that tech support is being irritatingly slow in answering.

I'm trying to set up a second monitor for my computer. I bought a 23" widescreen from woot.com back in may or so. when it came in, I replaced the 17" I was using with the fancy new one. now, I've decided to use the 17" again as a secondary monitor. unfortunately, my computer has other ideas. the computer is defaulting to the 17" for some stupid reason. as long as it's plugged in, the 17" is being treated as the primary monitor, and the 23" is being ignored. when I turn on the computer, the 17" shows up with the BIOS info and the 23" acts like it's not connected at all. finish starting up the comp, and the mini-monitor is still acting like the only one. I have to unhook both to get the primary one to work, and only then can I set it to work in dual mode (the larger one refuses to be the secondary monitor). best part of it all, the settings aren't saving like they should, so every time I restart my computer I get the same problem. and as if that's not enough, I can't change the resolution of my larger monitor to anything beyond 1024x768.....which sucks....stupidly, the smaller monitor (the one MADE for 1024x768 resolution) is magically now capable of supporting 1280x1024, apparently, though it makes the part of the screen being used shrink down to a tiny 400-ish pixel square in the middle of the screen.

it makes no damn sense!

anyway, I'm using Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit and an Nvidia 8800 GTX. the smaller monitor has only a VGA plug, but I've got it through an adapter for the DVI port. I've got the 163.67 beta driver for the 8800, and that's the newest there is. I've not uninstalled all the old drivers for the video card, so if that's the issue then someone PLEASE explain to me the glaringly obvious and simple solution of uninstalling the drivers, cause with vista it's apparently neither a simple proccess nor easy to find instructions for doing so on the computer itsself.

[robowurmz]

You should be able to choose the primary and secondary screen settings in the Display properties (the same place where you choose the resolution).

[Akuryou13]

You should be able to choose the primary and secondary screen settings in the Display properties (the same place where you choose the resolution).oh yeah! there's a button right there telling me which one gets to be the primary and which the secondary. and it works too! until I restart, shut down, hibernate, or anything else that involves making the computer not be the heater for my house during hot summer days.

[Shockdude]

try switching the monitors on the graphics card
your 19" is probably connected to the primary port, while the 23" is connected to the secondary port
it also explains why the resolutions are messed up
:p

[philby4000]

Is it possible to run two monitors when your video card only has one port?

I.E, plug one into the video card and the other into the motherboard?

My Card has a port you can plug a TV into, if you have the right cable, but that sucks.:p

[Akuryou13]

try switching the monitors on the graphics card
your 19" is probably connected to the primary port, while the 23" is connected to the secondary port
it also explains why the resolutions are messed up
:pI'm not THAT dense, thanks :p I've tried switching them multiple times.

Is it possible to run two monitors when your video card only has one port?

I.E, plug one into the video card and the other into the motherboard?

My Card has a port you can plug a TV into, if you have the right cable, but that sucks.:p I've got a newer intel board that's meant for custom computers, so my motherboard doesn't actually HAVE a video card built into it. I'd considered something like that yesterday, but realized that I have no built-in video. :-/

[SupSuper]

oh yeah! there's a button right there telling me which one gets to be the primary and which the secondary. and it works too! until I restart, shut down, hibernate, or anything else that involves making the computer not be the heater for my house during hot summer days.If you have a Nvidia or Ati card, they should have a control panel where you can configure which monitor is which as well.

[farazparsa]

I used to have dual monitors set up, it was mainly just for show. Didn't help or anything, it was just wierd to get used to.

The mighty beast WoW has released Akuryou from her grasp! Huzzah!

[yauhui]

Akuryou, the motherboard may be built for custom comps but is the video card?

even if it is some high tech branded AMD or ATI or nVidia or whatsoever, as long as it cannot support dual screens, then end of story.

besides, why would you want two monitors?

[Dimworm]

besides, why would you want two monitors?

Having two monitors is great for things like playing a game on one, and MSN on the other. Or you could have them setup to act as one, so you have an extra wide desktop - handy for Photoshop, etc.

[Akuryou13]

Akuryou, the motherboard may be built for custom comps but is the video card? I did SAY that it was the Nvidia 8800 GTX, didn't I?

besides, why would you want two monitors?many reasons. web browsing while playing games, for one. chat programs while playing games or watching DVDs, and other reasons. I have a monitor laying around collecting dust, may as well use it.

[Plasma]

Man, I wish a laptop monitor counted towards one of a dual monitor, but no. Another monitor just counts as a backup monitor, pretty much.

[SomePerson]

So if you turn it on with only the 23" but then plug in the 17" when it's on does it work? So it's just when it turns on it shows a preference for one over the other no matter which port they're plugged into?
besides, why would you want two monitors?

"Why do you even want to make it work?" is possibly the worst and most pointless answer ever to the question "I can't make this work." Sorry, but that's one of my pet peeves.

[Shockdude]

If you have a Nvidia or Ati card, they should have a control panel where you can configure which monitor is which as well.what he said
:p

you might also want to try updating the graphics card driver

[Akuryou13]

So if you turn it on with only the 23" but then plug in the 17" when it's on does it work? So it's just when it turns on it shows a preference for one over the other no matter which port they're plugged into?the only way I can get it to work is to turn on the computer without the 17" plugged in. once it's on, I unplug and replug the 23" (the 23" will no longer work once windows launches without first unplugging it and then replugging it), then plug in the 17" then go into the control panel and set it to clone monitor mode, apply the settings, then set it to dual monitor mode, apply the settings.

if the 17" starts off plugged in, it will work exactly as it's inteded to with absolutely no problems. the resolution is correct, it stays on the entire time, and I have no trouble with it. it won't, however, allow the 23" to be set as a secondary monitor. I can't even set it to dual-monitor mode if the 17" is plugged in and being used as the primary monitor. if I try, I'll click apply, the screen will turn black for a second as it's supposed to, then it'll reappear exactly the same as it was before and ask if the settings are ok.


and btw, for all of you like shockdude who are neither reading this thread nor have any idea what you're talking about when it comes to this problem, please refrain from posting. you're not helping with your "is it plugged in?"-level solutions. if you would read this thread you would know that already.

[farazparsa]

Hmm...what are the models? Perhaps some sort-of inconsistency.

My other guess would be something wrong with the registry that doesn't recognize both when one's in.

[Akuryou13]

Hmm...what are the models? Perhaps some sort-of inconsistency.

My other guess would be something wrong with the registry that doesn't recognize both when one's in.the 17" is a wal mart DCLCD monitor. the 23" is an Acer monitor. I kinda wondered if that was a possible problem, but know absolutely nothing about monitors, so I didn't really mention it.

any idea what to do if the registry IS the problem?

[yauhui]

I did SAY that it was the Nvidia 8800 GTX, didn't I?

Since each GeForce 8800GTX comes with two 6-pin PCIe power headers per card...

Its either that one of them is faulty or the OS is a tough nut to crack to get things your way.

the only way I can get it to work is to turn on the computer without the 17" plugged in. once it's on, I unplug and replug the 23" (the 23" will no longer work once windows launches without first unplugging it and then replugging it), then plug in the 17" then go into the control panel and set it to clone monitor mode, apply the settings, then set it to dual monitor mode, apply the settings.

if the 17" starts off plugged in, it will work exactly as it's inteded to with absolutely no problems. the resolution is correct, it stays on the entire time, and I have no trouble with it. it won't, however, allow the 23" to be set as a secondary monitor. I can't even set it to dual-monitor mode if the 17" is plugged in and being used as the primary monitor. if I try, I'll click apply, the screen will turn black for a second as it's supposed to, then it'll reappear exactly the same as it was before and ask if the settings are ok.

-...
-Two dual-link DVI outputs support two 2560x1600 resolution displays
-...

Its supposed to work fine! Try updating the driver, like what shockdude said.

Try getting advice from a computer engineer. The problem you are facing may be something we cannot fix.

[Akuryou13]

Its supposed to work fine! Try updating the driver, like what shockdude said.READ THE THREAD! christ! I swear none of you people know english....I'm using the 163.67 beta driver already. a driver doesn't get to be in beta unless it's brand new. now let's see if you can figure the rest out...

Try getting advice from a computer engineer. The problem you are facing may be something we cannot fix. already on hold with the Nvidia tech support (which is another part of the original post you've apparently ignored), but I've been told that I'm getting bumped to "level 2" tech support and that it'll take a few days to get an answer to me.....which means they don't have any idea what the fsck is going on and they need time to read the instruction manual :rolleyes: in the mean time, I figured I'd ask around here....though you'd know this if you read the first post.

[Akuryou13]

just uninstalled the old drivers, and apparently the basic non-nvidia drivers that come with vista are enough to allow me to use 1280x1024 on my 23", which is much better. still can't get back to 1680x1050 or use the secondary monitor, but it's a start.

[Cisken1]

My guess is one of the DVI outputs is busted or the link between them. It's strange when you say you switch them and they both work seperatley, could aslo be some interference between the two monitors, acer doesn't like competition ;)

Also, vista is indeed a ***** on getting two monitors set up.

And NEVER use beta drivers on vista - NEVER! believe me! I've done internship in a computer store and vista is a NO GO on beta drivers when it comes to video cards.

That's all the advice I can give, I hope tech support calls you back within the week... good luck on that anyway...

[Shockdude]

just uninstalled the old drivers, and apparently the basic non-nvidia drivers that come with vista are enough to allow me to use 1280x1024 on my 23", which is much better. still can't get back to 1680x1050 or use the secondary monitor, but it's a start.don't use beta drivers next time. they screw things up
try updating to the latest non-beta driver
:p

[Cisken1]

And NEVER use beta drivers on vista - NEVER! believe me! I've done internship in a computer store and vista is a NO GO on beta drivers when it comes to video cards.

don't use beta drivers next time. they screw things up
try updating to the latest non-beta driver
:p

Don't make me repeat myself myself!

[farazparsa]

the 17" is a wal mart DCLCD monitor. the 23" is an Acer monitor. I kinda wondered if that was a possible problem, but know absolutely nothing about monitors, so I didn't really mention it.

any idea what to do if the registry IS the problem?
If the registry is the problem, it depends on what kind of problem it is. Browsing the registry is like trying to find a way out of a maze with a blindfold. Wait for the tech guys to call back or try what Cisken said.

If you really want to try to find a needle in a haystack though, Start menu -> Run -> regedit.

[SomePerson]

(the 23" will no longer work once windows launches without first unplugging it and then replugging it)

Wait, so if I understand correctly, if you try and start the computer with just the 23" screen it won't work right? What did you do before you decided to go with dual monitors? If this is the case, this might have something to do with your problem...:-/

[Akuryou13]

Wait, so if I understand correctly, if you try and start the computer with just the 23" screen it won't work right? What did you do before you decided to go with dual monitors? If this is the case, this might have something to do with your problem...:-/when I decided to use 2 monitors. I went into the room with the box that contaiend the other monitor. I cleared off my desk, and I plugged in the monitor. I then turned on my computer, and everything's been **** ever since. I didnt' change anything anywhere, other than plugging it in. now the 23" won't work right, even without the 17" plugged in.

and for the beta driver thing, I'm no longer using the beta drivers.

[Cisken1]

My guess is one of the DVI outputs is busted or the link between them. It's strange when you say you switch them and they both work seperatley, could aslo be some interference between the two monitors, acer doesn't like competition ;)

Also, vista is indeed a ***** on getting two monitors set up.

And NEVER use beta drivers on vista - NEVER! believe me! I've done internship in a computer store and vista is a NO GO on beta drivers when it comes to video cards.

That's all the advice I can give, I hope tech support calls you back within the week... good luck on that anyway...

Also, try using the Omega Drivers (www.omegadrivers.com) they worked like a charm on my vista.

[SomePerson]

Or http://www.omegadrivers.net/ as the case may be. You linked to one of those domain harvester pages or whatever they're called.

[Cisken1]

whoops, sorry, it's .net indeed...

[Akuryou13]

I'm lost with that quote? what's omegadrivers and what's it for in relation to the problems I'm having?

[wormthingy]

I'm lost with that quote? what's omegadrivers and what's it for in relation to the problems I'm having?

have you read the site?
Both sets include:
Added resolutions, compatibility tweaks and more options than the normal nvidia drivers.
Good chance their tweaked drivers could fix it

[Akuryou13]

they don't have Vista drivers, apparently. at least not for NVidia.

[Cisken1]

Use the XP ones, they work on vista.

[Akuryou13]

Use the XP ones, they work on vista.I'll try that tonight. Nvidia is telling me that it's not their fault and that I should be asking windows for help. I told them it was their product, their drivers and their control panel that were screwing up and they then told me that they were "unable to duplicate your issues" and told me to shove off...good to know they're completely useless and not even TRYING to help me.

[Cisken1]

I'll try that tonight. Nvidia is telling me that it's not their fault and that I should be asking windows for help. I told them it was their product, their drivers and their control panel that were screwing up and they then told me that they were "unable to duplicate your issues" and told me to shove off...good to know they're completely useless and not even TRYING to help me.

Welcome to customer care...I work in a call center and we ARE jackasses.

Now if you install the XP drivers on vista make SURE you unistall ALL OTHER drivers and you remove you graphics card in your device manager first!

[Akuryou13]

Use the XP ones, they work on vista.no they don't :p they're not even registering as drivers at all. they're not being rejected, they're just not being actually installed, best I can tell.

edit: ok, now THIS is retarded. I just switched from the DVI to the VGA port on the back of my monitor, and now I'm having absolutely no problems with the widescreen. is that indicative of faulty DVI cables or faulty video card? anyone know?

[yauhui]

um, is your monitor a analogue (vga) or digital (dvi) monitor? if it works on the vga port, then that means you will need a vga adapter for the monitor to work on a dvi port (because i assume the monitor is analogue). (google is your best friend.)

[Akuryou13]

um, is your monitor a analogue (vga) or digital (dvi) monitor? if it works on the vga port, then that means you will need a vga adapter for the monitor to work on a dvi port (because i assume the monitor is analogue). (google is your best friend.)HOLY CRAP! REALLY!?! :eek: :eek: YOU'VE JUST BLOWN MY MIND! I MEAN, WOW!!

[Cisken1]

no they don't :p they're not even registering as drivers at all. they're not being rejected, they're just not being actually installed, best I can tell.

edit: ok, now THIS is retarded. I just switched from the DVI to the VGA port on the back of my monitor, and now I'm having absolutely no problems with the widescreen. is that indicative of faulty DVI cables or faulty video card? anyone know?

Well yeah, if you install them. Just crack open the package and let vista search for them when it says "new hardware found"

And it seems that (i've said this before) looks like the wiring in your vidcard is screwed.

[FutureWorm]

um, is your monitor a analogue (vga) or digital (dvi) monitor? if it works on the vga port, then that means you will need a vga adapter for the monitor to work on a dvi port (because i assume the monitor is analogue).

mind = blown

[franpa]

no they don't :p they're not even registering as drivers at all. they're not being rejected, they're just not being actually installed, best I can tell.

edit: ok, now THIS is retarded. I just switched from the DVI to the VGA port on the back of my monitor, and now I'm having absolutely no problems with the widescreen. is that indicative of faulty DVI cables or faulty video card? anyone know?

now you know not to make a vga monitor use dvi.

[Akuryou13]

now you know not to make a vga monitor use dvi.my how very inept of you! thank you for the advice!

[ShadowLord]

now you know not to make a vga monitor use dvi.

Fact.

...

:p

[franpa]

my how very inept of you! thank you for the advice!

i knew it would sound just as bad as yauhui's post above ;)

[Akuryou13]

i knew it would sound just as bad as yauhui's post above ;)
no no, your post was far better. yauhui just isn't very bright. your post was both unintelligent AND arrogant! FAR better than anything yauhui's posted.

[yauhui]

BUT I OFTEN USE THE BRIGHT CODE!

[Akuryou13]

BUT I OFTEN USE THE BRIGHT CODE!you know? on second thought. you ARE bright. as demonstrated to its fullest extent by your post.