Dual display problem with GeForce 8400 GS

[CharlC]

Hi guys,

I've tried a search but can't seem to find anyone who has had this problem.

I'm trying to to a dual display set up and the monitor that is connected to the DVI says it isn't getting a signal.

I have swopped the monitors and they both work. I have also tried two different types of VGA-DVI adaptors. One with some pins and one with all the pins. I'm not sure what the different ones do.

I think the problem is either with the graphics card or the adapter I'm using.

Any advice?

Windows 7
GeForce 8400 GS
2 x Benq T902HDA

 

[vinodh]

Make sure you have the proper Nvidia drivers and not the buit-in Windows 7 driver. Then go the the Nvidia Control Panel and select the display settings you want.

 

[kayvee]

A BIOS setting perhaps?

 

[SouthBit]

Is the DVI port blue or white? The blue will work on an analog VGA monitor with the DVI-VGA adapter (the adapter with fewer pins), but the white DVI ports are digital only and will not work on an analogue VGA monitor, even with an adapter.

 

[CharlC]

Proper nVidia drivers installed. Still no luck.

South_Bit: It's white. So that means that it won't work with an adapter at all? Do I have any other options?

 

[Pada]

The DVI-D ones cannot be used in conjunction with a DVI->VGA adapter, because they don't output an analog signal. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface for more details.

 

[CharlC]

So I need a new graphics card, or a screen that has a digital port.

Thanks guys

 

[CharlC]

OK, I checked and I have a colleague that is using dual monitors through an adapter to a white DVI port. That shouldn't be possible, right?

 

[cerebus]

Have you actually added the second monitor in Windows?

 

[SouthBit]

Usually the card has 2 outputs, one blue ane white (let's ignore what connector it is as this point, be it VGA or DVI as we change that with an adapter). The blue will provide an analogue output and the white a digital output. What monitors do you have, is one older than the other? I would use the white output on the newest monitor as it's likely do be digital (DVI), and use the blue (VGA) to connect up the older monitor as it will be analogue.

Give some more information. What are the monitors you are using? What inputs do they have, colour and connectors?

 

[cerebus]

Before doing anything exotic, go to screen resolution (in windows 7) and hit Detect.

 

[Pada]

You'll either have to get a new screen with digital (DVI) input, or you'll need to get another old graphics card with VGA & DVI-I outputs.

Game has an incredible special on a Dell 23" screen with digital + analog inputs:

Dell ST2310 23" LCD @ Game for R999, matt screen.

 

[Rudimental]

This is never specified, does the card run fine with a single monitor plugged into the DVI port with the adaptor?

 

[Pada]

Julle mense help net die arme persoon van die wal af. Sy graphics card se DVI port het nie analog out EN beide sy screens het net analog in!

CharlC: you might be able to get a cheap/old PCI/PCI-E graphics card that you can install, in addition to your GF 8400GS, which should allow you to run 2 analog screens.

 

[vinodh]

Actually, we don't know for sure if that DVI port has analogue out or not. The OP has not confirmed by plugging in a monitor by itself into the DVI port with the converter and without another monitor in the D-Sub.

I currently have a monitor using a DVI to D-Sub converter in use right now. Works fine. One thing that also helps is to make sure you select what display options you need in the NVidia control panel eg. extend desktop, clone view etc. Just plugging a monitor in does not always work.