Dual DVI LCDs

mrcrossroads · Dec 19, 2008, 04:52 PM

I recently purchased a 22" WS Acer to run as a dual setup with my 20" WS ViewSonic.

The issue I'm having is that when I start the PC every loads fine. In 30-45 seconds both screens turn orange and I have to power off using the power button and fire it back up. Then the process repeats.

I have an ATI Radeon 4850 video card running the 8.12's.

I discovered that the only way I can get the two working is by reinstalling the ATI CCC after every reboot, which is a pain in the ass. I've tried making the 22" the default monitor then the 20". Tried switching the cables as well.

Then I tried booting with only one monitor hooked up. It runs fine. With the PC on and everything fully loaded I THEN plug in the 2nd monitor. Again, BOTH screens turn orange and I have to reboot.

Everything seems okay in BIOS. Nothing is standing out espeically as far as dual DVI. I'm at a loss at the moment. Anyone have any experience with this happening to them?

Thanks,

Lowfat · Dec 20, 2008, 09:21 PM

Have you tried using the 8.11's to see if the issue still presists?

mrcrossroads · Dec 20, 2008, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowfat

Have you tried using the 8.11's to see if the issue still presists?

Hi, thanks for the reply. Yeah, I tried earlier today to go back to the 8.11s. Did the same thing. I found that if I need to reboot boot, I have to unplug one of the monitors then startup. I have to allow the PC to have been up and running for a good two minutes. THEN when I plug the other monitor in I have two displays. It's a real PITA but it beats having only one screen.

**dj_stick** · Jan 3, 2009, 12:49 PM

that's really strange, I've been running dual monitors for years on several different systems with no problems like the one you're describing, but the largest I've used is dual 19" TFTs over DVI - maybe that's part of it?

also make sure that both DVD cables are plugged in securely to your video card (might not be a problem, but doesn't hurt to check)

Judas · Jan 3, 2009, 03:46 PM

i'm running eight monitors and haven't seen the likes of that.

Now the only thing i can think of causing this would be a EDID information messup.

does it matter which monitor you only run to startup and then plug in the other... or do you startup with a specific one before plugging in the other.

you could try disabling auto detection of the monitors in the CCC and disable auto EDID information.

but this sounds really odd, orange of all things is really bizarre.

**kris23** · Jan 3, 2009, 08:53 PM

id buy a low end 4350 just to check if the issue persists, or just take a chance and RMA it. this doesnt sound normal.

Logla · Jan 3, 2009, 09:45 PM

Its a bit drastic but have you could try to rebuild the OS with the video drivers and CCC first and see if it repeats? If successful, then go on to install all the other drivers one at a time and trying to recreate the fault one driver at a time. My guess would be conflict of some sort between drivers and other software as you say you can plug the 2nd monitor after the machine has booted.

mrcrossroads · Jan 3, 2009, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_stick

that's really strange, I've been running dual monitors for years on several different systems with no problems like the one you're describing, but the largest I've used is dual 19" TFTs over DVI - maybe that's part of it? also make sure that both DVD cables are plugged in securely to your video card (might not be a problem, but doesn't hurt to check)

No, I don't think so. I've ran dual 24" setups at work and never had the problem. But I'm still using the 8.10's there. I found that if I just turn off one monitor while booting and wait for the desktop to fully load then I can turn the other LCD on and not have any issues. So at least I am getting around having to unplug it.

mrcrossroads · Jan 3, 2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

i'm running eight monitors and haven't seen the likes of that. Now the only thing i can think of causing this would be a EDID information messup. does it matter which monitor you only run to startup and then plug in the other... or do you startup with a specific one before plugging in the other. you could try disabling auto detection of the monitors in the CCC and disable auto EDID information. but this sounds really odd, orange of all things is really bizarre.

I checked the CCC and auto detect is already set to manual. You have manual or auto. And yes, the orange is a first for me too. I'll go ahead and test it with the auto detect ON and see if that makes a difference.

Thanks for the tip.

mrcrossroads · Jan 3, 2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logla

Its a bit drastic but have you could try to rebuild the OS with the video drivers and CCC first and see if it repeats? If successful, then go on to install all the other drivers one at a time and trying to recreate the fault one driver at a time. My guess would be conflict of some sort between drivers and other software as you say you can plug the 2nd monitor after the machine has booted.

Yeah, it's not so bothersome that I need to reformat. For now I'm just turning one monitor off when rebooting. When fully rebooted I turn it back and it works okay. It just bugs me because it's not the way it should work.

mrcrossroads · Mar 26, 2010, 03:13 PM

A year and a have later, sorry. Totally forgot I didn't update.

I ran the PC with this issue for a few more weeks then decided to upgrade the mobo, CPU, PSU and memory. Problem went away. Maybe it was the chipset, who knows. ANyway, that was two rebuilds ago and I have been running dually ever since. No issues.

Dec 19, 2008, 04:52 PM	#1
mrcrossroads HardwareHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 6 Rep Power: 0	Dual DVI LCDs I recently purchased a 22" WS Acer to run as a dual setup with my 20" WS ViewSonic. The issue I'm having is that when I start the PC every loads fine. In 30-45 seconds both screens turn orange and I have to power off using the power button and fire it back up. Then the process repeats. I have an ATI Radeon 4850 video card running the 8.12's. I discovered that the only way I can get the two working is by reinstalling the ATI CCC after every reboot, which is a pain in the ass. I've tried making the 22" the default monitor then the 20". Tried switching the cables as well. Then I tried booting with only one monitor hooked up. It runs fine. With the PC on and everything fully loaded I THEN plug in the 2nd monitor. Again, BOTH screens turn orange and I have to reboot. Everything seems okay in BIOS. Nothing is standing out espeically as far as dual DVI. I'm at a loss at the moment. Anyone have any experience with this happening to them? Thanks,

Dec 20, 2008, 09:21 PM	#2
Lowfat Xtreme Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Grande Prairie, AB, Can Posts: 4,254 Rep Power: 101	Re: Dual DVI LCDs Have you tried using the 8.11's to see if the issue still presists? __________________

Jan 3, 2009, 08:53 PM	#6
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,018 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Re: Dual DVI LCDs id buy a low end 4350 just to check if the issue persists, or just take a chance and RMA it. this doesnt sound normal. __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Jan 3, 2009, 09:45 PM	#7
Logla HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 3,311 Rep Power: 0	Re: Dual DVI LCDs Its a bit drastic but have you could try to rebuild the OS with the video drivers and CCC first and see if it repeats? If successful, then go on to install all the other drivers one at a time and trying to recreate the fault one driver at a time. My guess would be conflict of some sort between drivers and other software as you say you can plug the 2nd monitor after the machine has booted.

Mar 26, 2010, 03:13 PM	Thread Starter #11
mrcrossroads HardwareHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 6 Rep Power: 0	Re: Dual DVI LCDs A year and a have later, sorry. Totally forgot I didn't update. I ran the PC with this issue for a few more weeks then decided to upgrade the mobo, CPU, PSU and memory. Problem went away. Maybe it was the chipset, who knows. ANyway, that was two rebuilds ago and I have been running dually ever since. No issues.