Dual Screen problem

[Lee`]

I've been having a problem with my video card, where it doesn't recognize the second screen. I've tried changing between the ports and it seems to be port specific(not a cable or monitor problem). I tried the latest drivers (after this problem started), and that only fixed it for a restart. Should I consider rolling back drivers until I find a set that work or should I clean out the drivers then try again? If so is there any program or best way to go about it?

[Lee`]

When i booted up this morning, the second screen was displaying the boot up information, but when windows came on it went black. Then, Nvidia control panel recognized the screen but nothing was being displayed.

[pauldarkside]

Dumb question, but you have enabled both monitors in the NVidia Control Panel right? Under "Set up multiple displays" are both monitors checked?

Edit: It might help in future if you added a bit more information. You make no mention of what hardware or software you're using which makes it harder to provide assistance. Might be helpful to at least add your computer configuration to your Hexus profile

[Mblaster]

Dumb question, but you have enabled both monitors in the NVidia Control Panel right? Under "Set up multiple displays" are both monitors checked?

This is what I was about to recommend, since you said the second screen displayed the bootup information then switched over in windows then I'm pretty sure there's no hardware problem. It does that because your second screen is plugged into output number 1 on the graphics card, but once you boot into Windows it reconises the monitors and uses your main screen.

[Lee`]

Right, so it's a geforce 7900GS, using the latest drivers 185.85. Both screens enabled in the nvidia control panel, and in a separate config (ie independent res for each) but it doesn't work in clone mode either. Windows XP SP3.

I thought I had my computer in my profile, let me see what happened to that.

EDIT: it just wasn't enabled. It's a Dell Dimension 9200, and probably not formatted for about a year now, which I suspect could be the issue.

[Lee`]

This is what I was about to recommend, since you said the second screen displayed the bootup information then switched over in windows then I'm pretty sure there's no hardware problem. It does that because your second screen is plugged into output number 1 on the graphics card, but once you boot into Windows it reconises the monitors and uses your main screen.

Not solely the second screen, both displayed boot up info, then only the primary monitor after that.

[Lee`]

It seems the problem is intermitting, the second screen sprang into life last night, and was working after a restart this morning, but then after running a game in windowed mode the second screen stopped working suddenly and all the active windows in the second screen were transferred to the primary screen. Then after re activating it in windows display options it came back on, opened the game again and the screen stopped working again but this time it wouldn't come back on.

Perhaps the graphics card working too hard and turning off the second screen to compensate?

[Lee`]

Now after leaving it for a while after closing the game it's come back on again.

[Shaunbarlow]

If it ever happens again, run Driver sweeper in safe mode, and get rid of your old versions of nVidia drivers, and install the latest ones. This can also increase chances of getting support with problems, too.

[RADCOM]

I don't think many games are supported in dual screen mode. It seems to be working as it should I'll try on mine over the weekend.