Dual monitor issue, secondary monitor is undetectable

I have just did a clean install of Windows 7 ultimate from XP and I am unable to get my dual monitors to work like they did in XP.

I have a DVI Radeon graphics card plugged into the agp slot, and a Nvidia geforce vga adapter plugged into a pci slot of my dell optiplex 755. When I am in the screen resolution settings the second monitor cannot be detected.

In bios I have 2 options under primary video adapter and they are auto, and onboard card. When set to auto the Nvidia card gets a signal but the Radeon does not. There are no conflicts in the device manager, and all of the drivers are up to date.

When I change the bios option to onboard card the Radeon adapter gets a signal but the other monitor cannot be detected and in device manager there is a yellow exclamation mark next to Standard VGA adapter and a code 10 error that states the device could not be started.

I have powered down, and unplugged every cable, I also tried to use the integrated VGA adapter to the Intel G31/G33/Q33/Q35 Graphics Controller but the computer will not even boot. I get
"System Halted
Attention Unsupported Video Configuration Detected"

I have two monitors, both work fine as standalones but Windows will not detect either as a secondary.

Please help me someone, I am so used to having my helpdesk email open in one monitor and all of my other work in the other monitor.

Welcome!

Try updating your card drivers. Go into Device Manager and right-click on your display adapter.

I suspect that the cards are too old, though. We will see.

~Jonathan

If the motherboard already has onboard video, why the third (nvidia) card? Can't you use the Radeon and the onboard as a secondary output?

Can't you use the Radeon to drive both monitors?

Hi guys, hope I'm not hijacking thread but can't find any help anywhere else, including Dell support, not...
I have a similar problem but I have the need for three monitors. I added a dual output VGA/DVI radeon along with the already on board VGA card. However whenever I boot up I get this message;

"Attention: Unsupported Video Configuration Detected Action is Required This computer has an add in graphics card, but the monitor cable is plugged into the integrated video connection.
To attach the monitor cable to the add-in graphics card;
1, Shut down the computer,
2, Plug the monitor cable into the add-in graphics card connector, this may require a video adapter or video adapter cable, [Provided with the system]
3, Turn on the computer,
This message should not appear after completing these steps, for more information or help, please refer to the system docs'
Press F2 to run setup
Press F1 to resume"

However if I press F1 all works fine so is the configuration really unsupported I don't understand?
and how do I get the system to boot without the inaugral F1 press.

Thanks in advance.

Dell Inspiron 560MT running Win 7

Truth be told I'm surprised that the onboard is working at all with a dedicated card installed, as in most case the onboard gets disabled when a dedicated card is detected. That said have a look in the bios, if present should be under Advanced. Can't tell for sure as Dell doesn't want to make it easy and put up how to get around in the bios,

Documentation

What you are looking for should look something like this (unless Dell has managed to mangle the bios like they are known to do),



If you do find something like that try and arrange it so that the video card is the primary adapter, and then that message should go away.

@stormy13, thanks for that info. Looked into the Dell BIOS and I have set the LG monitor which is connected to the onboard VGA as the "Initial display" however still get the messages and have to hit F1 to get the PC to boot. Not the end of the world I know but frustrating all the same.

I know the image is probably illegible but it matters not a jot which video device is set as default, onboard or PCI where Radeon is I still get incorrect configuration message and have to hit F1 to continue boot up.

Like I said surprised that it works with both the card and the onboard at the same time, as on most motherboards the onboard gets auto-disabled when a video card is detected. I have a feeling that as long as it is working, the F1 step may be something you have to live with.

P.S. Hope you are using the card as the primary and not the onboard (bios settings aside), as the weakest video card from ATI or Nvidia will still be worlds better than anything Intel based.

Yeah got the Radeon set as Initial display, thanks again. Feel happier now that I seem to be LUCKY that they all work.