Solved Dual monitor setup hdmi to vga on 2nd monitor shows nothing

[iamdaveb]

I have the 2nd setup through a vga to hdmi cable but it just sits there black with "check signal cable."

2nd monitor is an lg2241

Tried:

- multiple re-boots
- downloaded a driver from LG but don't see that it did any kind of install. Double clicking it's zip file opened it and clicking on the three files did nothing but open gibberish code.
- at screen resolution I see multiple displays and I have it set on extended.
- Clicked detect and identify
- #2 says display device on vga
- tried unplugging and reconnecting the cable (hdmi to vga)

I'm lost. SOS!

lol!

Thx,
Dave

 

[stormy13]

Dave welcome to the Seven Forums.

That cable won't work unless the VGA port on the computer/laptop supports digital (highly unlikely), as VGA is an analogue signal and HDMI is digital. To get it to work you would need some kind of converter not an adapter, which that cable essentially is.

Assuming this is your monitor,

LG E2241V-BN: 22" Full HD LED LCD Monitor | LG USA

is says it has a VGA port on it. If it does then just use a plain old VGA cable.

 

[iamdaveb]

"it says it has a VGA port on it. If it does then just use a plain old VGA cable."


Using that vga port for the 1st monitor is using it. It's a View sonic 1080p and all I see is vga there.

So you're suggesting a vga to hdmi converter?
1080p HDMI Male to VGA Female Video Converter Adapter Cable for PC DVD HDTV New | eBay

Would that do the trick?

Many thanks,
Dave

 

[stormy13]

That should do it. I would be more inclined to go with something like this (feel free to look for cheaper, etc),

SYBA SD-ADA31040 Plug & Play VGA to HDMI Converter with Audio Support, 1920 x 1080 Resolution Supported - Newegg.ca

that uses a USB connection to power it. Reason for saying that is I have seen numerous reports of HDMI ports not providing enough power for the self-powered converts to work. Just eliminates a possible need to return and order another.

 

[iamdaveb]

Hmm, ok so I would use the usb to power it and then could I use the current cable I have - hdmi which was going into my pc to vga to the monitor. So I wouldn't be using the vga of 3.5mm ends on that cable.

Or would I need to buy a new vga to vga cable and use it with this converter?

I have to go about 10-13' so the supplied 4 or 6' isn't long enough. I currently have the vga to hdmi cable that is long enough. Hoping to use it with this converter.

Thanks again.

 

[leejosepho]

I currently have the vga to hdmi cable that is long enough...

Maybe try putting an HDMI-to-VGA adapter on the end of that cable so you have VGA at both ends.

 

[GokAy]

Some monitors have a button to select input mode (I know mine does). I guess it should auto-select but you never know.

 

[iamdaveb]

Sorry to prolong;

The newegg description reads:

"This is an integrated VGA & Audio to HDMI converter. It will convert a VGA source to a HDMI display"

Same as on another cable I found:

"Important Note: converter is NOT bi-directional. It only converts from VGA to HDMI."

I believe I'm looking to do the opposite. I have monitor #1 going out of my only current vga. So I'm using the hdmi port to hopefully connect monitor #2. Problem is both monitors are both vga input only.

So I need something to go out of the hdmi (and possibly have a usb power to help power it if needed) and into the vga of my #2 monitor.

2 vga monitor's and only 1 vga output on the pc.

So I would think I need to go out of the hdmi into some sort of hdmi to vga converter (rather than vga to hdmi converter which I am assuming these are) and use some sort of adapter to go into my vga monitor.

 

[stormy13]

Sorry about that, you're correct in needing one going the other way. Something like this one,

Amazon.com: Generic HDMI Input to VGA Adapter Converter For PC Laptop NoteBook HD DVD: Electronics

should do.

More here,

Amazon.com: HDMI TO VGA: Electronics

 

[AddRAM]

Why are you using VGA at all, can you give us a shot of the io shield of the back of the computer, or at least a link to the motherboard or a link to the PC, your description says nothing, can`t help you unless you give the details.

Example of io shot:

 

[iamdaveb]

All I have are several usb, 1 vga and 1 hdmi outs. The 1 vga is going to monitor #1 so other than some usb contraption I figured I was left with hdmi.

Y cable for vga just duplicates the same signal.

Might be possible to get a better video card with more outs also. But possibly the cable suggested:
Amazon.com: Generic HDMI Input to VGA Adapter Converter For PC Laptop NoteBook HD DVD: Computers & Accessories

would work and be less expensive.

 

[AddRAM]

Yes, you need to get a graphics card, something by EVGA in the 960 series.

EVGA - Products - Graphics - GeForce 900 Series Family - GTX 960

Could you please work on filling out your specs more thoroughly, and you should really get rid of AVG, it`s pure garbage.

All you need is MSE and MBAM, both are free.

Microsoft Security Essentials - Microsoft Windows

Malwarebytes | Download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free

 

[oscer1]

just to note if you went new graphics card route you might need to get a new power supply as well. but we would need to know whats in the computer now.

 

[iamdaveb]

Rather than getting a graphic card (which I am willing to do if I have to) wouldn't this item:
Amazon.com: Generic HDMI Input to VGA Adapter Converter For PC Laptop NoteBook HD DVD: Computers & Accessories
and a new cable solve the situation?

AVG? Don't remember bringing that up, but I'll take your advice and ditch it for the two mentioned tomorrow. Thx a lot folks.


Dave

 

[AddRAM]

You have AVG listed in your specs, that`s why I brought it up.

The link you provided shows an HDMI to VGA converter, I thought you wanted to go from VGA to HDMI ?

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Manhattan-177351/19415347

Watch this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYi__xzfct0

 

[leejosepho]

...I have...1 vga and 1 hdmi outs. The 1 vga is going to monitor #1...

At least you do not need a new graphics card. My old machines only have VGA out.

 

[stormy13]

Why are you using VGA at all

2 vga monitor's and only 1 vga output on the pc.

A new card isn't going to help the at all, seeing as both monitors are VGA only. He'd be right back in the same situation seeing as a new card will only have one VGA out (native or via adapter from a DVI port).

I'd give that converter from Amazon a try.

 

[iamdaveb]

You have AVG listed in your specs, that`s why I brought it up.

The link you provided shows an HDMI to VGA converter, I thought you wanted to go from VGA to HDMI ?

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Manhattan-177351/19415347

Watch this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYi__xzfct0

Thanks, I have one vga on my pc. But I need to hook up two monitors that have only vga inputs. So, my plan is to hook up monitor #2 via the hdmi out on the pc - assuming that would work.

Earlier someone suggested this cable:
Amazon.com: Generic HDMI Input to VGA Adapter Converter For PC Laptop NoteBook HD DVD: Computers & Accessories

which I believe would connect to the hdmi out on my pc and I would then connect a vga cable to that and run it to monitor #2.


I'll uninstall the avg now and install the 2 items recommended and see if anyone will confirm that this plan of using the above mentioned connection would work.

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it.

 

[iamdaveb]

I asked on amazon about using that cable and the seller replied:
"generally, you can HDMI out into your monitors only if your computer have HDMI output.but this adapter on sale will not help.
because this adapter's VGA is female, your monitors VGA is female .too.
so you need find a VGA male adapter."

I replied:

Would I just use a male to male vga cable to connect to it and then to my monitor? A basic vga cable is male to male so it seems like the connection part would work easily.

Seems odd... I know tons of folks use dual monitors and certainly I'm not the only dude with one vga port on a pc and 2 vga monitors.

 

[leejosepho]

Seems odd... I know tons of folks use dual monitors and certainly I'm not the only dude with one vga port on a pc and 2 vga monitors.

All of my machines have one VGA only, and I work around that by adding a video card. At that point, I can use either the VGA or the HDMI of the video card to connect a second monitor and then tell my OS to do dual display. Something like an nVidia fx6200 will be about the least-expensive card you can get that will work well with any Windows OS (and let you select separate resolutions for the monitors, if needed or desire) as well as with Linux (other than some older distros that do not do dual display).