Solved Monitor display goes out unless projector is powered on

[ponymom05]

I just upgraded one of our classrooms to a Dell Optiplex 380 running Windows 7. We have many of the model 380 running Windows XP. This is one of the first few w/Win 7. I connected a projector to the unit with an Ultima SXGA Monitor Y-cable. This allows what is on the desktop to show on the projector screen. I am not looking to do a dual-display, just a mirror of the desktop. This has always worked fine with Win XP on the same model.

If I power up the computer w/o powering on the projector, I get no display on the monitor. As soon as I power on the projector, my monitor display comes on. If I then power off the projector, my monitor display will stay on for about 3-4 minutes, then goes blank. Again, if I then power on the projector, my display comes back.

We cannot leave the projector on all the time as it shortens the life of the bulb and the teacher obviously does not always want to display what is on her screen for the class to see (email, etc.). She has been simply disconnecting the projector from the Y-cable and using her monitor until which time she wants to use the projector. A band-aid, not a solution.

Thinking it may be a hardware issue with the onboard video, i brought in another of the same model and it did the same thing. I tested same model, only running Windows XP and it DID NOT blank out. This makes me think it is a Windows 7 issue, but I am not familiar enough to know what.

Everything I have found online to try does not work. Since I do not really have 2 separate displays (the Y-cable acts as one), the extended desktop and dual display solutions don't apply. Dell online chat suggested I need an additional video card that allows for dual display. I can't ageree with this since I can use the same setup in Win XP and it works fine. This really has me baffled. Has anyone else seen this?

Thanks

 

[Brink]

Hello PonyMom, and welcome to Seven Forums.

You might see if using Windows Key + P to select between "Computer Only" and "Projector Only" display modes may work in this situation.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2019-display-projection-switch.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[ponymom05]

Thanks, I've tried that. Didn't make a difference.

 

[ponymom05]

I finally found the solution to this. I put on a USB powered splitter and it works great. I didn’t even know they made them!! Thanks for your help.

 

[Brink]

That's great news. I didn't know about that either.