Only get 1 of my 2 monitors when Win7 boots

[captnorm]

I'm not sure this is the best place to post, but will try here.

I've been using dual monitors for a long time w/XP & for a few months Win7 Pro. All of a sudden, when I re-boot (or cold boot) Win7, I get the bios tag lines & the Microsoft screen with the moving bars on both monitors. Then get the desktop on my primary monitor and "no signal" message on the secondary monitor, & it stays black. If I bring up "adjust resolution" and "detect", both monitors get my desktop. "Multiple Displays" is set to "extend these displays".

Has anyone else seen this, or does anyone have any idea on how to get both monitors the way they used to be? If I boot XP (have dual boot), both monitors behave as they should. Btw, I'm running an ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro vid card.

Thanks,

Norm

 

[computersplus]

have you tried lowering the resolution to test

 

[captnorm]

I just reloaded the video driver & got a new version. After re-boot, I see the same problem.

I also reduced the resolution on both monitors (saw the change) & rebooted. I still see the same problem.

 

[computersplus]

try removing and reseating the video card itself

 

[mpcrsc562]

same thing here, but i never knew it was a "problem." it happened to me as well when i ran vista. i never had a dual screen setup when i ran xp so i can't speak of xp. i though that was the way it was... as soon as i logon, both screens come up no problem. (ati set up here too)

 

[computersplus]

I am using HD 2600 Pro also dual screens and have never had an issue with Vista or 7

 

[computersplus]

are you using 32 or 64 bit

 

[captnorm]

are you using 32 or 64 bit

I'm using 32-bit.

Regarding re-seating the vid card, I don't think it's a hardware problem. If it were, XP would have the same problem.

Thanks,

Norm

 

[computersplus]

are you using 32 or 64 bit

I'm using 32-bit.

Regarding re-seating the vid card, I don't think it's a hardware problem. If it were, XP would have the same problem.

Thanks,

Norm

this is true but i always reseat the card and check power connections to the card in dealing with any video issues

 

[computersplus]

are you using a windows installed driver or one from ATI

 

[computersplus]

i am using driver version 8.681.0.0 date 11/24/2009 Windows 7 32 bit HIS Radeon HD 2600 Pro

 

[mpcrsc562]

I'm not sure this is the best place to post, but will try here.

I've been using dual monitors for a long time w/XP & for a few months Win7 Pro. All of a sudden, when I re-boot (or cold boot) Win7, I get the bios tag lines & the Microsoft screen with the moving bars on both monitors. Then get the desktop on my primary monitor and "no signal" message on the secondary monitor, & it stays black. If I bring up "adjust resolution" and "detect", both monitors get my desktop. "Multiple Displays" is set to "extend these displays".

Has anyone else seen this, or does anyone have any idea on how to get both monitors the way they used to be? If I boot XP (have dual boot), both monitors behave as they should. Btw, I'm running an ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro vid card.

Thanks,

Norm

same thing here, but i never knew it was a "problem." it happened to me as well when i ran vista. i never had a dual screen setup when i ran xp so i can't speak of xp. i though that was the way it was... as soon as i logon, both screens come up no problem. (ati set up here too)

i'm not trying to diminish your problem, but is it really a problem? as i stated with my setup (not in exacting detail, but here goes): when i first boot, i get the post screen on both monitors. during boot up and showing the "windows is starting" screen, i receive a signal to both monitors. when the logon screen shows, i only have a signal on the primary monitor. when i logon, both screens have a signal. i'm running a 64-bit version of 7, with two ati radeon hd4870s in crossfirex. the way my computer starts now, is the same way it started in vista. i never had a dual monitor config running xp, so i don't know how to speak on that. so my question is: is dual screen working fine when windows is running, and if so, is it really a "problem" that there is only one screen showing a picture on the logon screen? my best GUESS is that that it has something to do with how the ati drivers interact with windows, but that is only a guess.

 

[marktherob2010]

Hardware is flaky. Try changing monitors (flipping) cables just to make sure monitor isn't fried. Happened to me.

 

[captnorm]

I appreciate all the help & suggestions you are giving me, but I believe if it was a hardware issue, XP would also demonstrate the issue.

Last night I got the ATI driver directly from their web site, dated 11/24/09--sure it's the latest.

It's not a major problem for me, just a big inconvenience. I had my email automatically come up on 1 screen and another important program on the 2nd screen immediately after boot. Now I need to get to the desktop, get to screen resolution, click detect, drag my 2nd screen's program to the 2nd screen, make my email active again. All this used to work perfectly a few days ago, just stopped working. Didn't install any new programs. All I'm trying to do is see if I can get back to my really convenient setup.

Thanks again,

Norm

 

[mpcrsc562]

i apologize...
i thought your statement was that you had only one signal at the LOGON screen--only after re-reading just now did i see that you get no signal when you get to the desktop. again, my apologies.

i'd say, first, check marktherob2010s post. second, i'll get back...

 

[captnorm]

Well, I have my problem solved, wish I could tell you why it broke. I suspect something got corrupt. I restored a month old Acronis TI image & both monitors work exactly how they should. I did learn a lesson: should do image backups of the system drive more often. Luckily, none of my data (Documents, bookmarks, desktop, photos, music, important files...) are on C:, they all reside on other drives.

I do thank all of you for your help.

Norm

 

[computersplus]

great problem solved then!