Solved Radeon HD 6670 Dual Monitor setup not detecting 2nd monitor

[Nightscream]

Hello I basically need conformation that I'll need to buy a new monitor in order to have a dual monitor set up with my current system. I'm not super tech savvy so if you need any other info please let me know.

I have a Radeon HD 6670 with 3 ports, an HMID, VGA (which is my monitors type) and DVI. Each port has a stamp next to it that indicates what port type it is/supports (the VGA has a CRI stamp next to it though). My main VGA monitor works fine with the VGA/CRI port, but my second I have to use a VGA to DVI adapter and it's not working.

I've gone through a lot of forums, and found some conflicting information. So I really want to know is it possible to use a converter/adapter or will I need to just go out and buy a new monitor that has a DVI hook up?

I hope I don't need a new monitor, I'm on a very tight budget. (la sigh)

 

[Faladu]

I would try one of these before giving up on the monitor:

Rosewill 10ft. DVI-A (24+5) Male to HD15 VGA Male Analog Video Cable w/ Ferrites Cores, Model RCW-900 - Newegg.com

Forget adapters, you might not a have a compatible one, the DVI connector has many variants.

Look at that cable end and make sure it would fit on your video card's female DVI connector (it should), it's DVI-A (analog only) to VGA which is analog only....

More info:

http://www.datapro.net/techinfo/dvi_cables.html

http://www.cableorganizer.com/articles/dvi-connector-pinout.html

 

[Nightscream]

I think I understand what you're saying but a Male to Male cable won't work either. The VGA cable attached to my monitor (a 2003 ViewSonic VE155b) is a Male, and there is no way to change that.

(forget the above statement I found one of my newer monitors in the closet that has a detachable Male to Male VGA cable)

I was using this adapter on my GeForce GT520 and it just won't work on my Radeon HD 6670

Professional Cable High-quality DVI to HD15 Video Adapter - Walmart.com

and OMG as I'm writing this I just figured out my problem! It's not the right adapter! My female DVI port is a full 24 pin connection (DVI-I) where as this adapter is only a 12 pin DVI-A male connector.
Gawh! Rookie mistake! I'll pick up the right adapter tomorrow and see if that works.

 

[Nightscream]

I actually found the adapter I needed, I have things I don't even realize I have....weird.

And you were right it didn't work, So I went a head and ordered a DVI-I to VGA cable like you recommended (since I found my other monitor with the detachable connector wire as mentioned in the above post)and I'm hoping for the best. I ordered this one here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812119465

 

[Faladu]

Like I indicated, DVI adaptors can be confusing, I hope your new -I works, I was having u get an analog to analog so no grey area. -I is both digital and analog.

 

[Nightscream]

Like I indicated, DVI adapters can be confusing, I hope your new -I works, I was having u get an analog to analog so no grey area. -I is both digital and analog.

Well if the one I ordered doesn't work, I'll just return it and request the one you recommended. I WILL have my duel monitors back, having just one is killing me after being spoiled like that! hehehe.

 

[Nightscream]

Well after a week of waiting I got my DVI-I male to VGA Male cord and.......nada, nothing, blank screen. So I did a bit more research in various forums and found out the GPU I'm using even thought the DVI-I should run both analog and digital it will only run digital. That's kind of misleading isn't it?

Well any who....I was cleaning my main monitor and discovered that it has a HDMI port, so considering HDMI cables are rather in expensive I'm going to see if that route will work.

 

[stormy13]

The problem is your card only supports VGA via the VGA port, there is no VGA capability at all from the DVI port when using an adapter. The only way to get it to work is to us a DVI to VGA converter, as you need something to convert the digital (DVI) signal to analogue (VGA). The adapters and cables you have been using only on DVI ports that also support VGA.

Also a VGA splitter won't work unless you want the same thing on both monitors.

 

[Nightscream]

Thanks, Stormy13. Well after all that hassle the HDMI cable worked and I have duel screens again. Yay!