Solved Video Card- Dual Monitor

[ben946210]

I recently bought an MSI R6850-PM2D1GD5/OC, and cannot get the second DVI or HDMI ports to work. I am not sure if I am doing something wrong or if something needs to be enabled. As far as I have seen on other cards, you connect a cable and it displays. I bought this refurbished and am hoping there isn't something wrong with it.

As always, any help is appreciated.

 

[profdlp]

Go to the Display section of Control Panel, highlight the second monitor, then pick "Extend Desktop..."

 

[ben946210]

It doesn't show that, almost like it doesn't detect that it's connected.

 

[profdlp]

Does it show up in Device Manager? How about the little LED on the monitor itself - is it in it's "regular" color or its "standby" color. In Device Manager, have you tried highlighting the Computer (at the top) and Action>>Scan for hardware changes? What about drivers - got a recent Catalyst going?

 

[ben946210]

Thanks for replying, I didn't check the device manager, but I will when I get a chance. When connected, the monitor sits in sleep mode, so it isn't receiving any signal at all.

 

[profdlp]

While you're in there make sure that the old video card has been properly uninstalled. In fact, it's best to uninstall your current drivers (even if they are up to date) through CCC, reboot, then reinstall them from scratch.

 

[stormy13]

Quick question, how are you connecting to the DVI ports? DVI or DVI to VGA adapter?

 

[ben946210]

Quick question, how are you connecting to the DVI ports? DVI or DVI to VGA adapter?

I am using DVI to VGA on both monitors.

 

[ben946210]

I didn't mention this, but I tried connected my main monitor to the secondary port and restarted without the other connected. If it was working, wouldn't it have shown something(even the BIOS)?

 

[stormy13]

That would be why they won't work. You can only connect the adapter to one of the DVI ports for it to work, the other port is DVI only. It is also why the monitor cuts out when you use the VGA adapter, as the HDMI port and the DVI port that supports VGA both share the same RAMDAC on the card. From the specs for that card,

Video Output Function

• DisplayPort x 1​
• Dual-Link DVI-I x 1​
• Signal-Link DVI-D x1​
• HDMI x 1​

The single link DVI-D port is the only one of the two that supports VGA via adapter.

 

[ben946210]

Hmm, that's unfortunate. At least I am relieved that the card isn't bad. So if I am understanding you correctly, I cannot use VGA and HDMI at the same time either? Also, I have never used HDMI on a video card before, does it have audio on it too.

 

[stormy13]

I cannot use VGA and HDMI at the same time either?

Correct. Also pretty sure that you can't use the HDMI port at the same time as the DVI-D port even when connecting via DVI.

I have never used HDMI on a video card before, does it have audio on it too.

Yes it does. The driver for it is included with the video driver, and should show up in the Windows display properties as "AMD HDMI Output". Just need to set it as the default device to have audio over the HDMI connection.

 

[ben946210]

Thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it