Installing Dual LCDs

[tenshiv]

Here's my problem and excuse me if this is not the proper place to ask this question. This is my first build and the first time I'm attempting to run two monitors on one rig. I'm having trouble extending Windows on both monitors. Here are my specs:

17" Dell LCD Digital Ultrasharp
ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe
AMD 64 3800+ Athalon X2
2 - EVGA 6800GS 256
4 - Corsair XMS 512MB
550W Sunbeam PSU
2 - Western Digital 250GB Raid 0
Windows XP Pro
Thermaltake CL-P0296 RT CPU FAN
Samsung DVD Burner
Samsung CD Burner
Artic Silver 5
Raidmax ATX-911WR Case
Sony Floppy

One monitor displays the other is blank. This is what I've done so far:

Installed drivers for graphic cards.

SLI is active.

Tried to setup dual monitors through Window Display Properties. Both LCDs are recognized but only display #1 is working. One LCD is plugged into each VGA Card on the digital side. When I click to extend Windows desktop to LCD #2 and click apply, it reverts to being unchecked.

Switched digital cables on VGA Cards. Only the LCD on VGA Card #1 displays. Both LCD are functional

After the system goes into screen saver and returns both monitors display identical desktops with the mouse moving identically on each monitor. When I try to extend Windows under Display Properties it reverts to one blank LCD.

Tried to use Windows troupleshooter.

What else can I try or what am I doing wrong?

Thanks for your help, TenshiV

[twoeyes]

Hmm i've never used dual monitors but I think there is a checkbox to extend the windows desktop to this screen or something... Should appear when you're looking at monitor #2 (the inactive monitor)

[ffzen]

Have/can you try plugging both monitors to one video card

[chops]

Are you using ATi cards? If so, you may have to go into the "Catalyst" program, select the second display and "Enable" it before you can do anything else.

Again, I say that you "may" have to. I know that's what I had to do with my Radeon 9600. However, I'm also running both my 17" and 19" LCD's off of a single card.

[hi_its_ryan]

I had heard that you cant currently run 2 monitors and have sli enabled concurrently

[ajrettke]

I think you just plug both monitors into one card with SLI enabled...then right click on desktop and choose extend desktop on the second monitor....

[ffzen]

I had heard that you cant currently run 2 monitors and have sli enabled concurrently


If you have sli enabled, you can't run 4 monitors.

[tenshiv]

Here's the answer to my question.

I installed nVIDIA driver version 61.1 that came with my Dual VGA EVGA 6800GS 256-P2-N389-AX R. This version came with my cards. This version does not support dual monitors.

I went to the nVIDIA website (http://www.nvidia.com/page/home.html) and went to the download drivers page (http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp). From there I made my selection for the type of driver I was looking for. In my case it was Graphics Driver/GeForce and TNT2/Windows XP/2000. That brought me to the download page for nVIDIA driver version 84.21 (http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_84.21.html). I then downloaded the driver to labtop and burnt a CD copy. Next I uninstalled the old version 61.1. Restarted the rig. Installed version 84.21 and restarted again. Went to Display Properties by right clicking and chosing Properties. Went to the settings menu. Made some adjustments. Viola!!!

By the way I have each LCD plugged on each VGA. Hope this helps someone along the line.

Tenshi