Second screen not working

Gormy

New Member
Messages
14
Hello everyone,

New to the forum. I apologize if this thread has been covered in the past (I'm sure it has), but I haven't found anyone with the exact same problem.

I am on my work computer, a DELL desktop with Windows 8.1, and I've been using a dual monitor setup for months, both with Windows 8 and 8.1. One monitor is connected via the VGA input, and the other is through a VGA to HDMI adapter. Again, they've been working flawlessly for months. It was a plug 'n play setup that took a minute and never had an issue.

I came in today and the second screen was blank. In the screen setup menu it recognized it and allowed me to adjust between extending, mirroring, etc. But after I unplugged it and plugged it back in, it no longer recognizes it. It simply cannot find a second monitor plugged in. Both screens work when plugged directly into the VGA port separately but not when plugged in the way they've worked for months.

Any ideas why it would suddenly change like this?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Widows 8.1
What happens if you just have one monitor plugged in through the HDMI port? If the system doesn't recognize displays plugged into the HDMI port at all, you should try to test it with a different VGA to HDMI adapter, and if it still doesn't work, I would try removing and reinstalling your video drivers. Failing that, I would suspect a problem with your video card.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Crappy old Dell
    CPU
    Core 2 Duo e8500 3.16ghz
    Motherboard
    G33M02
    Memory
    3gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8600gt
What happens if you just have one monitor plugged in through the HDMI port? If the system doesn't recognize displays plugged into the HDMI port at all, you should try to test it with a different VGA to HDMI adapter, and if it still doesn't work, I would try removing and reinstalling your video drivers. Failing that, I would suspect a problem with your video card.

Thanks for the tip. Both my monitors are VGA. I do not have one here that is HDMI. That's why I have been using the adapter.

If I have just the one monitor plugged in through the adapter into HDMI, the monitor does not work.

Maybe it's just the adapter. Do these things have a short life? I would think it should be better than four months. That's why I wondered if an update or some other change that happened to my computer over night kicked it off and now it won't recognize a second screen.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Widows 8.1
Could you plug the computer into a TV using an HDMI cable? If that works, the HDMI to VGA adapter is bad. Honestly though, I think the likelyhood of an adapter like that suddenly becoming bad is pretty small.

Does your video card have just the two connections?

Also, have you tried removing and reinstalling the video driver yet?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Crappy old Dell
    CPU
    Core 2 Duo e8500 3.16ghz
    Motherboard
    G33M02
    Memory
    3gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8600gt
Could you plug the computer into a TV using an HDMI cable? If that works, the HDMI to VGA adapter is bad. Honestly though, I think the likelyhood of an adapter like that suddenly becoming bad is pretty small.

Does your video card have just the two connections?

Also, have you tried removing and reinstalling the video driver yet?

I cannot plug the computer into a TV as this is a work computer. My video card does have just the two connectors. I have not tried uninstalling and reinstalling the video driver. I am not a huge computer whiz (although I do get by with decent knowledge) and I don't know enough of what to do, and I don't want to risk screwing this thing up.

All I know is I really need to have two working screens to do my job efficiently and this is already becoming a hindrance.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Widows 8.1
In that case, I think you need a technician at this point, or at least someone who can try reinstalling the driver for you.

Honestly, my guess is that the video card in your computer is flaky, and will need to be replaced.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Crappy old Dell
    CPU
    Core 2 Duo e8500 3.16ghz
    Motherboard
    G33M02
    Memory
    3gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8600gt
In that case, I think you need a technician at this point, or at least someone who can try reinstalling the driver for you.

Honestly, my guess is that the video card in your computer is flaky, and will need to be replaced.

That would certainly suck since the computer is four months old. I'm hoping it's the $8 adapter. I'll probably try replacing it first. When I checked for a video driver update yesterday there were none. Today there was one, but after updating it still did not work. I have a feeling the adapter is garbage.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Widows 8.1
It could possibly be the adapter, but...

I worked in a computer repair shop for a year, and I have seen hardware fail within one month of installation. The good news is that it should be covered by warranty for at least the first year! If it isn't the hdmi/vga adapter, I would just take the machine to whoever sold it and have them make it right.

Good luck!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Crappy old Dell
    CPU
    Core 2 Duo e8500 3.16ghz
    Motherboard
    G33M02
    Memory
    3gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8600gt
Unplug and then re plug all the cables going from the PC though the adapter to the monitor. Just to make sure they are all connected firmly. If you have a second PC to test the adapter on I would. Same make and model would be ideal. That may tell you if its the adapter or the video card. If memory serves me, HDMI doesn't have a analog signal like DVI so your adapter has to actually create the VGA signal. That means it has some electronics in it that could be failing. Your standard adapter like what is used to go from DVI to VGA just has wires in it, so there isn't much to go wrong, it works or it doesn't. Does that PC have a DVI output?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
I tried the adapter on another computer at work and it did not work. Same Dell computer, same age, same OS, etc. I also took it home with me and tried it on a laptop with an HDMI output that I know works (I've had it connected to my TV recently), as well as a VGA connection that is used daily with a second monitor (so I know the graphics card is working) and the computer did not recognize the adapter either. I'm hoping that is the culprit.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Widows 8.1
Sounds like the adapter quit to me.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
I think you're lucky.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Crappy old Dell
    CPU
    Core 2 Duo e8500 3.16ghz
    Motherboard
    G33M02
    Memory
    3gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8600gt
I just bought a new cord for the screen. This time I bought a cord with VGA at one end and HDMI at the other, rather that use the cord that came with the computer and use an adapter. It still does not work.

I'm not sure what to check next. As I was plugging it in this morning I remembered an issue that arose a few days before it stopped working. I log into a remote server and use that server on one screen and I use Windows on the other. Before the screen stopped working I started getting an error message (through the server I was logged into, not through my regular desktop) that had to do with C++ installing updates. But it never completed the task. Again, that was through the remote desktop server, not through my own desktop, and the remote desktop has nothing to do with my screen setups.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Widows 8.1
I just bought a new cord for the screen. This time I bought a cord with VGA at one end and HDMI at the other, rather that use the cord that came with the computer and use an adapter. It still does not work.

I'm not sure what to check next. As I was plugging it in this morning I remembered an issue that arose a few days before it stopped working. I log into a remote server and use that server on one screen and I use Windows on the other. Before the screen stopped working I started getting an error message (through the server I was logged into, not through my regular desktop) that had to do with C++ installing updates. But it never completed the task. Again, that was through the remote desktop server, not through my own desktop, and the remote desktop has nothing to do with my screen setups.

Do you have a web link to that cord? If it's just a "cord" with no electronics, I can't see how it could work? VGA is an analog signal and HDMI does not supply an analog signal. DVI does but HDMI doesn't, not as far as I know anyway. It's digital only.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
I just bought a new cord for the screen. This time I bought a cord with VGA at one end and HDMI at the other, rather that use the cord that came with the computer and use an adapter. It still does not work.

I'm not sure what to check next. As I was plugging it in this morning I remembered an issue that arose a few days before it stopped working. I log into a remote server and use that server on one screen and I use Windows on the other. Before the screen stopped working I started getting an error message (through the server I was logged into, not through my regular desktop) that had to do with C++ installing updates. But it never completed the task. Again, that was through the remote desktop server, not through my own desktop, and the remote desktop has nothing to do with my screen setups.

Do you have a web link to that cord? If it's just a "cord" with no electronics, I can't see how it could work? VGA is an analog signal and HDMI does not supply an analog signal. DVI does but HDMI doesn't, not as far as I know anyway. It's digital only.

The adapter I used worked just fine for months. It must have whatever it needs to transfer the signal from analog to digital.

Update: Online chat help yesterday with Dell remote connected to my computer and removed all the graphics drivers, reinstalled and updated the Bios. Did not work. They informed me it has to be a hardware issue and that the HDMI port is faulty.

Today the field technician came out and replaced the board and it still did not work. Tells me it has to be a software issue.

I call Dell after he leaves and they try telling me it's the monitor (even though both work separately through VGA). Then they tell me they don't know what it is and I have to reinstall Windows 8.

I've never had issues with Dell customer service before, but these guys are starting to annoy me. The one on the phone was arguing with me and asking me three times how old the monitors are (even though I told him after the first time that I do not know as they were here before I started).

Not sure where to go from here.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Widows 8.1
Ok, but you said "I just bought a new cord for the screen. This time I bought a cord with VGA at one end and HDMI at the other, rather that use the cord that came with the computer and use an adapter. It still does not work." I read that to mean the new cord replaces the adapter that used to work but doesn't now? That's why I asked for a link
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Hey Gormy,
I imagine you've already looked at this, but what does it say in the "Multiple Displays" field in the Screen Resolution control panel? With both monitors plugged in, right click on your desktop and select "Screen Resolution". It should be set to "Extend these displays".
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Crappy old Dell
    CPU
    Core 2 Duo e8500 3.16ghz
    Motherboard
    G33M02
    Memory
    3gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8600gt
There is also a little utility you could try called HdmiYo ver 0.1.1.

I have been running it for a few years due to occasional connectivity issues with an HDMI connection on my Win7 machine, and this has worked well to force the handshake. I don't know how it will work with Win8. This is the only place I can find to download it:

https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=bd28802b18ac2b0c&id=BD28802B18AC2B0C!143

After installation, press Ctrl-Space to force handshake.

I think that's all I've got!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Crappy old Dell
    CPU
    Core 2 Duo e8500 3.16ghz
    Motherboard
    G33M02
    Memory
    3gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8600gt
Thanks for the tips drteeth. I have tried extending the displays. Here's a few more steps I've tried. I went back to my adapter and read somewhere to always plug the HDMI end in first before plugging in the VGA end on the monitor. I did that, and it now detects the second monitor again. It shows up as the second one, has the monitor model number in the drop down box in the Screen Resolution box, and allows me to extend the displays. I can run the mouse off the main screen onto the second screen, however, there is no display. It is stuck in power save mode. If I swap the monitor VGA cords, the second one works and the main one does not. So I know it's not a monitor issue. I also tried downloading your utility and pushing Ctrl-Space. The main screen blanks out for a second and turns back on, but nothing with the second screen.

So that's where I'm at now. Second monitor detecting but not displaying. Stuck in power save mode.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Widows 8.1
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