Second screen not working

[drteeth]

One more potential idea. Before you go to the effort of reinstalling Windows, you could try to do a system restore to a date before the problem developed. If the reinstall is going to work, that probably should as well.

Okay, two potential ideas - does the monitor have a function that allows you to select which input it displays? I really doubt that would be it, but I'm just trying to go through everything.

 

[Gormy]

When you get into doing a system restore I get a bit nervous. Does that pose risks of losing all my saved files from beyond the restore point through today? Is there a risk of corrupting anything on the computer?

Unfortunately, no. There are no functions to allow me to select inputs. These are basic, older monitors.

 

[drteeth]

Also, someone on another forum seems to have come up with a strange work-around to a similar problem:

windows 8 hdmi output not working when connecting to a monitor or tv solved!!!! [Archive] - Windows 8 Forum - Windows 8 Forums

 

[drteeth]

A system restore will not delete any data. Files that you have saved, either modified or created, will remain as you left them. However, any programs that you have installed since the date you select will be gone, and likewise, any windows settings that you have changed will revert.

 

[alphanumeric]

When you get into doing a system restore I get a bit nervous. Does that pose risks of losing all my saved files from beyond the restore point through today? Is there a risk of corrupting anything on the computer?

Unfortunately, no. There are no functions to allow me to select inputs. These are basic, older monitors.

No, system restore does not delete saved documents, pictures etc. The stuff in your Libraries is unaffected. When you select a restore point there should be an option to click and it will list all the effected programs. You can undo a restore too and go back to what it is like now. Assuming system restore doesn't fail in the process that is. If it works as advertised you should be fine.

 

[drteeth]

Another idea... Could the resolution setting on the second display somehow have gotten changed to something that the monitor doesn't support? Maybe try changing the resolution for that monitor to 1024x768 and see if that makes any difference.

 

[alphanumeric]

I'd still like a web link to the "new cable" he bought, or at least the make and model number. Exactly how its hooked up would help too.

 

[Gormy]

A system restore will not delete any data. Files that you have saved, either modified or created, will remain as you left them. However, any programs that you have installed since the date you select will be gone, and likewise, any windows settings that you have changed will revert.

Any tips on how to complete this? I don't want to be responsible for messing up a nearly new work computer by doing it wrong.

 

[Gormy]

I'd still like a web link to the "new cable" he bought, or at least the make and model number. Exactly how its hooked up would help too.

I can't find a link for the one I purchased, but that one is not being used anyways so it doesn't apply. I'm back to the original adapter which is working, in a sense, that the computer recognizes the second monitor, just doesn't display on it.

 

[Gormy]

Another idea... Could the resolution setting on the second display somehow have gotten changed to something that the monitor doesn't support? Maybe try changing the resolution for that monitor to 1024x768 and see if that makes any difference.

I have changed the resolution between all the settings. None of them will display. I have also changed the frequency hz and that does nothing as well.

 

[alphanumeric]

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4692-system-restore-how-do-windows-8-a.html

 

[Gormy]

I am only able to go back three weeks. It looks like I missed my chance to find a restore point from a few months ago.

 

[drteeth]

You could try a repair installation before you go to a full reinstall:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/26095-repair-install-windows-8-a.html

It's not supposed to remove data, applications or apps from the Windows Store, but I would probably take the opportunity to back up all your data first anyway.

 

[MCapeling]

I'm having a similar issue. Had my pc about 3 weeks and was running my LCD tv as the main screen and my dell monitor as my 2nd screen. If I changed the source or turned my tv off it would flick over to my monitor. My PC ran an update over the weekend and noticed an AMD Driver warning message. The PC then stopped running duel screen and not playing through my TV. I managed to do a restore and the PC started playing though my TV again but my Dell monitor was just black. When I check my hardward in the control panel there is a yellow warning symbol. I run trouble shooter but it can not find the problem. The symbol for my dell monitor is flashing in and out. In the device manager screen everything was flashing in and out. I managed to uninstall my display driver and reinstall it but same issue. I then noticed the my AMD Catalyst Centre App had vanished. Managed to reinstall that and when I tried to detect my screens both screens just went black and flash in then black again for about 20 mins or so. I managed to turn my pc on and again my TV had stopped working. I have managed to get it working again but my dell monitor is still black. I tried using my Samsung 22in TV as my 2nd screen though the monitor cable and I have duel screen. I noticed this morning that I have no sound through my TV from my PV that runs through a HDMI lead. I didn't have a chance to check the sound settings but I do have sound though my stereo that is connected via a phono jack. Really have no idea what has happened to it other than an update ran. Really did not take any effort setting up duel screens when I got my pc and did not even have to use the AMD Catalyst Centre.