Solved Windows 8.1 Can't do an "Extend Display"

X703jko

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Just upgraded to 8.1. Now, it won't let me extend my desktop to a second display like I had with 8.0

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks. Jeff
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Why? Are you getting any errors or will it not detect your second display from your graphics card outputs?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I think it's not seeing the other display. Both device drivers are showing in Device Mangler but only one display.

when I do a windows-p command, it gives me the option to exten, but when I click on extend, nothing happens.

Also, the display (Acer) thinks it's connected since it isn't going into sleep mode.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Has your display been powered up and connected ever since? Try unplugging it from the power source and your PC tower for about a minute or two, then plug it back in and check the settings again. I had some brief issues after upgrading to 8.1 with my dual monitor display, but the fix was as simple as explained.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Can you connect each of the 2 display's individually with success? (ie. They show your Windows desktop.) And there's no warning symbols beside either monitor entry in your device manager?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
As I said, I didn't have this problem with 8.0 No hardware was changed. It's just not finding the monitor
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Only the main monitor shows up in the device mangler.

That's the problem then, how is the extended display configuration supposed to display to 2 devices if the (assumed) Generic PnP Monitor driver is not installed for one of the monitors? :) If only 1 is showing, that secondary display will never be recognized.

You may need to reboot your machine with the monitor (whose driver is not installed yet), unplugged completely. Then after Windows starts, try plugging it in. It *should* install those drivers for you, so I don't know what to tell you. I had to try a few times from what I remember. It was pretty flaky to be honest.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
There are video drivers AMD Radeon HD 7700 and Intel HD Graphics 4000.

How do I install the Generic PnP monitor?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
There are video drivers AMD Radeon HD 7700 and Intel HD Graphics 4000.

How do I install the Generic PnP monitor?

You're not looking in the right location even. It's under "Monitors" in your device manager, not "Display adapters" or wherever you're looking..

As mentioned, it should do that automatically when you plug that monitor into the back of your graphics card outputs. You've got probably, 2 DVI or 2 HDMI that you're using from that card I presume? Maybe VGA?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Your display doesn't have a power source does it? (;)) That keeps it in standby mode so that you don't have to have your PC on to actually turn the monitor on? :)

I would unplug it from that as well btw. I had an odd LG monitor that required me to do this.

*You did not mention doing this, so I'm double checking, lol. You may not even have to reboot. Just as long as the monitor itself can power up on it's own from being completely off, not running on any draining capacitors, etc....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Nope. Plugs right into 110 VAC. And it's powered up

Unplug it then, it's the same thing really, mainly the difference between direct AC and converted for DC or whether or not the box that plugs into the electrical outlet does other things as well. But you still want that monitor to be off.

If it doesn't work after having everything to the monitor unplugged (*all cables*), then we'll have to look at something else to try obviously.. But first you need to try this suggestion.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
You may have to search for supporting 8.1 drivers for your monitors. You say "Detect" didn't work in the Screen Resolution window from the control panel or did you try yet?

edit: What monitor currently is the one that doesn't have the display? (Model number)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Detect didn't work.

Acer X203H

It's a plug and play monitor. Don't see why it wouldn't work... So is my ASUS monitor, but I had an issue getting it to work at first. The fix for me was simple though, and it's not even the same monitor.

Link: Acer | Download

Search for the X203H, and download the drivers for it. Then try again. I'm off to bed, work tomorrow, but I will see any results you post tomorrow morning first thing. I'll see what I can do to help further based on your response.

Good luck :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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