I know what it is, I've had it set up for years, my monitors are working-they identify properly, I can drag a window from 1 to 2, but I cannot see my mouse pointer on monitor 2. I've tried everything, short of replacing the video card (i shouldn't have to, it sees the monitor fine) I have, run updates(none found), switched the monitor for another known good monitor, ect. I am nearly an expert in PC's, I just can't figure this one out. It stopped working yesterday for no reason.
Once again, I can see what's on the monitor, I can drag a window there, I just cannot see my mouse pointer when I try to go there. Where can I look for information-I have googled this for two days and I get nothing except how to set up multiple monitors-I already did that successfully. Thank you in advance for your help. Sincerely, KarenHave you tried downloading updated video drivers for your video card? This isn't the same as running Windows Updates. If you have an nVidia card, go to http://www.nvidia.com. If you have an ATI card, go to http://ati.amd.com. Thx, yes, there were no updates, only their "control tool", which I downloaded and ran, and I says everything is working properly. ATI Radeon 7500 series.Yikes...I've always had driver problems with ATI Radeon cards older than the 9800 series (the 9800 series and up = all good).

In fact, every card before the 9800 series that I've tried with dual monitors, I've had problems ranging from BSODs to one monitor going nuts. Granted, others' mileage may vary, my EXPERIENCE with those particular models hasn't been the best...

You could try switching monitors (put the one you have as Monitor 1 in the port for Monitor 2 and vice versa). If the exact same monitor is having that problem, then it's the monitor. If the opposite monitor is having the same problem, then it's your video card or its drivers. Also check the monitor cables and make sure none of them have bent pins within their connectors...

FAILING the above, try a different video card. Borrow one from someone ELSE or another PC and see what happens.

Thank you very much, I switched the monitors and the problem must lie in the video card. I will switch video cards in a few days, bummer. As I said, it seems weird that the only thing not working on monitor two is the mouse pointer, otherwise it checks out OK. You're right, it must be the card. I just wanted to be absolutely sure I wasn't missing some setting in Windows XP. But I know this operating system extremely well so I'm glad I ran this by you guys.
This is my first time in a forum like this, I hope to become a regular-not with problems- with solutions. ThxOK, it's now back the way it was-I mean it fixed itself. Intermittent problem? We'll see, I have done nothing to it and it's fixed-you guys are amazing, ha, ha.
I still plan to change the video card, THOUGH. Thx again-I know, I'm nuts!if possible you could reduce hardware acceleration for that monitor's card.

in the Display Settings dialog, on the settings tab, click the Advanced button. On the dialog that then appears, choose the "troubleshoot" tab. reduce the SLIDER by one notch (which disables hardware rendering of some bitmaps and the cursor). Apply and reboot. This should make things less annoying until you are able to replace the card.
OK, so far so good, I followed your advice, (decreased the acceleration) and it seems OK for now, thank you. It does mention "mouse pointer" problem. Is it possible that I was using too much "juice" on my USB ports? I have a Dell Dimension 8200, Pent. 4, CPU 2.26GHz, 2.25GHz, 1.00GB of ram. Just a thought, thx againQuote from: lunadon on February 22, 2010, 05:56:59 PM

Is it possible that I was using too much "juice" on my USB ports?