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Solve : Two Cards, Two Monitors?

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I have two video cards, one's an nVidia 5700 and the other an ATI Radeon. I have two monitors, one plugged into each card. Both video cards are seated, updated, and are working properly. The monitor on my nVidia (my primary card) works fine, but on my Radeon (my secondary card) the monitor isn't detected.

If anyone has any suggestions I'd appreciate it.
ThanksGo to Control Panel, Display, and select the Settings tab. You should see two rectangles representing the two monitors. Do you see them? Click the one marked 2 and then check the BOX for "Extend my Windows DESKTOP onto this monitor." Click Apply and OK.

Note that you can change the position of the monitors in that screen so that it agrees with the actual physical positions of your monitors.http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/expert/dunn_03august11_monitors.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/northrup_multimon.mspx
These might come help full when you got your monitors fixSoybean, the problem is that the second monitor isn't there under the settings tab.What did you mean in your original POST when you said both monitors are working correctly? Were you talking about Device Manager? Is the nVidia card AGP, and the ATI PCI? Prior to the two-card configuration, were you using the nVidia card alone? Does your MOTHERBOARD also have onboard video?

How many PCI slots do you have? Which one is the ATI card in? Make and model of your computer?Ok sorry. I meant both of my video cards are seated and are fuctioning properly, according to Device Manager. Both monitors I know work, but only one monitor is being detected when I have both of them plugged into my computer (the one through the nVidia card). Yes the vidia is AGP, and the ATI PCI. Yes, prior to the two-card config. I was using just the nVidia card.

There are (going of photograph memory) 5-6 PCI slots on my motherboard, the ATI is in the slot just below my nVidia. The computer was built from scratch, I do not know the make and model.I asked what PCI slot because it can make a difference. I recently installed a second video card in a Sony VAIO desktop. I initially installed the card in the second PCI slot below the AGP slot. Even though Device Manager showed the second display adapter, the display was not working right. I removed the card in put it in the top PCI slot. That worked.

Usually, the top PCI slot is the best choice and you already have the card in that slot. So, I don't know whether trying other PCI slots would be worth trying, but it might be. On my home machine, I have two cards installed, and my PCI card is not in the top slot.

Also, do you have any documentation on your motherboard? If so, check it for info on BIOS settings related to video.

Try running a diagnostic tool called dxdiag. Go to Start, Run, and type dxdiag in the Run box and click on OK. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool that appears should show a separate tab for each display. I'm curious whether yours will show both displays.

For another forum, one entirely devoted to multiple monitor configurations, visit http://www.realtimesoft.com/multimon/forum/topics.asp?forum=1&tmpl=.

I'll try things out and see if any work, thanks a lot.Well you were right, the second display didn't show up in the dxdiag. So I am probably going to try putting the card in a different PCI slot. Since the top slot (all together) is filled with my AGP, should I just try random spots or what?QUOTE

... Since the top slot (all together) is filled with my AGP ...
You've got me a little puzzled by that comment. You only have one AGP slot; it's a different color than the PCI slots, and it is not aligned with the PCI slots; it's offset from them. Here's a reference with some good info on APG and PCI video cards, and the link on the page for Figure 13.2 and Figure 13.3 show some good images of these slots.

Yes, I would try installing the card in other PCI slots. You might just go down the column, trying at least the top 3 slots. Do you have any other PCI cards (sound card, etc.) installed?

I'll be away from my computer for most of the day but will check back here when I return.
My sound card I know is an nVidia, that's all I could tell ya. Sorry to confuse. I understand now. I have many slots, but the metal sheet is stuck onto the case, and I only have two spots where I can remove it, and one of them has a messed up screw. But I'll see what I can do, and if I get it to work I'll let you know. Thanks a lot.


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