Probably a newbie question about Dual Screen - Tech Support Forums

Aisle2 · August 13th, 2007, 10:54 PM

Hey everyone,

So here's the deal. I have a mobo that has a built in graphics card (NVidia GeForce 7025) with a vga and a dvi output. I have two not-so-new vga lcd's and I am trying to run dual monitors. I have tried using a dvi to vga adapter (two difference ones actually) and a dvi to vga cable, but my computer won't recognize whichever monitor is plugged into the dvi port. I've tried restarting the CPU, tried with only the dvi port plugged in, but it still won't be recognized. I've read reviews on the mobo and it does support dual monitors.

When I go into the NVidia control panel where it says "set up multiple displays" and I'm looking for the dual monitor option, but it always says "Use only one display (single)" and their are no other options to choose.

Here are some of my specs:
Mobo: BIOSTAR TForce TF7025-M2 (link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138074)
Graphics: built in to mobo, see above link
OS: Win XP

I've tried a VGA to DVI-Analog adapter, and a DVI-I to SVGA adapter (I don't know the difference)

Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

Colin

KarmaKiller · August 13th, 2007, 11:08 PM

Well, I can't find anything that says it supports dual monitors. Maybe check in your bios, and see if there is a option for onboard video settings. Might be in there.
Also, have you checked to see if you have the latest bios..

Aisle2 · August 14th, 2007, 01:04 PM

I read the comments for the mobo on newegg and people said it works fine for dual monitor. Any ideas?

Colin

KarmaKiller · August 14th, 2007, 06:05 PM

Have you got the latest bios from Biostar? Try that and see if it works.

And you checked your in your bios, and made sure there is no option that you have to change also.
Double check to make sure you have the latest NVIDIA drivers also.

Another thing is, if the DVI port doesn't work with just one monitor, then I think you have a motherboard issue. It should at least work with one monitor. I don't know how long you've had the board, but you should be able to RMA it. It's a newer model, and I don't imagine the warranty is up yet. But you'd have to double check that.

Post back if you find out anything.
I'm really running out of ideas on this one.

carl33p · August 14th, 2007, 07:00 PM

Does each moniter work with the VGA port? (This would be to make sure that BOTH moniters do WORK)

If you have a 'native DVI LCD', try it out. Maybe the port "doesnt like" the adapters.

Aisle2 · August 14th, 2007, 07:57 PM

Thanks for the responses, here are some answers to your questions:

1. I've tested both monitors in VGA and they work fine individually.
2. I don't have any native dvi monitors unfortunately.
3. Here's what my mobo mfg. says about the BIOS update" WARNING: Updating BIOS is not for everybody. If your motherboard is working okay, we do not recommend any BIOS update. Biostar is not responsible for any consequence as result of BIOS updates." so I'd rather rule out anything else before I try to update the BIOS.
4. Here's all the video info I could find in the BIOS, let me know if the settings sound OK. Video is set to EGA/VGA (other options are CGA 40, CGA 80, Mono). The PCI/VGA Pallette Snoop is Disabled (can be enabled).
5. I downloaded the most recent NVidia drivers a few days ago.
6. The mobo mfg. tech support person I talked to said something like this "there are 2 kinds of adapters, analog and digital. You need analog" but I couldn't find such thing as a digital adapter, only analog.

Thanks for any responses. I'm heading out of town in a couple of days and it would be great if I could figure this out soon.

Colin

KarmaKiller · August 14th, 2007, 08:20 PM

Quote:

so I'd rather rule out anything else before I try to update the BIOS.

I think I'm at that point. Carl or someone else may have something else to add, but I myself would just update the BIOS. Is there actually a newer version then what you are currently running?
If so, I would update the bios, it can only help in this situation. It won't (or at least shouldn't) hurt anything, and may possibly help you out.

But like I said, that's just what I'd do, it's your system. Maybe someone else has a different idea though.

nemowolf · August 14th, 2007, 08:27 PM

Well, i dont know if this was covered, but have you tried just using your DVI port and not using the VGA for output? If you cant get a signal out from just that port being used alone, you may indeed have a mobo issue and not a video issue.

All manufacturers have that warning to my knowledge as a precaution from people asking for refunds, etc for not properly flashing their BIOS. Make sure you read the directions carefully PRIOR to doing any work and print them out if able. I once got stuck halfway through a flash and didnt remember something, to the store i went for a new Mobo. Learn the hardway ...

carl33p · August 14th, 2007, 08:51 PM

Since you dont have ANY other way to test the DVI port, its one of the only possible solutions left.

In the end, if the DVI port is "defective," and you dont want to RMA the motherboard: you could always buy a 30$ Graphics Card to support dual moniters.

Also, it seems that some DVI ports DO NOT support adapters.
Read the reviews for this card. It doesnt.

nemowolf · August 14th, 2007, 09:17 PM

Ive heard of finicky cards that dont like some brands/models of adapters but never outright does not support them.

That is definitely something cheap.