dual monitor help

[i7weenie]

i just started running dual monitors and for some reason my second monitor randomly goes black. when i try to launch counter-strike source, or anything else, it just goes black and when i move my mouse around, nothing happens. i have to turn it off the turn it on again for it to work. any suggestions?

 

[Billb2]

In order to run on two or more monitors the software (game or whatever) has to be written to take advantage of multi-monitors. Most game do not have this capability.
Your game is disabling your second monitor, as most do.

 

[i7weenie]

but that doesn't explain why it just randomly shuts off and wont turn back on.

 

[Billb2]

Originally posted by: i7weenie
..second monitor randomly goes black. when i try to launch counter-strike source

Hmmm??? Does that mean it randomley shuts off or that it shuts off when you try to launch counter-strike? How's English class going?

If it randonley shuts off, the game may be overtaxing your computer. If it shuts off whenever you start the game(s), it may be the games (as I stated above) or the game(s) may be overtaxing your computer.

System specs?...in your sig.

 

[i7weenie]

Originally posted by: Billb2

Originally posted by: i7weenie
..second monitor randomly goes black. when i try to launch counter-strike source

Hmmm??? Does that mean it randomley shuts off or that it shuts off when you try to launch counter-strike? How's English class going?

I'm pretty sure I typed it right, all I didn't do is capitalize "When" in the second sentence. And as I was typing this, the screen just went black randomly, would it just go to power save mode and turn off the other monitor? Also, sometimes when I am using programs on the second monitor, it will just go black. Could it be stressing out the GPU/CPU?

 

[JBT]

Most games do NOT turn the 2nd monitor off... they should simply leave the monitor on and show the desktop or what ever app is going on. This is of course depending on which type of multimonitor configuration you have.
Multiview- expands desktop or clone shows and idential desktop.
I'm not sure what is going on in your case if its set as mutiview. Something is most likely wrong with the video card or its drivers. If you use clone mode I can see it going blank whenever a game is launched.

 

[i7weenie]

Right before the monitor turns off I notice the screen sorta shaking as if it is refreshing at the right rate or something.

 

[nullpointerus]

Could this be the infamous DVI problem where one DVI connection stops working?

Google for "DVIRecover" -- there's an .exe to run and/or a procedure to reset the monitor.

 

[i7weenie]

it is actually attached via VGA because I don't have an extra DVI slot...should I try anyway?

 

[nullpointerus]

No, DVIRecover will not help, but you could try the power cycling trick:

1. Turn off the computer and monitors.
2. Disconnect everything (including power cable) from the blinking monitor.
3. Wait ten minutes.
4. Reconnect everything and see if the problem remains.

Another thing to try is posting in xtknight's LCD sticky thread or amending your thread title asking for help trying out custom timings with PowerStrip (shareware?). IIRC, sometimes adjusting the "porch" values has stabilized monitors. IOW, I have seen such threads but have no personal experience with the problem.

You could also try disconnecting both monitors and using the blinking monitor as your primary (and only) display for a few days. If the problem exists, then at least you have eliminated multi-view as the source of your problems...

Otherwise, your problem is probably a failing monitor, cable, or video card.

The power cable might even be at fault. I once had a satellite modem with a faulty power cable (of all things!).