three monitors two video cards

theomms

Member
Nov 3, 2004
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Dell XPS gen3
XP home sp2

card 1: nvidia 6800gto (PCIe) -for monitor 1 and 2
card 2: XFX geforce fx5200 (PCI) -for monitor 3

monitor 1: Dell 2001fp (DVI LCD)
monitor 2: Dell 2001fp (DVI LCD)
monitor 3: NEC LT260K (analog VGA projector)

Software: ultramon 2.6

i have been using the two Dell LCDs for almost a year, no problems. i am, trying to add my NEC projector as well as another video card(fx5200) to run the projector. i cant get it to work. Here is what i have done:

  • -not related to this upgrade i have just re-installed a fresh version of XP sp2 and have installed all updates as well as the .NET 1.1.
  • -the computer works with the two dell DVI LCDs (that is how i am posting this) with only one video card installed (PCI Express 16x 6800gto)
  • -i installed the fx5200 card in an open PCI slot. re-booted. XP recognized the card; installed drivers, and then asked for restart
  • -restarted. made it to "windows loading" screen...pow!...BSOD
  • -removed fx5200 PCI card and rebooted. got to the same place...BSOD
  • -heart sank
  • -started in safe mode reinstalled drivers for 6800gto PCIe card. restarted in normal mode everything was back to where i started
  • -expierienced bitter-sweet relief
  • -next i retried the above process (except the fresh OS) but this time i used a different PCI slot for the fx5200...BSOD
  • -expirienced the rage of my own ineptitude, ignorance, and inability to make this infernal machine fuction the way in which i desire
  • -searched for infomation to aid me at all my usual places
  • -decided to change bios settings to make the fx5220 PCI the primary video adapter. widows boots...no BSOD!...continues loading...loading...loading...$hit! it froze!
  • -cried a solitary tear, but did not whimper.
  • removed fx5200 PCI card. changed bios back to boot to PCIe as primary. back to where i started...agian
  • posted problem in the video section of anandtech

so what am i doing wrong?
Is it a problem with compatibility?
Mobo?
monitors?
windows setting?
luck?