Dual head video and primary display

[Robin Walker [MVP]]

This problem is observed with a Matrox Millenium G550 but
might be of more general applicability.

The video card can support two monitors, one VGA, the
other DVI. It has the following properties, which
apparently cannot be changed:

1. If the DVI device is connected, it becomes display 1,
and the VGA device becomes display 2.

2. If the DVI device is not connected, the VGA device
becomes display 1.

In our application, the DVI connection is for a Barco
projector, and the operator's console is on the VGA
connection. Thus Windows had to be configured so that
the Windows primary display is display 2 (the VGA device).

The difficulty arises if the connection to the Barco is
not present: the video card now makes the VGA device into
monitor 1. Windows boots up normally, but the VGA screen
(now display 1 instead of display 2) remains blank, and
does not display the logon screen - presumably because
Windows is trying to put the logon screen on display 2,
which is not present. Because we cannot get past the
logon process, we cannot change the video settings to
make the VGA display the primary display again. In fact,
the PC becomes unusable, and we are locked out of Windows.

What we need is some keyboard shortcut that will work
before login, that can cause Windows to toggle its
primary display setting. Any ideas?

 

[Andre Cruz]

Hello,

You might try something that is with a DVI-Analog (VGA) converter, connect
the Analog Monitor to the DVI exit... and then change inside Matrox
application there is something related to DVD Max you can try to change
there.

 

[Bob Qin [MSFT]]

Hi Robin,

Thanks for your posting here.

Andre's suggestion is great!

Robin, you can also contact Matrox to check if they have any related
display software for this display card. Maybe it can be loaded with Windows
and provide the function for user to change the display mode easily by some
shortcut key.

Have a nice day!

Regards,
Bob Qin
Product Support Services
Microsoft Corporation

Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security

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[Robin Walker [MVP]]

-----Original Message-----

Andre's suggestion is great!

Not really: it is non-negotiable that the DVI digital
output must be used to feed the Barco, it is no use down-
converting to analog VGA.

you can also contact Matrox to check if they have any
related display software for this display card. Maybe
it can be loaded with Windows and provide the function
for user to change the display mode easily by some
shortcut key.

Such software exists but does not function before a user
has logged in to Windows. This is why I am seeking a
solution that will tell Windows it needs to switch its
logon screen to the other monitor port.

 

[Bob Qin [MSFT]]

Hi Robin,

I think Andre's meaning is that you can just use the converter to connect
to the VGA monitor when you logon.

In addition, if there is no logon screen in the monitor, the keyboard is
still working. You can just press Ctrl+Alt+Delete keys to open the logon
dialog, then press your password and press Enter to logon Windows.

Regards,
Bob Qin
Product Support Services
Microsoft Corporation

Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security

====================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
====================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.