Dual monitors not working

[BlueMage]

Last night, I shut my system down as i do - everything working fine. This
morning, i boot up, and one of my monitors doesn't work. Now, if this were
the secondary monitor, it wouldn't be an issue - but it's my primary. I'm
running an Acer AL2216W and a Samsung Syncmaster off of an nVidia 8800GTX
running on latest drivers. I cannot get Windows to accept that there is a
usable second display, much less actually activate it. Several System
Restores did nothing to improve this situation. Finally, I reinstalled Vista
(which saw the primary monitor work) but as soon as I got the latest nVidia
drivers, I ran into the same problem. Frustratingly, Windows doesn't even
recognise the Acer as an Acer - it simply calls it "Digital Display"

Interestingly, boot up and windows loading appears on the primary monitor.
But it disables when windows loads.

Any assistance that could be provided here would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Wandering]

I know it sounds dumb, but did you try unplugging the monitor during a shut
down and then connecting it after the machine has booted again. It should be
plug and play. By the way unplugging the power to it for a few minutes
before booting can sometimes help. Finally, the power switch on some is also
a circuit breaker, and simply cycling it may work. Or there may be a reset
button on it.

Good luck.

 

[Steve Thackery]

Finally, I reinstalled Vista

(which saw the primary monitor work) but as soon as I got the latest
nVidia
drivers, I ran into the same problem.

I realise this will go against current advice, but I recommend not
installing an nVidia driver at all. The one that comes "in the box" works
just fine (unless your into games, in which case you really do need to get
the latest). Even the latest nVidia driver causes horrible flickers and
tears on my dual monitor set up.

Sorry I can't help directly.

SteveT

 

[BlueMage]

Unfortunately, I'm a pretty hefty gamer, so I need the nVidia drivers
Doesn't matter, i got it working again.

 

[BlueMage]

As it turns out, that's exactly what I did (before checking back here) and lo
and behold, it worked. Actually, pulling the data cable and the power cable,
and then putting first power and then data back in allowed Windows to
recognise "new" hardware having been attached. Opened up properties, all
features were working again and I have full resolution.

Cheers,