Instability with third monitored connected

[DevilsPGD]

I'm currently running Microsoft Vista Business x64, Q6600 (Core 2 Quad
2.4GHz), 4GB memory, with two ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro cards.

I currently have three monitors, two 1920x1200 24" monitors connected
using DVI, and a 1440x900 17" VGA monitor.

When I only use the two 24" monitors, one connected to each video card,
the system is rock solid. However, if I connect the 17" (regardless of
which video card it is connected to), I get "Display driver atikmdag
stopped responding and has successfully recovered." errors
semi-regularly, and about one in five times, it will happen several
times in a row and then lock completely.

Thoughts?

Are there any known issues that jump out at anyone with this
configuration?

 

[First of One]

Seems like a driver bug. Make sure you are using the latest drivers.

Try turning off the "VPU recover" function in Catalyst Control Center (it
sometimes causes more instability). Do you get the same errors if you
connect both 24" monitors to one card and leave the 17" on the other card?

 

[DaveW]

Standard video cards, such as yours, can only control up to two monitors,
especially as far as the software is concerned. Matrox makes a special
outboard box for driving three monitors.

 

[me/2]

:>Standard video cards, such as yours, can only control up to two monitors,
:>especially as far as the software is concerned. Matrox makes a special
:>outboard box for driving three monitors.
:>
:>DaveW

If you go back and read his posting again you'll see he is running TWO
HD2600 cards which are each dual head. That means his system should
support up to FOUR monitors.

I've got a pair of HD3870 cards in mine and for testing purposes I
hooked up four monitors (3 LCD and 1 CRT) with no problems. I played
around with this setup for a few hours before returning the 3 extra
monitors to their normal locations.

Unfortunately I don't have a solution to the original poster's problem
since I never had a similar problem here.

me/2

:>:>> I'm currently running Microsoft Vista Business x64, Q6600 (Core 2 Quad
:>> 2.4GHz), 4GB memory, with two ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro cards.
:>>
:>> I currently have three monitors, two 1920x1200 24" monitors connected
:>> using DVI, and a 1440x900 17" VGA monitor.
:>>
:>> When I only use the two 24" monitors, one connected to each video card,
:>> the system is rock solid. However, if I connect the 17" (regardless of
:>> which video card it is connected to), I get "Display driver atikmdag
:>> stopped responding and has successfully recovered." errors
:>> semi-regularly, and about one in five times, it will happen several
:>> times in a row and then lock completely.
:>>
:>> Thoughts?
:>>
:>> Are there any known issues that jump out at anyone with this
:>> configuration?

 

[DevilsPGD]

In message <[email protected]> "First of

Seems like a driver bug. Make sure you are using the latest drivers.

I have been keeping up to date on driver releases as they become
available.

Try turning off the "VPU recover" function in Catalyst Control Center (it
sometimes causes more instability).

I'll give that a shot, thanks.

Do you get the same errors if you
connect both 24" monitors to one card and leave the 17" on the other card?

To be honest, I haven't tried -- There was a pretty noticeable
performance boost when I went from a single card to two cards, I've been
hoping to avoid said configuration.

That being said, it's worth a shot. I'm out of the country this week,
but I'll give it a shot once I'm back in town.

 

[DevilsPGD]

In message <[email protected]> "DaveW"

Standard video cards, such as yours, can only control up to two monitors,
especially as far as the software is concerned. Matrox makes a special
outboard box for driving three monitors.

True -- Hence why I installed two such video adapters, capable of
driving two monitors each.

I can get up and running no problem, so the hardware is obviously at
least minimally capable of this, the only issue is stability.