Lost dual monitor capability in XP

[Bob Wilson]

I had XP Pro running with dual monitors for a couple of years,
switched out monitors from time to time and no problem. I've got an
Intel 2.8 MB with onboard video connected to one monitor, and an ATI
Rage Pro to the other monitor. Worked great till I had to replace the
hard drive and reinstall XP Pro. I'm running SP3 with all updates.

Now what happens is, whichever video adapter I make primary in the
BIOS, XP comes up on it, with the drivers okay, and the non-primary
one XP detects but Device Manager says the driver isn't installed.
And nothing I can do will make it accept the driver for the non-
primary one. But if I reboot and change the primary video adapter,
then it comes up with the other adapter & monitor just great and the
FIRST one is now failing to start.

When I go to Settings on Display Properties, I only see one monitor in
either case.

I've tried taking out the ATI and starting without it, then and
putting it back and restarting, no change. I don't know why this
install of XP will only accept the primary video adapter and not a
second one.

 

[Tim Meddick]

I don't know much about dual monitors, having never had two monitors at one time...

But, just a suggestion (you may have already tried, in which case, I'm sorry), have
you tried pressing the "Advanced" button on the "Display Properties" > "Settings"
page?

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[T Shadow]

I had XP Pro running with dual monitors for a couple of years,
switched out monitors from time to time and no problem. I've got an
Intel 2.8 MB with onboard video connected to one monitor, and an ATI
Rage Pro to the other monitor. Worked great till I had to replace the
hard drive and reinstall XP Pro. I'm running SP3 with all updates.

Now what happens is, whichever video adapter I make primary in the
BIOS, XP comes up on it, with the drivers okay, and the non-primary
one XP detects but Device Manager says the driver isn't installed.
And nothing I can do will make it accept the driver for the non-
primary one. But if I reboot and change the primary video adapter,
then it comes up with the other adapter & monitor just great and the
FIRST one is now failing to start.

When I go to Settings on Display Properties, I only see one monitor in
either case.

I've tried taking out the ATI and starting without it, then and
putting it back and restarting, no change. I don't know why this
install of XP will only accept the primary video adapter and not a
second one.

Best place to ask is the ATI(AMD) forum at the website. You really need to
give them more info about your hardware and what drivers your trying to use
for both.

Wouldn 't expect two AGP cards to work at all. Assuming the olllld ATI card
is PCI you probably have a rescource conflict. Look in Device Manager for
that. Settings in BIOS about what controls PnP might help. Not really an
area I have much experince in. Good Luck.