Aurora R7, multiple displays GPU issue

Question

Hi there, Recently I have been having some issues displaying on multiple monitors, which could be related to a graphic card issue. I have an Alienware Aurora R7 with NVDIA GeForce GTX 1080 TI, displaying on three monitors. In the last few days, both monitors 2 and 3 have gone black, after having working in this set up for almost 2 years. They are detected both in Windows native display settings and in the NVIDA apps, and effectively extending the screen size - I can move the mouse on these displays, although I cannot see it. Changing the refresh rate on both displays allow for the screen to be seen for a few seconds, and then return black. I've tried both displays with the same cables on other devices and they both work, and this is leading me to believe it could be a graphic card issue. I've also noticed that when I leave the pc off for a few hours and then I turn it on, sometimes one or both external pc work correctly for some time. I have clean the pc internally and removed all dust. Any further suggestion on what could be the cause of the issue and how to resolve it? thanks!

redxps630 · Answer

This may not be a gpu hardware issue but software driver over time getting corrupted so that display port out 1 has video but not display port 2+3, assming all 3 monitors connected to 1080ti DP.  A simple test is to get a spare hdd, remove current ssd/hdd, attempt a fresh clean install of Windows 10 on the spare hdd without any other storage.  Test three display in this setting first.  Advice: let Windows 10 automatically download 1080 Ti driver for you for this test, and do not manually install any nvidia driver.  keep the software environment as vanilla as possible.

cyberpunkster · Answer

Thanks for your reply.

How would a driver get corrupted over time? the driver is the same and used on all monitors at the same time. According to the operating system, it is working properly.

Monitors are connect via 1) DP 2) DP and 3) hdmi

cyberpunkster · Answer

It just happened again.. I've left the Desktop turned off for the entire night. I've turned on in the morning. 2 out of 3 monitors worked for 20-30 minutes. Then the 2nd monitor turned black.

I was keeping an eye while the monitor turned off .. at the time thermal system recorded:

HDD sensor 27C, CPU sensor 37C, PCI_Sensor 38C GPU sensor 50C, CPU Pump running, GPU Fan at 29%, TOP fan idle, Front fan 20%

redxps630 · Answer

Re: How would a driver get corrupted over time? the driver is the same and used on all monitors at the same time. According to the operating system, it is working properly.

If a clean install of OS and driver could solve the issue then that would prove it is a software cause. when I said driver corruption it refers to nonspecific general software issue which the OS can not detect itself but you noticed performance issue (losing actual video on monitor). but if you firmly believe the gpu hardware is bad, then there is no point to rule out a software issue.

AuroraR7_2018 · Answer

I have been living with similar issue with my Alienware Aurora R7 since 2017-18. All monitors suddenly blacked out for a few seconds then luckily back to normal. It is kind annoying but OKAY to use. I believe it is hardware issue comes with the castrated version GPU. It is not practical to solve the issue like the 'solution' recommended above by the DELL experts. If you do so, Most likely you wont solve the issue, just waste your time.

Tesla1856 · Answer

@AuroraR7_2018 wrote:

Alienware Aurora R7

1. All monitors suddenly blacked out for a few seconds then luckily back to normal.

2. I believe it is hardware issue comes with the castrated version GPU.

1. If just the ones connected via HDMI, it's likely just a HDCP-check. I've seen that on computers and Home-Theater HD-TVs.

If all monitors, your video-card might be resetting. Check your Reliability History Report.

2. You mean Dell-OEM video card? If so, no ... keep looking.

Alienware Desktops

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