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5033
September 14th, 2016 12:00
Running 3 video displays simultaneously
I am attempting to set up my Alienware M14X R2 to work with 3 display screens: 2 external (Dell) monitors and the internal (laptop) monitor. The two external monitors are connected as follows:
- One external monitor is connected to the Alienware laptop via a DVI to HDMI cable.
- The other external monitor is connected to the Alienware laptop via a VGA to VGA cable.
I cannot make this configuration work with any combination of settings. I can get any two of these displays to work but not all three.
The other thing that is a bit concerning is that when I pull up the NVIDIA Control Panel it shows that all three displays are being controlled by the internal Intel HD graphics 4000 adapter and none are controlled by the built in discrete Nvidia GEForce 650 GT graphics adapter. Once again, nothing I have tried (short of disabling the Intel adapter) has been able change that allocation of video displays to graphics adapters.
Once again, the main objective is to have a 3 display screen working setup.
Does anyone know of a hardware or software fix for this problem?
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89fordprobee
1.2K Posts
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September 14th, 2016 15:00
previous post on this:
en.community.dell.com/.../19615511
hindesite
276 Posts
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September 15th, 2016 17:00
I think the post is more than close, it is spot on. It explains the limitations of the hardware very clearly.
It also gives you 2 alternatives that allow you to work around the limitations built into the laptop configuration, one of which includes using one of the main benefits of DisplayPort, although that will probably mean considerable cost for displays but is certainly worth bearing in mind for future purchase decisions.
There is another option, that is cheap, but gives limited resolutions and refresh rates - if these don't matter to you, look at USB->HDMI adapters, which might be feasible with your USB3.0 ports.
I don't know how your laptop is configured, but on the 17R3, the only port that uses the onboard GTX adapter is the old, limited HDMI port.
Maybe a bigger monitor is another alternative :-)
darkofdoge
51 Posts
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September 14th, 2016 14:00
Laptops are very finicky as displays simply because it's trying to run a display input and a PC at the same time. I would recommend just getting a cheap 1080p display
Xela42
4 Posts
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September 14th, 2016 16:00
This previous post is close, but still begs the question. So, is it your judgement that the answer is no? You cannot run 3 video displays simultaneously? No way to utilize the GeForce 650 GT graphics adapter?
darkofdoge
51 Posts
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September 14th, 2016 19:00
did you make that badge 89ford
89fordprobee
1.2K Posts
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September 15th, 2016 07:00
this is irrelevant to the thread so keep comments to yourself please..
its a limitation of the laptop.. I posted that thread cause it also had a dell rep post, aswell as it was directly related to the same machine in question..
as posted requires a special cables, adaptors, monitors.. depends on which route you choose.. if you choose to do it.
Xela42
4 Posts
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September 16th, 2016 05:00
Hindsite, thanks for the elaboration. In 'hindsight' (pardon the pun) It does indeed answer my question. In particular, the information about the limited functionality of the Nvidia GeForce adapter is something I have been trying to get a handle on. Thanks...