Dual screen problem on Optiplex GX620

Question

Hi,

I've got two Samsung SyncMaster 940Fn flatscreen monitors attached to my GX620 using a DVI/VGA 'Y' splitter on the video connection on the back of the machine. Previously they've worked quite happily as an extended Windows desktop with Windows XP 32 bit and later with Windows Vista 32 bit.

However, I've just finished reinstalling Windows XP 64 bit edition after wiping the harddrive and now all I get is a clone of the primary display on the second one. I've installed the Intel Chipset and video chipset driver from the Dell downloads area for the GX620 with XP x64, and applied *all* updates from the Windows Update site, but the extended desktop no longer functions correctly.

When I look in "Control panel -> Display -> Settings" the devices are listed as:

1. Plug and Play monitor on Intel(R) 82945G Express Chipset Family

2. (Default monitor) on Intel(R) 82945G Express Chipset Family

The "Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor" checkbox is enabled but unchecked for the second monitor, but if I check it and click "Apply" it simply clears the setting and does nothing to the monitors.

If I look in Device Manager I can see the following:

+ Display adapters

Intel(R) 82945G express Chipset Family

+ Monitors

Plug and Play Monitor

SyncMaster 940Fn(Analog)

SyncMaster 940Fn(Digital)

Has anyone had anything similar, or know what might be causing this?

The only other change I have made to this machine is to upgrade the BIOS to revision A11 since reinstalling the machine this time around.

Thanks,

Mike

Message Edited by Pointy1 on 07-01-2007 09:47 AM

Sam Waring · Answer

You fundamental problem is there isn't a proper x64 driver for this device, and there won't be either--unless you feel like writing one yourself. x64 has always had very poor device driver support from the OEMs. The few attempts at a driver there are out there don't support extended desktop. If you want that function, either revert to XP 32-bit or proceed to Vista; you're not going to get anyplace with the neither-flesh-nor-fowl that is x64.

Dennise458 · Answer

You can try the Intel site for drivers for the onboard video and see if they maybe have something newer with better dual monitor support.

Alternatively you could consider adding a PCIe videocard that fits your chassis and has dual monitor support (adding a PCIe videocard in the PCIe 16x slot disables onboard video).

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Dual screen problem on Optiplex GX620

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