Member Avatar for Tosha_1

Windows 7 64 bit. Card im currently trying is ATI Raedon HD 2400. I have dual vga cable from pc to both monitors. It will never identify #2 monitor. both displayed as option one. and yes my extended view is selected from the set up. What am I doing wrong and what do I need to fix it please?

  • 5 Contributors
  • 4 Replies
  • 301 Views
  • 3 Months Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by thepastimer

Dani AI

Generated

Most likely cause: the “dual VGA cable” is a passive splitter (one VGA output split to two connectors) or the card only has one active analog output. A passive VGA splitter simply duplicates the same signal to both screens — it will mirror, not create an extended desktop. Many retail HD2400 boards expose one DVI and one VGA (so two independent displays are possible), but you must use two separate outputs (one cable per monitor) rather than a Y-splitter. (citizenside.com)

Practical checks (do these in order): visually inspect the card’s rear I/O (count physical ports); remove any Y-splitter and connect each monitor to its own port; power each monitor and test each port with a single monitor to confirm the port works; in Windows 7 use Screen Resolution (right‑click desktop → Screen Resolution → Detect) or Windows+P to force detection. If Windows still shows only one display, check Device Manager → Monitors to see how many monitors are enumerated and try reinstalling/updating the video driver. (techadvisor.com)

If one monitor is attached via a DVI→VGA adapter, note the difference between DVI‑I and DVI‑D: only DVI‑I carries analog VGA signals so a passive adapter will work only when the GPU’s DVI port exposes analog pins. If the DVI on your card is digital‑only (DVI‑D) a passive adapter won’t create a second independent analog output. For older HD2400 cards on Windows 7, install the proper legacy Catalyst drivers (Catalyst 13.x series) for correct multi‑display support when available. (en.wikipedia.org)

If the card or OEM BIOS/driver is limited (some OEM builds rewire or restrict outputs), the simplest fixes are: use a card with two independent outputs (cheap modern GPUs offer multiple DVI/HDMI/DP), use an active converter (DisplayPort/DVI active adapters or a powered multi‑monitor distribution device) or a USB‑DisplayLink adapter for an extra desktop. These options give a real extended desktop instead of mirrored output.

Recommended Answers

All 4 Replies

Member Avatar for rubberman

You are not providing enough information other than you only see one monitor. What does the "Screen Resolution" option (right click on screen) show you? Can it see/detect both monitors? Have you tried a set of DVI cables (assuming the monitors support DVI)?

Edited by rubberman
Member Avatar for jean122

It could be that the connector on the graphics card only supports one monitor.
Have you tried to connect the second monitor to an second connector?

Member Avatar for helenspencer

Could you please explain your problem a bit more broader as the information provided will not help us to provide a solution for you.

Member Avatar for thepastimer

If your particular HD 2400 came from a Dell or your computer is a Dell, then it's not possible to display a stretched desktop across two monitors (due to the configuration of the card). The best you can do is get a splitter, but that will display the same desktop twice. If you have a non Dell specific HD 2400, you should be able to connect two DVI-D monitors through a splitter and get the effect you want. You can't connect one monitor to the analog port and one to the digital port and have them both display.

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.