Dell Optiplex 780 twin screen - loses extended desktop
We have around 40 Dell Optiplex 780 small form factor PCs. These have a standard VGA screen port, plus a Display Port on the main board for a second screen.
We configure these to run an extended desktop - ie Start button on left hand screen, with the screen just running across to the right hand one. However, quite a few of these lose their extended screen ability and either a) revert back to a single screen (RH screen going blank), or to a cloned display (RH screen an exact copy of the LH one).
Fixes tried so far:
Generally, it can be reset by changing Display Properties to tick the box to use the second screen (which has somehow become unticked).
One of the annoying things is that it isn't repeatable - it can occur while the same user is logged on, or more commonly, after a reboot. However, it doesn't happen every time. Running XP SP3. Screens are Dell 17" flat panels. PCs were supplied new a couple of months back, on our standard corporate build, and problem has been there from Day 1, but has grown since we rolled them out.
I can go to Dell with this issue, and possibly go for some mobo replacements, but just wondered if there's anything slightly less drastic to try first. Thanks...
We configure these to run an extended desktop - ie Start button on left hand screen, with the screen just running across to the right hand one. However, quite a few of these lose their extended screen ability and either a) revert back to a single screen (RH screen going blank), or to a cloned display (RH screen an exact copy of the LH one).
Fixes tried so far:
Unplug and replug display port adaptor - works, but only temporarily.
replace display port adaptor - makes no difference.
update the bios - to version A04 - no change.
update the graphics drivers - no change.
replace display port adaptor - makes no difference.
update the bios - to version A04 - no change.
update the graphics drivers - no change.
Generally, it can be reset by changing Display Properties to tick the box to use the second screen (which has somehow become unticked).
One of the annoying things is that it isn't repeatable - it can occur while the same user is logged on, or more commonly, after a reboot. However, it doesn't happen every time. Running XP SP3. Screens are Dell 17" flat panels. PCs were supplied new a couple of months back, on our standard corporate build, and problem has been there from Day 1, but has grown since we rolled them out.
I can go to Dell with this issue, and possibly go for some mobo replacements, but just wondered if there's anything slightly less drastic to try first. Thanks...
There was a issues with windows 7 and that exact problem with nvidia drivers and the second monitor going offline you you have to add it every time computer came back out of screensaver or power off monitor. Nvidia has fixed the problem and if you download the newest Nvidia driver you can solve this problem. If you are not running Nvidia or Widows 7 let me know and I can work up some other solutions for you.
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It's using the standard Intel drivers for the graphics chipset, and we're still on XP...
What kind of graphics card are you using for the display port model please. Is that all the onboard one you are using for both displays? or if you have a service tag of one of them I can help a little more.
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tkfast - the DisplayPort is onboard on the mobo, with an intel chipset. I can find the model number tomorrow if needed, ditto for a Service Tag. After posting here, I found a newer BIOS version than our Desktop Team had recommended - new one is A05 - and I've installed that to one of the bad PCs. Have to wait and see how that goes.
Masqueraid - most users run at 1024*768, which is not perfect for the monitors (they'd prefer to be at 1200*1024) - but the users find the fonts/buttons too small.... The onboard primary output is VGA, and the DisplayPort goes to a VGA connector too. So, both are analogue. All users have identical resolutions on both displays.
I did wonder if it was related to the model of screens, but we have a variety of Dell flat panels in use, so no common denominator there either.
Masqueraid - most users run at 1024*768, which is not perfect for the monitors (they'd prefer to be at 1200*1024) - but the users find the fonts/buttons too small.... The onboard primary output is VGA, and the DisplayPort goes to a VGA connector too. So, both are analogue. All users have identical resolutions on both displays.
I did wonder if it was related to the model of screens, but we have a variety of Dell flat panels in use, so no common denominator there either.
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service tag is 85K7S4J
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will check that tomorrow - sorry the original spec was in german, they were shipped from Switzerland to us in London.
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Sorry, had a mad day yesterday, couldn't get near this. Will confirm the version of the graphics driver on Monday.
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Have found a new BIOS version A05 which seems to have resolved the issue. Thanks for your help guys...
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Fault resolved by BIOS update
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update, some more recurrance, seem better with BIOS vA07 now....
I am experiencing the same problem as above. I am currently rinning Windows XP SP3. I have updated the BIOS for A08 to A09 and still the same problem.
Also to add to the fix from above, I have several of these models. I have swapped the MB's on some of them and seems to work and then on some to no avail.
Does anyone have any ideas's?
Thanks,
Tim Baxter
Also to add to the fix from above, I have several of these models. I have swapped the MB's on some of them and seems to work and then on some to no avail.
Does anyone have any ideas's?
Thanks,
Tim Baxter