My graphics card is a double height card (an ATI Radeon 6950), and on the first level, it has a DVI port and an HDMI port, and on the second level, just a DVI port. I had been using the DVI port on the first row for my 24" Asus monitor.
When I got the new monitor, it only came with a VGA to VGA cable, which my graphics card does not support, and the new monitor does not support DVI.
So firstly, I had to go and buy an HDMI cable.
That done, I changed the Asus monitor to use the DVI port on the second row and plugged the Samsung into the HDMI on the first row.
Back in Windows 7 Ultimate, I could select either monitor individually, though the Samsung appeared blurry and the image didn't go to the edge of the screen. When I tried to extend my desktop across both screen, I would get the error: "Unable to Save Display Settings".
Of course, I went straight to Google, and found links such as the following:
- Unable to Save Display Settings;
- Unable to save display settings and Multiple Monitors;
- Problem with dual monitor settings. "Unable to save display settings"; and
- SOLVED: Unable to save display settings, windows 7, multi monitor setup
These posts, sometimes answered by someone from Microsoft, or at least an MVP, focused on notebook-related problem, requiring an edit of a non-existent key in the registry, or changing resolutions, complaints about Catalyst Control Center or nVidia's equivalent, or just other things that turned out to not be relevant.
Lots of messing around, and frustration led me, in the end to discover what was actually a very simple problem. Considering the number of people who could not resolve this problem using the "standard" way on these posts, I hope the solution to my problem will help others.
In the end, all I needed to do was move the Asus monitor (the original one) back to its original DVI port on the first row on the graphics card. I made a bad assumption, and it took me around an hour to realise it.
Also, just to help out anyone else who has the issue with a new monitor not extending all the way to the edges of the screen, I was able to fix that on one of the settings pages in Catalyst Control Center, where there is a slider for overscan/underscan. It seems like a very CRT-related bit of functionality, but it wasn't set to its maximum of 0, so once I moved it there, the screen was at the right size.
Let me know if this helps you solve your dual monitor / multiple monitor setup problem.
Wow. All the dumb posts I read that did nothing to fix it and I come across your post.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU - worked like a charm on my 6970 as well.
You are the man! I switched the DVI connector on my 6870 and presto... i now have dual monitors. Thanks a million bro.
ReplyDeleteAwesome... thanks! I was worried my dual monitor setup had gone bye-bye forever.
ReplyDeletei'm having the same issue but it's just with a single monitor.. I can't find anything for this error coming for a single monitor.. just installed a new gfx card today.. and it worked at first but now i'm stuck on 1024x768
ReplyDeletelifesaver!
ReplyDeleteLOL !! Just switching the plugs around!!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeletePraise ODIN! And praise you!
ReplyDeletelol same here!!! 6950 dvi and hdmi.... switched the port and it worked!!!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU
i love you with all of my body (including my peepee)
ReplyDeleteDude. Thank you so very much!! 6950 dvi and hdmi problem and I did the switch, BOOM! works.
ReplyDeleteThanks guy, appreciated
ReplyDeleteCan't believe it was that simple
ReplyDeleteI feel like a dunce
I'm going to go out there and assume that this wont work. This fix and the possibility getting it to work at all is not possible.
ReplyDeleteI have two LCD monitors and one LCD T.v. I can get the t.v. to work via HDMI. I have my main monitor connected via DVI. And my secondary 1280x1024 is connected via VGA>DVI adapter to the only plug that supports such an adapter. It looks like a loosing battle.
I have an AMD HD6850
2 DVI(One DVI-I and one DVI-D I think. Haven't taken time to look it up.)
1 HDMI
1 Display Port
I also have 3 monitors and when I try to activate the third one I get the msg, "The display settings could not be saved. Please try a different combination of display settings."
ReplyDeleteI have the following configuration.
#1 on mini display port
#2 on mini display port
#3 on dvi
#3 is my main display
The weird thing is that when the computer is started, I see video stuff on display #1 and #2. I see The windows 8 logo on #1 and #2. Just before the Start Page is displayed, #1 turns off and #3 gets displayed.
It almost looks like a Windows 8 problem but that's hard to believe. Would they (MS) add not support 3 monitors?
Johnsea, it's probably that by default, #1 and #2 are being cloned, but once the drivers kick in properly, you've asked to extend your desktop, and that won't work across #1 and #2.
ReplyDeleteThat probably comes down to your graphics card, rather than Windows. I think that 3 monitor support isn't typically supported out of the box, despite the number of places you can plug in cables..
I could not get my win7 machine to save dual monitor settings. Switched cables, looked at registry edits, display profiles, drivers, using graphics software instead of native windows display settings... nothing worked after a reboot until this. I know this sounds crazy but I followed a suggestion that didn't seem like it would make sense but Viola! Worked like a charm. I uninstalled Live Mesh from Windows Live Essentials. They are phasing it out soon anyway going to SkyDrive. Hope this helps somebody!
ReplyDeleteI hooked up laptop to one of my 2 monitors for working at home, and when I went back to use my 2nd monitor, it stopped being recognized. Yup! Your solution did the trick! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou sir... deserve a medal for just realising that this was post-worthy.
ReplyDeleteTruly helpful, thank you :)
Thanks David! This has saved me a lot of bother :)
ReplyDelete