Aaargh. Why don't my monitors work?!: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Dec. 27, 2011 9:39 p.m. ddavidv SuperDork

My computer is an Asus laptop. For playing iRacing I have been using a Hanns-g monitor that has worked totally fine. For Christmas I got a G27 wheel setup (at last!). Hooked it up. In the process of moving things around and replugging the monitor no longer works. It turns on, but all I get is a white screen. I tried plugging it into my work Panasonic and same thing. Didn't drop it; don't think I bumped it. WTF?

Same day, I replace my father's ancient Compaq with a IBM thinkpad so he no longer needs his monitor, which is conveniently bigger than mine. So I plug it in to my laptop. No signal, it says. Try it on the Panasonic. No signal. Plug his creaking Compaq into the wall and try it on that. Works perfectly. WTF?

So now I have 2 monitors, neither of which will work on the one computer I need them to. I'll accept that the one took a crap, but why doesn't the Dad one work with my laptops?
Dec. 27, 2011 9:43 p.m. mndsm SuperDork

Sounds like you GPU isn't recognizing either of the monitors. When you right click on the desktop, theoretically you should get a list of display options... or else go to your control panel display, what's the orientation look like? (I have this problem with my work rig constantly.)
Dec. 28, 2011 6:19 a.m. ddavidv SuperDork

I have the choice of two monitors (1 and 2) but clicking neither seems to do anything.
Dec. 28, 2011 7:28 a.m. MadScientistMatt SuperDork

Any chance the monitor connector got wrenched off the motherboard on the laptop somehow?
Dec. 28, 2011 1:20 p.m. turboswede SuperDork

Try rebooting with the monitor plugged in and turned on. It should show dual displays at the Asus boot screen.

If that works, but it doesn't work within Windows, then the issue is with Windows. I've had to disable external displays (uncheck the box for the display in question) click apply and then enable the second display to get it to work on some systems.

If that fails, look at the keyboard and see if there is a "FN" key, use that + the key that looks to have a TV or a Monitor on it. Press the combo a couple of times until the external display changes.

Sometimes turning the system on with the external monitor connected and closing the lid can force the system to display externally.

Outside of that, I think your laptop isn't happy anymore.
Dec. 28, 2011 1:30 p.m. madmallard HalfDork

possible cable failure. swap cables first.
Dec. 28, 2011 5:15 p.m. ddavidv SuperDork

Ok, I got the "no signal" monitor to work, but it's a PITA. I have to manually change the resolution to fit the monitor screen from the default laptop setting each time I use it. It took me 30 minutes to figure out how to get my desktop onto the remote monitor, but I got it done. Still, something ain't right. I used to be able to plug/unplug my original monitor all the time and it would automatically adjust the resolution.

I hate computers.

At least now I can actually use iRacing, just setting up for it is a pain.