3 monitors, 2 video cards

Alright I've been toying with this for a few hours and haven't found a solution. I'm wanting to run 3 monitors off of two video cards.

Here is my current setup.

Windows 7 64bit

Mobo: http://www.msi.com/index.php?func=downloaddetail&type=bios&maincat_no=1&prod_no=1449#

Video Cards:
Nvidia Geforce 9600 GT
Nvidia Geforce FX 5500


I currently have my TV and 1 monitor hooked up to the 9600 GT video card, but I can't seem to get the other monitor working.

This is what I see.

http://i50.tinypic.com/s49ddz.jpg




What do you guys suggest?

 

did you install the driver for the FX 5500?

Sine the GeForce FX series card are not support anymore the drivers could be conflicting since they are both nvidia

I run a GTX 275 and a 9800 GT without any issues but both the cards are supported.

the FX5500 could also be damaged. They may also not be a 64-bit driver.

EDIT: There is a driver for Windows vista 64-bit you may want to try it

http://www.nvidia.com/object/winvista_x64_96.85_2.html

Latest driver for that card.

 

Yes, I did try installing the drivers for the 5500 card. It didn't work.

I also tried installing the drivers your provided me, and now instead of the 5500 saying "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)" the 9600 does.

If I were to upgrade to another card how would I know whether it's compatible or not.

 

It sounds like drivers are conflicting. Both have different drivers.

I would remove all drivers and reinstall the drivers so your 9600gt works property.

EDIT: Card was PCI Express and NOT PCI

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187041 is PCI

I like I said I run a GTX 275 and a 9800GT without a problem but they are both supported by Nvidia and use the same driver.

 

I uninstalled all of the 5500 drivers and took it out of my PC. Apparently my PC didn't like it in there.


And this card is supported with the 9600 GT?

 

So your 9600gt is working properly again?

I think it would work since your 9600gt and 8400GS will use the same driver.

 

9600 is working fine now. I got a Blue screen on startup, but I recovered to a day before where my drivers were working fine. So all is well.

I'm thinking about getting this card.

But let me ask you this is there a cheaper way to do what I'm wanting?

I know splitter would just duplicate the image on two screens(which isn't all bad) but I read that I lose quality. So this would be my best route?

Edit:

"Other Thoughts: Would not work under Windows 7 in a brand new Dell Vostro desktop."

That's quoted from the Newegg reviews.

I hope that isn't the case because I have W7. The card doesn't seem to be scoring great reviews, but I'm sure it's all I need for what I'm wanting.

 

I'm sure it works with windows 7 X86 since it has support for it by Nvidia drivers.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133245 is $10 more but it's form a better manufacture and better reviews. I would suggest going with this card.

I just saw this in the newegg reviews "Bought this to replace a FX5200 which would not work properly under WIN7 paired with a Geforce 8400 GT for a 3 monitor setup. Had Nvidia website detect the cards for the proper driver and everything worked finally."

And yes that would just duplicate the image on the two screens just making your second and third monitor having the same image which would be a waste unless you need duplicate of the same image.

 

This seems like a strange case. I think the FX 5500 should work along with your main card. I also think I might try some further troubleshooting if it were my system. I think I would try removing the TV and connecting a monitor to each card. And, I might try just removing the PCI Express card and see whether I could get the FX 5500 to work alone.

But, I totally agree two cards that use the same driver is an easier way to go.

 

Well I bought the suggested card, tried it out and it didn't work. I talked with an NVidia rep and they determined it was defective. So I sent it in and got another one. Same problem.


The problem I am running into is that my computer isn't recognizing the card at all. I have tried just about everything possible and I don't know what else to do.