Dual Monitor Issues

[shortkid422]

Ok, so here is my setup:
On the left of my desk is a Samsung SyncMaster 910v and on the left is a Dell 2007WFP. I have an ancient ATI Radeon 9800Pro 256 MB

Here is the issue:
Randomly today, the Dell just stopped displaying anything. It works, just not in Windows XP (While I'm in Ubuntu [on a separate HD too], it still works). I tried messing with it (reinstalled Dell driver) but made a very stupid mistake afterwards...I accidentally set the Dell to be my primary desktop, which has caused a lot of issues. I can no longer see my taskbar nor see anything that comes on screen/applications (since it goes to my non-displaying Dell). I cannot just switch the monitor cables because the Dell has DVI/VGA while the Samsung only has VGA, so that option is out.

If anyone has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you for your time.

 

[AncientPC]

It's <insert your deity here>'s way of telling you to stop using Windows.

Coincidentally, I run into the same problem as you have with an ATI x1950 and 2x Dell 2001FPs. I worked around the problem by pulling the Display Properties (using a custom hotkey) to the non-primary / working monitor and force that to be the primary monitor, and then change it back. That always fixes the problem, but I'm not sure what causes it.

If the second monitor works, right click on the desktop and go to properties. Wait for a second for Display Properties to load and become the active window, then hit alt+space, then hit m, press an arrow key, then use the mouse to drag it to your secondary monitor. You should be able to make the Samsung the primary monitor again.

By the way, which monitor is where? You describe both locations using left, but it's ambiguous where the Dell is left of.

Also, I have never experienced this problem while booting into WinXP under the Administrator profile. On my computer the Administrator profile loads with minimal programs, while I have a user profile I usually use that loads a bunch of my usual crap. Have you tried booting into a different user?