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Forums -> Multiple monitors -> 3 monitors with a Dell Optiplex 745
Yith   2007-06-12 20:51
I've been successfully using 3 monitors on my previous dell machine at work. The configuration was an AGP Nvidia GeForce 4400 and a PCI Voodoo 5 on Windows XP.

I've just had my machine upgraded to a Dell Optiplex 745 which includes a ATI Radeon X1300PRO card which allows me to run two monitors without any issues on Windows XP, but I really miss the extra desktop space of the old system.

I've tried installing the Voodoo 5 in the machine, but I couldn't get Windows XP to recognise the existence of the Voodoo Card. I tried changing the only setting in the BIOS to do with video, which I think was to do with making cards primary, but I'm not sure, but no luck.

The Voodoo card won't even work when I've removed the ATI card.

So I was looking at other alternatives. I see the 4 head PCI Express cards from Matrox, ATI, but my available funds won't really run to trying one of those out. I'm also a bit unsure about getting another PCI card in case I have the same problem as I did with the Voodoo 5 card.

Does anyone have any experience or suggestions?
Steve   2007-06-16 04:12
I'm having the same issues too. I wanted to see if you found a resoultion. Please advise.

I could use your expertise and consultation.

I'm adding an additional monitor to my home PC (currently running 2)....that will make 3 monitors that are indepently run on the same PC.

I have Dual Video Card I installed which works great!

ATI DIAMOND X550- PCIE OC 256MG
http://www.diamondmm.com/X550PCIE256.php


MY MONITORS ARE ALL DELL 1907FPt

My PC is a HP Pavilion Media Center TV m7350n - Pentium D 920 2.8 GHz

The specs are at this site below:
http://www.cdw.ca/shop/products/specs.aspx?EDC=931592

I also have Windows XP

Steve
brian bain   2007-06-24 06:50
I am running into the same issue. I have tried various combinatios to no luck. I have tried ATI & NVidia PCI-E cards and NVidia PIC secondary card with no luck.

Dell support said I need to get a quad video card. That's crazy expensive and stupid when I can get 3 monitors workking for much less.

Although I am still looking for a solution.

BTW- I am running Vista.
cman6453   2007-07-12 00:52
Has anyone come up with a solution for this? I've been trying to use an ATi card split into 2 monitors and the onboard VGA. I'm thinking this may not be possible?
fedo   2007-07-12 20:43
I have Dell Optiplex 745 with built in Intel chipset VGA I put in an old Martox MGA 2064W Mellinnium VGA Card hoping for a dual screen setup, but no luck.
Dell Bios is really bad. It does not allow dual screens.
Kevin   2007-08-29 23:58
I have the same issue. I added an extra PCI card and get a BSOD. Dell is saying the 745 does not support additional video cards.
Ky Nguyen   2007-09-07 08:00
I'm running Optiplex 745 with the following configuration... Build-in Video Card, DVI (Digital) Adapter Card, and PNY GeForce FX 5200 PCI card. Dell 1908FP (2) connected to PNY card and 3rd montior to onboard video card. Hope that help.
Ky Nguyen   2007-09-07 08:17
I forgot to mention. If you're using your onboard video card to connect 2 monitors, be sure to run Intel Driver version 6.14.10.4543.
Captain Nick   2009-12-10 04:09
I have a 745 and have been running dual monitors for two years w/o problem. Check out the ATI Radon Pro Series. Works like a charm.

Captain Nick
abbas   2011-03-30 00:27
Had similiar problem in optiplex 780.
PCI and PCI-e nvidia card dont work alongside.
PCI-e disables the onboard video but pci nvidia works fine and dont disable the onboard display.
Rick   2011-12-06 09:13
The key to get 3 monitors to work on a 790 (or 780 for that matter) is to put the PCI-e card in the slot wired for 4x--not the one for 16x (blue in the 790). When the card is in the 4x slot the onboard video can be used.

Credit goes to VasKun here for the solution which worked for me:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3515/t/19390783.aspx
Wizard Prang   2011-12-20 00:05
On my Optiplex GX780, there is only one PCI-e slot (and two standard PCI slots), so that is not an option.

Who is General Failure and why is he reading my disk?
Wizard Prang   2011-12-20 00:06
Oops... I meant "780" not "GX780"

Who is General Failure and why is he reading my disk?
Terry N.   2012-03-02 07:58
Matrox PCI video card with right drivers,
on board VGA, but also run VGA from Vid card!

TNT
Forums -> Multiple monitors -> 3 monitors with a Dell Optiplex 745

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