E6400 + E-Port Plus + Samsung LCD + Dell LCD

just got my new E6400 and I am having a problem with dual external displays. My displays are:

Samsung 204B (20", 1600x1200)
Dell 1708FP (17", 1280x1024)

The problem is the samsung only works using an analog VGA cable. If I even plug in the DVI cable, the samsung will not detect any output from the laptop/dock. I have tried installing the samsing display drivers, but that did not fix the issue. This was not a problem on my old thinkpad T41 that this new dell replaced, so although possible, I doubt the monitor has suddenly developed a bad DVI port.

If I use the Dell as the primary with the samsung hooked up using both cables, I can see two instances of the samsung, it just won't display anything until I pull the DVI cable.

Edit: My E6400 has the NVidia NVS 160 card. Running Vista 64 with the 64-bit NVidia drivers from Dell.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

Seems to be a driver issue.. Try the latest drivers from laptopvideo2go.com, or Nvidia's site..

 

Tried the drivers from laptopvideo2go, that didn't solve the issue.

Then I switched the DVI cables on the back and found that the Dell monitor now wasn't working on DVI. But WOULD work on analog. This tells me that the DVI port 1 on the port replicator does not work. Either hardware or driver, but it doesn't work.

 

Are you trying to use the laptop display at the same time? I don't think you can use both two digital outputs and the laptop display simultaneously. I had the same problem and finally got around it by keeping the laptop closed whenever it's on my desk, and setting up the right display profile in the nVidia control panel once it was closed. Actually, it's really useful because it switches to my dual 2408s when I dock it and close the lid, and then when I open the lid it turns them off and turns the laptop display on.

 

Nope, laptop has been closed through all of this. Here is my current setup, which works OK

Laptop: docked & closed

Samsung 20": Hooked up to DVR2 and set in NVidia software as screen 1

Dell 17": Hooked up to DVR1 AND Analog and set in NVidia software as screen 2. There are 2 Dell 1708's listed in the software. They are labeled 1 of 2 and 2 of 2. 1 of 2 is the DVI, because if I select that, I get a blank screen and the dell goes to powersave. so I am using 2 of 2, and the Dell is on analog.

 

cybermud,

Interesting issue. I would like to follow up with you and get a few details. I think I may be able to help you out with this one and get a solution we can post back for the NBR.com community. Please email me at your earliest possible convenience.

Bill Bivin

 

Got your email. Thanks. Will post back findings and solution if you don't beat me to it.

 

Did this issue ever get resolved? I am having the same problem with a new E6500, e-port and 2 2208WFPs.

 

Dell ended up sending me two new monitors in exchange for my old ones. Never heard anything from them, but the two new ones work great. They are 2007FP's.