M6400 External Monitor Problems

I was wondering if anybody else is having issues with using 2 external monitors with their M6400?

My configuration:
I have a M6400 Covet, FX3700M, 8GB, Vista Ultimate 64, A01 BIOS, updated drivers... connected to an E/Port Plus 210W Port replicator. I have a 24" Dell 2405FPW external monitor connected to display #1 (1920x1200) and a 19" 1908WFP connected to display #2. (1440 x 900). Both are connected via DVI connectors.

My problem:
The secondary monitor never has problems... However, the main monitor (24" @ 1920x1200) goes all crazy. It has red "dots" that appear all over the screen in dark areas. The bottom of the screen sometimes has horizontal bars. I see red and black vertical bars as well. The screen constantly flickers and the image hangs off the edges many times. If I change the resolution to BELOW 1440 x 900 the screen looks fine. Anything over 1440 x 900 goes crazy. (none of this occurs when using the LCD on the laptop itself)

The 24" monitor is fine. I have swapped cables and they do not help. If I plug up my desktop computer to the montior- it is perfect in 1920x1200. If I plug up my old Dell Precision M90 using it's old E/Port docking station- it too works fine in 1920 x 1200. So it's not the monitor.

Dell support doesn't know what the problem is. They say it's probably a driver issue. (I have the latest driver) They say they will contact me in the future if there is ever a solution and they are going to escalate it to their video hardware team.

Is there anybody else out there experiencing the same issues as me?
If you are running dual monitors successfully with the E/Port Plus 210W, what monitors are you using, at what resolution and what connector? (DVI or that new display port thing) If you aren't using the E/Port Plus 210W- what docking station did dell sell you?

I need to get a resolution to this ASAP.

I've attached two photos taken from my digital camera showing the screen issues.

Thanks,
nixx

 

I have the same build as you and have it connected to two monitors through the dock with DVI and have no issues. I have a dell 24" 2405FPW (1920x1200) as my primary and a Wacom Cintiq 20wsx (1680x1050) as my secondary. Both look and behave fine. Good luck. I hope you find a solution.

 

I have two Apple Cinema Display 20" LCDs plugged into my dock, with DVI.
(1680x1050)

I did have a glitch that sounded like yours. I solved mine by reseating the computer. Do you get the glitches plugged into the displayport on the m6400 (with a DVI adapter)?

If you do, there's something wrong with the video card. My first M6400 had a defective external display #1 although the secondary worked great. The replacement m6400 they sent me has been perfect.

If you don't then check the docking connection for dust or debris. That port is simply passed straight through to the computer.

N

 

1920x1200 is on the limit what is possible to get with a single-link DVI connection.
Do you have a dual-link DVI cable?
Does it work with VGA?
If there is an option for reduced blanking in the driver you can try to enable it. It will cut off some off-screen pixels needed for CRT monitors and leave more bandwidth to the actual image.

Örjan

 

Hey quick question for you guys.... are you able to run 2 external monitors and the laptop screen at the same time?

 

Apparently when you dock the laptop is closed? So Only 2 screens active.
Perhaps someone who owns one can confirm

 

I cannot get 3 screens to activate. Only 2.

External + Laptop LCD, or 2 external (laptop closed). Of course.. if I go that route, one of my 2 externals goes whack. If I go 1 External + Laptop LCD things are fine.

 

Just tossing the idea out there and I am sure you have tried but have you plugged the one monitor into the #2 port? to see if it works in that port or if the other monitor has the same problem in that port? Do you have another LCD you can try that can go up to a higher resolution than 1440x900. This will tell you if it is possibly that port on the port replicator since other people seem to have a similar setup as yourself are not having problems. Trying the Display Port to DVI adapter is a good idea as well.

 

Right now I am running 1920x1200 on my 24" monitor on port #2.. and my secondary external monitor is turned off and sitting in the corner of my room as a paperweight. I am using the covet's LCD for my secondary... until I can find a fix for this.

If I plug my 24" monitor into port #1 @ 1920x1200.. i get problems.

 

Finally! I have this same exact issue. I have tried the same steps as you. It happens almost every time with a restart. I have found that a cold boot while already seated on the dock will work most of the time. I have an open ticket with Dell about this issue. At first they said it was the monitors. The monitors work fine on my M6300.

I'm also on my second M6400. Both units have had this problem. I think it is the dock.