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    Need help setting up extended displays

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by c3Rhcno, Dec 29, 2010.

  1. c3Rhcno

    c3Rhcno Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well I have an M11x R2 and an Acer AL1711 monitor I found around the house, since the R2 no VGA port (very disappointingly) I had to use my HDMI port, so I bought a HDMI to VGA cable on Amazon and it arrived a few hours ago, I plugged it all in and got everything set up and cleared space on my desk and then I see this floating bubble on the external saying "Cable Not Connected" so I looked in my Intel HD display, Nvidia control panel and the screen resolution and tried changing stuff there but none of them picked up the monitor, my guess is that the HDMI to VGA is the problem and just wont work, but Im puzzled to why this might happen, could someone please give me a hand here, thanks in advance.
     
    c3Rhcno, Dec 29, 2010
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  2. jeremyshaw

    jeremyshaw Big time Idiot

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    HDMI-->VGA is a special device cable. Long story short - it won't work, since most HDMI ports do not have the analog pins that VGA requires. Get a DisplayPort to VGA adaptor for about 20usd, instead. That will work.
     
    jeremyshaw, Dec 29, 2010
    #2
  3. DrGoodvibes

    DrGoodvibes Notebook Deity

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    VGA..pheeww!!!!.. Pheewww..

    VGA will be gone by 2015. (Dear God. Thank you!!!) :D

    With 2011 probably being the last year you're able to buy a notebook with a VGA port on it.

    Cause it's digital going back to analogue, I'm guessing the adapter/converter you have is powered. HDMI is seriously wasted converted to VGA.

    As jeremyshaw suggested, maybe buy a DisplayPort to VGA adapter.

    As you have three USB I'd get a USB to DVI converter (A keeper)
    And then get a DVI to VGA adapter for a few dollars.

    Probably better to sell the monitor while you can if all it has is VGA and then with the VGA adapter saving (not having to buy one, as I'm thinking of the real HDMI to VGA converters/splitter $$$$), buy a DisplayPort/HDMI monitor.

    What's the max. res of your VGA/HDMI converter? Mostly they're pretty low.
    These are the res of a random VGA/HDMI converter I've found.

    • 640 × 480 @ 60 / 72 / 75 / 85Hz
    • 800 × 600 @ 56 / 60 / 72 / 75 / 85Hz
    • 1024 × 768 @ 60 / 70 / 75 / 80 / 85Hz
    • 1280 × 1024 @ 60 / 75Hz

    As jeremyshaw alluded to, if you're holding a HDMI/VGA plug or a cable thinking it'll work without a powered adapter/converter, then things might have gone pear-shape.
     
    DrGoodvibes, Dec 29, 2010
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  4. c3Rhcno

    c3Rhcno Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well alright then, it doesn't seem worth it really
    Thanks for the advice though and I will look into this converter, but I don't need is immediately.
     
    c3Rhcno, Dec 29, 2010
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