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    Need Help - Active Dual Link DVI-D Adapter Not Working On M15x

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by 015734, Jun 19, 2012.

  1. 015734

    015734 Notebook Guru

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    I have an m15x I purchased from a user here around a year ago that I love. Recently I had the opportunity to purchase a 30in 2560X1600 display for cheap, and picked it up. Unfortunately the monitor only has a DVI-D Dual Link input so I purchased an Active DisplayPort to Dual Link DVI-D Adapter to get it to work (StarTech DP2DVID).

    When I plug the adapter into my m15x it doesn''t do anything, and the monitor is not detected. I checked the monitor, cable, and StarTech active adapter with an Optiplex 980 so I know they are all fine, thus the problem lies with my laptop.

    I have used a passive single-link adapter with the m15x since I got it (at 1080p output) so I know the port is fine, thus I believe it may be a software issue. I have an ATI 5870M installed, I'm not sure if it is a Dell one or one from another manufacturer.

    I've tried the latest ATI drivers 12.4 as well as an earlier set 11.6 and neither ones worked...

    Please help me out, as I overnighted the adapter to ensure I could get the setup working by the end of the weekk, however, have now hit a wall :-/
     
  2. Mexic00ls

    Mexic00ls Notebook Deity

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    i dont have any experience with the active dual link or with your gpu but i figure i would throw this out there... have you tried a different usb port(maybe external) to power the dual link?
     
  3. 015734

    015734 Notebook Guru

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    Yup, unfortunately I've tried every usb port on the laptop as well as everything from a powered hub to an external usb phone charger...nothing has worked (When I tested with the Dell 980, I used a random USB port in the back of the machine and it worked great)

    I just realized I'm on BIOS A08 instead of A09... not that it should make a huge difference, however, I'm upgrading now.