External LCD w/V6Va problem

I'm trying to hook up my V6 to my Dell 2405 LCD, but can't get it to work. I've tried a VGA to VGA cable and a DVI-to-VGA adapter. It's like the notebook just doesn't recognize any connection. I've made all kinds of adjustments to the ATI X700 display driver, too. The manual basically says just to plug in a monitor cable. I'm sure it's something obvious that I'm overlooking, so I hope someone can point it out for me.

Thanks!

 

Don't worry Jack..... I'll help you out if no one else can't take the time... I mean, I hate to mention it, but just incase you missed it... have you tried the fiddle with the function keys to make sure a signal is headed out there? Also, have you made the adjustment.... or at least just noticed the system is picking up a second monitor in the display settings?

... oh, and if the V6va was the Lexus SC of laptops, it would be clunky and softtop, no? I'd say the V6va is the Lamborghini Muira of laptops, but Lamo is already using the V6j as the basis of their first Vx1 notebooks...... and I'm told the second is actually going to use cues from the new Muria concept - which is going to be killer..... For a comparison, keep in mind how very top end it is and how limited it was (300 in the US)....... An SC is a good car, but in if you could compare the laptop to anything in the car world, it'd be even more expensive, more lean, and more exclusive.. ... just an opinion, as you know.

 

HA!! Your car points are well-taken, Justin. I couldn't use Lambo, for the reasons you noted. I sure a hell wasn't gonna use Ferrari. Let Acer defile that good name. I must have my Lexus models mixed up. I thought the SC was a hard-top sports roadster. Hmmm... now I'll hafta do some research for a worthy car comparison.

As for this LCD problem... I notice that when the cable is connected between LCD and V6, the LCD's lights remain orange (i.e., no signal). I'm sure that's the root of the problem. In the ATI control panel, the 2 LCD is always off. No matter how I adjust the settings, as soon as I click Apply the settings revert to their standard config.

Thanks for the advice!

 

at times like this i tend to try unconventional solutions.

i once had a lack of signal detection. with everything plugged in i hibernated my machine and woke it up. signal detected.

i also remember reading in my nonV6Va manual that it'd be better to plug in the cable prior to turning on the machine.

 

Yeah yeah.. you're right, it is a hardtop roadster, isn't it? ... either way, it's only a two seater... a full 15" regular ratio is more of a sedan... M5, S6 if you will?

Did you try the function + lcd keys on the keyboard? I can't remember, but that honestly may be the source of your problem.

 

if i remember correctly from my z70va, the ati card wont auto detect an external monitor. after you've attached the external monitor, you need to go to your graphic settings (right click desktop, properties, settings). click the second grayed out screen and click extend my windows desktop or whatever option. apply/ok and that should work. at least it works on my z70va =/.

 

I tried everything Justin & Loaf suggested before I fled here for help. The function keys turn on/off my V6 screen, but have no effect on the external LCD. Likewise with the ATI control panel. I clicked the "2" and checked "extend my desktop..." but as soon as I clicked Apply, the ATI setting returned to where they were before I changed them. Dis sux!!!

Could I have a faulty VGA port in my V6? Is there any way to test it? The obvious answer is "try plugging in a different monitor, blockhead!" Unfortunately, me no gots another monitor.

Justin: I guess the SC would be a better match for the W7... the W3 could be the GS... so I'll assign the LS touring sedan to my V6.

 

That's odd... I wonder if it's the ati driver? I wish you could find another monitor just to try.. I'm sure you can find someone with something...

And about the Lexus... I'm sorry, but in your world, I guess I'd consider the W2 the RS, the W1 the GS..... deffinately the W7 would be the IS.. other than that I think I'm lost. Now, I could probably give you a better comparison between Audi's and Asus'..... starting with their four letter names and even their model naming conventions...

 

I'd help you but as a poor student, I can't afford a LCD

 

No sweat, C. I remember my poor college student days. Limited funds ain't no fun!!!

My brother is dropping by with his new Latitude D820, tomorrow. I'll see if his notebook works with my LCD. Imagine my misery if his Dell works while my Asus does not. The horror, the horror...

 

This may be last resort, but try pressing FN+F8 once every few secs to rotate around the VGA, I haven't tried with the V6 but with the Z70va, it sometimes eithe randomly changes the VGA signal, or 'lags', so it works after a while.

 

Stupid question, but is the LCD definitely looking at input DVI-D and not VGA?

 

Yup, it's set for DVI-D when I try the DVI-VGA adapter. I use the VGA option when I try my VGA-to-VGA cable.

NUTHIN' WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Well, the mystery deepens. On a whim, I plugged in the VGA-to-VGA cable... lo and behold my big LCD lit up with a mirror image of the V6's desktop.

HUH???

Rather than beat my head against a wall wondering how/why the external monitor suddenly works I have a new issue:

Can the ATI X700 display the LCD's native resolution of 1920x1200?

This resolution is supported, according to the List of Modes button in the Adapter tab, but I haven't been able to get it displayed. If I check "Extend my Windows desktop..." it makes my LCD display the same size screen as the V6 even if I set the screen resolution slider to 1920x1200 for monitor 2.

Also, is there a setting that makes the external LCD the primary monitor while turning off the V6's screen?

Y'know, Nvidia does a helluva better and easier job of enabling external monitors with notebooks.

 

Except for on my A8jm, where it doesn't remember that I have a secondary monitor every time I unplug it, so I have to re-Extend Windows onto this Monitor and then move the position every time I plug it back in.

Not to mention that if I simply unplug, suspend, and resume later (without the second monitor), all my windows that were on the secondary monitor...are still there. I have to reboot for everything to "know" that there's only a single monitor.

My Radeon 9600 Mobility drivers were far, far better at handling the second monitor consistently for me.

 

Okay, I've had my fill of trying to get my LCD to work with my V6. I can't get the resolution right and I'm tired of screwing around with it. I'm just gonna wait until I buy my new desktop SFF PC when Conroe is available.