Help.

I have an Alienware m17x R4, i recently finally decided to go for the triple monitor set-up i've always wanted, but then AFTER buying the monitor and 3 hdmi's realized that i had no idea what I'm doing -.-

So, describing my problem, i have 3 ASUS VS228's and I know until i get a usb 3.0 to hdmi adapter i can only use 2 of the monitors (+ my inbuilt one). However, I'm unable to do so, I have a AMD 7970M graphics card. and connected one of my monitors with an HDMI and the other with a VGA cable. But when i go to Catalyst control center, it says "To extend the desktop, a desktop or display must be disabled". How do i fix this?

Also, Can anyone guide me as to how i can set up my triple-monitors? I just realized today that the laptop doesn't have a DVI port so i can only connect 2 monitors for now. I plan to play games like Guild Wars and League of Legends across all 3 screens. Can provide a picture of my set-up though it's unnecessary i just have 3 of the same monitors lined up in an arch on my corner-desk. All help is appreciated. Tyvm

 

You need to set up Eyefinity, that's all I know. I never got around to doing it on my ASUS G73JH before I sold it.

 

I tried Eyefinity but it gave me the error that i can only use 2 screens at once. It lets me use both monitors without the laptop screen, but for now i want to use my laptop with 2 monitors until i get a wire/wireless keyboard & usb 3.0 to hdmi adapters.

 

Sorry I can't be of more help. I no longer have a laptop with an AMD GPU.

 

You maybe can use all three together. But I wouldn't advise a USB 3.0 to HDMI adapter. Get a MiniDP (Mini DisplayPort) to HDMI adapter for one, a VGA to VGA for another (which you state you've already got) and then the primary of the three, because you still have to specify one as your primary, should run off the HDMI.

This will be what the miniDP to HDMI cable will look like. The miniDP port is to the right of the HDMI port.



Once you get them connected, go to your Windows screen resolution control panel. It's under the Display Control panel (adjust screen resolution).



You'll need to set your monitors to the correct positions of where they sit on your desk, e.g., if your number 2 monitor (clicking IDENTIFY will tell you which monitor is which) is the right-hand most monitor on your desk, you need to drag it to the right position in the control panel. Same thing with the left-hand most monitor and center monitor. Finally, you need to click on each display and set each one to extend these displays from the multiple monitors option.

Now once you hit apply and ok, you should be able to setup Eyefinity in CCC.

 

I tried what you said, before getting an adapter for the 3rd Monitor i need to figure out how to get these 2 to work first, i can only keep 2 monitors active at a time. the VGA to VGA one is connected, and main hdmi port on laptop is connected to another monitor. But i can't manage to keep 3 screens active at once. It says "The display settings could not be saved. Please try a different combination of display settings." when i try to keep 3 monitors on "Extend desktop" mode. Even if i try to duplicate displays on all 3 monitors, i feel like there's something restricting me from running 3 monitors at once.

7970M, M17x R4, Win8, SSD's, all Drivers updated.

 

Are you setting it in CCC or in the Windows screen resolution control panel?

 

Windows CP. CCC won't even show me the third monitor.

 

Is the notebook's monitor perhaps running as the third monitor? I suspect if you're trying to run three external monitors you can't use the notebook's built-in monitor along with them.

 

It's only allowing me to run 2 monitors at once, Notebook + 1 monitor or 2 monitors w/o notebook. I'm trying to run 3 monitors with the notebook being the primary one.

 

OK, now I'm starting to understand. I believe it's because you are running these all on your Intel GPU and need to force it to use your AMD 7970m...if you already aren't. That would involve disabling the Intel GPU and setting the 7970m as the only GPU in the BIOS. Your BIOS would need to be unlocked for this to happen. Before we go that route, check out the page below and tinker with CCC and the Windows display control panel to see if you can't get the monitors to work like they should. Also, have you tried manually switching to the 7970m using Fn+F7?

How to Setup Multiple Monitors in Windows 8 | Dell US

 

The output might be controlled by the Intel GPU, (I know it is on the latest models with Nvidia). So make sure you have the latest drivers from Intel, not from Microsoft.

This thread might be useful. http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-17-m17x/703796-m17x-r4-7970m-request-assist-getting-built-2-external-monitors-working.html

 

Users report the AMD driver package from Dell contains the Intel iGPU driver as well. And yes, the output still goes thru the iGPU when using the dedicated graphics...I believe the iGPU is just set to pass thru mode then. Hence the Fn+F7.

 

I tried the fn+f7 and my laptop is solely running on the 7970m from what i know (cos the switchable graphics bs is disabled).

I was wondering if this would work. USB 3 0 TO Hdmi Display 2048X1152P Video Audio Converter Adapter | eBay

if i got 2 of them.

Another thing, I did get a Minidp to HDMI adapter. When i go on my screen resolution thing, all 3 monitors + my laptop screen are all available, it just won't let me enable more than 2 at a time, i tried with the duplicate display mode, still didn't work.

 

Ok, that is a dead indicator that the Intel iGPU is still handling graphics then. Intel HD whatever can't support more than 2 at a time IIRC. How is it your Switchable Graphics is disabled? In the BIOS, or do you have that deviant monkey know as Enduro enabled?

 

I just went to Canada computers and asked them, they just sold me a mini-dp to active dvi adapter. Idk why but active hdmi didn't work for me so that was a waste. Anyway i got my 3 monitors running, so happy that i bought a keyboard.

 

Well enjoy OP, glad your problem got so lacklusterly fixed XD.