[anazopyreo]

I'm trying to add a VGA monitor to my PC so I can have 2 monitors. I am running Windows 7 and have an AMD Radeon HD 6670 graphics card. It has a DVI slot I'm not using and an HDMI slot I am using. I plugged the monitor into the onboard VGA connector and it is not getting a signal. I went into the BIOS and changed the standard video input to be the onboad one and then the VGA monitor worked, but my main one did not. I then switched it back so i can at least use what I'm used to. I have also tried using a DVI to VGA adapter in the DVI slot but apparently that doesn't work because it doesn't change the signal to VGA.

 

Is there any way that I will be able to use both monitors at the same time? 

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there are 2 types of dvi to vga adaptor, the most common type and the one you probably bought is a passive adaptor which means it is just a pin to pin connection and i'm pretty sure the only way you can use a vga monitor on the dvi connection with that type card when also using the hdmi slot is to use an active dvi to vga adapter which actually converts the digital signal to an analogue signal like this :- http://www.amazon.co...0/dp/B00C93JQXS

 

 

Edited by terry1966, 30 October 2014 - 06:34 AM.

[terry1966]

there are 2 types of dvi to vga adaptor, the most common type and the one you probably bought is a passive adaptor which means it is just a pin to pin connection and i'm pretty sure the only way you can use a vga monitor on the dvi connection with that type card when also using the hdmi slot is to use an active dvi to vga adapter which actually converts the digital signal to an analogue signal like this :- http://www.amazon.co...0/dp/B00C93JQXS

 

 

Edited by terry1966, 30 October 2014 - 06:34 AM.

[anazopyreo]

Thanks for the reply. I don't suppose there is any way I'll be able to use the onboard VGA connection?

[terry1966]

it used to be the answer to that question was a definite no, you could only use one or the other, onboard or discrete graphics card.

 

now the answer is maybe, because it depends totally on your hardware/bios/drivers from my understanding.

 

see if this helps you set up a hybrid display system.

 

intel (think important part is page 10 onwards of the pdf.):- http://www.intel.com...port-paper.html

 

sorry can't find a good link for an amd solution if that's what pc you have but i do believe hybrid display is also possible with them.

 

never having setup a hybrid display system myself i can't provide a better answer and just hope there is something in this reply that will help you get yours working as you require, if not then you always have the active dvi to vga adaptor to fall back on.

 

[phillpower2]

Excuse the interjection folks 

 

anazopyreo

 

Can you post the brand and model name or number for your motherboard, CPU, PSU the amount of Ram that you have + your screen brand/s and model name or numbers.

 

As intimated by Terry using the onboard video port alongside an add on card is sometimes possible, but only if the CPU produces the video and not if the video is produced by a video chip integrated into the MB, in this instance by default when the BIOS detects the presence of an add on video card the MBs integrated video chip is automatically disabled, this can be changed in the BIOS but it only leads to the add on video card not working while the onboard chip does.

[anazopyreo]

Phillpower2, actually it's now a moot point. I bought the active converter and that worked well for me. Thank you both for your help.

[phillpower2]

Glad you got it sorted and thanks for the follow up anazopyreo 

 

You are most welcome btw & no doubt Terry will be along to say the same 

[terry1966]

glad the active adaptor solved your problem and works well for you,

not sure how reliable they are tho because i've never had cause to own one, so will keep my fingers crossed it doesn't cause you any problems in the future.

 

also might still be worth looking into what motherboard chipset and cpu you have to see if it is capable of running a hybrid display.

who knows one day you might want to run 3 monitors.

 

and like  phillpower2 said, thanks for letting us know the outcome, it's always nice to know we've helped someone solve their problem.