Second monitor is blank windows xp

You can use this setup to run a slide show on the full screen of a secondary monitor while you view the presentation in normal view on the primary monitor. When using a laptop and data projector, this means the laptop primary has the normal view, including notes, and the screen secondary has the slide show running. Note: The computer second screen settings and PowerPoint settings may need to be reversed when finished. Search query. None of this seems to make a difference.

My main monitor keeps working. I "think" the only program I've added is an update to the anti-virus program AVG-8, but I'm not sure this occurred at the same time. Joined Jan 9, Messages 1, Hello lowellc , Welcome to TSG. I am not likely to be of help here - but I am curious. Your 'second' monitor?

Why two? This is my 'two monitors'. And several questions arise in me about having two. I have solved the first by learning I can toggle off the laptop monitor and use the CRT one. Now it occurs to me to wonder about Power Options settings - those in the laptop. Assuming your Dell is a PC. It feeds both monitors. What makes one monitor your 'main' one?

Presumably the connection? A D Sub for the main and for the other? What happens if you 'reverse' the monitors? Hi Ben, I find two monitors much more efficient for working. During the day I often have six or seven programs running and actually being used , and it is easier to compare information if I don't have to keep using Alt-Tab or the mouse. I can actually have three monitors on this Dell machine, but I found that overkill.

However when I have to limit myself to only one I feel "deprived. It shouldn't be the connection, since both monitors work correctly until 2 decides to go to sleep. Then turning it off and back on brings back that screen for about 20 minutes.

The fact that I am working on the computer at the time seems to make no difference. However when I have to limit myself to only one I feel " deprived.

Does your Dell have two identical connections and therefore each monitor is separate from the other with its own wire and connection point? If the cables are connected and you only have one video connection, then you need to rule out bad cables.

To do this, you need to find another monitor to connect your computer to. If the screen is blank on the second monitor also, then it could be an issue with the video cable.

Sometimes if you accidentally set the resolution in Windows higher than what the monitor supports, it will simply go blank. Once you have gotten the computer into safe mode, follow my instructions here on fixing the blank screen issue because of screen resolution. In most modern versions of Windows, the system actually reverts back to the original screen resolution within 15 seconds unless you click on the Keep Changes button.

Also, Windows normally detects the highest resolution your monitor can support and shows only those options. Another situation where you can end up with a blank screen is when you have connected your laptop to a secondary display or projector and then you simply unplug it without telling Windows. You can normally fix this on laptops by pressing one of the function keys and then pressing the monitor key on the keyboard.

Lastly, you should also make sure that the input source on your monitor is set to the correct input. Most monitors normally auto-detect the input source, but sometimes this feature can become disabled. Press the buttons on your monitor to bring up the options and go to Input and switch to the correct input. I would try system restore or automatic repair first and if neither of those work, then try resetting your PC.

Resetting your PC will preserve all your programs and data, but reinstall the Windows system files. The last step is to take a look at the actual hardware. Before you do anything else, you should try disconnecting all devices and peripherals from the computer like the keyboard, mouse, external hard drive, speakers, printers, scanners, etc. Sometimes a problem with another piece of hardware can cause the display to go blank. Most of the time, they will tell you to simply replace your graphics card.

If you are a bit technically savvy, you can try to open up your computer and check to make sure everything is connected or seated properly.