Dual monitor on laptop not working

[Victor Hen]

Not sure where else to put this, but I have a Dell 1505 with an ATI Mobility X1400 video card. I used to use a second monitor in a dual monitor setup. Since then, I installed Omega video drivers and the dual monitor no longer works. I then uninstalled the Omegas and installed the current ATI drivers and it still does not work. Any ideas on how to fix this? By the way, I tried this on another monitor, so it is not a bad monitor. I have also tried the "setting" adjustment to add the second monitor. When I click the box, it seems to reset (just the menu, not the computer) and then the box comes back as not checked. It takes a few times before the check mark stays, but the second monitor remains blank.

[Baldrick]

Use our computer section for stuff that are not really video related. I'm moving you.

[Dv8ted2]

You might need to right click the 2nd display and select enable to let Windows know that a second display exists.

[Victor Hen]

I am not sure I understand what you mean. I have tried setting the second monitor by right clicking on the desktop, then going to Properties > Settings and then clicking on the "2", which is the second monitor. I have tried making it the primary monitor and the secondary one, but no-go. I have also tried playing with Fn8, which turns the dual mode on my Dell laptop on and off, but it still will not work. I also have used Revo-Uninstaller along with Driver Sweeper to remove the video drivers. I have tried Omega alternate video drivers and I have tried the current ATI drivers for the Mobility ATI X1400 card which my laptop has.

One thing I am not certain about: Is the problem caused by the video drivers, a Dell driver, or Win XP Pro (SP3) ?
Apparently it's not the video driver, I think.

[lordsmurf]

I use UltraMon to assist on dual displays, on both of my laptops. http://www.realtimesoft.com/ultramon/

[Dv8ted2]

I am not sure I understand what you mean. I have tried setting the second monitor by right clicking on the desktop, then going to Properties > Settings and then clicking on the "2", which is the second monitor.

If the 2nd display is grayed out, it has become disabled, and you must re-enable it for Windows to know it is there. After that, it is your preference as to whether to use the wallpaper on the other screen. You could drag windows from one screen to the other, or you can output to both screens at the same time, in which case you would see the same thing on both screens.